Yamaha BB1200

1982ish made in Japan. basically, a p-bass except the neck goes through the body. volume and tone only.

clear, more aggresive classic P-bass sound. A little less bottom than a typical p-bass but what's there is nice and warm; present but not zingy high end. Has an even tone that is a good blank-slate for DI recording. love the sound i get from my amp and other amps i've tried at venues and in studios. I keep steel stings on mine -- tried flats (which i have on another bass and love) but didn't like it as much.

bought mine used, its 25+ years old and still solid. It is one of the best playing basses i have ever used. Can get good action without it getting buzzy anywhere.

Solid. I adjust the trust rod when it feels off; its a quick fix. I don't love the tuners.

15 years playing; 8 doing live and recording dates. Have a few other vintage fenders, a cs fender, and newer gibson. This one gets the call for live playing more and more because its reliable, sturdy and plays really well.

Made in Japan in the early eighties. Cherry Sunburst.Inverted P pickup combined with a J which I put in.EMG Active Pickups.

Sound is great.Can dial in the sound I want according to the the Style of Music I play.Ful Sound with lots of sustain

Perfect condition after all these years.Tuners have to be adusted .

Has gone through alot of touring and live gigs.No adjustment needed.

After all these years,the bass is in fine shape.Have'nt called them yet.

Been playing for over 20 years.love this bass,its for keeps.Have used other basses,they dont feel like how this one feels and sits on you.Very Snug.

Another SO-LID entry for this BB1200 review thread. I felt lucky to find this example in Brown-Stain (Yamaha's original color designation for their sunburst). I felt particularly lucky to pay what I did for it!!! It came along after about a two-year search to replace my original '82, which I lost to a crazy, bass-smashing drunk who ran up on stage during one of our breaks and reenacted the cover of The Clash's London Calling album... with MY bass! I still have the pieces of that victim to alcohol abuse. As a result, I have a few spare parts for the maintenance of the replacement! Extra pickup, knobs, bridge, etc. Good thing is that I still had the little spanner wrench that adjusts the tension collars of the tuning machines... very cool feature, although I think age has pretty much used up all of the adjustability (friction sucks). Also, while the replacement came with a beat up shell of a case (which is where I store the pieces of my dead '82), my original Yammie's case is OLD SCHOOL STRONG! This is a case from when they KNEW how to make cases! Heavy duty to the max! All in all, the BB1200 is what a P-Bass aspires to be!

I love the aggresive P-Bass type tone this axe has. You want mid-range bark? It's got it in spades! Through the right amp setup, it'll slice through any mix! I rock it up with D-Addario ProSteels and run through a Trace Elliot/Stewart/Acme rig. But, if you load it with flatwounds and plug into an old school tube amp, it'll do Motown right! A very versatile instrument. And quiet too! I've recorded with it several times with great results!

Since I bought it used, it needed some tweaking to get it right for my touch. It also must've been through some temperature or humidity extremes, because it had a bit of a back-bow between the nut and 5th fret. Nothing that a trip to a good luthier couldn't fix. The nut was also not cut as well as on my original. The action was a bit high at the nut, so those slots got deepened a little and it was perfect! Other than that... Yamaha's reputation for excellent fit and finish applies to these old basses as well! If you can get ahold of one of the original owners manuals that came with these basses, good for you! These informative little booklets were my first exposure to setup tips and techniques. A+ all around!

These basses are beasts! While heavy, that weight just gives me a feeling of SOLIDITY! Good chroming seems like it'll resist pitting... as long as you wipe clean after the gig! The finish on this bass seems to be bomb-proof compared to other manufacturers' finishes. Ditto on the earlier comment about the Yamaha strap buttons... they are big and fat. I think Yamaha's approach here was, "The harder it is to slip your strap onto a strap button, the harder it'll be for your strap to slip off." I haven't had to adjust the truss rod since setting it, so it's a stable instrument. Might have something to do with the multi-wood laminations running the length of the neck. These basses inspire confidence. The only backup you'll need at a gig is for broken strings or extreme tonality changes.

Can't say that I've really, really tried to get in touch with them. They have a pretty cool web presence, but their serial # decoder leaves a little to be desired. I get a blank stare from the decoder when I enter my BB1200's SN. Otherwise, the way I see it... why should Yamaha worry about support when they've built a tank to begin with? I'll score a seven on this.

I've been playing out since 1979, and as I said, got my original BB1200 in 1982. When I lost that one, I spent a long time tracking down a replacement. If I lose this one, I'll track another down. I SWEAR I WILL!!! Considering how many times I've seen people say that the P-Bass is the ultimate bass guitar, I'll go on record and say that the BB1200 is the deluxe version of ultimate. How's that for a job well done by Yamaha? Why do you think they've "semi re-issued" this series? It's the real deal!

1980-ish. Japan of course. Basic P setup, with reversed pickup configuration. Passive. Gloss poly finish, but nice and thin. Alder body I believe, rosewood board. Sunburst finish.

Sounds great. Think P-Bass on steroids. Great for fingerstyle, more clarity than a P. Dead quiet, no hum or buzz. Great factory shielding and wiring. Nice fat round sound. Likes Rotosounds! So far, great on stage. haven't recorded it yet, but will.

Great action, very low. Jumbo frets. Factory fit and finish is flawless.

Built like a brick ****house. Very dependable, rock solid. I mean EVERY piece of it. Would take it to Mars without a backup.

Excellent, considering this and my other Yamahas (BB450 and BB1600) are all used. Got right back to me with serial number and date info, plus set me up with a vendor specializing in old Yamaha parts, if necessary. Can't beat that!

Been playing 33 years, and just love this bass! Would replace it in a minute, though the 1200 is getting kinda rare. Great bass to use when it's too dangerous to drag the vintage stuff out, which is why I'm using the Yamahas. Extra cool factor too because McCartney used one in sunburst just like mine from '79 to '87 or so! If you see one, grab it, you'll be surprised! Or tell me, and I'll buy it!

Well how much more can I say about these hard to find jems??? Same construction as on previous reviews on the BB1200. P-bass style split reversed pick-ups.Transparent finish shows the beautiful wood grain.Neck thru the body design.Had clear pick guard and thumb rest already installed when I bought this(Which I never would have installed since the supplied screws are huge)Came with the original hard shell case.

Lots of beefy growl......I bought this bass for it's unique sound......

Nice thick clear coat finish,It's in great shape for a 27 year old bass.Nice low action and the neck is straight as an arrow.I love the scroll work on the bridge..

This is a true work horse bass.All the hardware is built to last.I would and have used this without a back up at gigs

I have been down to Yamaha to have some other gear serviced and they are super...they have even repaired stuff for free even after the warranty expired....Who could ask for more....

Since this being my 2nd BB1200 my other one being the cherry sunburst finish I really love these basses and was glad to see one on E bay and snatched it up.These basses are a real bargain for the buck and are hard to find.......

Yamaha BB1200 4 string bass with apparent factory added rear rail style single coil pick up. Not sure on the year of manufacture. One volume and one tone control with a three way toggle switch. Non active controls. Transparent maple finish neck through body. Oval inlays on rosewood fret board.

I have many bases and this one is probably average on the sound.

As far as construction this bass is solid. Excellent action and the hardwear has yet to aquire any rust.

These were made between 1977-1983 according to the yamaha web site. Made in japan. Solid neck-thru construction. 21 freted neck, wide like trad p-bass form early 60's. One vol. and one tone control. Reverse p-bass type pickup, passive electronics. Maple body, 5 piece neck thru body alder, maple & mahogany neck. Heavy laquer over natural wood finish. Kind of a Fender style body, others have compared it to a Gibson Ripper. Heavy solid chromed bridge, open chrome tuneing machines. 34" scale, nut width 1 3/4". Big hefty neck, "base ball bat". Good solid plain bass like features, no frills.

Sounds great, strung it up with La Bella 1954 flats and it thunks with a very clear, crisp sound. Very even pickup response. Frets in great shape for a 20 some year old instrument. Some dings in the finish but nothing to effect the plauability.

Used bass brought off ebay. Set up well, changed to my prefrences with no problems

This thing is BUILT. The brick outhouse of the bass world. Solid heavy duty hardware, thick finish, I love the Yamaha staps buttons.
Seems very dependable, I took it out the day I got it to a 4 hour blues gig and it ROCKED. No back up needed, a good all in one basic depenadabel bass.

N/A, used from ebay.

I've been playing 35 years, been thru almost everything possible. I play upright as well. Used this thru a SVT Classic and 410 speaker cab..awesome. I would replace it right away if stolen. It's a great solid dependable bass, no frills all meat and potatoes. I love the big beefy neck and the solid feel of the entire bass. Its like a deluxe model p-bass. I think these are one of the best deals out there.

This bass was made in 1984 in Japan and has very good controls. It has two volumes and a 3-band eq. It has one precision bass mic. The tuners are not stiff anymore, but it's okay for 18 years of playing. I've only had this bass for 1/2 years.

A very good jazz bass. It sounds way better in recording situations than live, but it has a very good sound. The sustain is even better than in the 2000? Fender jazz basses and I like this one more than any Fender.

Perfect. A solid body with a neck, so it's always in potition. It's still in mint condition after 18 years.

After 18 years of not breaking, it's not gonna break. I would use it without backup.

Bought used.

If I would loose this bass, I would stop playing.

One p-style pick-up, two knobs, good tone knob if usd with a decent amp, nive finish, very heavy (it is made of maple) and Rosewood fretboard, and nice pearloid inlays and a really good bridge.

It plays blues and rock fairly well and does funk/slap bass just fine. It sounds great with ampeg, carvin and traynor amps. it has a versitile, striped down sound. it is basically the " jack of all trades" of yamaha basses. it is better for the studio or coffee shops where you can sit in a chair or on a stool.

very tuff coating and well put together. pickups are very versitile and wired well.

the thing is maple, it is built like a tank. the hardware is tuff. you can bump and grind this bass for a while before the finish is scratch severly. the stap buttons are as good as any. i have never had to adjust the neck/ truss rod. i would only need a backup if my shoulder gets sore (it is heavy and basses nowadays are relatively light).

i have never had it repaired, and most of basses of the same model are so old that the idea of warrantes were just dreams.

ihave used better basses, but not many.

Yamaha's one-pickup, rosewood fingerboard P-bass copy has two knobs, a smoothly cast tailpiece and high-quality tuners. This one is distinguished by oval pearloid fretboard inlays. The fretboard is wide, has fat frets and is virtually flat. The tobacco-sunburst finish has a thickly glossy coating which has nicely resisted dings. While I don't know what wood was used for its body I must say that this is one weighty guitar. It is heavy enough that I wouldn't want to use it for regular stand-up jobs. I use it for jamming and in my studio, where weight is not a factor.

Fat, full and growly. It will fulfill whatever sounds your hands are talented enough to produce. I love it when I get some vibrato by waggling those big strings. Though it has only the one P/U I've never felt at a loss for either treble tones or wide bottom.

Bought it used, have never changed a thing because it has good action. It is definitely a well-made instrument.

This one's maybe 10 - 15 years old and basically feels like new and looks shiny and sleek. It has been played constantly over its life.

What could possibly go wrong?

Have been playing R&B-style guitar for some 30 years and having my own bass has been immensely satisfying and convenient. If you're a guitarist who has neglected to purchase a bass, I recommend a used Yamaha like this one. They're cheap but righteous. The only question to ask is whether your hands will feel better on a jazz-style neck or P-bass neck.
Watch out for its body weight. Mine is disappointingly heavy. Otherwise, it is an excellent tool for expression. I play mine through an old Sunn PA but the bottom doesn't hold at higher volumes so I'm looking forward to buying a dedicated bass amp. The new generation of amps such as SWR and Hartke seem portable enough to attract me. I really enjoyed an online review of bass amps by Bass Player magazine.