Tone Monster

The Yamaha BB-5000 was the world’s first mass produced 5 string electric bass and is essentially a BB3000 (top of the line Yamaha 4 string bass) with 5 string pickups, bridge, nut, and 5th tuner in the head. The BB-5000 featured a through-neck design, 24 frets, a great cutaway, and PJ pickup configuration. They were produced from the mid-80’s into the early 90’s in Japan or Taiwan. Build quality is exceptional and while Japanese made basses may command a slightly higher price to some users, there is no real difference in quality. These basses were not produced in huge quantities. Though rare and for the most part, unknown, anyone who has played one will tell you to buy one if you get the opportunity.

The BB-5000 came in three iterations- the original came with passive pickups, a 3-way pickup selector, and narrow 15mm string spacing. The BB-5000A added active 2 band EQ, and a pickup pan knob replaced the 3 way switch. The third iteration added wider (more normal) string spacing and continued to be known as the 5000A in the US market, while it’s designation was changed to 5000A II in Japan.

Like the Yamaha BB-2000 and 3000 before it, the BB-5000 produces a bright tone. If funk or slap are your thing, investigate this bass and it’s 4 string siblings on YouTube. Each of them are tone monsters and sound exactly like you want to sound if you like 80’s fusion.

https://youtu.be/rRI_iXDHigA

It is a vintage bass so you will encounter some quirks. The body shape is comfortable but aesthetically not modern. It comes only in glossy black, or creamy white, with GOLD hardware. IMHO it looks great, but if vintage isn’t your thing, there are other new basses just as capable as this one and less historical. The entire body is painted and clear coated so the neck is not the fastest thing on earth like a sanded, unpainted neck.

This bass does suffer two ailments. Adding the 5th tuner on a basically 4 string design causes this bass to suffer from some neck dive, but it is not a show stopper. With Gotoh 350 tuners, my bass feels completely balanced. The final quirk is the narrow 15mm string spacing. Some people never get used to it. I was able to adjust to this bass, but is wider string spacing easier a lot of the time? Yes.

All of that being said, I find myself addicted to the tone, versatility, feel, and the aesthetic of this bass. It is very unique, which is another thing I find very attractive about it. Even people who don’t know much about gear notice this instrument. If you get the chance, try one.

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