The Yamaha BB bass has been one of the most trusted working basses since 1977. Short for “Broad Bass”, it began with the neck-through BB1200, picked up players from Joy Division to Nathan East, and today runs from the affordable BB234 to the made-in-Japan BB Pro. This guide covers its history, the current series, and which BB to buy. For the brand as a whole, see our Yamaha Brand Guide.
Yamaha BB Bass Quick Facts
- BB means: Broad Bass
- First model: BB1200 (1977), neck-through
- Key firsts: BB2000 added PJ pickups; BB5000 (1984) was Yamaha’s first production 5-string
- 2017 update: Six-bolt miter neck joint, lighter and more comfortable body
- Made in Japan: The BB Pro series (BBP34 / BBP35)
- Players: Peter Hook, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan, Michael Anthony
What Is the Yamaha BB Bass?
BB stands for Broad Bass, and the idea was in the name: one bass broad enough for jazz, fusion, rock and pop. Its basic shape has barely changed since 1977, which tells you how right Yamaha got it the first time.
1977-1984: BB1200, BB2000 and the First 5-String
The BB1200 of 1977 was a neck-through bass with noise-canceling split pickups, mounted “reversed” with the E/A half nearer the bridge. Neck-through construction gave it long sustain and even response up the neck.
Peter Hook of Joy Division played a BB1200 on “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, one of the reasons the model became a cult classic.
| Year | Model | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | BB1200 | The first BB: neck-through, split pickups |
| 1978 | BB2000 | Added a PJ pickup layout for a much wider tonal range |
| 1982 | BB3000 | Deeper lower cutaway, reversed split-coil layout |
| 1984 | BB5000 | Yamaha’s first production 5-string bass |
My BB2000
I owned a BB2000 myself. Big-name players like Michael Anthony were tied to the BB, and the BB2000 is often talked about as a classic, so I had to have one. The sound was deep and full in the low end: a real “bass” bass. It is not the right choice if you want the bright, sparkly top end of many modern basses, but for a solid, old-school foundation it was hard to beat.
Signature BBs: Nathan East, Billy Sheehan and More
The BB became a favorite of top players, and several got their own versions.
| Player | Model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan East | BBNE (1995), now BBNE2 | A 5-string signature for the session legend |
| Billy Sheehan | BB714BS | A BB-based signature, alongside his Attitude bass |
| Michael Anthony | BB3000MA | The Van Halen bassist’s maple-neck BB |
| Peter Hook | BBPH | A modern signature for the Joy Division and New Order bassist |
The 2017 Redesign: A Modern BB
For the BB’s 40th anniversary in 2017, Yamaha redesigned the line with designer Piotr Stolarski. The look stayed classic, but the playability was updated.
| Change | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| Six-bolt miter neck joint | Holds the neck tighter to the body for better resonance and stability |
| Lighter, more contoured body | More comfortable on long gigs |
| Easier pickup switching | Faster tone changes on stage |
| Diagonally strung bridge (Pro and 700) | More focus and punch from each string |
Why bolt-on now?
The classic BB1200 was neck-through, but the modern BB uses a six-bolt joint. Yamaha’s view is that a tightly joined bolt-on neck gives the punch and definition a bass needs in a band mix.
BB Pro vs 700 vs 400 vs 200: Which Series Is Which?
| Series | Models | What stands out | Made in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | BBP34 / BBP35 | Alder/maple/alder body with I.R.A. treatment, six-bolt miter joint, diagonal bridge | Japan |
| 700 | BB734A / BB735A | Same body and joint as the Pro, plus active/passive electronics with 3-band EQ | Not stated by Yamaha |
| 400 | BB434 / BB435 | Six-bolt miter joint, offset low E | Not stated by Yamaha |
| 200 | BB234 / BB235 | The entry point to the BB line | Not stated by Yamaha |
In model names, the last digit is the string count: BBP34 is a 4-string, BBP35 a 5-string.
Which Yamaha BB Bass Should You Buy?
| You want… | Look for |
|---|---|
| A first bass with real BB DNA | BB234 |
| Best value for gigging | BB434 |
| Active tone shaping | BB734A |
| A made-in-Japan BB | BBP34 / BBP35 |
| A deep, old-school low end | Used BB1200 or BB2000 |
Final Thoughts
The BB never chased trends. It found a shape and a sound in 1977 and kept refining them, which is why so many working bassists still trust it today.
Having owned a BB2000, I can say the vintage models still deliver that deep, classic low end. And if you want one Japanese bass that can play almost any gig, the modern BB is hard to argue with.
FAQ
What does BB stand for on a Yamaha bass?
BB stands for Broad Bass, a bass broad enough for many styles of music.
When did the Yamaha BB bass come out?
The first BB, the neck-through BB1200, came out in 1977.
Is the Yamaha BB bass made in Japan?
The BB Pro series (BBP34 and BBP35) is made in Japan. Yamaha does not state the origin of the other series on its lineup page.
What is the difference between the BB Pro and BB 734A?
Both share the alder/maple/alder body and six-bolt miter neck joint. The 734A adds active/passive electronics with a 3-band EQ, while the Pro is made in Japan with I.R.A. treatment.
Who plays a Yamaha BB bass?
Notable BB players include Peter Hook, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan and Michael Anthony.
Is the Yamaha BB neck-through?
The original BB1200 and BB2000 were neck-through. The modern BB uses a six-bolt miter bolt-on neck joint.
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