Help! Which 2 Roasted Balls to get??

[tommixx]

WOW! This is turning into one of the toughest things ever for me to decide so I am seeking the counsel of my Knucklehead brethren...I am going to buy 2 Roasted Maple basses that will be my 2 main giging road basses. I can only carry a Dual MONO bag with me on the road most of the time so I am limited to carrying only 2 basses about 90% of the time. I LOVE the Stingray and I am going back and forth about getting a Stingray and Stingray 5 and calling it a day...

BUT these are such special instruments and could potoentially be with me for a lifetime becasue of the rarity of them and I do not want to miss the boat on anything! My thought process has been all over the place! Get the 2 Rays...get a Big Al SSS and a Big Al H...Get a 4 and a 5...on and on and on! LOL! It is crazy! TOO MANY CHOICES!

I have a 25th 4HH but I am also toying with a Single H 4 string Reflex or a Reflex 5 HH...SEE! It never ends! I will most likely keep my 25th as I can't see not needing it at some point in the studio or the occasional TV gig or something that I want it for. I love the idea of the Big Al and the neck is KILLER. Can somebody tell me why the Single H Al is "better" or the SSS is "Better"? I love having tonal options and I play a very broad range of material so the SSS has a lot of appeal...BUT I would rather have 1 GREAT tone than numerous OK tones.... For the record I played an Alder Big Al at GC in Raleigh yesterday and I dig everything about it...

I HAVE TO GET A GREAT STINGRAY TONE THOUGH!!!! I prefer that Paul Spencer Denman tone (Sade) as that is what I hear in my head and what I would say I sound closest to when I play. I would really like to get that tone and a few others if possible in one or 2 basses. I have an SR5 now that I really love so I don't HAVE to get an SR5 but the allure of the SR5 with an EBONY BOARD is very strong for me...

SO...the thought process is really 3 fold:

1. Do I get the SR5 and an SR4 that I KNOW I can get my tone from?
2. Do I get an SR5 and a Big Al or a Reflex that I know I can get some different great tones from?
3. Do I get 2 different 4 strings (Say an SR4 with a 2 Band EQ and a SLO neck!!! and a Big Al SSS...)

If you could get 2 of these what would you get and why? I am not opposed to the Bongo or ANYTHING else either. I have had a Bongo 4 HH and a Bongo 5 HH and really dug them to and that just clutters up things for me too! You can see my Dilemma!!!

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE! Keep in mind that the 2 choices will be my main 2 axes on the road...I don't have to have a 5 string with me all the time but on certain gigs I need 1. I use my 4 strings about 95% of the time...

THANKS!

Peace,

T

 

[Double Agent]

I voted for:
- Stingray H w/ SLO neck and 2-band EQ
- Reflex 5 HH

This gives you the tone of the Stingray that you love and a bass that is similar to your 25th, but with an extra string and ebony fretboard. That way, you can have the tone of your 25th (or close enough) on the road and your Stingray tone.

But, you will never get a great consensus here. There are so many options in your poll that everyone will just vote for their own favorite basses. I wish you luck and wish I were in your shoes to have this "tough" problem.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

I'm unable to vote at this time due to the missing Bongo 5H from the selections above...

 

[cellkirk74]

Reading your text above I vote for a Big Al 5 SSS for versatility and because it will be a rare beast and a Stingray 4 H for the comfort, I would give that a 2-band eq.

I am personally going for the Big Al 5 H, because I already have the 4SSS...

 

[Laredo]

Never form a sentence or question..............

That has "two roasted balls" in it.................That sounds painfull. Maybe you should just by three!

 

[adouglas]

Your sig says you have a Stingray 4H and your post says you have an SR5.

Your absolute-must requirement is to get Stingray tone.

You've got that covered already.

So you're considering spending between three and four thousand dollars just to get tone that you've got now? That's a lot of money just for eye candy.

I say get something you do NOT have already.

Bongo 4H and big Al 5 SSS.

That way you've the widest range of choices available to you. You will also be exposing the great unwashed masses to new ideas, which is never a bad thing.

 

[tommixx]

Your sig says you have a Stingray 4H and your post says you have an SR5.

Your absolute-must requirement is to get Stingray tone.

You've got that covered already.

So you're considering spending between three and four thousand dollars just to get tone that you've got now? That's a lot of money just for eye candy.

I say get something you do NOT have already.

Bongo 4H and big Al 5 SSS.

That way you've the widest range of choices available to you. You will also be exposing the great unwashed masses to new ideas, which is never a bad thing.

You are pretty much reading my mind! THAT is why the decision is so tough for me! I already have both my Rays covered BUT I am torn about the EBONY neck on the SR5. I love the sound and feel of ebony and that is where the agony over the SR5 comes in. I am leaning towards a Big Al SSS and an SR5 as of right now but I also thought about getting an SR4 SLO 2 band with a Piezo earlier tonight while I was on stage...it NEVER stops! I have had an SR5 with a Piezo but never a 4...I can't help but think of the possibilities! Thanks for all the thoughts guys! Keep em coming!

Peace,

T

 

[danny-79]

First vote goes to Stingray 4H for the classic tone that we all know and love so much (the choice of 2/3 band EQ is up to you)

Second vote is for a Bongo 4HH (with a 'p'), its fully loaded so you will be able to cover most things with it seeing as you can only carry just the two basses with you.

 

[jlepre]

If you love your 25th HH I would go for the Reflex 5HSS..Not on your list BTW

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

From what I have read, you've been through so many MusicMan basses that I would have thought you'd have found your favourites by now!

If you want these ones to become your touring basses and you already know you love certain models, I'd go with:
1) Reflex 4HH
2) SR5 H

If you want to spice things up a little and compliment your other basses, I'd go with:
1) Big Al 5 SSS
2) Bongo 4 HH

 

[tommixx]

From what I have read, you've been through so many MusicMan basses that I would have thought you'd have found your favourites by now!

If you want these ones to become your touring basses and you already know you love certain models, I'd go with:
1) Reflex 4HH
2) SR5 H

If you want to spice things up a little and compliment your other basses, I'd go with:
1) Big Al 5 SSS
2) Bongo 4 HH

Very good point and you are right! I have actually found my favorites and I own them now. I have a Natural/Maple 3 band Stingray, a Black/Maple SR 5, and a 25th 4 HH. However none of them have an Ebony board or the Roasted Neck. I play outside a LOT and I travel extensively over long distances. I understand one of the benefits of the Roasted neck is added stability. I have wanted an Ebony boarded SR 5 forever and with the limited nature of these it seemd I would be crazy not to get one. I will probably wind up adding a Piezo to it as well. If I could get the new tuners and a Gamechanger....Well how could I lose? I think that would be THE ULTIMATE 5 string for the work I do. The idea of having a SLO necked 2 band Roasted Ray 4 banger with a Piezo is really turning me on to. Throw in the Ebony board and the rarity of these and stir in some mojo and I can't help but think it would quickly become my number 1. As mentioned before the Stingray is THE TONE I hear in my head. I get fairly close with my 25th and I play on the rear PUP 99% of the time. My logic is beginning to tell me that point and shoot with the tone I love is the way to go. If you add up the choices for the SR5 and the Ray you guys seem to be agreeing...

How close does the Big Al H get to Stingray territory? Anyone know if you can add the piezo to a Big Al? Keep it coming guys I am getting there!! Thanks to you all for taking the time!

Peace,

T

 

[tommixx]

If you love your 25th HH I would go for the Reflex 5HSS..Not on your list BTW

You know I have played the one in the Raleigh, NC GC and I just prefer the HH. I am pretty sure I would prefer the Single H 25th over the HH as I play the rear PUP 99% of the time. In fact, I would likely trade my HH to someone with a single H if the opportunity presented itself....

The H on the HSS is back further toward the bridge and is just a little south of the tone I go for. I LOVE the 2 Singles on it though! Wow!

Anybody got a single H 25th and want an HH hit me up...

Peace,

T

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

In that case, I change my suggestions (I haven't voted yet) to:
1) SR5 H
2) SR4 H (2-band)

If you want to try some of the other ones, you can do it with the "regular" models. If the single humbucker Stingray is the sound in your head, the sound you use 99% of the time and an ebony fingerboard is something you've always wanted, then the choice is simple really.

 

[tommixx]

In that case, I change my suggestions (I haven't voted yet) to:
1) SR5 H
2) SR4 H (2-band)

If you want to try some of the other ones, you can do it with the "regular" models. If the single humbucker Stingray is the sound in your head, the sound you use 99% of the time and an ebony fingerboard is something you've always wanted, then the choice is simple really.

I am quickly coming to the same conclusion but I don't want to miss out on anything special here...I think because I am a Libra I tend to overthink and over analyze things sometimes. I think when BP said the Big Al H was the best single H they had ever made it really got me thinking I might miss the boat on something great. I don't want to let that happen. Thanks again for the nudges!

Peace,

T

 

[Kamakiriad]

Get a Big Al or a Bongo.

 

[five7]

You had better get one of each!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am quickly coming to the same conclusion but I don't want to miss out on anything special here...I think because I am a Libra I tend to overthink and over analyze things sometimes. I think when BP said the Big Al H was the best single H they had ever made it really got me thinking I might miss the boat on something great. I don't want to let that happen. Thanks again for the nudges!

Peace,

T

The Big Al H is the best single H, the Stingray 30th is the best Stingray, the Monster Truck Reflex is a monster, the Classics are something really special, the Bongo sounds amazing, The Big Al SSS is limitless, etc...

The bottom line is you know what you like and what already works. Everyone out there will give a different opinion. They'll still make the others and they'll still be special in their own way, just not with a roasted neck. And who knows, they may make another "limited" run someday.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I don't know why you haven't included a Reflex 5 HSS in your poll, as that would probably be the only bass you'd ever need in this lifetime, but since you didn't include it I have voted for Big Al 5 SSS which is the other indispensable do-it-all bass and Reflex 5 HH (this choice was only based on general feedback in this forum from owners of the 25th HH aka monster truck) if it's as good as a Bongo 5 HH then you can't go wrong.

 

[Kirby]

I went with the 2 band with the SLO neck because I am a huge 2 band fan and my two SLO necked stingrays are so comfortable! I also went with the Big AL 5 because you already have a 25th so with the above, you should have all the tones you would ever need. Add a Gamechanger in there and you would be unstoppable as far as options.

 

[mmbassplayer]

Tommy... I am thinking you do the SR5 single H and the 2band SR4. Great combo. BTW, off topic but the GC in Raleigh has your coated EBMM Slinkies in the clearance bin by the register. JOSH