Bovinehost said...

[Grand Wazoo]

is now african mahogany? when did it change and what was it before? i do notice my big al's passive/active-flat tone is fairly warm. even with fresh new eb stainless steels my bongo with eb nickel super slinkies is fairly brighter. i'm wondering if this is just due to the particular cut of wood for this bass?

still, the big al is great. i've been digging more of the different pickup combos too. i used to stick with the neck or middle pickups soloed, but lately the neck + bridge and middle + bridge combos have won me over. sweet, awe-full bass

i also notice the dimed passive and flat active tones are very similar. i like that. it's like the active is completely transparent when flat. so you can dial in some highs or bass just for that extra subtle kick.... "subtle kick"

It is african mahogany and I believe it was introduce at NAMM for the first time

 

[bovinehost]

The 30th anniversary Stingray if you recall, was made entirely in mahogany and what a success that was, Jack can prove that as he's got one of them too. Jack can you tell a similarity in vibe between the 30th Stingray and this BA5SSS?

No. I mean, I don't have my 30th anymore but I don't think you'd easily compare the two, considering the completely different electronics packages.

Having said that, and I've tried to explain this before, my view is that each EBMM bass has an underlying tone that reminds you they're all in the same family. A Bongo doesn't sound like a Sterling, but they DO both sound like Music Man basses. (It's fairy dust.)

The one thing I'd say that is kind of one the same plane is the midrange punch. Now I'm a caveman; it might just be the mahogany doing that or it might be, at least in the Big Al, something else entirely. I never discount the amazing things that Dudley and the engineers do with electronics.

A few others have mentioned how comfortable the Big Al is. I tell you, I wouldn't have just eyeballed it and thought, "Oh, how comfortable that looks" because it looks weird and angular and whatnot. I sort of figured that if the boys were building it, it WOULD be ergonomic, but again - you wouldn't necessarily figure that by looks alone. Damned if it isn't just as comfy-womfy as my Bongos.

 

[adouglas]

You're not helping, Jack.

 

[Big Poppa]

A douglas you dont want a big al...it has two battery boxes. heheheh

Heres to poor Fran getting his bass...The suspense is killing him1

 

[adouglas]

Oh, Lord.

Another dead horse.

Let's hope this one doesn't hang around for two years.....

Where's Mingus? He needs to get in on this.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Big is good.

Except when it comes to batteries.


Sorry....I couldn't resist.


I'm anxiously awaiting a Reflex 5 in a currently-not-offered color. I can't afford/justify two new basses, and I am such a big fan of the Bongo neck profile that it wins out over the Big AL 5.

My original HHp Bongo 5 from 2003 is so dialed in that I find it hard to play any other bass. My guitar player calls it the magic bass.

 

[MingusBASS]

Oh, Lord.

Another dead horse.

Let's hope this one doesn't hang around for two years.....

Where's Mingus? He needs to get in on this.

I'll sit this one out. I'll be at Summer NAMM though.

 

[T-bone]

While I'd love to hear more about batteries , I'm more interested in the wood. Fran points out the lit states African Mahog. GC Platinum site says Alder on their Big Als.

Are these different models?

tbone

 

[bassmonkeee]

While I'd love to hear more about batteries , I'm more interested in the wood. Fran points out the lit states African Mahog. GC Platinum site says Alder on their Big Als.

Are these different models?

tbone

The first year of Big AL 4s were alder. But, any 4s from this year and all 5 strings should be mahogany.

 

[garythenuke]

What's with the batteries?? All batteries are the same size from the factory aren't they????

But yes, let's talk wood....

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I bet you jokers are going to get this innocent thread, errr MY INNOCENT thread closed because of your relelntless bs and off topics digs at adouglas

leave adouglas in peace, or cast the first stone if you've never done some dumb sh|t b4 in yr mizrble life.

 

[bovinehost]

The mahogany certainly looks good with a trans finish. I believe Dargin said they went with the African mahogany over the alder to better control the weight. Mine is certainly not what you'd call 'heavy' by any stretch of the imagination and is comfortable on a strap for long periods.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I bet you jokers are going to get this innocent thread, errr MY INNOCENT thread closed because of your relelntless bs and off topics digs at adouglas

leave adouglas in peace, or cast the first stone if you've never done some dumb sh|t b4 in yr mizrble life.

Did you really just lay down some imaginary mod powers on BP?

 

[T-bone]

No No, Fran. We love adouglas, and you too, for that matter. Where would this family be without you?

So, let's focus on the wood cause I'm wanting to buy a Big Al and now wonder about the differences between alder and african mahog. My 30th is mahog and can sustain a note for 2 days. Is there a tonal (tonal?) difference between alder and mahog? Will you even notice it in a band setting?? Or is it primarily cosmetic???

tbone

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Did you really just lay down some imaginary mod powers on BP?

No please don't misunderstand my intentions, I don't give a hoot about moderating, far from, I just don't want my own threads being messed with. I've had 100's of them closed for reason beyond my control and it's *blip*ing me off.

thanks

 

[five7]

No No, Fran. We love adouglas, and you too, for that matter. Where would this family be without you?

So, let's focus on the wood cause I'm wanting to buy a Big Al and now wonder about the differences between alder and african mahog. My 30th is mahog and can sustain a note for 2 days. Is there a tonal (tonal?) difference between alder and mahog? Will you even notice it in a band setting?? Or is it primarily cosmetic???

tbone

The mahogany must be better? Does anyone on here own one of each, maybe they could offer a user perspective.

 

[Moondog]

Single H Big AL ????

I just got one and don't understand anything about it or know who I am any more . . .

I'm Ken "StingRay" Moondog and have played Rays exclusively for almost 20 years . . .

Now I got this light, skinny, weird looking "80's type" thing sitting in a case at home.

I've tried the Bongo before but this thing IS different & dare I say I am IN LOVE with it?! Really, it is AMAZING! not sure if it's the neck, mahog bovy, or electornics but I gigged it the day I got it and didn't miss a beat. EZ to use, sounds MusicMan all the way and the 4EQ is awesome! I know there's a 3 single out there too but I'm taking baby steps . . . the H is fanfu_ntastic!!

Skeptical @ first, sorry to have doubted BP & Co.

 

[adouglas]

Never doubt BP & Co., for verily, they doth know what they are about.

 

[Big Poppa]

Fran ....This thread exists because of you hijacking others threads. remember? after about a dozen hijacks jack finally refused to answer you unless you started your own thread. Please do not armchair mod and now you know what it feels like to have your thread hijacked.

I know you are excited and it makes me happy but I woory that you will have a nervous breakdown before it gets there

 

[projectapollo]

Its a stacked humbucker.

It really is designed to not replicate what we have done and was not designed to be a p or a j. I have wanted a three s bass since 93. The Sterling was going to be that bass but the pickups werent ready. There is a pic floating around of the candy pink proto. With all switches in the 'up' position and in active you can get a big mm style tone. If you want a more MM style bass try the single h.

THe real key here is that this bass has so many possibilities. I will also give advance warning that you may want to re set some of you r amps EQ.

THis is really a different beast.

Thank you BP for this excellent product information! Us enthusiasts love the inside story.