The Guitar Player's Resource
You're looking at the kind of bass that gives you Nathan East's signature blend of silky smooth groove and melodic sophistication - perfect for everything from jazz fusion to R&B sessions.
Some signature basses are marketing exercises. Others are genuine working tools that have shaped modern music. Nathan East's Yamaha BBNE2 falls squarely in the latter category - this is the bass you've been hearing for three decades without realizing it.
When you're the session player behind hits from Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" to Eric Clapton's latest album, your instrument needs to deliver flawless performance across every musical genre imaginable. East's BBNE2 has done exactly that, becoming probably the most-recorded signature bass in history. It's graced stages with Fourplay, Joe Satriani, and countless A-list artists who demand nothing less than perfection.
Here's what makes this bass so versatile: Yamaha built East's "magic box" circuitry right into the preamp system. You've got your standard volume, blend, and 3-band EQ controls, but that mid-cut switch lets you select and eliminate specific midrange frequencies instantly. It's the kind of real-world problem-solving that separates professional tools from bedroom guitars.
The neck-through maple/mahogany construction with ebony fingerboard delivers the note clarity that session work demands. But Yamaha's BPZ-7 bridge design takes it further - individual saddles for each string minimize cross-talk and maximize sustain. When you're laying down the foundation for million-dollar productions, every note needs to be defined and punchy.
Those Alnico V stack pickups provide the tonal foundation, but it's the active electronics that give you the flexibility to sound great whether you're recording jazz fusion or driving rock. The figured abalone block inlays remind you this is something special, while the white finish keeps it classy and professional.
This isn't just Nathan East's bass - it's a proven formula for professional success.
Number of Strings: 5
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
Body Shape: BB Nathan East
Body Material: Maple/Alder
Body Finish: Gloss
Color: White
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
