Yamaha

[Timmy-Watts]

In my quarter century experience, Yamaha and Peavey have the most consistent quality control and have killer instruments at all price points. You have to work really hard to find a dud. The amount of base you get per dollar really can't be beat consistently. As long as it's in good condition you are safe going with pretty much anything Yamaha in the bass world.

 

[GaryCorby]

...in the guitar world Yamaha and Squiers are known as budget and eh guitars...

Yamaha is the largest musical instrument company in the world. It's fair to say they make a lot of beginner instruments, but also a fair number of high end instruments that might not appear in most music stores.

Have you played a Yamaha SA2200? It's not exactly budget or low-end. (Warning: guitar content on a bass forum...)

 

[eb0248]

My experience with Yamaha is limited to keyboards/synths and engines, but everything I've used with the Yamaha name on it has been built like a tank, even the "lower end" stuff. I'd like to get a hold of an older BB series down the road to see if it's the same for basses.

 

[ubernator]

My experience with Yamaha is limited to keyboards/synths and engines, but everything I've used with the Yamaha name on it has been built like a tank, even the "lower end" stuff. I'd like to get a hold of an older BB series down the road to see if it's the same for basses.

It is.

 

[garp]

For my taste, it's the BB series - love my BB415, it wasn't expensive and it doesn't need to be. Plays great and sounds great just as it is.

Love my BB415, too. For me, it was an affordable entry point into the 5-string P/J realm. At the time I purchased it, I had previously experience with the Yamaha brand by means of guitars, synths and drums, so my confidence level was high that Yamaha's basses would meet or exceed my expectations. I was not disappointed in the least.

 

[KickingBass]

I just remembered that my electric guitar is a Yamaha Pacifica 012 I think, their cheapest Pacifica model. I bought it used with what looked like cat pee and fur on it. I cleaned it up and set it up and I have been thoroughly impressed that such a cheap instrument can feel and play with such quality. Almost feels like I cheated...

 

[hrodbert696]

I just remembered that my electric guitar is a Yamaha Pacifica 012 I think, their cheapest Pacifica model. I bought it used with what looked like cat pee and fur on it. I cleaned it up and set it up and I have been thoroughly impressed that such a cheap instrument can feel and play with such quality. Almost feels like I cheated...

Pee AND fur?

 

[Devnor]

What I'd like to see next from Yamaha is a Revstar inspired bass.

 

[MD]

Six pages and no mention of John Patitucci?

I have a BB404. I don't play it, but I own it. I don't think there's a better bang for the buck offering out there.

 

[Revolver]

I think the reason they don't get as much hype is the fact that they aren't a product-specific company, because I can't think of company that is more consistent across the board.

 

[KickingBass]

Pee AND fur?

yeah I know right? The hard part was it was on the humbucker, pickguard, and the bridge. The bridge was the tough part. It also looked like the cat used the guitar as a scratching post so I took a scotchbrite to it and matte the finish.

 

[bassclef112]

I'd like to get a hold of an older BB series down the road to see if it's the same for basses.

It is absolutely the same. Some years ago I bought an '85 BB5000 because I couldn't pass up the price (I'm a 4 banger).
It impressed me so much on every level that I immediately started hunting up a 4 string and finally found an amazing '84 BB3000S.
These basses have a build quality second to none and sound/play great.

You don't see the older BB's come around as often as they used to, but I do not hesitate in saying this - if you come across one
and can snag it, do it. You won't be disappointed.

 

[wintremute]

Six pages and no mention of John Patitucci?

I have a BB404. I don't play it, but I own it. I don't think there's a better bang for the buck offering out there.

Joebone said a lot, including that name.

Let's talk bass. John Patitucci? Nathan East? Abraham Laboriel? Sheehan? Michael Anthony? Doesn't Leland Sklar sport a customized Yamaha amongst his arsenal? Whoever is playing their newish passive P/J?

Viva Yamaha!

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I have four Yammies so I guess I like them just fine! I was going to post some pics, but Photobucket is experiencing some errors and I can't access my pics.
Fishheadjoe

 

[fingerguy]

No and there is a reason. Note this is just me and my preference. Starting with with your picture example, if that kind of guitar was an interest of mine, I wouldn't even consider Yamaha, I would go straight to the Gibson's and the same goes if it was a Les Paul and a SG. I did own a Epiphone Silver Burst (gorgeous guitar) but couldn't stay in tune even after one song. So that went.

If I was considering a stratocaster my main focuses would be: Fender or Ibanez. A big decision between the two would be the primary type of music I would be playing. Both make superb strats!

Acoustic and in this order: Taylor or Martin. I am willing to try other brands but with my history of Yamaha's I wouldn't even give them a second thought no matter the size of the company. In fact, when in GC I always walk straight into the room with the higher-end guitars.

Bass's I am visually partial to Fender and Warwick. But with the type of music I would be playing and when I finally get the cash together, I would put a lot of my focus on the Fender's J's and P's "American Edition ONLY". Other brands if I was not blown away by the Fender. I have to say, I did pick-up a Warwick and was sweet. I didn't like that it was red, but still nice bass regardless.

Yamaha is the largest musical instrument company in the world. It's fair to say they make a lot of beginner instruments, but also a fair number of high end instruments that might not appear in most music stores.

Have you played a Yamaha SA2200? It's not exactly budget or low-end. (Warning: guitar content on a bass forum...)

 

[fingerguy]

You really think that the Yamaha LL series is a budget or meh type of guitar? You don't know much about guitars.

Again people are putting words in my mouth. When dealing with Yamaha's a lot the guitars that I have played, owned, used, and tried were in the price range of budget guitars. Did you see me specifying the kind of Yamaha? NO! Why? Because I NEVER made a note of it.

You people really see what you want to see.

 

[fingerguy]

In the late 70s and early 80s, the Yamaha sbg/sg2000 and others in that line were regarded by many as top quality guitars (yes guitars not basses). Carlos Santana, Colin Hay and many other pros were using them. It is even featured in " the guitar handbook" as the centerfold example. They quote "the Yamaha SG2000 is regarded as the finest guitar manufactured outside of the us" . It is a total sleeper, I was lucky to score mine at a pawnshop for a killer price. It dated out as 1984.

It is not just good basses. However they don't make em like they used to... (The reissues were not like the real deal, even being priced around $1500)

My sbg2000 and the term "cold dead fingers" comes to mind.

Back in my 20's woman said I could go on forever, in my 30's they said have oral talents. What's your point?

My point is you can throw every example or personal experience about Yamaha's, but it's not going to sell me on them. Also if you go back to how I started this thread i was asking people's opinions on them for my view points are not that great. I never expected anyone to sell me on them let alone don't see anyone ever pulling that off. I I admire Bill Sheehan and respect his choice of a saber, but in the end that is his choice but not mine.

 

[fingerguy]

It's a bass, dude.

Exactly...Fender's which IMHO are more popular, heavily respected, you can find top of the line ones for less than that. I agree it's just a bass, but 4k is crazy. It's not even Billy's it's just a replica of Billy's choices. In the end, each guitar has it's own mojo now matter what they do to replicate it.

Case and point there is a reason why Steve Vai while he owns a ton of guitars still to this day brings and plays Flo and Evo most of the time. If you are not familiar with those two names/words, then you are not a Steve Vai fan.

 

[fingerguy]

Speaking of Yamaha, I'm converting this APXT2 acoustic spruce 3/4 guitar into a 22.8" scale bass uke. (Didn't notice this thread until I looked at the guitar.)

View attachment 977813

Convert it to what? How much did you pay for the guitar? How much is the conversion? I ask for if it's in the price range of over 1k in total, I can't recommend enough to just check out Taylors.

 

[songwriter21]

I've heard that Yamahas are mostly underrated. I've heard basically consistently great things about Nathan East's sig basses through the years, as well as Billy's, John Patitucci's, Michael Anthony's, and others. The only sig models that I've heard mixed reviews on, were the old John Myung basses.

Btw, I heard a cover band open for my band, and the bass player had an Attitude...it sounded almost exactly like the Billy himself, tone-wise. The cover band player was pretty decent, so even more so like Billy's sound. I tech'd for Billy, back in '06 for the first Bx3 tour, and his bass was solid as a rock. We had to superglue the brass nut back on once, but Billy beats the crap out of his basses (and they can take it), so I wasn't surprised.

Not to hijack the thread, as this photo was from our first dinner, before the first show at Shank Hall in Milwaukee (yes, the same from Spinal tap). It was a German place, called Mader's. I'm second from the left.