Yamaha BB414 ?

[smeet]

I found a Yamaha BB414 for sale on cl, looks in good condition. I understand people like these, but I'm not too familiar with them...

Is there anything to look out for?
Do they nail a precision tone?
What years are good/bad?
What is a good price for one of these?

Thanks all, just wondering if I should grab it.

 

[iamthebassman]

I have the active version, the BB614, and love it. The buid quality, playability, and sound is quite good. Only problem I(and others) have encountered is a guitar cord doesn't fit very tight in the output jack.
Rolling off the J p/u gives a great P sound.
They've only been available a few years so I don't know if any "bad years".

 

[wrecksE]

have owned the 415 for over a year and love it. have a mim p bass but the yamaha just sounds better for most applications imo.

 

[zachoff]

I prefer the 414 over the 614 but both are good for sure. How much are they asking? I'd probably not go much over $250 for a used one. I think it smokes most P-ish basses aside up to a USA Fender Standard.

 

[XtheDeadPawn]

I'd say around $300 if in perfect condition or if it's got a bad case of belt rash and/or loose pots wires, and sloopy action no more than $130 - $150 - ish? Anyways as for tone I think they nail the jazz sound but, IMO nothing nails a P bass like a P bass but, FWIW it gets damn close especially the 614 since the 6 is active more EQ possibliity.

 

[Kipaste]

I like mine. I first bought the active version but traded it for the passive one later on which I prefer. Both are good though.

Mine is sort of acting as a P bass at the moment, with flats and all that, but I do love how the J pickup sounds with tone rolled off when playing chords. Add a little tremolo and reverb and it does great trip hop organs.

 

[smeet]

He's asking $200 so if it's in good shape I'll probably grab it.

 

[thudfromafar]

Great bass. Definitely get it for 200.

 

[smeet]

Got it!
This is a great bass in nice condition! Very fat and old-school sounding, a great contrast with my Sadowsky. I lowered the action a bit, I'll probably get a professional setup done and slap some new strings on there and start gigging it.

I like the metallic orange, and my wife let me buy it because it's her favorite color.
The contoured heel is nice, and the workmanship is impressive. No gaps anywhere. Both this bass and the Sadowsky have the "problem" that everything is so tightly fit together that I can't shove a pick between anything for easy access storage.

Thanks for the advice all! Does this qualify me as a "cheap bass owner"?

 

[Relayer71]

Sweet score!!!
I almost bought that orange BB414 last year, definitely a great bass for the $.

 

[thudfromafar]

nice!