Image: Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology, CC BY 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Yamaha BB
| Category | Strings (electric bass) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Classification | electric bass guitar |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q11345244 |
Overview
The Yamaha BB — short for Broad Bass — is a long-running family of four- and five-string electric bass guitars introduced by Yamaha in 1977. Across more than four decades the line has grown to span entry-level imports, mid-tier production models, and high-end Pro and Custom Shop builds. The instruments are characterised by a slightly offset double-cutaway body, hum-cancelling split-coil and J-style pickup combinations, and through-body or bolt-on construction depending on the era.
Origin & History
Yamaha launched the BB series at a moment when Japanese-built electric basses were beginning to be taken seriously by professional players. The first BB models — including the BB 1200 and BB 2000 — arrived in 1977. The line was overhauled multiple times: the 1980s introduced active electronics on top-tier models; the 1990s saw the BB 5000 series add five-string options; the 2010s BBPro and BBP series simplified the range around modern PJ-pickup models with vintage-style appointments. Yamaha’s collaboration with Nathan East produced the BBNE2 signature, which has remained in continuous production.
How It’s Played
A BB plays as a conventional electric bass — fingers, pick, or slap technique on a 34-inch scale neck with a rosewood or maple fingerboard. The PJ pickup configuration on most models gives both fundamental warmth from the split-coil neck pickup and articulation from the bridge J pickup. Active models add onboard EQ and gain stages for stage use; passive models are popular in studios for their direct, neutral signal.
Cultural Significance
The BB series is widely regarded as one of the most reliable studio basses produced outside the United States. Nathan East, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, and Tony Kanal of No Doubt are among the visible long-term users. The line is often cited in discussions of how Japanese builders established themselves as full peers to American makers in the bass-guitar market during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Related Instruments
- Fender Telecaster Bass – American single-cutaway bass cousin
- Fender Performer Bass – another bolt-on bass of the era
- Gibson EB-2 – a different design philosophy of the same era
- Gibson G3 – contemporary American competitor
- Mandobass – an unrelated bass-register instrument
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BB stand for?
Broad Bass — Yamaha’s name for the line.
When was the first BB made?
1977.
Who is the most associated player?
Nathan East, who developed the BBNE2 signature model with Yamaha.
