Product: Yamaha BB800
Price Paid: US $300 used
Submitted
05/08/2000
at
08:15am
by
Four Strang
Email: Rob_henderson_99<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:
7
This bass was made in I believe the early 1980's. 4 string, and was maroon in color with a heavy bridge, P-type pickups and hardware. This bass was made of alder or mahogany and was pretty heavy but had good sustain. Passive electronics, P-style body and pickguard. 34" scale, 20 frets with hard maple bolt on neck. Had a fat P type neck with jumbo frets, rosewood fretboard.One volume one tone.With hardshell case. Basically a P-Bass made by Yamaha.
Sound
:
5
Sounded good in many styles. Very warm and smooth sounding but could have used a little more trebly snap to it. The pickups were a little too weak and needed replaced. I think Yamaha could have gotten some hotter pickups for this model but since it is discontinued, ahh well. I played blues and rock with it. It was good for studio and live. This bass is the precursor to all the BB series basses that you have today. It had the straightest neck and lowest of action I have experienced in a long while. I owned this bass about 4 years ago but had to sell it because of financial situations. I will give this catagory a 5 for the weak pickups.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
Action was very low like a slapper wouldl like it. Don't know how the factory set up but the music store did a great job. Pickups were adjusted fine all components were great except for the pickups which were weak. Was smooth playing from the top to the bottom.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
This bass can knock out even the biggest drunk ruffian in any bar in the U. S. A !!!! I know from experience. Had some weight to it and could probably be dropped from a 2 story duplex building and come out with a slight chip. Would be the perfect bass with some hot Emg's or Seymours. The hardware had a little pitting but still shone through buffing. A dependable bass that would make Leo Proud if only it had the Fender name and had hotter pickups. A big "9" goes for the heavy rock solid constuction and great hardware and the Grand Slam Winner in any bar room brawl.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Wouldn't know.
Overall Rating
:
7
I give this bass a 7 in overall ratings. It isn't a top of the line bass nor with its features is it a cheapy. It has solid contruction, great hardware, but with just one flaw of the pu's. Well I don't currently own it anymore so I cant say if I would miss it if it were stolen but probably would. Everything bout this bass is perfect but for the pu's. Had a great sound if you cranked the amp and reminded me of a smooth old type P Bass. If I were a guy after tone I would buy this type bass or a Yamaha BBG for instance and hot rod it with bartolinis. Dude would have one killer Axe on his hands.
