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!

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.

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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!

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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.

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.

Great sound and
Playability. The only thing for me is the neck is fat and
I like a slick neck. It will be my studio base because Thanks f the amazing tone and clarity. I would play it all night on a Gig because of the thick
Neck but that's just a personal
Critique. The bass is amazing. PS had to
Adjust the string and pick ups so don't be discourage. Get a
Good
Personal
Set up
And it will make
All the difference.

Wow! Such a work of art! Smooth, comfortable, contoured body design. Super balanced. Neck width and action perfect for my hands. AND THE TONE is incredible with many many many options. The neck-through sustain is almost beyond belief. Beautiful! The ebony fretboard was one of the selling points for me, as I sold a favorite bass with ebony decades ago before I understood about tone woods. It is remarkable to play on. This is just an amazing bass! I play jazz, Motown, rock, pop, swing, big band era songs and I’m thinking this Yamaha bass will be my main axe for all styles. You can dial in those mids in sooo many ways. Love it! If you’re ready to drop the money on a new bass with expanded possibilities, I highly recommend you go for it. I couldn’t be happier with it!!

For the past several years going to the NAMM Show and recently to Bass Player Live! 2016, I always make it a point to go and play one of these basses. I always used to say to myself, being the big Nathan East fan that I am, "I'm going to get one of these basses!". I always got sidetracked by something else.
I am happy to report that I finally made it happen along with the help of Sales Engineer, Nick LaMendola. I received the bass on 5/24/17 and did two gigs with it this past weekend. What an awesome bass it is! I received several compliments on the cosmetics of it, as well as the tone. When you get compliments on how it sounds by fellow musicians and people who don't even play music, you know that says something. I've owned 3 Yamaha basses back in the day. They served me well but this Nathan East bass.....Yamaha really stepped it up! Bravo Yamaha!!

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I'm not a big fan of huge company instrument such as Yamaha ,but this instrument is awesome. Nice playability on neck and fingering. Neck thru gives more smooth feeling while playing on high position.
And the tone is different than other bass. Very focused mid sound and dry tone which I like. The tone is very clear. The edge of high tone is so pretty.
For the eq, it boosts or cuts powerfully meaning you don't need to turn the knob all the way to shape the tone. Nice bass. The magic box switch was black before but now it has changed to silver. Because string color is silver, it matches.

This bass gives me every tone I ever wanted in a bass. All the controls gives me the ability to shape all my sounds .AWESOME!!!

I recently purchased the Yamaha BBNE2 and am extremely happy that I made the investment ! The electronics in this bass are second to none. I have been able to dial this bass in to exactly what I need. The "magic box" circuitry that allows me to be very specific with the midrange and the ability to switch it on and off definitely gives me all the range that I'll ever need. And the white with gold hardware is just killer ! Thanks again to the professional staff at Sweetwater for helping me get the gear that I need and making the experience great !