Yamaha B100 III Head

This amp has variable frequencies to let you tweak your sound any way you like! And because it was made to withstand the powerful signal of a bass guitar to create thunderous sounds, how about trying it as a guitar amp!

It's a nice clean powerful sounding amp. I use it with 2 small Carvin 12" PA cabs. I am a guitar player with "golden ears" and am very critical of my sound. I've tried various ways to get the perfect tone that is versatile enough to play any rock, country, blues, jazz, and classical styles. This amp has given me this. And when you record you get the exact same tone. The amp is designed to respond to the transient plucking of a bass guiatr and remain clean. Most guitar amps don't do this well. This one not only does it well, but it slaps you in the back of the head without distortion. I don't believe in creating vintage and modern overdrive sounds the old way because it's too loud for some people and today's technology highly favors recreating great legendary sounds using processors. Combined with the B100 III and the right cabs you get an awesome guitar sound that'll give you the sounds of Van Halen, Brian May, Clapton, Angus Young, and even Nashville Session pickers. I use a modified Tele and once wanted to go hybrid until this amp setup gave me the versatility. Now my Tele is all I need.

It's been running reliably for a few years since I bought it. I would imagine that in time the transistors in the back will probably be the first to go. No problem, it's simple circuitry in this amp.

Repair not needed at this time.

Excellent amp. Would sound great with a Bass guitar but sounds better with a lead guitar(in my case!). I wouldn't mind finding another one to pair up and create a little headroom for bigger gigs.

THIS IS A GREAT AMP! I THINK IT WAS MADE IN THE 80S. IT HAS 2 CHANNELS TO SWITCH BACK AND FORTH WITH. I HAVE ONE SET TREBLEY AND THE OTHER A NICE LOW BASSY TONE. IT'S GREAT FOR SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH WHILE ON STAGE. I HAVE IT PLUGGED INTO AN AMPEG 2 - 10 FOR MY TOP CABINET AND 1-18 FOR MY BOITTOM CABINET. IT IS LOUD ENOUGH AND CLEAN ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH MARSHALL STACKS. THE REASON IT IS SO LOUD IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT ITS POWER IS MATCHED WITH THE CABINETS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO TURN IT PASSED 3 WHEN I PLAYED LIVE AND IT WAS PLENTY LOUD.

I HAVE A FENDER JAZZ, A STEINBERGER, AND A CARVIN 5 STRING I USE WITH THIS AMP AND THEY ALL SOUND GREAT. I MOSTLY PLAY ROCK AND SOME BASSIST USE THE TREBLEY SOUND AND SOME USE THAT NICE LOW BASS TONE SO IT'S GREAT FOR SWITCHING. IT'S NOT NOISY AT ALL AND FOR WHEN IT WAS MADE IT'S MORE INNOVATIVE THEN THE AMPS MADE TODAY. MOST BASS AMPS TODAY YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANNEL TO PLAY ON. THE FACT THAT YOU CAN SWITCH YOUR CHANNELS MAKES IT GREAT. SO GREAT THAT I FOUND A SECOND ONE ON EBAY FOR 150 BUCKS AND I BOUGHT IT AS A BACK UP AMP. IF YOURE BASS PLAYER LOOKING FOR AN AMP WITH 2 SWITCHABLE CHANNELS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS AMP. IF YOU CAN'T FIND ONE OF THESE LOOK FOR ANOTHER AMP THAT CAN DO IT. BELIEVE ME THEY'RE HARD TO FIND!

THE AMP IS VERY DEPENDABLE. I NEVER NEEDED A BACK UP BUT I BOUGHT ONE ANY WAYS. (THE SAME AMP AS I SAID ABOVE)

I ASKED FOR SCHEMATICS AND THEY SENT THEM NO PROBLEM!

I'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR 24 YEARS. I HAVE A FENDER BASSMAN 135 AND SOME SMALL BASS AMPS. IF IT WERE STOLEN I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN IF I COULD FIND IT. I LOVE IT BECAUSE YOU CAN CHANGE THE CHANNELS AND GET 2 DIFFERENT TONES WITHOUT CHANGING THE KNOBS INBETWEEN TUNES. I THINK IF ANY BASS PLAYER CAN FIND A BASS AMP WITH SWITCHING CHANNELS BUY IT! IT SAVES A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT.

I have had my B100 III for approx. 10 years and I purchased it used from the original owner that had used it a little and had it in storage . It came with a matching 2-15 cabinet. I have used this head with many cabinets. Watch the ohm ratings, if not correct it will it ruin the best head. This head rates at 100 watts RMS at 8 ohm load (about 200 watts peak @ 8ohms, roughly 350 watts peak at 4 ohm load). It sounds great through my 1-15 Ampeg classic cab alone and with 4-10 with a horn together or alone. I have had pro sound men that could not beleive how clear my direct out was to their PA.

Very versatile lots of adjustments
You need to keep your main power settings at 3- 4. I use the level controls on the parametric settings at little above 1/2 after that it will increasre drastically. I round the parametric attack at mid-low and more edged attack added on the other parametric at mid-high frequency setting. I play a Frender American Deluxe fretless 4 string, A Musicman Stingray 5, and a Peavy Dyna-Bass fretted 4 (all active) with volume level on guitar at a little more than 1/2, bass between 1/2-3/4 the same with the treble and mid centered.
I usually cut the mid setting on the amp slightly, bass and treble at mid point or just above. I play Dave Mathews, Foo Fighters , The Who, Hendrix, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, Beatles, modern rock, blues, and some metal. When outside or a on very large stage you may want more power for stage presence but it is definatly loud enough for most clubs.

I played out nearly every weekend for over 3 years and has had many hours in the studio and rehearsal.I have had it work on 1 time in 10 years for about $60.00. If you can find one that has not been abused - grab it. I highly recommend this head to any serious bass player. I know a bass collector that that would love to have it.

bought used

I have played rock over 30 yrs and I really like this head. I have for most clubs I have an Ampeg SVT III pro head for larger shows and still sometimes use this head for a preamp for the parametric settings

I recently purchased Yamaha B100 bass head from an E-bay auction.
I don't have a cabinet for it, so I hooked it up to a Peavey TNT150 bass amp, to get a feel.
I got ripped off by E-bay seller. The amp head has distortion, and constant buzz. I'm in the process of getting estimates to have it repaired. But, I'm not gonna shell out much for something I paid $130.00 for.
Sounds nuts, but I think this amp was a good sounder once. Really gets down to some old fashion deep bass sounds. More so than my TNT150.
Anyone got a schematic or advice on this amp, drop me a line at Nazz52@aol.com

Buzzing, humming, distortion. That about covers it.
I used a Fender Prodigy with this head.
If it worked properly, it would be the cat's meow for the price.

Partially broken down now.
Someone must have abused it.
Watch out for E-bay scum. I think they are growing in numbers.

I'm in the process of checking around to have it repaired. As I said above, I paid $130 for the head. I'm not going to pay an outrageous amount to have repaired.
Warranty up on this head. Haven't found an authorized Yamaha service center in my area.

Been playing 3 years, off and on.
Fender Prodigy, Peavey Milestone, Cort, and a Washburn.
Probably a good sounding amp once. Can't put up with humming, buzzing, distortion.
I won this amp head @ E-bay. Thought it would be good for price. It was not as described.
Anyone using E-bay, be careful. There is no safety net. Between E-bay, Square Trade, Pay Pal, and online fraud reporting, I got no help. Or I should say, no help without taking a $$ loss. Fraudulent seller kept the $$$ and ran. I changed my mind about E-bay for sure. They encourage fraudulent activities, by doing little and nothing.

This head and spkr cabinet purchased new around 1985. It has a parametric EQ, lines out and has one 15"(?) in the cabinet. This has been a reliable and versatile bass amp, easily transported.

Play late 60's Fender P bass, stock. Solid state amp is clean and quiet.

This amp in over 15 years has been used in maybe 100 gigs, small to medium clubs. It has a line out for PA/monitor application. Only recently had trouble with ground switch. Six years ago a skinhead poured a pitcher of beer over the head and no interruption.

Never needed.

This workhorse has been an excellent bass and guitar amplifier and spkr., - reliable, flexible, with ample power. I highly recommend it.