Question If you could have only 1 5 (Bongo or Big Al) what would you pick&Why?

[Basswave]

If you could have only 1 5 (Bongo or Big Al) what would you pick & Why?

(I say this because I several other basses at this time and I have the quiver spot for 1).

 

[adouglas]

I DON'T KNOW

and that's the problem, right there.

The Bongo has never failed to do what I want it to do and I love it to death. Yet, I really want to try a BA 5. Why?

Because the retro-futuristic(tm) vibe really goes with my band and the music we're playing.

Because I strongly suspect that some nice woofy passive tones would complement the some of the music I play really well. Motown is Motown after all....

Because Jack told me to.

 

[oli@bass]

I'd pick a Reflex

But I've never played the other two , but the both look kind of weird to me, but I love the Reflex shape, and the 25th HH 5 string I tried was the nicest and best sounding 5 string bass I've played ever... nicer than the great 20th Anni 'Ray I own.

 

[projectapollo]

I'd pick a Reflex

But I've never played the other two , .

Never played a Bongo? Wow.

 

[projectapollo]

I'm a big Bongo fan having owned three of them. But, I'll have to go with the big al for three reasons. 1) the pushbutton pickup switching gives you some very different personalities on the fly. 2) I believe the big al represents the next step in the MM bass development built upon the gains made in the bongo, and 3) it looks really cool. It's just a next generation product in my view.

 

[ZiggyDude]

Bongo. The Big Al just does not feel right - too tiny. The Bongo has a nice feel and great tones. Used my 5HH at practice last night.

 

[oli@bass]

Never played a Bongo? Wow.

(indeed, they don't exist in Switzerland... and I have a hard time buying a bass sight unseen that has a couple of features I don't like from the start, however good it might sound)


Back on topic: I think the Big Al is a very cool design with great electronics (which I am able to judge because they're similar to the 25th Anniversary). However, the SSS I tried was absolutely not my thing either.

 

[shakinbacon]

I'm a big Bongo fan having owned three of them. But, I'll have to go with the big al for three reasons. 1) the pushbutton pickup switching gives you some very different personalities on the fly. 2) I believe the big al represents the next step in the MM bass development built upon the gains made in the bongo, and 3) it looks really cool. It's just a next generation product in my view.

I haven't tried a Big Al
I agree it takes some stuff from the Bongo (18V 4 band preamp and neodymium magnets on the 3 pickup varieties)

Other than the ability to go passive though, I wouldn't consider it "a next generation product"

It just seems different - types of tones, body shape, neck profile. Not better not worse, just different.

Again, I haven't tried a Big Al... my opinion may vary if I do

 

[MrMusashi]

big al 5 with single humbucker.. classic eb sound, futuretro-ish looks, bongo preamp and passive switching..
what more can you ask for?

MrM

 

[oli@bass]

what more can you ask for?

Reflex HH

 

[syciprider]

The Big AL SSS takes the Bongo and bludgeons it to death with a Stingray. Seriously, it is one versatile bass

 

[adouglas]

The Big AL SSS takes the Bongo and bludgeons it to death with a Stingray. Seriously, it is one versatile bass

Now stop that! You're hurting my Bongo's feelings!

It's all right, dear. The bad man didn't mean anything by it. There, there... shhhhhhh......

 

[MrMusashi]

Reflex HH

while were at that.. i see beaver over at basscentral still has some bfr 25ths with all-rosewood necks left

those necks smell as good as they feel and look with that waxed/oiled chocolate finish with beautiful black stripes... mmmmm

if youre looking for collectible in addition to all the usual eb qualities you wont find any better choice that those

MrM

 

[oli@bass]

while were at that.. i see beaver over at basscentral still has some bfr 25ths with all-rosewood necks left

Still not available for international shipping though... (I hope )

 

[bovinehost]

The Big AL SSS takes the Bongo and bludgeons it to death with a Stingray. Seriously, it is one versatile bass

I would change this a bit. I'd say, maybe, that the Big Al SSS and the Bongo meet outside a bar, late one night. The Big Al SSS takes the Bongo aside....perhaps lures the Bongo into a dark alley by slightly opening its trench coat and displaying a bunch of single coils....

Big Al says, "This is my territory. Now I know you're a powerful dude and I respect that, and any sort of dispute between us is going to end badly for both of us. But it's a big town. You got your neighborhood, I got mine."

And the Bongo is cautious, wary, he suspects he could take this guy...but he sees the wisdom in sharing the city. It's a big city.

There's lots of room.

 

[garythenuke]

I would change this a bit. I'd say, maybe, that the Big Al SSS and the Bongo meet outside a bar, late one night. The Big Al SSS takes the Bongo aside....perhaps lures the Bongo into a dark alley by slightly opening its trench coat and displaying a bunch of single coils....

Big Al says, "This is my territory. Now I know you're a powerful dude and I respect that, and any sort of dispute between us is going to end badly for both of us. But it's a big town. You got your neighborhood, I got mine."

And the Bongo is cautious, wary, he suspects he could take this guy...but he sees the wisdom in sharing the city. It's a big city.

There's lots of room.

Dang you're good...

 

[TheAntMan]

I would change this a bit. I'd say, maybe, that the Big Al SSS and the Bongo meet outside a bar, late one night. The Big Al SSS takes the Bongo aside....perhaps lures the Bongo into a dark alley by slightly opening its trench coat and displaying a bunch of single coils....

Big Al says, "This is my territory. Now I know you're a powerful dude and I respect that, and any sort of dispute between us is going to end badly for both of us. But it's a big town. You got your neighborhood, I got mine."

And the Bongo is cautious, wary, he suspects he could take this guy...but he sees the wisdom in sharing the city. It's a big city.

There's lots of room.

+1

--Ant

 

[Alvabass]

Although I haven't played one, I love Big Al's extreme versatility. Basses with such amount of options in the electronics department are exactly what I like. But to me, Bongo's 24-fret fingerboard is a winner (putting aside its other virtues, of course).

 

[JLUSH]

I haven't played either but I'd choose the smaller one. I don't need 24 frets and I love the versatility of the Big Al.

 

[projectapollo]

I've had flats on the Big Al since I got it. Swapped out for super slinkys a few days ago. Oh my gosh, the variety of tonal characteristics on this Big Al are amazing. Much more apperant with the slinkys.