Yamaha BB1100s question

[tommybass64]

I've been looking at picking up a 80's active Yamaha PJ bass for funk duty...Looking at either a BB-1100s or BB-450 I could customize with a preamp. Is the BB-1100s just a dressed up BB-450,or are the woods in the BB-1100s a bit better? Are the fit and finish of the basses similar,or is the BB1100s worth the extra dough? I know they're both alder and look to have the same pickups...Anybody own both or played both and can give an opinion? Last question,The neck on the later Taiwan built BB-1100s looks bigger. Did Yamaha change the neck dimensions? Thanks in advance...

 

[bluesblaster]

I owned and gigged a BB450 for years, its a great little bass. I dont know that the BB100 is going to be a better bass unless you absolutly cant live without the active electronics

 

[tommybass64]

I owned and gigged a BB450 for years, its a great little bass. I dont know that the BB100 is going to be a better bass unless you absolutly cant live without the active electronics

Cool,blaster,good to hear the BB450 is a well thought of bass...Was your BB450 super heavy? Did you like the neck?..

 

[acebase62]

According to a 1980s Yamaha BB Series Owners Manual I have, the BB450 and BB1100S had the same pickups, neck, etc. (nut 1 11/16" wide).

The only difference listed is the 3 band active EQ for the 1100S.

The basses listed in this particular year's manual are the 300, 450, 1100S, 1600, 2000, 3000, and 5000.

The only bass listed with active EQ is the 1100S, so its prior to the active version of the BB5000 which I think started in 1990.

The actual year of the Manual is not printed; it was in the case of a pawn shop BB450 I used to own.

 

[tommybass64]

Thanks, ace,very good info...I would dig a P-width neck like that... Probably makes more sense to search for a BB450 than as the 2 BB1100S's I've seen were in the $500-$700 range.....Are the pickups in the BB450 and BB1100s alnico or ceramic?

 

[acebase62]

Alnico.

P Pickup: 11.6K
J Pickup: 7.9K

 

[bluesblaster]

BB450 is pretty average weight, definitly not a boat anchor

 

[tommybass64]

Thanks guys,appreciate the input....I just watched a YouTube clip where someone was playing some Jamiroquai with an Orange BB-1600 and getting righteous funk tones with no preamp...I would consider one of those as well,I guess,though they seem to be a bit pricey...The white 1600's with the gold trim look sharp IMO...