Question When should i buy a BIG AL?

[hans]

Dont´t tell my girlfriend, but i´m now in love with the Big Al 4-string,
it´s okay with me if you call me gay.

I own a Musicman Sterling from 1994 which i love. My brain is close
to implode cause i think to much about buying a Big Al NOW or LATER,
so i would like to know your opinion about my options:

a) keep the Sterling and buy the Big Al right now?

b) wait for the GameChanger technology and buy BA then?

c) sell Sterling because similar sounds could be achieved with the BA?

I really like the silver sparkling color finish but with other pickguard.

 

[Big Poppa]

if you can hold on to the 94..the big al sounds very different

 

[Powman]

if you can hold on to the 94..the big al sounds very different

I agree (of course I would agree with Big Poppa...he designed these works of art!).

The Big Al with its 3 single coils sounds quite different from the Sterling.

In my humble opinion, the following three basses from Music Man are needed as they deliver vastly different tones.

1. Sterling H (more aggressive) or Stingray (a bit smoother). Punchy MM Basses with signature sound

2. Bongo HH. Very versatile, but the neck pup is deep rich and warm.

3 Big Al. Clear and resonant.

 

[adouglas]

I confess to a little GAS for a BA 5 but I'm waiting to see what the Gamechanger is all about in the flesh, and also waiting to see if the available color range might expand a bit. With the exception of CR, the remaining colors just aren't my thing.

If I understand this correctly, the Gamechanger isn't going to replace anything. So waiting for it gives you an option without sacrificing anything.

Every time I play one of my Bongos, however, the GAS subsides.

On the other hand, the BA look is SO COOL and fits the vibe of my band perfectly.

What to do? What to do?

What a happy problem to have.....

 

[OldManMusic]

I'm new to the Big Al, but I've been around the Stingray sound since I bought my first in 1978. I think there are other posts stating the same thing when comparing Rays vs. Bongos vs. Sterlings vs. BAs - they all have that classic Music Man family of sound, just more variations on it. I think of it like listening to a band that's been out there for years, like the Who. Their 60s work sounds different than their 70s work, which sounds different than their 80s work and so on. But they still sound like the Who. My Big Al sounds different from my Rays and Bongos, but it has similar tonal characteristics. And for tonal variations on one bass, the Big Al wins. If you can afford it, keep the Sterling and grab a Big Al (when your girlfriend isn't looking).

 

[bovinehost]

This is just me, causing trouble.

 

[sitonmybass]

This is just me, causing trouble.

I created a drool pool at my computer.

Did I ever mention that I love the vintage white pearloid pickguard on that vintage sunburst Big Al 5 SSS?
Hmmm... let me think...

 

[sitonmybass]

1. Sterling H (more aggressive)



2. Bongo HH. Very versatile, but the neck pup is deep rich and warm.



3 Big Al. Clear and resonant.

1. Yep... got one of those.

2. Yep... got one of those.

3. Yep... have one of those on order.

 

[kylierider]

Nice looking fivers...I like the one on the right.

 

[sitonmybass]

What's interesting is that the two body shapes are so drastically different.

 

[Duarte]

The Big Al makes a MEAN looking fiver...and that 25th, Jack is that one of yours?

 

[adouglas]

Jack, you're an evil, evil man.

 

[hans]

Nice looking fivers...I like the one on the right.

i also like the couch, machting color to the 25th, eh?

(that BA in sunburst looks like a beauty, i would choose a different pickguard, black)

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I'd keep the Sterling and wait and save for a Big Al.

Jack, that Big Al 5 looks great. Can't wait to get mine!

 

[bovinehost]

The 25th is on loan from Dubaldo's Music. It's used and would probably be an excellent deal for someone.

 

[MrChedda]

I'm a little biased, but I'd say go for the Big Al and keep the Sterling if you can. The Big Al is very different from the Sterling/Stingray. I had an opportunity to lay down some tracks in the studio yesterday (4 with the Big Al, two with my Stingray).

The tone differences between the two were pretty amazing. The sound guy was really impressed with the Al, and so was I. The 4 band in the Al is really something special.

I love my Stingray, but I play the Al almost exclusively now. I'd say go for it (or buy a Bongo for the 4 band....)

 

[Aussie Mark]

the following three basses from Music Man are needed as they deliver vastly different tones.

1. Sterling H (more aggressive) or Stingray (a bit smoother). Punchy MM Basses with signature sound

2. Bongo HH. Very versatile, but the neck pup is deep rich and warm.

3 Big Al. Clear and resonant.

+1

Exactly what I have - Stingray H, Bongo HH, Big Al, plus a Stingray HH for good measure

 

[Blues Infidel]

Totally dug the look of the Big Al from the beginning. And the pickup/preamp setup looks incredibly versatile. I'm a bit curious about how comfortable people find the shape. I own 3 Sterlings and find them very comfortable. Anyone who owns both care to comment?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm a bit curious about how comfortable people find the shape. I own 3 Sterlings and find them very comfortable. Anyone who owns both care to comment?

I used to think that the Bongo was the most ergonomic and comfortable EBMM bass, but the Big Al trumps that. It has the best balance of any bass I've owned (I've owned a ton of Stingrays, but not any Sterlings, so can't comment about that), and when you're wearing it it sits perfectly, with all the controls just where they should be.

 

[sitonmybass]

I'm not surprised; the Big Al even looks like it would balance well.
All of the positive comments that I've been reading about them recently is definetly making this the longest wait ever.