Yamaha introduced the Peter Hook Signature BB Bass, unique instrument honoring the enduring relationship between Yamaha and the celebrated artist.
Peter Hook is best known as the bassist and founding member of Joy Division and New Order, two English rock bands who rank among the pioneers of the post-punk movement. Hook has pursued an innovative, 40-plus year career with these and other bands, blending post-punk with electronic and dance-music influences during his musical evolution.
Throughout his career, Hook has chosen Yamaha BB basses for their assertive sound and durable construction. At the start of his career, Hook latched onto the Yamaha BB600 as an early favorite and finally landed on the BB1200S, which has stayed with him over the decades. He now owns seven BB1200S models, and his very first BB1200S still resides at his home for playing and recording.
The Peter Hook Signature BB Bass combines influences from his longtime companion BB1200S and the BB734A he currently plays on tour with Peter Hook & The Light, paying tribute to an artist whose unique playing style and musicianship changed the course of modern music.
“It’s such a compliment to be recognized for what you’ve done and to have it come full circle and culminate with my own signature bass — made to my specs and to satisfy my playing — is such an honor, and I’m very happy with it,” said Hook. “I’m very proud to have worked with Yamaha to develop the BBPH and I think it’s one of the best guitars in the world if I do say so myself!”
To fit Hook’s style of playing high on the fretboard, the signature model reworks the pickup arrangement of the BB1200S to draw out “that sweeter sound for the treble strings and the tighter sound for the bass strings,” says Pat Campolattano, senior designer and luthier, Yamaha Guitar Group. Working closely with Hook on the development of the BBPH, Campolattano also replaced the straight-through neck of the BB1200S with a bolt-on design that brings out the unique tone Hook has popularized in his music while maintaining the sturdiness of a straight-through neck.
The distinctive “BB1200S Red” finish on the 3-piece body and matching headstock evokes Hook’s classic instrument, as does the single, reversed pickup. The VSP7n split, single-coil is paired with a true active/passive preamp to offer the best of both classic and modern BB tone. Similar to Hook’s BB734A, a 3-band EQ is available in the active mode, and the treble knob acts as a master tone control in the passive mode. Hook’s signature is screened on the back of the headstock, above a nod to “Manchester, England!” Even in these small details, this signature bass celebrates the history of this eminent artist and his indelible influence on modern music.
The Yamaha BBPH Peter Hook Signature Bass (MSRP: $2,000.00) is now shipping. The BBPH is a limited-edition model, and only 14 basses of its kind are available in the United States.
