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Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature 5-string Bass - White

5-string Electric Bass with Alder/Maple Body, 5-pc Maple/Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, Active Electronics, 2 Humbucking Pickups, 24 Frets, and Custom Bridge - White
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Item ID: NathanEWht
Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature 5-string Bass - White
Price:$4,099 and 99 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $114/month with 36 month financing*

Backordered - More On The Way!

This item requires extra delivery time from Yamaha. Order today to reserve yours now, risk-free, or contact us for more information. Estimated March 2027.

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Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature 5-string Bass - White
Backordered - More On The Way! Notify me
Price:$4,099 and 99 cents
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This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

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The Hardest Working Bass in the Business

You've already heard the Yamaha BBNE2 5-string electric bass guitar. The signature model and go-to instrument of A-list bassist Nathan East, the BBNE2 has graced the low-end of artists as diverse as Daft Punk, Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani, Fourplay, and many more than we have room here to write. Designed in conjunction with East, the BBNE2 is loaded with features specific to a bass that needs to be able to do it all for the biggest names in the business. Now that same genre-crossing professional quality bass guitar can be yours.

The signature bass heard around the world

There more than likely isn't a signature model bass anywhere in the world that has been on as many hit recordings, played on bigger stages, held down the low-end with bigger artists, and been seen on as many broadcasts as Nathan East's BBNE2. The man defines what it is to be an A-list artist in an industry where the term is a dying breed. His Yamaha BBNE2 has been by his side for the past 30 years. Almost every time he plays on tracks such as Daft Punk's "Get Lucky", Joe Satriani's Cool #9, and thousands of others it's the BBNE2 you're hearing.

Nathan East designed active electronics system

Crucial to shaping Nathan's sound for his different projects is the onboard active preamp system and Alnico V pickups. Containing the standard volume, pickup blend knob, bass, middle, and treble controls, Yamaha also included Nathan's "magic box" circuitry, allowing you to choose a specific midrange frequency and cut off the selected frequency at the flip of a switch. The voice of the BBNE2 can truly be tailored to get you sounding great in whatever situation you're in - something the bassists at Sweetwater are digging, and you will too.

Individual bridge pieces for clarity

When your bread and butter is the low frequencies of a musical project, note clarity is everything. The neck-through design and ebony fretboard on the BBNE2 go a long way in achieving this. But Yamaha's BPZ-7 design goes the extra mile to ensure a minimal of cross-talk between the strings, prolonging your sustain, punch, and note definition. It achieves this by using separate individual saddles, attached to the body of the bass for each string. The end result is you get strong low end with improved note definition and clarity.

Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature 5-string Bass Features:

  • Professional-level 5-string bass designed to Nathan East's specifications
  • Active preamp designed with Nathan East
  • Nathan's "Magic Box" parametric mid-cut
  • Great note seperation from Yamaha's BPZ-7 bridge
  • Amazing sustain via a neck-through build and ebony fretboard
  • Alnico V pickups voiced by Nathan East
  • Body of Maple and Alder
  • 24-fret 5-piece maple/mahogany neck

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 5
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: BB Nathan East
  • Body Material: Maple/Alder
  • Color: White
  • Body Finish: Gloss
  • Neck Material: Maple/Mahogany
  • Radius: 19.6"
  • Fingerboard Material: Ebony
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Figured Abalone Blocks
  • Number of Frets: 24
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1.692"
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: Yamaha BPZ-7 (no piezo)
  • Tuners: Mother-of-pearl
  • Neck Pickup: Alnico V Stack
  • Bridge Pickup: Alnico V Stack
  • Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x balance, 3-band Active EQ, 1 x mid cut on/off switch
  • Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: BBNE2 White

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Reviews

My #1 bass forever!
I thought there was an issue with the treble knob, but it was the jive junk cable messing with me, it's plenty loud on all 3 tone knobs! The bass looks amazing, sounds amazing, and plays amazing! It's a BIT heavy but it's ok, that's why it sounds so good! The only thing I would change on this bass is to have the parametric mid-cut (the big black knob) also function as a parametric accent knob, but that's if I HAD to come up with something to change! Oh yeah, the BALANCE on this bass is like none I've ever had, when you are sitting in the floor playing it you barely notice the bass is in your lap, no neck dive at all! And I LOVE the inverted input jack! I waited a year to get this bass and I'm never getting rid of it, in fact I want a second one by year end! Big shout-out to Rock Star Sweetwater Sales Rep Joseph Secu for being in my corner for years now!
Music background: Full Time Pro Musician Once Again!
Best Bass Ever

I purchased the white Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East 5-string bass in 2025, after years as a Fender bass guy. This bass has the smoothest feel and best sound I've experienced over 50 years of playing, including having my hands on a $ custom bass (briefly). I play weekly and use it through a Laney amp (also a great amp I purchased from Sweetwater!) To complete the superb sound, I use RotoSound RS665LD, 45-130 strings. I wanted a great bass that not only sounds great live but is recorded at the same time and found this awesome solution. Sweetwater is my "go to" online store with excellent shipping and follow up. No, I don't get compensated for these remarks, just very appreciative of the customer service!

Music background: 50 years as a musician and sound engineer.
Even better than expected
I waited years to buy one. I've had, or have PJ, Warwick, EB Stingray 5, various Fender etc. I kept reading about these and Nathan East set up on it, with mid cut out switch and knob. I finally got one, pulled it out and played it new out of the box. Played a bunch of songs from various genres. It didn't take but a minute to set the sound up for the new song. The EQ is so powerful/sensitive that very small movements get you significant changes in sound. Between the EQ, pan and mid cut switch/knob you can dish out anything on this. And, for me, so comfortable to play. Better than my Stingray, Warwick, Fender and on. The body is various belly cuts and curves you just don't see in the picture. The neck is amazingly comfortable and the tone is exactly what I expected from each genre. Punches way above it's class.
Worth every penny
I love this bass! It is incredibly versatile from country to slap and everywhere in between. The tone is very consistent no matter where you are on the neck and is very easy to play every on the neck as well. The contoured body melts right into you and every edge is rounded so its extremely comfortable. I went with white and everyone tells me how beautiful of a guitar it is and it sounds amazing both live and recorded. Its very bright so I'm using half wound strings (I tried flats but lost too much sustain). This is my new standard in guitars and my goto for everything I do. Could not be happier.
Yamaha BBNE2 is a tone monster.
This bass is everything it was hyped to be. The tone is so dynamic and variable. It just cuts through for any style or genre. Well worth the cost for me.
Music background: Playing bass since 1968.