Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

[Fonzie]

Hey y’all, I’m blessed to have gotten my grandfather’s bass for Christmas. It’s a cream Yamaha BB5000, just put new strings on it. I don’t know too much about the bass besides it being hard to find and one of first (if not the first) 5-string electric basses ever mass-produced. If anyone has knowledge of this bass’ history, please do share. Here are some pictures after cleaning and new strings (I left the marked tape he put on in honor.)

 

[Demanic]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Nice!

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

1) Soak the old strings in rubbing alcohol for a few days. You'll be surprised at how they come back to life.

2) What a cool bass! What did you restring it with, and how's it sound?

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Yamaha basses kick ass. I've had several. The tuning machines are the most robust (heavy) of any bass tuners on the market.

 

[Fonzie]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

1) Soak the old strings in rubbing alcohol for a few days. You'll be surprised at how they come back to life.

2) What a cool bass! What did you restring it with, and how's it sound?

Hahaha cool tip man maybe I’ll try that.
Restrung with Ernie Ball 5-string regular slinkies and it sounds kickass and growly!

 

[Fonzie]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Yamaha basses kick ass. I've had several. The tuning machines are the most robust (heavy) of any bass tuners on the market.

Funny you mention the tuners, my strings kept popping off as I was stringing it up. May just need some adjustment, but it plays great!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

The end of the string is supposed to go down into the hole in the center of the post. I did the same thing as you the first time I strung up a bass.

 

[Fonzie]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

The end of the string is supposed to go down into the hole in the center of the post. I did the same thing as you the first time I strung up a bass.

Haha thanks, someone on Reddit said that too. I’ll check it out tomorrow.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

SWEET ride!!!!!! Grandpa rocked....

 

[Fonzie]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

SWEET ride!!!!!! Grandpa rocked....

Hell yeah brother he’s a cool guy. Wish I could have seen this thing in action on-stage by his hands.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Makes me think of Michael Anthony.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Yee-hah, that looks awesome! Are those the factory pickups? They look cool, any idea what they are?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Makes me think of Michael Anthony.

I think he played Aria's too?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Congrats. That actually looks pretty cool. I'd be into one for myself if there was a 4 string version (and if I made a pickguard for it).

 

[ginormous]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

The history can be traced back to one guy, session ninja Nathan East.
He played with Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins (he also co-wrote "Easy Lover"), Michael Jackson, Clapton... you know, "nobodies" like those.
He wanted a low B string to compete with the synth bass parts so prevalent in the 1980s.
They first came out with the BB5000, then developed his sig models the BBNE and BBNE2 based on it.

Those appear to be the factory pickups, which were designed for his playing style (R&B/Jazz/rock).
If the various parts are untouched, you've got a keeper. NEVER let it out of your sight.
Not just for your grandpa's legacy, but also it's a kickass bass!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

I remember Nathan East playing with Clapton and singing backup, too. Great player, and great voice.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Congrats. That actually looks pretty cool. I'd be into one for myself if there was a 4 string version (and if I made a pickguard for it).

You mean like this?
http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is...bacco-Sunburst/H73239000002000-00-750x750.jpg

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

^ Now THAT is hideous.

It's so often that a big manufacturer completely screws up one of their instruments with unattractive pickguard and control plate design. G&L and Music Man are the number one offenders, but that Yamaha follows suit.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

And P.S. Does that thing have a bolt neck? The bass in the OP, to which I was referring, does not.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Grandpa's Yamaha BB5000

Yes. Bolt on neck.