NBD: Yamaha SBV 500

[neepheid]

I picked up a used Yamaha SBV 500 recently, I've wanted one of these on and off ever since I became aware of them.  Recently on the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, Peter Capaldi has taken to playing an SGV 800 guitar and it really set the GAS off again.  I had hoped to find an SBV J2 (double split P pickups, block inlays) but it was Japanese domestic issue only I believe.  This 500 appeared on eBay and I don't have any basses with "Jazz like" pickups so I took a punt and got it for a keen price - cosmetically it has its flaws (mucho buckle rash in the back, some dings, some finish chips around the extremities) but it's solid and the neck's good.  Sounds good to me and most surprisingly of all, it balances pretty well on the strap - I was expecting neck dive and got none (albeit with a wide, neoprene strap).

Anyway, enough waffle, pics or GTFO, right?

[ilan]

Very cool.

As a kid there was a local player who had one of the original short-scale "Samurai" SB-5A's, in sunburst, he hated it but could not afford a Fender...

I always thought they were very stylish. A nice take on the upside-down theme, IMO nicer than T-birds (yes), RD's or Mosrites.

I really like those late-60's era Yamaha's. I'm watching this one on eBay but not pulling the trigger yet.

[Chris P.]

I love the shape. I used to have an original '67 i sunburst. With a balance control for the pickups, which worked nice. It sounded okay, but what I didn't saw on the pic when I bought it, that is twas a very tiny bass for a tall guy. Sold it after a while.

[amptech]

I'm on constant lookout for one of these in shortscale!

[gearHed289]

Recently on the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, Peter Capaldi has taken to playing an SGV 800 guitar

And it makes me cringe every time! I hope they stop with that...

A friend of mine just sold a matching set of guitar and bass re-issues of these, I think from the 90s.

[Granny Gremlin]

Yeah, I've had a bit of a crush on these for a while, but not so hot on the usual pup options (reissues).  Also, I had no idea they came in short scale; that changes things.

Anywho, my favorite pro user:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFLMjIIlOI4

(listenning to their LPs is a bit of a workout; musical equivalent of seizure-enducing anime)

[amptech]

Also, I had no idea they came in short scale; that changes things.

I think that they came only in short scale, but not 100% sure. But I'm pretty sure they came with 1 or 2 pickups options.

[ilan]

They were short scale only. I think the single-pickup model was the SB-1C "banana bass".

[Granny Gremlin]

So the 90s SBVs were long scale but older ones (and the banana - not as desirable a body shape IMHO) are shorties?

[amptech]

So the 90s SBVs were long scale but older ones (and the banana - not as desirable a body shape IMHO) are shorties?

I'm pretty sure that is correct!

[amptech]

They were short scale only. I think the single-pickup model was the SB-1C "banana bass".

The Samurai, at least the information I have, was either one or two pickups with the same body outline.
SB5A (one pickup) and SB7A (two pickup) made between 1966 and 1967.
Found this pic a while back:

[ilan]

I stand corrected.

[Nocturnal]

This article showed up on my FB feed today. Features a long-gone Phoenix band with a bassist using one of these Yamaha models.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-drug-clumsy-life-of-arizona-band-the-nervous-7867119

[uwe]

But the reissue was long scale, right? I have a distinct long scale playing memory from playing one when they came out.

[neepheid]

But the reissue was long scale, right? I have a distinct long scale playing memory from playing one when they came out.

Affirmative.