Yamaha Billy Sheehan Attitude Special Bass Electric Blue 1994
Yamaha Bill Sheehan Attitude Special, made in Taiwan 1997, electric blue metallic. This, friends, is exceptionally cool. Mr Sheehan made his name playing for Mr Big, among others; he's a giant of the rock bass world and a noted tonelord. This was the fairly short-lived version of his signature 'Attitude' bass. These were made for a couple of years out of Taiwan and sold at a less eye-watering price than the MIJ models, while still featuring some classic Billy appointments. The neck is fairly slim with a 40mm nut; slightly bigger than a vintage style Jazz Bass but not as big as a traditional P. It's very slick in the hands; the satin finish and 12" radius make it pretty shred-friendly. The body is light and lively but still well balanced against the neck; there's no 'dive' to speak of. The pickup combo and electronics is unique: you get a standard P pickup with it's own volume knob but no tone knob, as well as the signature big passive HB in the neck, which also has a seperate volume as well as a tone control. Basically, you can start off with a juicy, growling P-style tone, then use the neck pickup to dial in a whole world of extra fatness and low-end heft. It's a glorious time. This shiny blue finish with the cheeky red inlays is seldom seen on this model; it looks terrific. This is a brilliant gigging bass; just the right mix of classic class and cheeky spice.
Model: Yamaha ATT-SPL
Made: Taiwan, 1994
Serial: KN28206
Finish: electric blue metallic, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 34" scale, 12" radius, 40mm nut, slim C s
Weight: 3.990kg
Mods: none
Pickups: split single coil and passive humbucker
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a dents and some scuffs on the end, scuffs on the top edge and back and a very minor crack on the back between the low E tuner and the nut. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and scuffs and some decent rub wear on the back and edges only. The back has scuffs on both horns, the elbow area and the bottom edge, dimples along the back edge and some long surface scratches in the middle of the body. The sides have minor dimples and scuffs around the whole body. The front has rub wear around the knobs, dimples around the bridge and elbow are and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only