The BB bass legacy
When the first Yamaha BB basses rolled off the line in the late ’70s, the bass world quickly took notice. A diverse array of high-caliber players took to these unique instruments, such as Van Halen’s Michael Anthony, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, and legendary session ace Abraham Laboriel Sr. Their comfortably contoured bodies, clear-as-a-bell electronics, and immediately identifiable look keep these basses at the forefront of many different genres. The Yamaha BB235 is among the latest additions to this storied line of lauded instruments.
Familiar construction with modern twists
What truly sets Yamaha’s BB basses apart from other basses are their comfortable and familiar contours. Carefully crafted from balanced-sounding alder, the BB235 5-string boasts that same identifiable character. Its rounded edges and forearm and belly cuts seem to melt into your body while playing. The bass’s maple bolt-on neck sings with a familiar punch and midrange that accompanies that construction style, while its slightly thinner profile is a welcome addition to more modern styles of players.
Flexible and easy-to-use electronics
Whether you’re a session player or a specialist, you know the benefits of a P/J pickup combination. The pickups in this BB235 are Yamaha’s Custom V3 ceramic single-coil design. Dial in more of the neck pickup for that all-important P-style growl. And nail punchy fingerstyle tones with the bridge pickup — a favorite for many bassists. The BB235’s passive volume/volume/tone control layout couldn’t be easier to dial in.
