NBD Yamaha Passive Fretless: Which Model and Year is This?

[Cnivek61]

I picked up this Yamaha entry-level fretless and would like to find the model, year and catalog specs. It has 2 J-type pickups, passive, V-V-T controls, lined rosewood fingerboard, and a higher-mass bridge.

The bass was manufactured in Taiwan and, according to the serial number, in a year ending with 8 (who thought a serial numbering system that repeated every 10 years was a good idea?!). Judging by the amount of wear, most likely 2018, 2008, or 1998.

Does anyone know the model and year - thanks.

 

[trey le parc]

I'm not sure about the year it was made but it looks like a BB-G4ALL, according to a quick and dirty GIS...

 

[Cnivek61]

I'm not sure about the year it was made but it looks like a BB-G4ALL, according to a quick and dirty GIS...

Thanks - I think mine may date from the late '80s. The flamed maple caps, gold hardware, and active soapbar pickups appeared in the '90s.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It could be a BB404.

 

[Cnivek61]

OTE="Dr. Cheese, post: 26452625, member: 39659"]It could be a BB404.[/QUOTE]
You may have nailed it, Doctor! I found photos of a 2000 BB404F in natural finish that is a dead ringer for my bass. Thank you.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

OTE="Dr. Cheese, post: 26452625, member: 39659"]It could be a BB404.

You may have nailed it, Doctor! I found photos of a 2000 BB404F in natural finish that is a dead ringer for my bass. Thank you.[/QUOTE]

I had a fretted one long ago.

 

[Cnivek61]

You may have nailed it, Doctor! I found photos of a 2000 BB404F in natural finish that is a dead ringer for my bass. Thank you.

I had a fretted one long ago.[/QUOTE]

Actually, it could also be a BBN4F. I don't know when the BB4x4 models started, but I don't see the BB404 in the 2000 catalog. I have a 2015 BB424X with an upgraded bridge pickup from the BB1024/2024 that is one of my two go-to basses.

 

[Bitterdale]

The BB404’s have a bevel in the lower cutaway. I believe you have a BBN4F.

 

[CaribooBass]

I really appreciate it when pictures are posted of older fretless basses.

I always wonder what they sound like. Are you able to let us hear it ?

Thanks
Clayton

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I really appreciate it when pictures are posted of older fretless basses.

I always wonder what they sound like. Are you able to let us hear it ?

Thanks
Clayton

It sounds like a Jazz.

 

[Jefus]

It sounds like a Jazz.

Yeah, but those fretless Yamahas with rosewood boards have something...dirtier...in their sound.

Gotta say, I'm pretty envious of this one. Nice score!

 

[TimboZ]

It is a BBN4F
This is the one I had.

Yamaha BBN4F Fretless Bass Black | Reverb

 

[Aloe]

I believe, that should be 1998. not 2018 for sure, as Taiwanese basses were not a thing at that time.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe, Taiwanese basses stopped in 2001 or around. I had an early BB414 from Taiwan, later they stopped Taiwanese plant and began making BB414 in Indonesia.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Hang onto that one. My BBN4F was the only bass I regret selling. That thing really sang.

 

[lucas303]

Nice bass. That A string is scary though!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Nice bass. That A string is scary though!

Time for re-stringing.

 

[groovaholic]

This is a BBN4F; I’ve owned 2.

They have a nice midrange voice that makes for great fretless basses - although I installed a set of DiMarzio Model J in mine to make it noise free and even stronger in the mids.

 

[Isaac_James]

Sweet bass! Come on over to the official unofficial Yamaha BB club, if you're so inclined. Lots of expertise around there. @hypercarrots is practically an encyclopedia of BB history.

 

[Cnivek61]

Nice bass. That A string is scary though!

Indeed! The bass came to me with a set of Chromes that were beat to death, so I threw an old set of Rotosound flats on to get familiar with it. I'm deciding between another set of Chromes or GHS Precision Flats.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This is a BBN4F; I’ve owned 2.

They have a nice midrange voice that makes for great fretless basses - although I installed a set of DiMarzio Model J in mine to make it noise free and even stronger in the mids.

They look so close, I would need to nope they the label on the bass to know for sure