P-T-P Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) Recently swapped a FleaBass for a Yamaha BB414. Wasn't expecting too much, just something different for the occasional noodle at home. As I often do with a new bass, I took it gigging just to see how it would cope in the real world. Like many basses before it, I fully expected to stick with it for a couple of numbers before reverting to my main bass (Lakland DJ5 with Bartolini pre-amp). To my amazement, the Lakland hasn't had a look in. Haven't picked it up in weeks and done about 6 hours of gig-time with the Yamaha now. It's extremely well made, very comfortable and sounds loud and clear - warm without being wooly and punchy without being twangy. First gig the E string was a little flabby, but pick-up just was too close and the D/G strings are maybe a smidge thinner sounding than the E/A strings, but I'm sure that's just a set-up issue. Long story short I'm astonished at how good this bass is, especially considering the price point. Which leads me to wonder, how much better might the 424, 424-X and 1024-X be. Yamaha's website isn't too clear on making a big deal of the differences too much, aside from the obvious cosmetic ones. Anyone care to shed some light? Edited March 6, 2013 by P-T-P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) BB414 is a seriously good bass. I've got a 415 that I bought from a former Jethro Tull bassist, and I'm completely happy with it (will modify and refinish when spring comes, anyway ) 424/425 have the same pickups and overall quality, but have a new 5-piece laminated maple/nato neck and a thru-body bridge. Both those changes should improve string tension, stability and clarity of the lower notes (especially B string in 425). 1024/2024/1025/2025 are of higher quality. They have different pickups to the lower series (identical between 102* and 202* though), and different hardware - bridge had angled saddles made of brass, coated in chrome in 102* and in nickel in 202*. Pieces of wood that body is made of, are spline-joint, to mimick sonic qualities of a one-piece body while improving mechanical stability. Nut is made of the same material as frets (as opposed to plastic in 42*). Finishes are different, imho nicer than in the cheaper series. Differences between 102* and 202*: maple/nato neck in 102*, maple/mahogany in 202*, chrome hardware in 102*, nickel in 202*; 102* are factory made in Indonesia (I think), 202* hand made in Japan - of course the amount of actual handmaking in "hand made" modern basses is a somewhat controversial subject. Plus 202* have those magical treatments called I.R.A. and A.I.R. if I recall correctly. I've tried many of all those series extensively in stores and most recently at the LBGS. Conclusions: I'm keeping my BB415, but buying a 1024 or 1025 as well, as that will be a bit of an upgrade. The differences between 102* and 202* were very subtle at most. Edited March 7, 2013 by such Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-T-P Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 Thanks for the info. Still can't believe that a bass as relatively cheap as this is proving far more satisfactory than many, many far more expensive and/or exotic beasts that I've owned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I picked up a s/h BB414 off here late last year. I have to echo the comments made above really. I'd like to try a 1024 to see if there is much of an improvement - I can't afford the 2024 but the 1024 might be do-able if I can reduce my current stock level Cheers Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) Who knew? Actually, there's a lot of love for BBs on this forum - try a search. G. Edited March 7, 2013 by geoffbyrne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I think that it is Yamaha basses in general. Just after xmas I picked up an almost mint RBX 374 for £150. I was gonna use it as a back up for giggin but it is really good. Comftorable, not to heavy, I really like the neck, good range of sounds and it has the top of the pickups cut out in a thumb shape. I am thinking of using it as my main squeeze and using the P or Tbird as a backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-T-P Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1362601393' post='2002048'] Who new? Actually, there's a lot of love for BBs on this forum - try a search. G. [/quote] I'm guessing that the "partly rhetorical, partly self-depricating" I was hoping to get across with my "who knew" comment didn't quite come over as well as I'd have liked. Apologies if I've offended in some way. I've had a few Yamaha's over the years, mostly TRBs, which while exceptionally well constructed, never quite hit the mark for me. It never made me think any less of the company. Nonetheless I am genuinely impressed at how good a bass the BB414, even with Yamaha's excellent reputation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='P-T-P' timestamp='1362616044' post='2002377'] I'm guessing that the "partly rhetorical, partly self-depricating" I was hoping to get across with my "who knew" comment didn't quite come over as well as I'd have liked. Apologies if I've offended in some way. I've had a few Yamaha's over the years, mostly TRBs, which while exceptionally well constructed, never quite hit the mark for me. It never made me think any less of the company. Nonetheless I am genuinely impressed at how good a bass the BB414, even with Yamaha's excellent reputation. [/quote] No offense intended - apologies if I have - I have a BB415, a BBG5A & a TRB1005 myself, so I know where you're coming from! G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I picked up my 1024 at Christmas for 350 with a case, It's an awesome bass and a bargain to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1362669245' post='2003095'] I picked up my 1024 at Christmas for 350 with a case, It's an awesome bass and a bargain to boot. [/quote] That is a bargain ! Good work ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I acquired a BB414 recently. Astoundingly good for the money. My *only* complaint is that I need somewhere to put my thumb and the pickups are the wrong shape for me to comfortably use them as a thumb rest. I'm quite tempted to add a thumbrest (or just get a 415... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1362669245' post='2003095'] I picked up my 1024 at Christmas for 350 with a case, It's an awesome bass and a bargain to boot. [/quote] Crikey that's a deal and a half mate. Why can't I find them lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 (edited) [quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1362675113' post='2003232'] Crikey that's a deal and a half mate. Why can't I find them lol. [/quote] Ebay, it was originally listed for £500 + post and i was tempted at that, but i was away from home and missed it. It then got re-listed for £350 and I was sat at the computer when the notification came through. Within 20 minutes I had bought and paid for it. Couldn't not buy it. Think the guy just needed Christmas cash. *edit* I also have a Bb614 that is an amazing bass & also for sale* Shameless I know. Edited March 8, 2013 by Horizontalste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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