LukeFRC Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 so I've been offered a Yamaha BB1200 from 1977, not much I know about them, how much they shoudl be etc not entirely decided either way at the moment.... tell me about them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 If it's in original condition and good working order then it's potentially a superb bass. This era of Yamaha's and similar Japanese makers like Ibanez was a golden age of Far Eastern high quality instruments. If the bass is for sale at a good price , I would be very interested if I were in your position . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I have a BB800 from probably 1978, bought S/H in 1979, love it dearly and intend to be buried with it. The BB1200 is even better - neck-through construction, Ebony board, usual Yamaha attention to detail. I don't think you can beat neck-through MIJ Yamahas. Precisions from the same era aren't even close, ironic when you consider they fetch a lot more money. Famous users include McCartney, Peter Hook, Chris Cross, at least one of those is likely to resonate :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 They are truly great instruments, consistently good. I've yet to encounter a duff one. I sold my one on here a few years back, regretted it ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Even the cases are lovely and very well built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 If the price is right I'd rip his arm off. I've been looking for an early BB for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 (edited) [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-BB1200-Bass-Natural-Japan-MIJ-Gig-Bag-Macassar-Ebony-Set-Up-/121186199442?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c3742a792"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c3742a792[/url] Not sure how old this one is, but could it be a good price, even with postage and duty..? There is a date on that repair bill, but I can't read it. Edited October 3, 2013 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1380823559' post='2231195'] What colour is it? Just out of curiosity. [/quote] natural wood colour - it looks lovely I got confused to begin with as it doesn't have the model number on the headstock - then found out the really early one's don't. [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1380833098' post='2231400'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-BB1200-Bass-Natural-Japan-MIJ-Gig-Bag-Macassar-Ebony-Set-Up-/121186199442?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c3742a792"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c3742a792[/url] Not sure how old this one is, but could it be a good price, even with postage and duty..? There is a date on that repair bill, but I can't read it. [/quote] 22/7/13 (but written in american) [quote name='cocco' timestamp='1380832857' post='2231396'] If the price is right I'd rip his arm off. I've been looking for an early BB for years. [/quote] It's a good price, original case and everything.... aargh... but don't really want to start trying to have less basses and guitars around and end up with more.... feel free to ask me where it is if you're interested - he's a nice guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1380825080' post='2231240'] The top model in the BB range, as introduced in '77. At that time Yamaha also produced the SB range. The BB was its competitor to the Fender Precision, and the SB to the Fender Jazz. Original BB models have quite chunky necks, with a 43.5mm nut. Neck constructed of maple and mahogany, with an ebony touchboard. Wings were constructed of alder. With an original Nippon Gakki branded hardcase and tool kit and accessories you'll pay between £550 and £650. Knock off £100 if there's no tool kit and accessories. Knock off another £50 if there's no original case. [/quote] you're a good salesman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybass 70 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I have a 79' BB1200 , great bass , superb construction and Sound, its the one I would rescue from the fire. For the price of these Basses you cant go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 [quote name='jaybass 70' timestamp='1381050514' post='2233656'] I have a 79' BB1200 , great bass , superb construction and Sound, its the one I would rescue from the fire. For the price of these Basses you cant go wrong [/quote] the one i've found is £400, in great condition with the case... it's really really tempting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybass 70 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 go on treat yourself , you know your worth it [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Great basses - easily worth £400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Well I've got GAS (again), so I reckon it's time for a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I've love one, thought the part about the model number reflecting the Yen price fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybass 70 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1381075537' post='2234050'] If it's in good order, with its original case, easily worth £400. For the money you're not going to find a better "precision" bass. Period. [/quote] Agreed ^ like he said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 I have regretted selling mine so this is very tempting. I think the weight would make it a no goer for me for gigs but as a collectible, hmmm. Thanks for the kind offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 I was looking at in on Ebay yesterday as part of my Yamaha Bass search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 It IS tempting... what to do..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 (edited) A good example of one of these basses would be a keeper , in my opinion . I bet if you A/B'd a nice one in good working order of these against other P-style basses currently on the market you would have to get into the £2000 and above price range to find instruments of comparable performance. I remember seeing Verdine White from Earth Wind And Fire playing one of these , as well as Paul Jackson with Herbie Hancocks at the very end of the 1970's. I also remember reading Lee Sklar talking about what remarkable sounding basses these were , too( he used one of these for the to record the bass part on "Your Smiling Face" by James Taylor , apparently , and credits its' tone for inspiring the engineer to mix the up-front sound of the bass guitar on that track) , so potentially a great bass with a great heritage for somebody. Go on Mark ( or somebody else) , you know you want to! Edited October 18, 2013 by Dingus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.