Own the four string sister BB3000s white since new. Has vol-vol- tone knobs = no switch. Will never part with it. Looks almost new and plays like a dream. Even better with flat wound strings.
I've owned one of these for around 2 years and it's just amazing. It really took a lot of getting used to as you said due to the tight spacing, but now I find it hard getting back to playing my other basses! You brought up Nathan East being the guy who helped develop the BB5000, and while he may have been of help too, Yamaha's biggest bass asset at the time was Tetsuo Sakurai, formerly of Casiopea. Phenomenal player, he was my inspiration for getting one of these and the BB2000. All that said, I need a white one!
@@bassedthechannel I agree that the 2000 is pretty heavy, but the tones are just too good! Got mine modified to have the neck pickup moved closer to the neck around an inch to get that early 80s Casiopea tone (same mod Sakurai made), followed by a real nice white dipped in pink finish (there’s also pink glitter spread around the white, but you have to look close to notice lol). Great 80s look paired with a clear strap! I really want a red BB3000 fretless, but that’s incredibly rare (and expensive), hell even just a 3000!
I was really thrilled when I found out that the BB5000 was the first mass production 5-string bass. My first bass, the one that I learned on, was a BB-G5, which is basically a grandchild of this, and the budget version of the Nathan East model. So _my_ first bass is really connected to _the_ first 5-string, and also to the man that helped making it happen. I'll never sell it.
FYI The tuners, bridge and pickup covers are gold plated NOT brass. The nut is the only brass hardware on it. The BB3000's from the same era were the same spec, I own a 1983 BB3000. Great basses!!
@@bassedthechannel Yes, that's because sweat from your finger tips doesn't react well with gold plated surfaces over time unfortunately. My 1989 Fender Precision Lyte MIJ (gold plated hardware) has the same tarnishing.
That is NOT the original String tree. I have an all original BB5000 and BB3000s. Original Bridge is NOT made of brass, It is another metal type and it's plated gold color. The Pickup Rings are made of Brass. They made a later BB5000 A which was ACTIVE but it too had NARROW spacing. I owned one. But then I sold it for the prototype BB5000A Mkii which had the wider string spacing..
I love those old Yamahas. Tony Kanal was a big inspiration for me when I was first starting out on bass. Looks like you got a great one!
That rules! Thanks for checking out the video, friend!
Own the four string sister BB3000s white since new. Has vol-vol- tone knobs = no switch. Will never part with it. Looks almost new and plays like a dream. Even better with flat wound strings.
That rules!
the 2000 and the 5000 are immense
I want a 3000 sooooo bad. I ended up not loving the BB2000 I had because the neck was huge and it was mega heavy.
I've owned one of these for around 2 years and it's just amazing. It really took a lot of getting used to as you said due to the tight spacing, but now I find it hard getting back to playing my other basses! You brought up Nathan East being the guy who helped develop the BB5000, and while he may have been of help too, Yamaha's biggest bass asset at the time was Tetsuo Sakurai, formerly of Casiopea. Phenomenal player, he was my inspiration for getting one of these and the BB2000.
All that said, I need a white one!
Yes! Same! I have a BB2000 that I’m actually not jiving with. The neck is just so huge and it’s really heavy. I’d love a BB3000S.
@@bassedthechannel I agree that the 2000 is pretty heavy, but the tones are just too good! Got mine modified to have the neck pickup moved closer to the neck around an inch to get that early 80s Casiopea tone (same mod Sakurai made), followed by a real nice white dipped in pink finish (there’s also pink glitter spread around the white, but you have to look close to notice lol). Great 80s look paired with a clear strap!
I really want a red BB3000 fretless, but that’s incredibly rare (and expensive), hell even just a 3000!
@@dapper763 That sounds awesome! I feel like the neck of the 2000 is like... extra wide too.
@@bassedthechannel Yeah it's pretty wide, but I prefer that to jazz type necks, coming from a guy who started on a P bass lol
I was really thrilled when I found out that the BB5000 was the first mass production 5-string bass. My first bass, the one that I learned on, was a BB-G5, which is basically a grandchild of this, and the budget version of the Nathan East model. So _my_ first bass is really connected to _the_ first 5-string, and also to the man that helped making it happen. I'll never sell it.
They rule!!
FYI The tuners, bridge and pickup covers are gold plated NOT brass. The nut is the only brass hardware on it. The BB3000's from the same era were the same spec, I own a 1983 BB3000. Great basses!!
Oh wow, thanks! Kind of weird because it is tarnishing like I would expect brass to...
@@bassedthechannel Yes, that's because sweat from your finger tips doesn't react well with gold plated surfaces over time unfortunately. My 1989 Fender Precision Lyte MIJ (gold plated hardware) has the same tarnishing.
@@grahamalexander5800 noted!
I have THREE. 2 MIJ, 1 MIT. I've had them since birth.
That rules!
What would be a modern equivalent to this bb5000 bass?
I really am not sure, but Yamaha does still make a nicer passive version of their BB series. I personally prefer the passive versions.
May i ask which tuners have you put on it, mine are rattling as hell and i want to change them.
Thanks
Hey friend! The tuners were changed before I bought the bass. However, when I buy tuners now I always buy hipshot ultralites
@@bassedthechannel
Thanks!
Question. How much is one of the Yamaha bb5000 5 String guitar now worth? Price range?
Ive seen them between 1500-2500
The BB5000A is fine in my opinion.
Thanks! I'm sure they're awesome too. I have never played one.
Sick asf
That is NOT the original String tree.
I have an all original BB5000 and BB3000s.
Original Bridge is NOT made of brass, It is another metal type and it's plated gold color.
The Pickup Rings are made of Brass.
They made a later BB5000 A which was ACTIVE but it too had NARROW spacing. I owned one.
But then I sold it for the prototype BB5000A Mkii which had the wider string spacing..
Thanks!
nice vid
Thank you! We hope you stick around and subscribe!
Not underrated by me, I've been dying to get my hands on one for a long time!
I got one. It’s a fantastic bass
I have a first year BB5000 and That string tree definitely is not original.
You’re right, these tuners were swapped
5:15
story of my life
🤣
nope, I own a bb5000A with narrow spacing
but it's mad ugly
I’m in to the look but it’s not for everyone. Thanks for the comment!
Manolito needs a Barbie bass 💗
@@memoherdezrico9706 q si q odias a las mujeres ya me he enterao pesao de los cojones