New Yamaha BB series

[Badwater]

I've never seen a BB in a store. It might be nice if they actually make these and sell them to people.

Same here:
They do make BB series basses. And they do sell them. But in the US, you'll be lucky to see one brand new for sale in a store. But they are found on online stores, and there is a wait list. I had to wait about a month for the BB424x.
Seems any mid priced bass out of Indonesia takes about 2 weeks to a month to get to the US consumer. Same thing with the Sterling Ray34 a 2 week wait. But the wait is worth it.

 

[Badwater]

Does anybody know pricing on all these models, Yamaha has not updated there site regarding these models and I'm not having any luck finding much more info anywhere else.

I think we'll have to wait until the online stores start to take orders to see the street price. Yamaha website should have the retail price. I think we'll see them sell the BB234/35 and BB434/35, And maybe the maple neck, but none of the higher end models.

 

[DWBass]

They look and sound good. I like the matching headstocks. They look a tiny bit streamlined. Not a fan of the design though.

 

[zortation]

The epitome of "meh".

 

[hypercarrots]

I must be the only one that doesn't like the chrome control plate. I prefer
The bb2024, 1024, 424 to the bb2024x, 1024x, 424x etc

 

[AaronVonRock]

I've never seen a BB in a store. It might be nice if they actually make these and sell them to people.

Even in Asia, I've never seen these in stores. Lots of BBs on the used market here, so they aren't difficult to find that way.

 

[LinusKarlsson]

When I got my first BB414 about 10 years ago the store had loads of them, not just the passive model but the active and the five string, too. Apart from that, I haven't seen one there since. However, that particular store has a really poor bass department anyway. Have gotten worse over the years, sadly.

Well, I like the look of these basses anyway. Especially the 5 piece necks and the added neck bolts. Seems promising. Not so sure about the pick guard, but that's easily removable. I think I also prefer the 3 way toggle switch to the V/V/T-setup.

 

[hypercarrots]

The 424 and 1024 are hard to find new. 414 and 614 were easier I think.

 

[Aras]

The 424 and 1024 are hard to find new. 414 and 614 were easier I think.

Yeah, 424 and 1024 are rare. Trbx174, 304/5 and 504/5 are everywhere. Music stores dont want to risk and buy instruments that are in the same range with mim fenders and top end squiers, and have almost same PU configuration. They take what they can sell easy

 

[hrodbert696]

I wonder if these BB234/5 models will be priced to compete with VM Squiers or lower, and maybe be more likely to show up in a brick and mortar store.

 

[DirkP]

Same here:
They do make BB series basses. And they do sell them. But in the US, you'll be lucky to see one brand new for sale in a store. But they are found on online stores, and there is a wait list. I had to wait about a month for the BB424x.
Seems any mid priced bass out of Indonesia takes about 2 weeks to a month to get to the US consumer. Same thing with the Sterling Ray34 a 2 week wait. But the wait is worth it.

In Germany most stores I know offer them maybe it is their distributor in the US or Americans simply don't buy them. Regardinig the new models: I prefer the look of the older ones.
When I started to read this thread, I expected somehow that they would offer models that are even closer to the iconic ones like the BB1200 or BB2000 of the early 80s.

 

[andruca]

I hope they come up with a better neck profile. I recently made use of a store's no questions asked money back option on a BB425X just because I couldn't get past the chunky neck (which is not that thick front to back but the sorta' D profile makes it awfully uncomfortable to me). I wouldn't mind 1 less mm of string spacing at the bridge on the 5ers either.

 

[Aras]

I wonder if these BB234/5 models will be priced to compete with VM Squiers or lower, and maybe be more likely to show up in a brick and mortar store.

I think that BB2 will be same or close to TRBX174. BB4 will be near VM CV squiers or just a little bit higher.

 

[hrodbert696]

I think that BB2 will be same or close to TRBX174. BB4 will be near VM CV squiers or just a little bit higher.

Maybe, we'll see. But the BB424x was generally priced against an MIM Fender, $500 or 600, wasn't it? I'd think they'd continue that, so maybe put the new BB234 around $300.

 

[FingerDub]

I really want to try a Yamaha, but that body style is terrible!!!

 

[Aras]

Ye

Maybe, we'll see. But the BB424x was generally priced against an MIM Fender, $500 or 600, wasn't it? I'd think they'd continue that, so maybe put the new BB234 around $300.

Yeah, will see. I will take BB424/434 over Fender any day

 

[Badwater]

I hope they come up with a better neck profile. I recently made use of a store's no questions asked money back option on a BB425X just because I couldn't get past the chunky neck (which is not that thick front to back but the sorta' D profile makes it awfully uncomfortable to me). I wouldn't mind 1 less mm of string spacing at the bridge on the 5ers either.

Yamaha US doesn't have much info on these new ones. But the Yamaha AU already has some info on their website. And from what they say, the neck profile is slimmer than the previous version. With a 5 piece neck it should be very stable, and they're using 2 miter screws to pull the neck into the body.

 

[Badwater]

Maybe, we'll see. But the BB424x was generally priced against an MIM Fender, $500 or 600, wasn't it? I'd think they'd continue that, so maybe put the new BB234 around $300.

I agree. The price for the BB234 will be about 1/2 of the BB434. The BB234 lacks a lot of the main features of the BB434 and higher models: like the 6 screw neck pocket with miter screws, and string through bridge. And using a 1 piece neck vs the 5. Also using ceramic pickups vs the alnico, and substituting Daddario strings for some unknown brand. IMO, I would pay the extra money for the better features and materials. It's for sure 2x+ the bass.

 

[hypercarrots]

look at this blatant photoshoppery. 4 and 5 strings have same wood grain? or maybe they are photograin a la fender japan....

 

[Hnz]

Love the BB series. Personally I prefer the 3-way switch to the new V-V-T knobs.