Anyone familiar with them ? I've heard them described as "like a Jazz Bass on steroids" and I can happily deal with that . Apparently Dr Who plays the guitar version and now the shape has become "iconic" .
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Yamaha Samurai
- Thread starter msb
- Start date
Anyone familiar with them ? I've heard them described as "like a Jazz Bass on steroids" and I can happily deal with that . Apparently Dr Who plays the guitar version and now the shape has become "iconic" .
I love that shape too. I think they made a PJ version too, that might've only been available in Japan. Enjoy!
Look like an Iceman bass mix eggplant body shape. Really unique.
I've had a few come thru as potential trade-ins, but never played one. They seem to be going up in value. The love child of a bottle opener and Gumby.
I had that, in the same color. Looks exactly like mine. I love the body shape, it's like an upside-down Rickenbacker, and what a great headstock (hockey stick). The sound was, well, it's a jazz bass, nothing really special there, but sure. I liked the neck. The issue for me was ridiculous neck dive, well duh!, so I sold it. Other than the neck dive, it's a fine, great-looking bass. Enjoy!
The Samurai was well before the Iceman . They first came out around 67/68 . I'm thinking that I'll probably wind up putting flats on it , never had reason to use med scale strings before , I tend to favour LaBellas or GHS flats for shortscales , TI's for long scales . So I'm not sure just what route I'll take here . Any advice appreciated ...
I love the body style. I would absolutely own a guitar version if the nut width wasn't so darn skinny. Makes a strat feel generous.
I'd say Kinda jazz bass like is about right for the bass version.
I'd say Kinda jazz bass like is about right for the bass version.
There's one for sale in the TB classifieds, same color. Been there for months. These are real cool looking basses, along with their Flying Banana bass.
Those are so cool, congrats! I'd love to play one, they're just so unique. The bassist from Polysics plays them and she always has awesome tone.
Oh my, I didn't know the yellow was that pale. I thought the colour was a little more saturated, like a lemon or something. Such a pretty bass. Gratz on the score!
A month back there was a yellow one for pretty cheap where I live, and you're making me regret not being able to pick it up!
A month back there was a yellow one for pretty cheap where I live, and you're making me regret not being able to pick it up!
Cool bass! If I had one I'd mod it to vintage spec pickup locations, if nothing else.
Oh my, I didn't know the yellow was that pale. I thought the colour was a little more saturated, like a lemon or something. Such a pretty bass. Gratz on the score!
A month back there was a yellow one for pretty cheap where I live, and you're making me regret not being able to pick it up!
Yes , I kinda fell for that yellow and it became the colour I wanted . A friend used to be the Yamaha rep around here and he told me several were bought around here but I've only seen one come up for sale , and I missed it . Thanks to the interweb it looks like I'll soon have one !
I was at a local show back last summer I believe, and a band I'm friends with called Kitty Rotten was playing. I know all the guys in that band, and the bassist was playing this crazy, awesome looking bass. I asked him about it post show, and he said it was a Yamaha Samuri! It sounded pretty awesome there. It's on my list for a future purchase possibly. I really like the look of them.
Never really noticed it before , but they do resemble an upside down Rickenbacker . I do love a nice Ric , have two , so I'm quite ok with that ! It's probably going to be a week before it gets delivered ... I'm really looking forward to it !
Congrats @msb !
Bass looks great in the pic...I have a soft spot for that "blond" look.
Would be nice if you can post your impressions/experience when you get it.
Cheers!
Bass looks great in the pic...I have a soft spot for that "blond" look.
Would be nice if you can post your impressions/experience when you get it.
Cheers!
