Hello! I am living in japan at the moment and am seeing crazy deals on vintage Yamaha basses. I know about most of the higher end model such as the BB3000, 2000 and 1000 models but, what about the lower tier models? I am seeing a BB-VI in black excellent condition for 250usd. Played it amd it sounded great! Thinking about getting it. Any other lower models to look out for ? I am looking for a vintage p bass style. Thanks !
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Vintage Yamaha bass recommendations
- Thread starter Jimmy Aloha
- Start date
If you want a straight P - albeit with a reverse pickup - BB800 was a fine bass back in the day, at least to my recollection.
Happy shopping.
Happy shopping.
Thanks! That model and the BB1000 have also caught my eye….
I've always wanted an old BB series Yamaha.
I'd keep an eye out for an old BB1600, or an SB500S Super Bass.
I'd keep an eye out for an old BB1600, or an SB500S Super Bass.
Here in the UK, a retailer is asking for the equivalent of 800usd for a BB-VI....does that help?
From the YouTube demos I could find of that model, I thought it made a very classy, balanced tone. When I searched for past TB adverts, the only one I found said that the VI is extremely rare outside Japan and that the seller had imported it himself.
wmhill
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I bought a BB300 new in 1984 and it's still a great gig-worthy bass.
Nice! Yeah. I am searching reverb and other places . Looks like they go for 600usd or above. Hmmm….impulse buy!??Here in the UK, a retailer is asking for the equivalent of 800usd for a BB-VI....does that help?
I also found someone opining that the VI was a slightly more upmarket version of the 300. I was very tempted by it, but concluded that I like BBs when they make a more in-your-face noise. (Also the split pickup on the one for sale here wasn't reversed, which seems even more rare, and I would like to try a reverse P.)
JeezyMcNuggles
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Nope. No need to look out for anything. Yamaha makes solid...everything, in any price range.
Too right! I started doing repair, set up and customizing work on guitars and basses back in 1980 and I'd have gone broke in a month if I'd had to rely on Yamaha instruments for work. Sure some of the cheaper models might have benefited from a pickup upgrade, depending on taste, but as reliable playable instruments, they are just b****y consistent. (Just like everything else that carries the Yamaha brand name.)
The Yamaha BB400 is a great p-bass with reverse pups made in the early 1980s. Terrific p-bass tone.
BobDeRosa
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I agree about the BB400. At the higher end of the spectrum, a BB2024 would be great to find at a decent price.
I was a couple of mouse clicks away from bidding on an RBX800 about a year ago. Really wish I did seeing what it went for.
Vintage Yamaha bass recommendations?
When purchasing vintage Yamaha basses, there is a very specific model you should seek out, if you wish to make a wise investment in an ultimately playable piece of history.
It will have "YAMAHA" on the headstock, and the model number starts with "BB".
When purchasing vintage Yamaha basses, there is a very specific model you should seek out, if you wish to make a wise investment in an ultimately playable piece of history.
It will have "YAMAHA" on the headstock, and the model number starts with "BB".
That and/or the Flying Banana (SB-1C I think). Both are such cool looking instruments. But the Banana is definitely not a lap instrument!
Here are the 2 together.
one of these has been lurking in Honolulu and dropped in price to around $400, if op is heading this way soon I can pass on the locale. in scant research they seem to be a fine Jazz bass for sounds but not much info beyond that so my interest was tamed a bit, but being vintage YAMAHA I still want to try it. the store allows for trial periods but I'd hate to return such a nice piece for minor quibbles, it looks to be nearly new cond. and is deffinitely an oddity.
otherwise, like with Ibanez you really can't go wrong no matter what instrument they make.
Altitude
An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure.
The BB1600 was a passive bolt-on P/J. I bought one new in ~1989 and had it all these years until I foolishly traded it for a bass I don't even have anymore. The BB1600 had a great, super fast neck and that trademark P/J ping in the slap tone. I'd buy it back right now if it were in the same condition I let it go in.