Yamaha BB2024X

[Doctor J]

It's been a while since I've been properly GASsed up (mortgage blues probably being the root of it) but for the last couple of months I've been drooling over the new Yamaha BB2024X. Everything about this bass tells me it knows no other way, other than to kick ass. I want one bad.

Anyone have one? It'd be great to get some first hand accounts, the glowing reviews I keep reading are a bit repatative.

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[Sundogue]

I'm not sure what is different about this new offering from my older BB415 (aside from mine being a 5 string and this one having a pickguard/control plate).

The pickups look identical and it appears to have the same controls (as a passive bass). All I can say is it does scream "kick ass" and if my BB415 is indication, it most certainly does. The P-Bass/Jazz pups are VERY aggressive. I mean so hot that as a passive bass you may almost need to use the "active" input on an amp. The bass is very solid and stable. Of course I can only go on my BB415 but it does appear to be a newer model of the same BB414/415 series of old. And that, IMO, is a very good thing! I like mine without the pickguard/control plate but I dig this look very much too.

Buy one and let us know what you think!

 

[Woodchuck]

I'm not sure what is different about this new offering from my older BB415 (aside from mine being a 5 string and this one having a pickguard/control plate).

The pickups look identical and it appears to have the same controls (as a passive bass). All I can say is it does scream "kick ass" and if my BB415 is indication, it most certainly does. The P-Bass/Jazz pups are VERY aggressive. I mean so hot that as a passive bass you may almost need to use the "active" input on an amp. The bass is very solid and stable. Of course I can only go on my BB415 but it does appear to be a newer model of the same BB414/415 series of old. And that, IMO, is a very good thing! I like mine without the pickguard/control plate but I dig this look very much too.

Buy one and let us know what you think!

I had a BB2024 (sans p/g) delivered today. Trust me, there's a HUGE difference! The tone on this bass is beyond sick, and these are handcrafted. The feel on this neck is amazing, and feels and plays like a bass you've had for years. The p'ups may look the same, but there are not. The p'ups and bridge are custom made.

 

[terribilino]

I agree, this is a very nice looking bass - though it's this one which gets me drooling:

I take it you've seen Ed Friedland's take on the fiver: http://www.youtube.com/user/BassGuitarMag#p/a/u/0/rscMwAdyhLE

I get the impression he generally likes it (though he points out its flaws), but thinks it's kind of pricey.

Other than that, I haven't seen much around. I'll be watching this thread.

 

[Sundogue]

I had a BB2024 (sans p/g) delivered today. Trust me, there's a HUGE difference! The tone on this bass is beyond sick, and these are handcrafted. The feel on this neck is amazing, and feels and plays like a bass you've had for years. The p'ups may look the same, but there are not. The p'ups and bridge are custom made.

Hmmm...not sure where the difference lies. The pups on mine are super aggressive and I would go as far as saying they are the best I've heard and sound better to my ear than any other passive or active bass I've played. And the pups and bridge are proprietary to Yamaha, so yes they are custom made too.

So...they've improved on perfection?

As far as handcrafted goes...there are no flaws on my BB415. The neck, fret work, body and finish is near perfect (for a used bass even) and it's sound and feel is everything you describe. The looks are identical. It appears to be a release of an updated version of my bass. Not sure how much they could have "updated" it when it looks identical and there is little to improve upon. To me it appears to be like a "reissue" of the BB414.

Here's my BB415 (although mine is wired up with two volumes and one tone control).

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So where is the huge difference?

Price? Really if someone can tell me some specifics on the differences, I'd love to read about it. I'm not knocking it at all...I love Yamahas and think it's cool if they're reissuing what I believe to be the best bass they made.

EDIT: I did some checking and there are some differences, but I feel they may be somewhat negligible.
* 5 piece neck...maple and mahogany. Should be structurally more sound. Mine is an older bass and the neck is perfect. Still, a good feature.
* String-through. This has always been debatable as to it's benefit.
* States the pups are "specially invented" for this particular series. Perhaps. Still, I can't imagine how you upgrade perfection.
* Metal nut. Meh...been there with mods before. Never saw what the improvement was.

Again, I'm not knocking this new Yamaha bass. I think it's one of the coolest, bad-ass ones to come out in a while. Just happens to be a lot like a bass I already think is pretty cool and bad-ass.

If anyone has more specifics beyond the marketing, please chime in!!!

 

[BoRadBass]

The BB424 and 425 will replace the 414 and 415. However the BB2024 and 2024x as well as 2025 are new high end insturments designed with input of top touring bassists such as J.M.J and some other people I can't think of. They are supposed to be the new top dog, and the price reflects that.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

 

[joshmat]

I just got a BB3000 reissue, and let me tell you, it's one sick bass. I was scouting these out as well, and found a lot of marketing vids on youtube with various artists speaking about all of the features. Obviously, you'll want to be your own judge, and they are indeed Yamaha produced videos, so there is definitely some lack of objectivity there. Ed Friedland's review is also very informative. He also chimed in on a thread here where this is some good info on some of the features, etc. If you search for BB2025X you should find that thread.

From what I discovered, the 202(4/5)x series ...
-Are crafted in Japan
-Have bodies that have like a biscuit between the pieces (I've seen this concept debated in the luthiers corner)
-Mahogany stringers/lams in the neck. My BB3000 has these and it does make it feel really sollid, but it's a NeckThru, so the lams go end to end. Lee Sklar comments on this in one of the vids.
-Metal nut (I think it's nickel and was mentioned above)
-Go through some sort of process where the woods are treated "sonically" with waves to make the bass sound "seasoned". I'm not sure of the validity of this as it really does sound like some hype.
-Pickups are hot and fat as well as passive.
** Here's where the criticism came in on Ed's review of the 5'er. If you solo the J PUP or blend it in with the P PUP, you get standard single coil hum. The P alone is quiet as expected.

I would be curious to see if any 414/415 owners have done any side-by-side comparisons. The 415s are fairly low cost, and I've been gassing for a 5'er. On a side note ... Anyone want to sell me an old BB5000? They don't seem to be reissuing that one!

 

[rulyøngo]

It's a bit pricey but it looks good...

 

[Doctor J]

So...they've improved on perfection?

So where is the huge difference?

They say they spent about three years refining the aforementioned perfection while enlisting the expertise of several top drawer players who road tested it and are entirely hand-building the result. I don't think they really needed a revolution, but there are a lot of interesting things going on in what appears to be a relatively straightforward instrument, a lot under the hood, you might say

I don't really understand the repeated "expensive" comments which keep cropping up. It's expensive, yes, but then again this is the world of hand-made bass guitars and we're on Talkbass, it's not that expensive in the grand scheme of things here. How does the price look compared to a Fender custom shop or one of any of a plethora of American builders who people regularly eulogise about. Is it because its Japanese that it's expensive?

 

[Sundogue]

They say they spent about three years refining the aforementioned perfection while enlisting the expertise of several top drawer players who road tested it and are entirely hand-building the result. I don't think they really needed a revolution, but there are a lot of interesting things going on in what appears to be a relatively straightforward instrument, a lot under the hood, you might say

I don't really understand the repeated "expensive" comments which keep cropping up. It's expensive, yes, but then again this is the world of hand-made bass guitars and we're on Talkbass, it's not that expensive in the grand scheme of things here. How does the price look compared to a Fender custom shop or one of any of a plethora of American builders who people regularly eulogise about. Is it because its Japanese that it's expensive?

I agree about the price thing. I wasn't deriding it based on price because I even feel my BB415 is worth more than what they go for. I think Yamaha BB Series basses are some of the finest basses out there and every bit the rival of a Fender custom shop so I'm all in favor of this new series of Yamaha basses.

I see that they haven't improved upon the single coil Jazz pup's 60 cycle hum. I really only notice it on my BB415 when full on by itself, but it is quite noticeable then. That would have been something I think they could have resolved (noiseless Jazz pup?) on this BB2024/5.

The neck seems to be an improvement, albeit possibly an unneccesary one. I just played two outdoor, VERY cold gigs and the neck on my BB415 didn't even budge and it stayed perfect and in tune. Was still in tune after it was brought in from the cold and warmed up. Very solid and mine is just a solid maple neck.

I wonder how the weight and balance is like on these new BB2024/5's? The BB415 is just a bit neck heavy and a tad heavy overall. I'd be interested in knowing if these new ones are better balanced and what the weight comparison is?

I really dig the pickguard/control plate look. I think it's a killer looking bass...but of course, I'm biased towards the Yamaha BB series style.

EDIT: Checked out the Ed Friedland review on YouTube. Doesn't sound any different than my BB415. The different pup tones are identical and mine has a very clear, articulate B string as well. Personally, regardless of the claims, I doubt the pups are any different as they sound the same and the Jazz pup still hums as a single coil. I got mine used and someone did have another bridge on it at one time along with through-body stringing, although not at an angle as on this new model. I have the stock bridge on and never have been interested in the string-through. Mine has exceptional sustain as well.

About the only thing I could see being an upgrade is possibly the neck construction and that is a moot point for me anyway as my neck is more than solid enough to do it's job and stay straight for as long as I own it. The rest isn't different enough for my tastes to feel like the my BB415 is a lesser bass, except mine was about $2300 cheaper.

Still, I'd like to read other's reviews on this new version.

 

[mobis.fr]

has someone any information on the neckwidth (in mm would be nice )?

i had a bb414 once. i liked it really, but the neck was too jazzy for my taste.

 

[yuenyen92]

i just order my bb1025....cant wait to see her!!!!!!!!!

 

[zortation]

It's been a while since I've been properly GASsed up (mortgage blues probably being the root of it) but for the last couple of months I've been drooling over the new Yamaha BB2024X. Everything about this bass tells me it knows no other way, other than to kick ass. I want one bad.

Anyone have one? It'd be great to get some first hand accounts, the glowing reviews I keep reading are a bit repatative.

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Now THAT is a bass.

 

[d1976bass]

I've got 2 bb2024x's. Totally fell in love with them when I tried them. A white one and a black one. I'll probably end up getting rid of one, as it is a bit ridiculous to have two and I'm in need of a P-bass, but man, they really are rock machines. Super aggressive p sound from the neck pick-up and the bridge pick-up is really growly. I'm not a really big fan of both pick-ups at once as it's a little modern sounding for me but I'm sure it has great applications. nice and light and a great neck. I've had them both for a year. One with light round wounds and one with heavy flatwound labella's and haven't needed a set up yet.

 

[bassarama]

I played both a 2024 and a 2024X ( pickguard ) last week locally.

According to the YAMAHA site they are DISCONTINUED.

I contacted YAMAHA CORP here and they never ever got back to me on the 5 strings as no dealer will buy them to keep in stock--they say they are a hard sell and thus only stock the lower models.

I placed a burst 2024X beside a BB415 ( lower model ).
Looked exactly the same save a metal nut on the 2024X.

I have been a YAMAHA BB fan forever, but the 2024X ( never got to play the2025 5 stringer ) was not in the same class or vibe as the macasser ebony-neck thru BB 2000s 3000s and 5000s.

very noisy back pickup-both soloed, and split with neck pickup. too, the bridge pickup has no bite--just big and woofy.

the slap sound has that compressed "honk" to it as does the NE2, the BB3000. The BB Broad Bass 2000, BB5000 and the BB2000 kick some serious butt and have a way different tone for slapping-----closer to Jazz sound and clarity and cut IMHO.

the fingerboard has a powdery dry feeling--miss the smooth ebony.

It is LOUD for a passive bass.

I think YAMAHA failed at this model to be honest with you--discontinued already ?

One dealer was selling a used burst for $899 !! (2024X)
Other dealer selling for $1499 (2024) the guy who ordered it backed out.

tell you the truth I had been dying for months to try one--not anymore--i couldn't even spend $899 for a $3000 list 2024X.

Aesthetically this bass has a very limited appeal in genres other than rock or metal IMHO.

1 out of 5 stars from me , anyways.

Try one of you can and come to your own conclusions.

get the BB2000 being sold by another TBer if you really want the "experience"...I am not sure the 2024X will do it for ya

 

[DuShauh]

I think YAMAHA failed at this model to be honest with you--discontinued already ?

One dealer was selling a used burst for $899 !! (2024X)
Other dealer selling for $1499 (2024) the guy who ordered it backed out.

tell you the truth I had been dying for months to try one--not anymore--i couldn't even spend $899 for a $3000 list 2024X.

Aesthetically this bass has a very limited appeal in genres other than rock or metal IMHO.

1 out of 5 stars from me , anyways.

Try one of you can and come to your own conclusions.

get the BB2000 being sold by another TBer if you really want the "experience"...I am not sure the 2024X will do it for ya

AFAIK only the BB2024 is being discontinued, and that is only in the US. The 2024X is still available, as are the other "newer" BB series. On that note, if used BB2024X's are being sold for 899.00, that (IMHO) would qualify as a really HOT deal. These are really good (borderline perfect for what they are, price point included) basses. If they were more readily availble, I think that the appeal/approval rating would be huge.

 

[sanfordandsonny]

I played one and as much as I hate hype the piano like tone of these things reminds me of a bb5000 I used to have.
This one was for an endorsee so I was worried maybe the production model would be different but whew at $899 ill roll those dice.

 

[RussT]

I realize this is an old thread but I had to chime in. I recently bought a bb2024x. I have a sadowsky metro uv70 a bongo and a Rickenbacker 4003. The only bass that I won't consider selling is the yamaha. I have had a lot of nice bass's in my life but for me this is the best sounding instrument I have ever had. It's hard for me to play the others because i keep reaching for the BB. There is no hype here. These are killer sounding guitars.