Yamaha BBP34, BB Series Pro 4-String Bass, Made In Japan, Midnight Blue, W/Hardshell Case

BB Series

As the go-to instrument for some of the biggest names in bass since its introduction in 1977, players like Nathan East, Tony Kanal, Billy Sheehan, Glenn Hughes, Robbie Takac, Peter Hook, and Jack Gibson have made their signature sound with a BB. The new BB takes the iconic style and versatility of this classic bass, and its legendary sound, to a new level.

The Pro

The Ultimate BB

For the bassist that won't settle for anything less than the best, the Pro lineup represents the pinnacle of everything the BB designers have sought to achieve over four decades of striving for perfection. Carefully crafted one at a time by a select team of master artisans at Yamaha's headquarters in Japan, and featuring a unique Alder/Maple/Alder laminated construction finished with Yamaha's proprietary IRA (initial response acceleration) technology, the Pro BB offers a rich, organic tone and incomparable resonance and playability—this is the bass that you've always dreamed of.

Features

Alder/Maple/Alder Body Construction

• The new BB features an Alder/Maple/Alder multi-laminated body construction. The hard maple center increases body stiffness and accentuates midrange to cut through the mix of a band, and allows a more uniform transmission of vibrations between the body and the maple neck for unparalleled resonance and sustain.

6-bolt Miter Neck Joint

• Miter bolting holds the neck closer and tighter to the body fusing these two separate components into one.
• Compared to a conventional bolt-on joint, miter bolting offers more efficient transfer of string vibration throughout the body, for improved sustain and outstanding resonance that brings every note to life.

YGD Custom V7 Pickups

• Alnico magnets produce a fat yet penetrating tone that works in combination with the unique Alder/Maple/Alder construction of the 700 and Pro models for an organic, well-defined sound.

Control

• The new BB models are equipped with one tone control and two volume control knobs, for versatile sound shaping.

Convertible Bridge and Saddle for Precise Tone Shaping: Vintage Plus Bridge

• The 700 and Pro are equipped with the Vintage Plus Bridge, which incorporates “Diagonal Body Thru Stringing,” where strings are angled at the saddle and pass through the instrument to the bridge at a 45º angle, as opposed to the traditional vertical stringing method which places more stress on the strings.

Diagonal Body Thru Stringing significantly reduces this stress while transferring string vibration to the body reliably and efficiently.

• Strings can also be set to the tail end of the bridge, which comes equipped with a convertible saddle that can be adjusted to 2 different angles for more precise tonal shaping and feel. The rounder side of the saddle gives a slightly softer sound, while the more angled area produces a slightly tighter one.
• The brass saddle of the Vintage Plus Bridge delivers a slightly deeper low-end, and the steel bridge plate offers a brighter tone. All screws and springs are made of stainless steel to guard against corrosion.

*Long-scale strings are recommended when stringing through the bridge and super long-scale strings are recommended when stringing through the body.

Five-piece Neck

• The new series features a 5-ply maple and mahogany laminated neck, in a bolt-on design that delivers a sharp attack, and quick response. This durable construction resists warping and twisting and adds the tight, penetrating character of maple combined with the warmth of mahogany to the instrument’s tone.

New Neck Shape

• The New BB models feature a slightly thinner neck than previous BB basses, improving playability and feel for both modern and traditional players.

Lightweight Tuners

• Lighter weight tuners offer a better balance and complement the overall feel, providing a perfect match for the smaller, lighter body of the new BB.

I.R.A. (Initial Response Acceleration)

• Any bass benefits from being "played in," a process in which the instrument matures and opens up as the stresses between the wood and finish, neck and fingerboard, and body and hardware are released, resulting in better sound and playability.
• Yamaha’s exclusive Initial Response Acceleration (IRA) technology releases those stresses by applying specific vibrations to the completed instruments as part of the crafting process and gives a "played in" bass from day one.
• Made in Japan, this is the ultimate BB, featuring an Alder/Maple/Alder construction treated with Yamaha’s unique IRA technology, a six-bolt miter neck joint, and a diagonally strung convertible bridge.

General Specifications

• General Construction: Bolt-on (6-bolt miter neck joint )
• Scale Length: 34" (863.6 mm)
• Body
• Body Materials: Alder / Maple / Alder construction
• Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane

Neck

• Neck Materials: Maple/ Mahogany 5pcs
• Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane
• Fingerboard Materials: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 10" (250 mm)
• Fret Wire: Medium
• Number of Frets: 21
• Nut Materials: Graphtech
• Width @ 0 Fret / 12th Fret: 40.0 / 56.3 mm
• Thickness @ 1st Fret / 12th Fret: 21.0 / 23.0 mm

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: VSP7n : Split Single Coil / Alnico V
• Bridge Pickup: VSC7b : Single Coil / Alnico V
• Controls Neck PU Volume, Bridge PU Volume, Master Tone
• Pickup Switch-

Hardware

• Bridge: Vintage Plus : Convertible stringing, Brass Saddle, Steel Plate
• String Spacing: 19 mm
• Tuning Machines: Lightweight Open Gear
• Pickguard: Midnight Blue / 3Ply Cream Vintage Sunburst / 3Ply Black
• String Gauge: D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100

Others

• Case: Hardshell case
• Special Features: I.R.A Treatment