Yamaha your thoughts?

[Brian18242]

Maybe it's just me but I have always felt Yamaha are a bit on the slow side when it comes to new bass ranges (In comparison to other companies)

 

Take the incredible BB line for example. Fans have been wanting a BB3000 reissue for years and the current BB line is slightly lacking finish options. 

 

Sorry, maybe it's just me. Rant over. 

[crazycloud]

I think Yamaha have a range of designs they're happy with and simply changing them for a difference between this year and last, especially just finishes a la Fender, isn't worth it to them. They make so many different instruments they need to be rational about what will actually sell. For a trad looking bass like the BBs, white, black, blue, TS will sell consistently whereas sparkle pink, or even just a bright yellow will sell far less. I think the caramel TRBX605 is really pretty, but it's not 'traditional' and that alone would put off some buyer (just talking colour here).

 

Yamaha's pianos and AGs are great (own / owned both), they are a known quantity and consistent and why change them?

[Brian18242]

All very good points which I agree with. However, it would be nice if they reissued the BB3000 as they are constantly in demand and would fly off the shelf. 

 

Their bass range has always attracted serious players but it does feel like their focus and energy is elsewhere. To your point. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Brian18242

[42Hz]

Yamaha do on their website offer the possility to ask them questions ... 🙂

[crazycloud]

56 minutes ago, Brian18242 said:

However, it would be nice if they reissued the BB3000 as they are constantly in demand and would fly off the shelf.

Maybe from your perspective they would, but it doesn't mean from Yamaha's POV they would. A small community online seldom translates to sales and the small number of older one's out there, doesn't add up to sales to me. If Yamaha did limited releases of say 500 units as a once off, they might sell, but it doesn't seem that's their market.

[Russ]

They’re brilliant instruments with some serious pedigree, and mostly pretty inexpensive, unless you’re going for a high-end TRB or something. Plenty of used ones out there too, and they’re almost all excellent. 

 

You don’t hear about too many big-name players using them these days - they’ve got the same people they’ve had for years, like Nathan East, Patitucci, Sheehan, Hooky, etc but never really seem to add anyone new to their roster of endorsees. I guess they go for quality over quantity. You do seem to see quite a lot of them in the hands of session guys though. Those who know, know.  

Edited 3 hours ago by Russ