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Yamaha Peter Hook Signature Bass
- Thread starter TNCreature
- Start date
Yep, and the New York 1981 gig which i guess isn't too much of a surprise as one was featured in the LWTUA video.
On the debate around the BB600 and whether Hooky just has poor memory on this. I don't know what year the BB VI came out, but could he be confusing the name BB VI - BB600? They do look identical to a BB1200, at least to my eyes (although it looks like there is a non reverse version too). I often see used ones come up for sale in japan, like this one currently on the 'bay
My thoughts on the BBPH (haven't had chance to try one yet or the 734a):
Really pleased to finally see a reverse P BB come out!
The original pick up ring and oval inlays would have been the icing on the cake, but not a deal breaker for me
I'd love to see a sunburst version come out too, either in passive or with the same electronics. There were some other v well known bassists who were also associated with these, which i'm surprised Yamaha doesn't acknowledge:
Anyone else had chance to try both a BBPH and 734a yet?
Really pleased to finally see a reverse P BB come out!
The original pick up ring and oval inlays would have been the icing on the cake, but not a deal breaker for me
I'd love to see a sunburst version come out too, either in passive or with the same electronics. There were some other v well known bassists who were also associated with these, which i'm surprised Yamaha doesn't acknowledge:
Anyone else had chance to try both a BBPH and 734a yet?
I'm definitely interested in a comparison between the BBPH and the BB734A, particularly the differences in tone with the "p" pickup. I imagine subtle differences with the reverse pickup on the BBPH, but just how different are the preamps? I've been very interested in the BBPH, but is it worth getting if you already own a BB724A?
Earlier in the thread we were trying to determine when he started using the BB1200S, since it doesn't releae until 1982, yet he claims he did every New Order record with it. Movement is obviously out, and PC&L was recorded late 1982 so it's possible, but we haven't found him using the BB1200S before July of 1984.
Yamaha honestly probably doesn't know. They didn't know Hooky played the BB1200S for most of his career until Jack, his son, told them.
Yamaha fronted basses to the famous, as they all do, another guy with a BB1200:
I somehow doubt he kept that B100 Bass rig for very long . . . .
. . . . who I think generally found as I did (I owned two back in the day) that while they were remarkably well-built instruments, the necks ran thick and they could be heavy, but were a wonderful alternative take on the PBass formula. That honey-tinted clear with dark red highlights sunburst they used was one of my favorite finishes, and the great visual cue was the neckthru stripes running thru the face of the peghead.
For me, that generation of BB Yamahas will never be reached again, even by Yamaha themselves. Like all the Japanese manufacturers, they establish a brand, then ruthlessly re-invent it over and over, until only the name is the same. The current BB's are exceptional for sure, but they will never match those 80's MIJ BB's in my heart.
I somehow doubt he kept that B100 Bass rig for very long . . . .
. . . . who I think generally found as I did (I owned two back in the day) that while they were remarkably well-built instruments, the necks ran thick and they could be heavy, but were a wonderful alternative take on the PBass formula. That honey-tinted clear with dark red highlights sunburst they used was one of my favorite finishes, and the great visual cue was the neckthru stripes running thru the face of the peghead.
For me, that generation of BB Yamahas will never be reached again, even by Yamaha themselves. Like all the Japanese manufacturers, they establish a brand, then ruthlessly re-invent it over and over, until only the name is the same. The current BB's are exceptional for sure, but they will never match those 80's MIJ BB's in my heart.
I agree. The new BBs are still great basses but the original MIJ BBs are really something else. I don't even know if they can be compared to anything else on the market. The BB1200, the BB1200S, and the BB2000 are the best three basses Yamaha ever made, and they never surpassed them, in my opinion.
Just this part here I was referring to, sorry should have edited the rest out when I initially quoted it. I mean that they (being Yamaha) probably aren't even aware of the other well known bassists who used the BBs.
Never knew Duck Dunn played a BB for a while
Seriously, a BB1200 with through body neck would be fairly unique on the market today...not aware of any well known through body P basses these days. I'm sure there are some out there, but i can't think of any. Would be a dead spot killer
Does anyone know if these are already sold out? (US region)
If so, what are the odds Yamaha would release a new bass in the same configuration? I realize the current BB models technically offer more but I am a sucker for the older single reverse P BB basses.
If so, what are the odds Yamaha would release a new bass in the same configuration? I realize the current BB models technically offer more but I am a sucker for the older single reverse P BB basses.
Mine arrived yesterday. I gave it the 24 hours to acclimate (well, 22 hours...) and pulled it out of the box.
First impressions?
- It's light
- It's resonant as hell
- Fit and finish is very good; no obvious flaws. Frets are well dressed, and the nut looks and feels well cut.
- Hardware feels excellent too.
- Unlike the unit someone else tested the battery bay door snaps in perfectly with no issues.
On playing it?
- It's very bright. I come from playing Fender and Squier Jazz basses so I'm not used to this much top end. That's not a complaint as the EQ section is well suited to cutting it when not required.
- Action on the D and G could be a little higher out of the box, but that's a minor cavil and easily adjusted.
- Takes pedals like a champ. My chain at the moment is Becos Stella > Zoom CDR > Rubberneck > amp. The output is hot enough when in active mode that the Becos has its gain waaaay down.
I couldn't help but spend a solid hour running through my own (largely mistake-filled) renditions of "Love Will Tear Us Apart", "Your Silent Face", "Everything's Gone Green", "New Dawn Fades", and "Transmission". Okay, I probably nailed Transmission, but that's a bar set lower than a snake's nipple.
First impressions?
- It's light
- It's resonant as hell
- Fit and finish is very good; no obvious flaws. Frets are well dressed, and the nut looks and feels well cut.
- Hardware feels excellent too.
- Unlike the unit someone else tested the battery bay door snaps in perfectly with no issues.
On playing it?
- It's very bright. I come from playing Fender and Squier Jazz basses so I'm not used to this much top end. That's not a complaint as the EQ section is well suited to cutting it when not required.
- Action on the D and G could be a little higher out of the box, but that's a minor cavil and easily adjusted.
- Takes pedals like a champ. My chain at the moment is Becos Stella > Zoom CDR > Rubberneck > amp. The output is hot enough when in active mode that the Becos has its gain waaaay down.
I couldn't help but spend a solid hour running through my own (largely mistake-filled) renditions of "Love Will Tear Us Apart", "Your Silent Face", "Everything's Gone Green", "New Dawn Fades", and "Transmission". Okay, I probably nailed Transmission, but that's a bar set lower than a snake's nipple.
there's a fine technique to playing transmission wherein you modulate left hand pressure to keep the notes from sustaining. creates a more staccato sound that i don't hear a lot of people who cover that song do.
That's one of my gripes about the BB734A (and the P34), why does the entry level BB234 have 4 color options, but the higher end BB734A and BBP34 only have 2?
historically, yamaha generally offer two colors per model. it's surprising they offer 4 at all.
Depends on the line. The TRBX300 series has six(!) color options, the 400 and 600 lines have four. It really is only the higher BBs that have just two.
To be fair, that is accurate to the old BBs too. The BB1200, 2000, and 1200S all only have two options. Sunburst and natural for the 1200 and 2000 and burgundy and green for the 1200S. Still though, why offer more for the cheaper basses and less for the high end ones?
