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Description
The Yamaha BB 1200 bass guitar is a testament to classic craftsmanship blended with modern innovation, making it a favorite among discerning bassists. It stands out with its neck-through-body construction, offering unparalleled sustain and resonance that bass players crave. The BB 1200's precision engineering ensures that every note is delivered with clarity and power, perfect for both studio recordings and live performances. Its solid alder body paired with a maple neck provides a balanced tonal foundation, while the rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and smooth playability.
This electric bass is equipped with a custom-designed pickup, delivering a versatile range of tones, from punchy mids to deep, rounded lows. The intuitive control layout makes it easy to dial in your sound, whether you’re laying down the groove or taking a solo.
Designed for the modern musician, the Yamaha BB 1200 combines vintage-inspired aesthetics with contemporary playability. Its quality hardware ensures reliable tuning stability and effortless string changes, making it a dependable choice for gigging professionals and studio musicians alike.
Key Features:
- Neck-through-body construction for enhanced sustain
- Solid alder body with maple neck and rosewood fingerboard
- Custom-designed pickup for a versatile tonal palette
- Intuitive control layout
- Quality hardware for reliable performance and tuning stability
Videos
Bass Japan Direct
Yamaha BB1200 early 80's
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha BB 1200.
Build quality
Comparisons
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The BBP34's quality is likened to high-end Sadowsky Metro basses, suggesting a strong reputation among premium models.
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It's noted that Yamaha basses often compete with Mexican Fenders in quality, challenging preconceived brand perceptions.
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The BB434 is praised for surpassing other PJ basses in the under $1500 USD range in terms of build quality.
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Use cases and applications
Mods and upgrades
User experience
Other
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Yamaha's BB series has historical significance, with notable musicians like Peter Hook and Billy Sheehan endorsing the brand.
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3.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
162
Handed down to me.
This bass has a very off-putting weight issue. The head stock feels far heavier than the body.
Artist usage
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He used this bass in '79-'80, most notably on Back to the Egg and live performances.
In this YouTube video you can see Peter playing a Yamaha BB1200. He also mentions the 1200 in interviews. He had one before changing to the 1200S.
Per the Nov. 1983 issue of "One Two Testing" magazine in an interview dated 2/9/1983, Curt Smith recounted:
"We had trouble getting a bass sound on the album and I went through a few basses, a Yamaha BB1200, an Aria Pro, and an Alembic — but we still had trouble getting a roundness and a depth."
Additionally, Curt can be seen with a BB 1200 in the attached photo.
In a Facebook post by Yamaha Guitars, Mark Lanegan is photographed holding a Yamaha BB1100 Bass, which he used to write songs.
Album Usage
The Yamaha BB 1200 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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