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yamaha BB vintage bass
- Thread starter grace30
- Start date
i think the bb2000 is generally considered the gold standard, but most of the different models vary according to features, so there might be another that's better for ya. if i'm not mistaken there's a very nice bb2000 in the TB classifieds right now.
BB3000 is a really good bass. Just listen to Jonas Reingold on any Karmakanic or Flower Kings cd.
I'm with NEWYEARKID on the BB3000. I own one, and it's quickly become one of my favorite all time basses.
IIRC, I seem to recall reading in some bass reference book that the early Yamaha basses in the mid 1980s were made in the Alembic factory. Anyone know anything on this?
IIRC, I seem to recall reading in some bass reference book that the early Yamaha basses in the mid 1980s were made in the Alembic factory. Anyone know anything on this?
The BB2000 is THE classic Yamaha BB in my opinion.
Some artists/albums recorded with the BB2000.
Jimmy Haslip - 1st Yellowjackets album
Michael Anthony -- Van Halen II
Andy Rourke -- The Smiths/Meat is Murder
Abe Laboriel Sr -- Custom BB2000 - 5 string.
The BB3000 is different, in that it did not have the Reverse P pickup, which gives the BB2000 such a balanced tone. I also never liked the gold hardware on the 3000.
I have owned 5 vintage BB basses -- 2 BB1000s, 2 BB2000 and one BB3000. The BB2000 is the best in my experience.
Some artists/albums recorded with the BB2000.
Jimmy Haslip - 1st Yellowjackets album
Michael Anthony -- Van Halen II
Andy Rourke -- The Smiths/Meat is Murder
Abe Laboriel Sr -- Custom BB2000 - 5 string.
The BB3000 is different, in that it did not have the Reverse P pickup, which gives the BB2000 such a balanced tone. I also never liked the gold hardware on the 3000.
I have owned 5 vintage BB basses -- 2 BB1000s, 2 BB2000 and one BB3000. The BB2000 is the best in my experience.
i recently aquired a bb1200 and its ridiculous. could work in a lot of situations (except when the uber-tubby hollowbody sound is needed). they are rare and might look a little weird to fender purests but blow new MIA fenders (except Custom Shop) away. mine was only $500 on ebay
Generally speaking the BB-2000 is the most sought after. I have also owned a BB-1200S which was introduced in 1982 along with the BB-2000 and the BB-400. The BB-1200S had an active 3 band EQ and a single split pickup with a neck through design like the BB-2000. Personally I think this bass was a very close second to the BB-2000. It was a little more versatile because of the active EQ. A BB-1200S finished in transparent "deep green" is a real rare bird.
Yes, the BB2000 is best - heavy chunks of wood, but tone for days and serious bottom end, yet articulate. And you'll see lots of these with replacement pickups, but I think the original Yamahas remain the best option.
BB3000 is lighter, no reverse-P, gold hardware, narrower at the nut. They are also pretty cool, but don't have the BB3000's authority.
Each of these is neck-through, with ebony board. Ditto with the BB5000, the first commercial 5-string. The earlier ones have narrow spacing and were made in Japan. Later ones are wider, but often made in Taiwan, as was the BB5000A, featuring active pickups.
The other flagship was the TRBxP series; 24 fret neckthroughs with piezo bridges alongside an active PJ format. Also very special!
After that, you see a mind-numbing array of other BB numbers as lower price points were hit based on rosewood for ebony, bolt-on for neckthrough, dots for crown inlays, P-pickup only, made in Taiwan instead of Japan, etc. Many of these are great instruments, especially for the ridiculoulsly low prices they go for. I once played a humble BB400 from back in the day with a huge BB2000 bridge, beautiful grain on the maple neck, and a big sound that would eat a P-bass for breakfast.
Never played the BB1200S, but did have a BB1100S for a while, which I think is the neck-through version of the same axe. It was a killer for the money!
The only real problem with all of these is fussy tuning machines that go bad over time. Other than that, any early BB is a safer bet than any contemporaneous Fender. Easily the best mass-market basses of the 1980's!!!!
BB3000 is lighter, no reverse-P, gold hardware, narrower at the nut. They are also pretty cool, but don't have the BB3000's authority.
Each of these is neck-through, with ebony board. Ditto with the BB5000, the first commercial 5-string. The earlier ones have narrow spacing and were made in Japan. Later ones are wider, but often made in Taiwan, as was the BB5000A, featuring active pickups.
The other flagship was the TRBxP series; 24 fret neckthroughs with piezo bridges alongside an active PJ format. Also very special!
After that, you see a mind-numbing array of other BB numbers as lower price points were hit based on rosewood for ebony, bolt-on for neckthrough, dots for crown inlays, P-pickup only, made in Taiwan instead of Japan, etc. Many of these are great instruments, especially for the ridiculoulsly low prices they go for. I once played a humble BB400 from back in the day with a huge BB2000 bridge, beautiful grain on the maple neck, and a big sound that would eat a P-bass for breakfast.
Never played the BB1200S, but did have a BB1100S for a while, which I think is the neck-through version of the same axe. It was a killer for the money!
The only real problem with all of these is fussy tuning machines that go bad over time. Other than that, any early BB is a safer bet than any contemporaneous Fender. Easily the best mass-market basses of the 1980's!!!!
I beleive that it's in Tom Wheeler's book "American Guitars" that he makes a side mention that the earliest Yamaha instruments from when they started making the BB-2000, the SG-2000 (solid body guitar which Carlos Santana used for a good while), and the SA-2000 (their version of an ES-335 type), the first batch was made by Alembic.
I have friend who managed another guitar store and they were a Yamaha dealer. The first three BB-2000s they got were enough different from the other batches to make me beleive those first ones were teh Alembic ones. Hard to pin it down, but they just felt more comfortable, had better fit and finish and fret work, and sounded better. And the later ones were just plain great instruments, but those first few were beyond excellent. My buddy had been around the market for years and was one of the most experienced and knowledgable people about old Fenders. He still says he thinks his BB-2000 is "the best 1958 Fender Precision I've ever played."
jte
I have friend who managed another guitar store and they were a Yamaha dealer. The first three BB-2000s they got were enough different from the other batches to make me beleive those first ones were teh Alembic ones. Hard to pin it down, but they just felt more comfortable, had better fit and finish and fret work, and sounded better. And the later ones were just plain great instruments, but those first few were beyond excellent. My buddy had been around the market for years and was one of the most experienced and knowledgable people about old Fenders. He still says he thinks his BB-2000 is "the best 1958 Fender Precision I've ever played."
jte
I currently play a BB450 (nowhere near as nice as the other series) but it has deep sentimental value to me. I truly enjoy playing it for whatever its worth. I too would like to know more about these vintage BB series...
You mean, like this
:Amazing bass, and unlike anything else I've come across (3 band active EQ with a single reverse P PUP? Where else are you gonna find that?). I found this lefty last year. Some funky photo chemical thing happened to the finish though, as the transparent green is no longer even and it looks blotchy, almost like camouflage. If you look at the photo you'll see that those areas that look like reflections are actually not, they're variations in the green finish. Not sure if this is common with these basses/finishes.
My BB1100S has been my baby since I purchased it new, back in the mid 80's. P and J pickup config, passive mode or actiive, three band eq.
Bass recorded like a dream and I beat the daylights out of it for many years. I'll never sell it!
Fishheadjoe
Bass recorded like a dream and I beat the daylights out of it for many years. I'll never sell it!
Fishheadjoe
BB1200 is what Paul McCartnery and Leland Sklar played... FWIW
I've had one since 1981 and refuse to get rid of it....
I've had one since 1981 and refuse to get rid of it....
Let's not forget John Patitucci on that list. I had the good fortune to see John play many times while he lived in Los Angeles. In 1987 I saw him play his 4 string BB2000. It was because of him that I bought one back then. Could have been a BB2000s.
I believe it was that bass or the LAG bass that John used on his first album to record the slap part for Wind Sprint, now a classic.
Anyway, I do know for a fact that back then, John used the Yamaha live on the gig mainly to slap parts. If memory serves me right (which it may not), I remember John having EMG pickups in the BB2000s.
It sounded great through the Bag End speakers!!!
I believe it was that bass or the LAG bass that John used on his first album to record the slap part for Wind Sprint, now a classic.
Anyway, I do know for a fact that back then, John used the Yamaha live on the gig mainly to slap parts. If memory serves me right (which it may not), I remember John having EMG pickups in the BB2000s.
It sounded great through the Bag End speakers!!!
+1
I had John Carruthers put in EMG PJ's into mine and added a Hipshot D-Tuner.... I love my BB1200.... can't say enough good things about these basses...
I had a japanese made BB3000 in the 80s which sold and later bought another on that was made in taiwan and I didnt feel much difference on these two, both very good. But I always kick myself for selling my sunburst fretless BB2000 that I bought used in '85. That bass was awesome and I would get another one if I could find it
I have recently gotten my hands on a BB1200, put some new flats on it, and it is unbelievable. Think P bass on steroids.
