Soon...

[mstott25]

I have been thinking about picking up an EBMM Bass for about two years now. The first time I played a Bongo, I was floored. Then I tried a Sterling HS and couldn't decide which one I wanted. THEN the Big Al came out...

Well I had a few things happen in between, like having another kid, some medical surprises (who doesn't with 3 children and aging parents?) and a bunch of other exciting life events, but the desire has not waned.

So very soon, I will be placing an order for my first EBMM bass.

One thing that has consistently impressed me and made me want to join the EBMM community is the way the business is run. I admire SB for his business acumen, charity work, involvement with the players and how he's constantly innovating our instrument. Most of the time I have no problem picking up a bass and checking it out, maybe flipping it in a trade or something but I have not purchased a brand new bass in a few years and decided I definitely want to purchase a new EBMM bass to support everything the company is doing (not that they are struggling with orders, according to Bass Central!)

I decided to post this here to share my excitement and introduce myself a little bit, I'll update the thread as the bass is closer to my possession.

The Bass
I've narrowed it down...either I'm going to pick up a 4 string Bongo HH in Sky Blue or a Big All SSS in Sky Blue. I spoke with Bass Central yesterday about placing an order, all I have to do now is decide which one I'm going to go with (they have a sky blue Bongo in stock). I know I'll be happy with either one, but I think I'm going to take one more opportunity to play both of them again until the decision is set in my mind.

One quick question: How often do the colors change on the basses? I'm assuming they roll out new colors at the beginning of a season, but I wasn't sure if there was a chance that the colors could be discontinued or changed abruptly. I'm a big fan of the Tangerine and True Gold but the Sky Blue is definitely my favorite.

I will update this thread once I have placed an order or picked up the new bass...should just be a few weeks now, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Spacing doesn't bother you? I'd get the one that is the most comfortable. I like Jazz\Sterling 17.5mm spacing vs the Bongo\P bass 19mm. See which spacing feels most natural to you

 

[stingray96191]

The spacing on all of them at the bridge of a 4 string is 19mm. The big al does have a noticeably smaller neck. The bongo is also different than a stingray. I like the al but you can't go wrong either way.

 

[stingray96191]

The colors change when they do.. I guess it's usually around winter namm, but that doesn't seem like a rule. Generally the more "out there" colors are discontinued and replaced but it has to do with what is selling.

 

[adouglas]

You can always count on a half-dozen subtle variations on white/gray/black, plus some conservative colors like red, blue and vintage bursts (depending on model). Those are what get orders.

Sky blue and anything along the lines of gold/orange are most likely to be available one year, gone the next.

It's all driven by what sells.... too bad more people/dealers aren't more imaginative.

I've been hanging around here for about five years and color changes are more-or-less annual, in line with winter NAMM. But there have been exceptions.

 

[tunaman4u2]

The ice blue is awesome & will retain its value better on the secondary market vs black for sure. What a beauty

 

[mstott25]

Spacing doesn't bother you? I'd get the one that is the most comfortable. I like Jazz\Sterling 17.5mm spacing vs the Bongo\P bass 19mm. See which spacing feels most natural to you

I never noticed any issues with the spacing at the bridge, I think Stingray96191 is right about the 4 strings all having the same spacing. I've always owned more than one bass and I tend to get very comfortable with one neck and the feel and then shifting to another bass is always a minor but noticeable difference to me. That being said, I think I'll adapt quickly to either neck and it will become my preferred, I've been playing Jazz Basses since 2002 so I have always preferred the thinner Sterling neck over the Stingray, but I played a few Classic Stingrays and think I would adjust quickly.

You can always count on a half-dozen subtle variations on white/gray/black, plus some conservative colors like red, blue and vintage bursts (depending on model). Those are what get orders.

Sky blue and anything along the lines of gold/orange are most likely to be available one year, gone the next.

It's all driven by what sells.... too bad more people/dealers aren't more imaginative.

I've been hanging around here for about five years and color changes are more-or-less annual, in line with winter NAMM. But there have been exceptions.

Cool, I see how the less traditional colors can come and go, I was hoping it wouldn't happen all of a sudden. I'm leaning towards ordering the Big Al right now and started wondering if I wait a couple of weeks if there was any chance the colors would change or if they're locked in for a certain time period. Bass Central already has the Sky Blue Bongo I'm eyeballing...

The ice blue is awesome & will retain its value better on the secondary market vs black for sure. What a beauty

I think it looks traditional and different at the same time, a rare combination! There are a few colors I really like, Tangerine Pearl and Sky Blue are at the top of my list right now.

 

[stingray96191]

The Spacing on the 4 strings at the bridge as Manufactured By EBMM as of todays date as far as i know is All 19mm... The spacing at the nut varies on the model. The Sterling, Big Al, and Stingray SLO Special have a 1.5 inch nut width. The Stingray 4 has Something a little bigger.. I'm not sure of the measurement, but i think you can find it on the individual page for the instruments. There is also more to consider than the Widths. Radius, shape, these all make a difference, and they are all a little different. Keep in mind while these are shaped on a cnc machine, they are finished by human beings.

All that said, I prefer the smaller necks of the Big Al, Sterling and the Slo Special. I have at least one of each and the necks feel the same to my hands. My Stingray from 1990 is next on my list. its a little wider, but the radius and shape is a little different than the modern rays. The modern Ray neck is playable, and feels great to some people. But i find i stumble a little but. I have never owned a 4 string bongo, but the ones i have played were good. I'm pretty sure all of the 5 string models they currently sell have the same neck shape and profile.. Maybe not the reflex, I've never had the pleasure of holding one of those.

As always i could be wrong, but i'm confident in my knowledge of the 4 strings.. I've owned and do own a lot of them.

Erin

 

[projectapollo]

See the quote in my signature for my opinion. Congratulations on the long desired purchase.

 

[syciprider]

Given what I think I know about your "other brand" basses I think you will be well served with the Bongo.

It will fill a niche that is very distinct from what you have.

The neck splits the difference between the SR and the Sterling/Big AL

 

[mstott25]

See the quote in my signature for my opinion..."The Big Al 4SSS is the bass by which all other basses are judged by, in my world." Craig Young

Given what I think I know about your "other brand" basses I think you will be well served with the Bongo.

It will fill a niche that is very distinct from what you have.

The neck splits the difference between the SR and the Sterling/Big AL

I am paralyzed by choice.

I figure I'll be happy with either, might as well flip a coin...! Stay tuned.

 

[adouglas]

Everyone should own at least one Bongo.

 

[mstott25]

Placed an order today for a .... Big Al!

(Was the ellipsis adequate for suspense?)

I ordered a 4 string SSS in sky blue with a maple fingerboard and white pickguard.

I was going to go with Tangerine Pearl until I saw BPs Powder Blue Big Al, really liked the looks of it then saw what colors were available and came across a few pics like this:

I opted for the white pickguard, thought about the pearloid but in the end decided I really liked the classic meets modern vibe of the sky blue with white.

Dealing with Bass Central was superb, absolutely fantastic group of guys there.

Thanks to everyone here as well for the feedback, not an easy decision picking one musicman bass, but I'm very excited about this one.

Looks like I should get the bass in November!

 

[adouglas]

heh heh heh.

 

[mstott25]

heh heh heh.

lol...nice

 

[mstott25]

Update...

Some changes...
After working on some melodic ideas with my jazz teacher this past month and some deep deliberation on the future of my new bass...I decided to change my 4 string order to a 5 string.

It's not for the Low B either (you low end minded folks), it's for the High C. I've played 4string almost exclusively for the past 5 years or so and been quite happy, but with the versatility and potential for the Big Al...I really wanted to have the freedom to experiment. I should note, the bass will come strung B-G from EBMM but I will remedy that when it arrives.

So, it delayed my order for a month but I'm A-Ok with that. Same color, same configuration, one extra string. December, December....

 

[Freddels]

That Sky Blue is beautiful. I had a hard time deciding b/w that and the Tangerine Pearl for the Bongo but since there was only the Tangerine Pearl available, I bought that. Who knows, maybe the next one will be Sky Blue (if it's still available when I'm able to order another Bongo as I still want a Single H model).

 

[mstott25]

Those were the two colors I was considering too. I wouldn't kick either out of bed. Finally went with the Sky Blue because I liked the look of Randy Jackson's and BP's powder blue and thought I'd like the Sky Blue just as much. I was worried about the colors being discontinued as well, we'll see as I think the next bass on my horizon will be a Bongo 6 and I think the tangerine pearl and sky blue go together quite well

 

[syciprider]

Some changes...
After working on some melodic ideas with my jazz teacher this past month and some deep deliberation on the future of my new bass...I decided to change my 4 string order to a 5 string.

It's not for the Low B either (you low end minded folks), it's for the High C. I've played 4string almost exclusively for the past 5 years or so and been quite happy, but with the versatility and potential for the Big Al...I really wanted to have the freedom to experiment. I should note, the bass will come strung B-G from EBMM but I will remedy that when it arrives.

So, it delayed my order for a month but I'm A-Ok with that. Same color, same configuration, one extra string. December, December....

Bongo 6!

 

[cellkirk74]

Maybe you should contact your dealer and find out if there is a possibility that the company cuts the nut of your bass for E-C tuning?

It's interesting because I think there is no high C fiver around this forums at all.