Yamaha BBN5L II

This is my first five string bass. I also have been playing for some time however I have always used a left hand bass but strung right handed. In other words I was playing upside down. I am leaving this bass strung left handed and have learnt to play the right now...lots-o-fun...

I like the sound of this bass. You can get a good range of different tones from this unit. B string is not overpowering and all notes played on this bass are on the same level...

I also use an Ibanez that has active pickups in it. I may upgrade the Yamaha someday ...

I had to replace the strings on it since it was a used bass. Of course I had to adjust the intination etc...

Plays like a dream now.

I use it in live situations all the time. I did have to replace the E tuning peg which had stripped. New one is working fine. Had to special order since it was a left handed bass.

Hope the others hold out ok.

Have not had to deal with customer support.

I run this baby through a Yorkville 200B single 18 bass amp. I also use an extension speaker to add some extra kick to the sound. My gear is not state-of-the-art so not too worried about onstage sound. This bass sounds sweet through almost any P.A.

Love it.

Current production run. No date code on the bass, but I'll assume 2000-2002.
24 frets, 5 string, dual single coil, passive, 3 control knobs which appear to switch between bridge, neck, dual serial and dual parallel configs.
Alder body, dual cutaway, black laquer finish. Rosewood fretboard, fake abalone inlay dots. Sealed Gotoh tuners. Larger radius neck. No luthiers joint. Solid bridge. Jumbo frets.
No included accessories normally, however dealer threw in polish, cloth, and a gig bag.
For the price I paid it's got everything I need. The controls are a bit funny. They don't work the same as my other bass but then it's a different PU config. I wish manufacturers would include details of the control configs since they vary so much between units...
Good solid construction. Heavy, probably between12 and 16lbs

Quite modern sound. Scooped low mids with both pickups in Humbucker style operation.
I tend to play mostly new guitar pop, alt rock, with some older covers from the 60's-80's.
There is a variety of tones out of this bass, but the controls are a bit convoluded, and there isn't really any way to go between two tones. It's always one extreme or the other.
That being said, I tend to stick two two settings (Dual parallel/humbucking, and Bridge) which give me the tones I need.
Very tight bass. Thick punchy attack. The B string is nice and solid. It doesn't break up even when you hit it hard. However that being said, You're gonna need a few hundred watts into a 4x10 or a single 18 to really feel the B the way you should.
It doesn't slap as well as some basses. It lacks some of the growl. but this also my be a product of my amp.
I play through a modified DBX tube pre, into a DBX comp and then to a modded Fender M-80 Chorus (1x15, with added horn 160w)
I also record and play direct through a Radial JDI MkIII di box.
I get a better low end while going direct, but thats a product of the amp not the bass. Played through a SWR 1x15 is was nice and deep, Also had plenty of nut rumbling punch and stabbing mids when played through a David Eden 2x10 combo (go figure I'd expect that of a $3000 solid state amp)

Other reviewers have complained of the G-string not being as loud as the others no matter how the pickups were set. I have not had this problem.

I quite like this bass, and it will replace my bass of 8 years (a modded Aria Pro II 4 string) in most areas. However, my old Aria will still get pulled out for certain things...

Overall a very fine sounding instrument.

Action is a bit high to what i'm used to. Will probably tackle that job this afternoon. Still plays very well though. Wider neck (both because of the wide radius and the 5th string) does get a bit fatiguing, but that's likely me playing on a small radius 4 string for so long.

Very little buzz except while slamming the lower notes on the B. It's solid, but not completely forgiving...

All hardware was flawless and polished well. This bass wasn't played much in the store (likely becuase it's a lefty model) so the factory strings were in good shape and there were few prints on it.
Knobs were all solid as was the 1/4" jack
Sealed gotoh tuners are a nice touch. I like them SO much better then the cheapass hipshot tuners...

Very solid construction. internal electronics are all wired cleanly and the cavity is polished.

Very solid. Would gig with it in a pinch with no backup.
Finish seems solid, but i have dinged it twice. Has gotten a bit scratched at the stomach cutout probably from buttons or something...

otherwise it stays in tune VERY well. i rarely have to retune it. Even after a night of playing.

It's strap buttons are good and solid, but a little mis placed. The bass doesn't sit quite right on my shoulder. The balance is ever so slightly off.

All hardware is otherwise solid, and I'd rely on this bass with little worry

Never delt with them for musical instruments.
Audio gear has always met with good warranty and prompt service.

1 year factory warranty

I got a deal on this bass. It normally retails for as high as $700US I paid significantly less.
This is a good solid bass.
If you play modern rock/pop/alt/jazz/acidjazz/funk (note the slapping comment above) this is a good solid choice.
Would also sit well with new country, reggae, R&B and HipHop.

May not work as well if your main styles are older rock (60's 70's era) or if youre doing rockabilly or blues or doing a lot of slapping.

The bass is solid, fun to play, Sounds great. My complaints are all minor and I'll probably mod them away anyway.

This is a good bass with good modern tone, and it sits very very well in a mix. Records and plays live very nicely. If you're debating purchasing it, I'll tell you it's worth the money.

This is a good bass for an experienced player. a beginner will probably find the action, neck radius, and 5th string just get in the way.

Great value for money. nice sounding well playing clean and simple 5 string.

I'm a bassist/guitarist of 8 years. Classically trained vocalist of longer... in my professional life I'm a recording engineer.

Made in 2002,
24 frets, 34" scale
Solid top
Rear volume/front volume/master tone
2 soapbar pickups
Yamaha stock pickups
passive
Alder body , rosewood fretboad
satin finish with high gloss
smaller jazz body
grover tuners, non locking

gig bag and cable included

I play a wide range of music, From acid jazz to death metal. TYhis bass covered all range of tones. From dark to bright and punchy.
I use a peavey tnt 150 and This bass rocked the house with authority(no effects) I would use this with no backup.
Strangely enough the pickups produced no feedback. Playing on this baby is a dream because I have played on basses priced 3 times more than this that dont get that Kind of sound. On stage or in the studio, This bass will, cover all bases!!!!
THere are no dislikes on this bass

The action was a little high for my taste, so I had the bass reset
The pickups were also highbt, a slight adjustment took care of that, But the overalll finish was fantastic!

This bass wil defintely, withstand the rigors of a live show, I used it for a 6 hour practice and the the sound did not falter even for a moment. This I must say suprised me. HTe hardware will lastwithout a doubtand the finish does not lose any luster, even after long, tedious sessions.I can use this base with no backup, I haven't had to adjust the truss rod yet

Ive been playing 5 years and I have never heard a bas cover all tones and colors with such presence and authority!!! I would recomend this bass to all, I am a lefty so It is rare for me to find such a deal, I an extremly lucky thatI found this one at such an insane price. If it were stolen or lost, I would definatly buy another, with no hesitation. I love the way this bass sounds and feels, I love ow simple the eq system is on the bass, I prefer that the amp does the work ,and thats what I have, I compare this bass to the spector Ns2000/5 in sound, just a passive version. I am very happy with this bass.