Big Al. H or SSS?

[TSanders]

Its going to take a while longer, but I would like to get into a Big Al. More than likely a 5. I play a little bit of everything, but have never had a problem getting where I needed to go on a Single pickup bass. That said, Im curious to see which model gets more praise. Im not sure which one I want to go for. I like the idea of the simplicity of the Single H, but I like the idea of three single coils too. What to do?

 

[projectapollo]

I've never played the H, but the SSS is a very cool machine. Lots of very useable tone options. See my signature for a testimonial way better than mine.

 

[cellkirk74]

I own both for quite some time now and to be honest I do not have the answer for your question. Best match would be "Yes".

The single H sounds massive. At least mine does and covers the whole thing from Stingray and Sterling to Bongo H. The SSS has sounds you will not get from any other EBMM Bass, with brigde + neck and middle alone being my favorite settings.

I ended up playing them in passive mode with the band most of the time because the passive sounds fit in the mix like a glove.

I know that didn't help much, sorry...

 

[rizzo9247]

I owned a Big Al 5H for a while. It was really powerful, but somehow I kept grabbing my Bongo for gigs, so I let her go...the SSS might have been a different story...

 

[Thornton Davis]

I too own a Big Al 5H, and as cellkirk74 mentioned above, it sounds massive. I played a SSS, and found the H to have a hotter output, which is why I chose the H configuration.

TD

 

[Movielife]

The SSS is totally different and individual...new tones and new pickup configurations. Hence, I went SSS.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

I'll be going with the single H when I order mine for the point-and-shoot aspect.... I need the one with fewer buttons

 

[Aussie Mark]

If you prefer a single H bass, it simply boils down to your preference for body shape and neck profile when choosing an EBMM - Big Al, Bongo, Stingray, or Sterling.

On the other hand, the Big Al SSS is a totally different instrument from anything else in the EBMM range. If you like a unique package that covers the regular EBMM tonal palette as well as unexplored territory, the SSS is the one.

 

[adouglas]

On the other hand, the Big Al SSS is a totally different instrument from anything else in the EBMM range. If you like a unique package that covers the regular EBMM tonal palette as well as unexplored territory, the SSS is the one.

… which is why I ordered an SSS, since I've already got one of Poppa's favorites: the Bongo H (albeit with one extra string, which makes me a girly man).

 

[projectapollo]

You just don't see many single H Bongos on the used market. I keep watching.

 

[stu42]

If you prefer a single H bass, it simply boils down to your preference for body shape and neck profile when choosing an EBMM - Big Al, Bongo, Stingray, or Sterling.

I apologize if this derails the thread but.....I wouldn't really agree with this statement - if you're implying that the Single H versions of the Stingray, Sterling, Bongo and Big Al sound the same. I'd say that you can hear a certain kind of similarity or familial resemblance between them but there are fairly substantial differences in each ones tone and feel as well. They're not just the same bass with a different style body and neck profile. For my money I'm not sure I would go so far as to own an example of each one but I can see the justification for doing so.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I apologize if this derails the thread but.....I wouldn't really agree with this statement - if you're implying that the Single H versions of the Stingray, Sterling, Bongo and Big Al sound the same. I'd say that you can hear a certain kind of similarity or familial resemblance between them but there are fairly substantial differences in each ones tone and feel as well. They're not just the same bass with a different style body and neck profile.

I did over simplify it, and you are correct. I was just trying to highlight the fact that the SSS Big Al is a completely different instrument in almost every regard to any of the single H basses.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Seeing as you have a single H MM, I would go with the SSS. There are a lot of buttons, knobs and sounds, but it's very intuitive. While I haven't played a single H Big Al, I imagine you can get in the same ballpark with the two rear pickups, all buttons up (I can never remember, is that series or parallel?).

 

[cyoungnashville]

sss = magic tones im still trying to wrap my mind around.