Big Al - not so big in production?

[cassius987]

PM replied. I want to thank the members of this forum who are passing on info on BAs for sale--very thoughtful. You guys are reminding me of another corporate forum right now (in a good way), one that I frequent a lot more.

 

[Powman]

Why hasn't it taken off? Same reason IMHO why the Bongo isn't more popular than it is. Musicians as a whole fear change and are stuck in that legendary 1953 mindset. The Big Al is as radical in its own way as the Bongo. Odd looks, odd switching, odd pickup choice....

There are a lot of creatures of habit that fear change. When folks hear either my Bongo or my Big Al, they always remark how great the tone of these basses are.

Two best basses to own are a Big Al and a Bongo in my humble and totally biased opinion.

 

[LawDaddy]

California friends:

There's a Big Al H at the GC in Roseville, Ca; a Big Al SSS at the Sacramento GC, and at least one Big Al (forget config) at the San Jose GC.

Every time I hear my daughter playing her Big Al live, I love it more.

As the guitar-playing Dad, it's a cruel twist of irony that my local GCs have far more EBMM basses than guitars. In fact, the Roseville store (the nearest to me) has maybe one or two EBMM guitars tops, sometimes none.

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

The Canadian equivalent of Guitar Center, is Long & McQuade. They are really dominating the Canadian Music Store scene. It would be rare to find Bongos, Big Als or even Reflex basses in these stores. It is really a shame. Luckily, I have not been hesitant to buy these models through the forums and on US E-bay and have collected a few. They are real nice basses that most north of the border have never had an opportunity to try. I actually have a new Big Al 4H that I have never played...... I plan on playing it at my gig next weekend.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I think there's a Long & McQuade in every provence except Quebec. The store that I had ordered my Big Al 5 though had never had one before. I have seen several Bongos, a BFR and a 25 Anniversary (Reflex) though.

 

[Powman]

I got my Big Al at Long and McQuade. It was in the shop for about a week and then I snapped it up. But then they did not order another one to replace it. Weird...

It could also be the price point as well. They seem to stock more stuff at the low-mid price points in both guitars and basses as they can probably sell more of that stock.

 

[adouglas]

Two best basses to own are a Big Al and a Bongo in my humble and totally biased opinion.

This strikes me as deep wisdom.

 

[Glen]

GC does have some special deals running on Big Als right now. I would contact your local GC store!

 

[Smalls]

Music go round has a used Big Al for a pretty good price on their website right now. Looks like its at their Orlan park Illinois store.

 

[cassius987]

I played a couple of BA4s in the local GC today... good prices (~1400ish) but they were in bad shape. The necks were dirty (I thought these had some kind of finish or protection??) and one had a faulty neck pickup, whereas the other had an issue where none of the switches would stay in place and essentially did not produce any sound. But the necks felt good. There was a Reflex there that was amazing. I feel like I can't judge the BA4 based on what I played because both examples were so bad... very unusual.

 

[Glen]

I'm sorry to hear about the condition of the basses...can you please let me know what store so I can contact them.

Thank you!

 

[metalarch]

I think that EBMM produce fewer Reflex than BigAl basses, I saw a lot more Bigals at www.basscental.com and The Perfect Bass - Bass Guitars, Amps, Gear! than Reflex...to me I like more the Reflex shape...

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

ahem...

Ernie Ball Musicman 4 String "Big-Al" Mint | eBay

 

[cassius987]

I'm sorry to hear about the condition of the basses...can you please let me know what store so I can contact them.

Thank you!

Denver, on Colorado Blvd.

ahem...

Ernie Ball Musicman 4 String "Big-Al" Mint | eBay

Yeah, seen it, on my eBay watch list... not wild about the pickguard, are replacements easy to come by? That's definitely the finish I want though.

 

[JayDawg]

Denver, on Colorado Blvd.

I concur, every time I have been to that GC, the EBMM basses as well as other brands have been kept in terrible shape. That GC is the closest one from my Dad's house but unfortunately it is one of the worst stores. A good GC to go to though is the one in Fort Collins or the one in Englewood on East County Line Road. Every time I go to either one of those, the instruments are all kept in great shape and the people are great to deal with whereas at the other store, I have experienced mainly younger people working at it that also give no attention to the customers.

 

[Glen]

Thanks for the info....I'll find out what's going on at the Denver store.
For what it's worth the Englewood store is a good Music Man store. The General Manager's name is Toby and he will be helpful with anything you might need.

Thx!

 

[cassius987]

Actually the Reflex I played and a couple of Stingray Classics were all in okay shape. But the Big Als were horrible.

Can anyone tell me if these are supposed to have oiled necks or anything? I'm a bit uncomfortable playing a totally unfinished neck like the ones at GC. The Reflex felt fine though. I normally play necks with a body-type finish on the back, and that's what I am happiest with.

 

[Golem]

`
Is $1240 too much for an SSS burst-maple BA ?

GC has one listed, in the Danvers MA branch:

klik hear >>>>> Guitar Center

[Enter "BIG AL" on the KEYWORD line and then choose the
"BASS" category from the pull-down menu].

I actually walked in to buy it [via transfer to my local GC]
but before I even spoke to the sales dood, I saw an SR5
HS and just hadda have that instead. So ..... buy this BA
cuz it was "saved" for you only by an SR5 that begged to
go home with me !

 

[adouglas]

Can anyone tell me if these are supposed to have oiled necks or anything? I'm a bit uncomfortable playing a totally unfinished neck like the ones at GC.

MM basses are never shipped with totally unfinished necks. Most (except the obvious exceptions like the Bongo, Classics, Roasteds etc.) come from the factory with an oil/wax finish, but that doesn't mean they're immune from grunge if you play them with dirty hands. Maintenance is required.

 

[cassius987]

MM basses are never shipped with totally unfinished necks. Most (except the obvious exceptions like the Bongo, Classics, Roasteds etc.) come from the factory with an oil/wax finish, but that doesn't mean they're immune from grunge if you play them with dirty hands. Maintenance is required.

And said maintenance is...? Apparently it's too much work for the boys and girls at GC in Denver. The necks on those two BAs were pretty much bare.

I would really rather have a truly finished neck, but I'm guessing Big Als only come with this oil/wax finish that rubs off, eh...?