Yamaha Super Bass SB500S Fretless White 1981
Yamaha SB500S Super Bass, refinished to white and converted to fretless, made in Japan 1981. This is a quirky little thing! The Super Bass came out in the late 70s, it's a take on the Jazz Bass but with a semi-offset body, a chunky high mass bridge and a fat P-style neck. This one has has the frets removed and the board ebonised, so that's pushed it in a whole new direction. The round, plump low end and growly, articulate midrange lend the tone a certain talkative fullness; it's got plenty of natural heft behind the notes even with the soft edges they gain from the fretless board. The refinish to white appears to be a pro job; it's very consistent and the grain of the nato wood underneath is peeping through subtly when viewed up close. This is a super cool player's vintage piece and a really fun way to add a fretless to your stash. Super as, aye.
Model: Yamaha Super Bass SB500S
Made: 1981, Japan, (serial 019016)
Finish: white, thin coat of gloss acrylic
Body: nato, 2-piece
Weight: 4.215kg
Neck: maple, 1-piece w/ skunk stripe, 12" radius, 34" scale
Mods: body refinished, frets removed, board ebonised, neck pickup replaced
Pickup: Yamaha 8-pole J-style single coil (bridge), Tonerider JB single (neck)
Case: vintage hard case, good quality and condition
Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has a few dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's a few dimples on the back and some fading on the board as shown. The back has a few dimples on the bottom side and some light scuffs around the place, no major marks. The sides have some scuffs along the bottom and back edge and some scuffs and a chip in the elbow area. The front us pretty tidy, just a few dimples on the horn and near the knobs. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets removed as noted. All electrics tested and working properly. Set up with Ernie Ball flatwound strings.
Description
Yamaha SB500S Super Bass, refinished to white and converted to fretless, made in Japan 1981. This is a quirky little thing! The Super Bass came out in the late 70s, it's a take on the Jazz Bass but with a semi-offset body, a chunky high mass bridge and a fat P-style neck. This one has has the frets removed and the board ebonised, so that's pushed it in a whole new direction. The round, plump low end and growly, articulate midrange lend the tone a certain talkative fullness; it's got plenty of natural heft behind the notes even with the soft edges they gain from the fretless board. The refinish to white appears to be a pro job; it's very consistent and the grain of the nato wood underneath is peeping through subtly when viewed up close. This is a super cool player's vintage piece and a really fun way to add a fretless to your stash. Super as, aye.
Model: Yamaha Super Bass SB500S
Made: 1981, Japan, (serial 019016)
Finish: white, thin coat of gloss acrylic
Body: nato, 2-piece
Weight: 4.215kg
Neck: maple, 1-piece w/ skunk stripe, 12" radius, 34" scale
Mods: body refinished, frets removed, board ebonised, neck pickup replaced
Pickup: Yamaha 8-pole J-style single coil (bridge), Tonerider JB single (neck)
Case: vintage hard case, good quality and condition
Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has a few dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's a few dimples on the back and some fading on the board as shown. The back has a few dimples on the bottom side and some light scuffs around the place, no major marks. The sides have some scuffs along the bottom and back edge and some scuffs and a chip in the elbow area. The front us pretty tidy, just a few dimples on the horn and near the knobs. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets removed as noted. All electrics tested and working properly. Set up with Ernie Ball flatwound strings.
