Yamaha BB 1200S

4.5 (3)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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The Yamaha BB 1200S is a vintage-inspired electric bass that encapsulates the rich legacy of Yamaha's craftsmanship with modern playability. Designed for bassists who demand versatility and precision, this four-stringed powerhouse delivers a compelling blend of tone and sustain, making it a sought-after piece for both studio sessions and live performances. Its neck-through-body construction ensures excellent resonance and sustain, while the alnico V humbucking pickups provide a punchy, dynamic sound suitable for a wide range of musical styles. The BB 1200S is not just about the sound; its ergonomic design and smooth neck invite hours of comfortable playing. Whether you're laying down groovy bass lines or taking the lead with intricate solos, this bass guitar promises to enhance your musical expression.

Key Features:

Neck-through-body construction for enhanced sustain
Alnico V humbucking pickups for dynamic sound
3-band EQ for versatile tone shaping
Die-cast bridge for stable tuning and intonation
Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
Vintage-inspired design with modern features

Videos

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Filipe Andrade

Yamaha BB1200S demo

Filipe Andrade

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha BB 1200S.

Build quality

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Yamaha BB basses are praised for their tank-like construction, with diagonal neck joint screws that enhance durability and stability.
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Features and functionality

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The Yamaha BBP34/5 lacks an active preamp, making the BB734/5 more feature-rich despite being lower priced.
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The BB1200S includes an active preamp with a 3-way EQ, distinguishing it from its predecessor, the BB1200.
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Comparisons

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The Yamaha BB434 is considered superior to basses priced up to $1500 due to its exceptional build and sound quality, especially in the PJ configuration.
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The Yamaha BB800 is considered a budget version of the BB1200, potentially referenced by Peter Hook when discussing the BB600, which doesn't exist.
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Use cases and applications

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The BB series is recommended for players seeking Fender-like tones without compromising on quality.
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The BB1200S was notably used in the music video for "The Perfect Kiss" by New Order, providing its signature tone.
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User experience

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Some owners report that older models, like the Yamaha Super Bass 800, offer exceptional playability and sound, encouraging prolonged playing.
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Peter Hook's BB1200S has been described as having an unmistakable tone, particularly highlighted in live performances and recordings of "The Perfect Kiss".
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Critic Reviews

Yamaha Active Bass (ES Apr 84)

muzines.co.uk

The Yamaha BB 1200S bass guitar impresses with its elegant design and exceptional craftsmanship, particularly at the neck-body juncture. Its active mode delivers a superb, piano-like tone with impressive sustain, ideal for thumb slapping and live performances. The adjustable pickup and EQ knobs offer a wide tonal range, enhancing playability. However, the bridge design is somewhat clunky, and the lack of a supplied Allen key for adjustments is a minor inconvenience. Despite these quirks and a higher price point, its quality and sound make it a sought-after choice for discerning musicians.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

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rodolfo

100

over 11 years ago

Great bass , active and passive. Great tone!

Well constructed bass with 2 trust rods.Well designed ,powerfull sound, great tone!

Artist usage

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Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

Verified via The Gear Page

On this page, there is a photo of McCartney playing a Yamaha BB 1200S.

Peter Hook

Singer, Bassist

Joy Division

Verified via Bassguitarmagazine

Peter Hook stated in an interview w/ Bass Guitar Magazine that “One of the strange things is that having such a distinctive style doesn’t lend itself to much experimentation. I’m always looking to see if anyone could make a better guitar than the Yamaha BB1200S. They’ve never done it yet, to my mind."