bigsmokebass

On the neck with the blocks, Is it just me who thinks they reflect more than usual? Possible fretboard stickers? 

18 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

You can bypass the active very easily, just flip the switch and it's passive with a load of extra knobs.

This is true but pointless me having something that won't be used and added weight to what I've been told is already a heavy bass.

Looks a tasty bass and for not being a vintage/Custom Shop Fender I think you'll enjoy it more, if you're like myself to worry about vintage or expensive equipment getting scratches or dents. 

The gigs at the Dog and Duck not going too well? 😜

You're right... They aren't D'Addario's. I haven't used Elixirs in so long to know they're them, so can only take Yamaha's word but are nice strings and still sound great through the bass and should last longer 😁✌🏻

That is appreciated although back to the 70's and 80's when that was largely a thing to plug straight into desks (no doubt what NE did a lot of) but today there's so much out there to use, from hardware like DI pedals with all the bells and whistles, to amps with different functions or software these days that can almost make your instrument sound like anything you'd like it to. 

Is too much eq on a bass needed? As a passive player, I'd personally say no, strip it out but the next person may say "keep it and add more" 😁

If it sounds great flat, then let the amp do the talking? 🤔

I can see it being a great bass for all the slappers and tappers out there, somewhat like the kubicki basses that Stu Hamm used. Perhaps a 6 string would be too much and too many knobs for most people to appreciate but then as a signature model, I guess it would serve all his needs. 

3 hours ago, bassbiscuits said:

Wow that's a stunning set up! 

I love Yamahas. Ive got a BB604 (a BB bass in name but not in design)  and it's such a good all rounder. 

Got a lot of time for Yamahas.  

Thank you 😁

The 604 are great basses, perhaps a BB in the way of more of a 'modern' take on the series, alike to the Nathan East models and they're quite the bass in itself! I hope you're enjoying it and would love to see if you get any more Yamaha products - being a fanboy haha

8 hours ago, MDWagstaff said:

I think it's kind of cool looking. Would I ever own one even if they did a budget version? Probably not, but I've seen far worse looking basses that usually fall under the 'boutique' bracket 

If they made a budget one, I'd be tempted depending on how much and what features. 

I actually don't mind the headstock, funny enough. Just bugs me that they're all active basses 😂😂😂

If they made a passive fretless 5 string, I'd happily jump at it and love the headstock regardless haha

4 hours ago, Chopthebass said:

I have just ordered a USA MJ-5. Gotta wait 14 weeks now!

Great basses IMO

Jesus dude! That's some dedication. Kudos to you mahn, got more patience than I have 😂

Pics when you get it 👍🏻

8 hours ago, Cuzzie said:

Good work buddy and a fantastic haul.

 down half a step and drop D with a D tuner  is where I live.

Welcome to the club!

Will have to meet up soon and let you try them mahn, as well as get me on some Sandberg's 😉

Amen for the tunings! 😁🙌🏻 Need to get myself the right Hipshot D-tuner but also some straplocks... Can't use a strap until I do hahaha. 

8 hours ago, therealting said:

Yeah, that’s quite a pair. A step above my 435!

The BB435 is a really nice bass! How are you finding it? 

11 hours ago, M@23 said:

Blimey, that's an order! Haha. Looks great!! I have a BBP35 in the other colour. Can't fault it, it's a really, really good bass. There doesn't seem to be many about. Mine was the 1st in the country, direct from Yamaha and I haven't seen many since. 

Are you going to tune/string them differently? 

I'm surprised there aren't many over here, it does sadden me that people out there prefer Fenders more so: which tend to lack the quality and cost more. Perhaps more so because it's a household name over Yamaha but they don't realise they're being fleeced? 😕

Both got the stock D'Addario's on them, the 5 string is standard and the 4 is in Eb tuning. Looking to get a D-tuner for the 4 string soon enough. 

Hey guys, 

Finally got my order received, including 2 Yamaha BBs, Ashdown CTM head and cab and even an ashdown tone pocket to stay on the neighbours Christmas card list 😉 hahaha

Obviously, matching 4 & 5 string BBP34 and 35 basses. Fit like a glove, sound amazing and don't break my back the way the BB1025 does. Extremely happy to have these. 

The ashdown is just pure valve bass amp goodness. Got less watts to play with but compared to my Trace Elliot 715 and Ashdown Touring 220w, I've got more tone to play with and its loud enough for what I need it for. I will be investing in some casters for the cab though, it's a heavy thing and the wheels on the back of the cab are practically useless unless you're 2ft tall, to use it on the 45° angle and don't need to move it sideways. 

All in all, feel like a kid on Christmas getting everything on his list to santa. So happy 😁

Sorry to hear your leaving and hope you don't hang your bass up, always good just to noodle and keep the passion going, even just at home. 

I'm sure speaking on behalf of everyone here that we wish you all the best, hope you enjoy your golden years and you may come back in time

So, err.... What's the going rate of a kidney these days? 😅

What a beaut'!! Someone's in for a treat. 🤤

GLWTS 

It is growing on me the more I see it but something about a headless, 6 string bass that doesn't seem very 'Yamaha' or 'Nathan East' to me 😅

Downfall for me, would be the price tag. His BB is already £3k+... So unless is going to be a ridiculously cheap Japanese bass or something, it's probably something that's a one off. 

Hell of a good video though 😉👌🏻 what a guy.

I wouldn't have thought you'd have got much of a 'musicman' sound from that Wilkinson pickup... I'm intrigued to find out how this sounds. 

8 hours ago, alyctes said:

BEX-4 goes for maybe £200-220 at the moment, I think.  There aren't all that many on sale, so it's hard to tell.  (I know I'm not selling mine in a hurry )

6 hours ago, Maude said:

My Bex4 is one of my 'never selling' basses. It's just far too good an instrument for the prices they make. Not entirely sure I'd want the extra PU and electronics in the BS, the standard ones are simple and extremely versatile tone wise. 

Good luck with search though. 

I guess it's each to their own with the electronics and I suppose once you're use to a particular bass having a particular setup, it's something different again, whereas I've not played the BEX4 (at least not in recent years) and can become accustomed to any differences easily. 

Glad you're both enjoying your BEX-4 basses though, Yamaha are clearly doing something right for you guys not wanting to part with yours. I'm just all the more eager to get my hands on a BS and failing that, I'll join you guys 😂👌🏻

11 hours ago, ikay said:

One for sale here in Croatia for 740 Euros 

https://www.njuskalo.hr/bas-gitare/yamaha-bex-bs-bass-bas-gitara-poluakusticna-magenta-boja-oglas-22180711

£/€740 is a little too much really, I'd probably be looking at around £1,000 once I've paid for delivery and customs. 

£550 was my ballpark figure.

Thanks for looking though bud, much appreciated 😁👍🏻

7 hours ago, alyctes said:

Don't know the BEX-BS, but the BEX-4 is nice (much cheaper, I presume!), so it ought to be pretty good. 

I don't like the arrangement of the controls on the BEX-BS much, but I can see the problem (I assume it has a piezo bridge like its inexpensive cousin?).

Roughly £500 depending on condition, which I don't think is *too* much more than the BEX-4 and still a good price among good acoustic and hollow body basses.

For me, I don't mind the controls really. I guess the blue light might be a bit odd for an active bass and might stick out more than I'd like but I could live with that 😅 

Trying to hunt one down is my problem, they were either really good that no one is letting go or they were limited and never made it over here. I think if it was bad, they'd be for sale a lot more often. 

Hey guys, 

I've been on the prowl for this bass for quite a while now, the Yamaha BEX-BS Billy Sheehan, and only seems to be something that only exists in his dvd and rarely online. I've fancied it for a while as I'm after something more acoustic/hollow body in sound to take on for a few home recordings, some versatility compared to plugging in an electric at open mic nights with friends but this definitely ticks boxes for me.

I've seen and tried a few models of acoustics and hollow bodies over the past few years from working in a guitar store or whilst going elsewhere to try whatever I can get my hands on, nothing seems to really hit the spot, often than not being cheap or short scale, resulting in quite a 'muddy' tone for the quite rich and taught sound I'd imagine for an acoustic bass. 

Anyway, I'm coming to the end of my tether now thinking they've been sucked into a big black hole and forgotten about and thought I'd make a last attempt just to see if anyone else has seen much of this rare creature or knows of anyone who has one to try or to buy 😉

You'll know the thing when you see it, even online most pictures tend to be pretty dated too... 

Price drop

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