Yamaha Attitude Limited 3 – Billy Sheehan Signature Bass

Yamaha Attitude Limited 3 – Billy Sheehan Signature Bass

Billy Sheehan’s legendary Attitude bass is reborn in the Attitude Limited 3, hand-crafted at Yamaha Music Craft in Japan and refined to deliver his unmistakable sound at an even higher level. Designed to meet the extreme demands of one of the world’s most influential bassists, this model blends brute-force tone, precision engineering, and player-focused refinement.

At its core is a Yamaha-designed DiMarzio pickup configuration, pairing the thunderous Woofer neck pickup with the articulate WillPower middle pickup for massive low-end authority and cutting clarity. Advanced A.R.E. and I.R.A. treatments enhance resonance and response, giving the instrument a broken-in feel and a more harmonically rich voice straight out of the case.

The 3-piece alder body with spline joint construction, combined with Yamaha’s miter bolting neck joint, delivers exceptional sustain, stability, and note definition. Player-friendly details such as the Hipshot D-Tuner and a scalloped upper fingerboard reflect Billy’s exacting performance needs. Finished in either striking Sonic Blue or classic Attitude Black, the Attitude Limited 3 stands as a premium, no-compromise signature bass built for professionals.

A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement)
A.R.E. is a wood treatment process Yamaha applies before assembly. It uses carefully controlled temperature, humidity, and pressure to physically alter the molecular structure of the wood. This reduces internal damping and excess moisture while stabilising the material. The result is wood that vibrates more freely, producing richer harmonics, improved sustain, and a more open, mature tone similar to that of an aged instrument.

I.R.A. (Initial Response Acceleration)
I.R.A. is a post-assembly treatment applied to the completed instrument. Yamaha subjects the bass to specific low-frequency vibrations that simulate the effect of long-term playing. This helps the body, neck, and hardware “settle” together, improving how efficiently vibrations travel through the instrument. Players typically notice quicker note response, better dynamic sensitivity, and a more connected feel right from the first play.

In practical terms
Together, A.R.E. and I.R.A. aim to deliver:

• Faster, more responsive attack

• Enhanced resonance and sustain

• A smoother, more broken-in feel

• Greater tonal complexity from a brand-new instrument

Specifications

• Construction: Bolt-on with miter bolting

• Scale Length: 34" (863.6 mm)

• Body Material: Alder 3-piece with spline joint

• Body Finish: Gloss polyurethane

• Neck Material: Maple

• Neck Finish: Satin polyurethane

• Fingerboard Material: Maple (scalloped from 17th to 21st fret)

• Fingerboard Radius: 10" (250 mm)

• Frets: 21 total; frets 1–16 Jumbo, frets 17–21 Medium

• Nut Material: Polyacetal

• Nut Width: 44.5 mm (0 fret), 57.6 mm (12th fret)

• Neck Thickness: 20.0 mm (1st fret), 24.0 mm (12th fret)

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: Yamaha Designed DiMarzio Woofer Pickup

• Middle Pickup: DiMarzio WillPower Pickup

• Bridge Pickup: None

• Controls: Woofer pickup volume, middle pickup volume with push-pull stereo/mono switch, woofer tone with woofer high cut switch

Hardware

• Bridge: Solid brass

• String Spacing: 19 mm

• Tuning Machines: Gotoh GB2 with Hipshot D-Tuner

• Pickguard: White pearl 3-ply

Other

• String Gauge: D’Addario EXL170 (.045–.100)

• Case: Hardshell case

• Special Features: A.R.E. and I.R.A. treatment

• Made in Japan