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The Yamaha BB mega-thread


Al Krow

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1 hour ago, TRBboy said:

The TRB models are fantastic, I used to have a 1004 and 1005 which were my main basses for some time. 

You won't miss the through body stringing imho, these basses are very resonant with great attack and sustain. I believe the standard Hi-mass bridge is solid brass. 

The Yamaha Alnico humbuckers are famously awesome, and although there's no passive bypass on the preamp, it sounds great and I never missed not having a passive option. You could always change the preamp if required. 

The TRB's can be pretty weighty, so that's something to consider. 

The 1000 series are incredible instruments for the money, and clearly any of the Japanese models are a step up in quality of materials, construction and finish. 

 

 

Thank you! The weight is something I read about and that's a concern... Thank you for the input! :)

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2 hours ago, Al Krow said:

@TRBboy helpful post thanks. Just picking up on your last para - with the BBs the only difference between the Japanese models (eg 2024) and eg the Indonesian (eg 1024) is the finish. Materials and construction are pretty much identical otherwise.

Is that not the same for the TRBs? 

No problem, and I'm sure someone far more knowledgeable than I might come in shortly. @javi_bassist it may be worth starting a new thread to ask about them.

@Al Krow I think there have been many different iterations of very similar basses over the years, so it depends specifically what era /model we're comparing I guess. I think some of the early ones had PJ pickups and were 34"scale, before they went to 35" and humbuckers. I know some of them had ash bodies, whereas the 1000 series is alder /quilted maple. Some of the Japanese ones I think have 5 piece necks vs the 3 piece on the 1000's,and I'm not sure if there have been some through - neck ones! Some have the 'slap cutout' in the body in the G and D string area. And then there's the Pattituci model also, which is different again. 

It's a minefield, and I certainly don't know the full run - down. It doesn't help that there seems to be little or no difference in model designations, unlike the BB's where you know what it is by the model number.

I found an old thread of it helps at all. 

 

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So, I think the TRB 4/5/6 and TRB II 4/5/6 were all ash bodies and bolt on, one or the other may have had the slap cutout (or neither! 😂). 

The TRB 4/5/6 P was the PJ one, lovely woods and through-neck with piezo Bridge saddles, and the TRB 4/5/6 P II was the newer version with the humbuckers. 

The 1000 series as far as I can see were the same pickups and preamp as the others, but made in Indonesia or somewhere. 

And then there's the John Pattituci. 

Maybe it's not as confusing as I thought! 🤪

If I could have any TRB, it would be this model: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Yamaha_TRB_5P.html

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I should have posted this as a comment in this thread...

Can anyone advise me regarding the BB434?

I'D like to know whether the volume pots affect the output throughout the whole turn as opposed to the last bit of the turn like on some basses, and also what is the weight like? I know two models are never identical but I really can't take much over 4kg.

Cheers!

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19 hours ago, EJWW said:

I should have posted this as a comment in this thread...

Can anyone advise me regarding the BB434?

I'D like to know whether the volume pots affect the output throughout the whole turn as opposed to the last bit of the turn like on some basses, and also what is the weight like? I know two models are never identical but I really can't take much over 4kg.

Cheers!

It's kinda interesting that the 434s don't seem to come up in discussion or in the FS as often as some of the older models e.g. the 414 or 424. Maybe because the older ones continue to be highly regarded and are that much cheaper?

Other than John, who has already replied, the only folk I know who have or had BB 434s are @Tubster and formerly @doc40hz and @jezzaboy. Hopefully one of them will be along shortly to address your queries. The other option would be to give the Yammy store in central London a call - they're pretty helpful in my experience. 

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22 hours ago, EJWW said:

I should have posted this as a comment in this thread...

Can anyone advise me regarding the BB434?

I'D like to know whether the volume pots affect the output throughout the whole turn as opposed to the last bit of the turn like on some basses, and also what is the weight like? I know two models are never identical but I really can't take much over 4kg.

Cheers!

@EJWW I had one and it was a very decent bass indeed.

It had a pan pot instead of individual volumes pots, and I always max out my volume so not sure about how the output is affected. From memory, it was not too heavy. Probably around 4Kg, but as you say there is some considerable variation. 

Very well put together instrument, excellent pickups. and it played great! Wish I hadn't sold it now.....

 

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BC Yammy BB ownership list

A couple of the recent queries, including the above, has made me realise that it would be good to know who currently has what Yammy BB bass(es) in their herd, so we can call on their expertise when required! For ease of reference, I can pin the list, when we've progressed it a bit, to the OP. I'm happy to kick this off:

1. Al Krow - BB1025 and BBNE2 (Previously: BB425, 735A and P35)

2. Andy Travis - BB 414 modded

3. dave_bass5 - BB 425 (Previously: P34 and the BB 435)

4. mikeycrikey -  BB414, BB424x, BB1024X, BB734A (Previously: B100s and BB604)

5. pete.young - BB800 and BBNE2 (Previously: TRB 5P Mk1)

6. MDWagstaff - BB615 (modded with an aguilar obp3) and BB5000A incoming (Previously: BB605)

7. ...

Edited by Al Krow
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22 hours ago, EJWW said:

I should have posted this as a comment in this thread...

Can anyone advise me regarding the BB434?

I'D like to know whether the volume pots affect the output throughout the whole turn as opposed to the last bit of the turn like on some basses, and also what is the weight like? I know two models are never identical but I really can't take much over 4kg.

Cheers!

I had a 435 for a while. I found the volume knob worked the same as on my P34. Not quite everything on the last part of travel, but i found/find the first half to be quite subtle. 

Mine was 8lbs, which i was surprised with. God i miss that bass still lol. 

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3 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

BC Yammy BB ownership list

A couple of the recent queries, including the above, has made me realise that it would be good to know who currently has what Yammy BB bass(es) in their herd, so we can call on their expertise when required! For ease of reference, I can pin the list, when we've progressed it a bit, to the OP. I'm happy to kick this off:

1. Al Krow - currently has a BB1025 and BBNE2. (Formerly had a BB425, 735A and P35).

2. ...

I’m still on the Modded orange 414

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4 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

BC Yammy BB ownership list

A couple of the recent queries, including the above, has made me realise that it would be good to know who currently has what Yammy BB bass(es) in their herd, so we can call on their expertise when required! I can maybe pin / update the list, when we've progressed, it to the OP. I'm happy to kick this off:

1. Al Krow - currently has a BB1025 and BBNE2. (Formerly had a BB425, 735A and P35).

2. ...

Just a 425 now. P34 will be gone soon. Also had a TRBX 505 in the past, and the 435 briefly this year. 

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41 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

BC Yammy BB ownership list

A couple of the recent queries, including the above, has made me realise that it would be good to know who currently has what Yammy BB bass(es) in their herd, so we can call on their expertise when required! For ease of reference, I can pin the list, when we've progressed it a bit, to the OP. I'm happy to kick this off:

1. Al Krow - current: BB1025 and BBNE2. (Formerly had a BB425, 735A and P35).

2. Andy Travis - current: modded BB 414 

3. dave_bass5 - current: BB 425 . (Formerly P34 and the BB 435)

4. mikeycrikey - current: BB414, BB424x, BB1024X, BB734A (Formerly B100s and BB604)

5. pete.young - current: BB800 and BBNE2. (Formerly had a TRB 5P Mk 1)

6...

I think that's up to date so far! :) 

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1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

BC Yammy BB ownership list

A couple of the recent queries, including the above, has made me realise that it would be good to know who currently has what Yammy BB bass(es) in their herd, so we can call on their expertise when required! For ease of reference, I can pin the list, when we've progressed it a bit, to the OP. I'm happy to kick this off:

1. Al Krow - current: BB1025 and BBNE2 (Previously: BB425, 735A and P35).

2. Andy Travis - current: BB 414 modded

3. dave_bass5 - current: BB 425 (Previously: P34 and the BB 435)

4. mikeycrikey - current: BB414, BB424x, BB1024X, BB734A (Previously: B100s and BB604)

5. pete.young - current: BB800 and BBNE2 (Previously TRB 5P Mk 1)

6...

I have a bb615 (modded with an aguilar obp3), previously had a bb605 and have a bb5000a in the pipeline after gigs start up again. 

 

Also have a trbx605 

Edited by MDWagstaff
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2 hours ago, mikeycrikey said:

I formely owned a BB1100s. 

2 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

Don’t forget my TRBX505. Had that for a while and gigged it a lot. 

Correction put through Mr Crikey. I should've spotted your typo given that the the BB200 was the original lowest numbered model I believe. 

Mr d_b5 - methinks we should probably limit it to BBs to reflect the essence of the thread?But perhaps with the exception of the TRB P series, as they were also PJs and the fact that I've always fancied one - even more so since @TRBboy posted this link a few days' back: PJ, neck through, 24 frets, 3 band EQ but just a 2 band EQ. Actually very close my ideal bass right there, just need to drop in a 3 band EQ! 

On 27/07/2020 at 19:31, TRBboy said:

If I could have any TRB, it would be this model: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Yamaha_TRB_5P.html

 

yamaha%20front%202%20.jpg

 

Edited by Al Krow
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9 minutes ago, MDWagstaff said:

I have a bb615 (modded with an aguilar obp3), previously had a bb605 and have a bb5000a in the pipeline after gigs start up again. 

Also have a trbx605 

Oooh - another lush bass in the form of a BB5000A! Am I right in thinking that has a 2 band rather than 3 band EQ? If so, will you be sticking an OBP3 on that too?

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2 hours ago, doc40hz said:

@EJWW I had one and it was a very decent bass indeed.

It had a pan pot instead of individual volumes pots, and I always max out my volume so not sure about how the output is affected. From memory, it was not too heavy. Probably around 4Kg, but as you say there is some considerable variation. 

Very well put together instrument, excellent pickups. and it played great! Wish I hadn't sold it now.....

 

Did you have it modded for the pan pot? I would much prefer a single volume pot like on the 734A but I don't want active electronics.

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4 minutes ago, crabman said:

Currently: none

Previously: BB424X, BBP35

Incoming: BB1025X

Thanks - details added to the OP on page 1 of the thread.

I see you're ending up at pretty much the same place and having had the same journey as me! I'm still loving my 1025!

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21 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Oooh - another lush bass in the form of a BB5000A! Am I right in thinking that has a 2 band rather than 3 band EQ? If so, will you be sticking an OBP3 on that too?

It has two band yeah, I'm planning on leaving it stock as they sound so good 

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2 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Cheers Andy - you formerly had pretty much all of them, right?! 😁

BB300 Japan Red

BB300 Taiwan Red

BB350f Taiwan Red

BB1100s Taiwan Burst

BB1100s Taiwan White

BB1024x Caramel Brown

BB200 Taiwan Red

BB614 Violin Burst

BB714BS Lava Red

BBG4sII Burst
 

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