Okay, prepared to get a string of comments from the usual Yamaha boosters.
The bass pictured there is a Yamaha BB3000A, which is the first revision of the original Yamaha BB3000 model. I believe the main revisions between the initial series and the 'A' models were different pickups, different bridges, and in the case of the 5-strings, a wider neck at the nut. The 'A' series is also active, where the original BB3000's were passive.
I have a Yamaha BB3000S, which is a passive version of the bass pictured, in a natural finish. I also have a BB1600, which is a bolt-on version of the BB3000. The BB3000s are usually made with alder wings, attaching to mahogany strips down the neck, which sandwich a nice neck-through selection of maple. Fretboards are ebony, if I'm not mistaken.
I love these basses.
My BB3000S is an incredibly warm, even sounding bass with mojo to spare and what I consider to be an incredibly striking look. It doesn't have the punch or glassiness that you'd expect from something like a Marcus Miller jazz - it's more of a subdued sounding instrument with loads of fundamental, that you wouldn't exactly slap with unless you had to.
The easiest way to hear the BB3000 sound in action is to go to iTunes and pay the buck for a few select cuts by No Doubt. Tony Kanal, their bass player, uses a BB3000 as his main axe, and is usually VERY audible in the mix. The song that IMO captures the overall feel and sound of the Yamaha is 'Marry Me' off the 'Return to Saturn' album.
