Question Difference between Reflex H and Big AL H?

[blueacid4l]

Hey guys,
So I just sold a few basses that were gathering dust and was going to get a couple of Musicman Basses. I was just wondering if there was any difference between the Big Al Single H and the Reflex Single H aside from obvious asthetic differences. Both have the Single Ceramic Humbucker as well as the buttons for Active/Passive and Series/Parallel. They also both have the 4 band EQ.. is this the same Pre? I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the Reflex, but I realized that strapped on it may be a little uncomfortable reaching for those first position frets (which was the reason I moved an old Warwick Thumb years ago). While I'm not too wild about the Big Al shape, it may be a solution for a balanced instrument that has the same sound as the Reflex? Is there something else i may be missing?

 

[stu42]

This is a good question. I don't personally know if they have the same Pre or not but am curious myself.

They do have a different neck profile though. The Big Al's neck is 1/8" narrower at the nut than the Reflex and 1/16" narrower at the last fret. I believe the string spacing is also narrower (on 4-string models) on the Big Al as well. I believe the string spacing on the Big Al 4-string is 17.5mm at the bridge vs 19mm on the Reflex - though I'm not 100% sure of that.

Also, the Big Al body is made entirely of African Mahogany vs the Reflex which has an Ash body with a Maple top and has a mahogany "tone block" which is a piece of mahogany that runs underneath the pickups between the neck and the bridge.

 

[stingray96191]

i am what could be described as an oddly shaped fellow. I have never played a reflex, but the Big Al is the most comfortable bass i have ever played strapped on or sitting down.

Erin

 

[adouglas]

i am what could be described as an oddly shaped fellow. I have never played a reflex, but the Big Al is the most comfortable bass i have ever played strapped on or sitting down.

Erin

I'd have to place the Bongo above the Big Al for ergonomics because of the sculpted body, but that's a different discussion. The Big Al in person is very compact. The photo below gives you an idea of how small it really is... I'm only 5'7".

blueacid, unless you're really tiny I wouldn't worry about reaching those first position frets. Question: Do you sling your bass low? Like a lot of people I started with it really low because it looked cool and ultimately wound up moving it a lot higher specifically because it makes it easier to reach the first few frets. I'm a small guy with small hands and I play five-strings exclusively with zero access issues. If I can do it, chances are you can.

 

[stingray96191]

I'm almost the opposite of a Douglas 6'5" with a gut and hippy like a woman. It is a slightly smaller body, but it fits.

Erin

 

[blueacid4l]

You see, I wasn't really aware of those neck proportions. I wonder if the Big Al is narrower in the 5 string version (sort of what I'm looking at). I also wasn't aware of those wood differences, thanks for the info!

This is a good question. I don't personally know if they have the same Pre or not but am curious myself.

They do have a different neck profile though. The Big Al's neck is 1/8" narrower at the nut than the Reflex and 1/16" narrower at the last fret. I believe the string spacing is also narrower (on 4-string models) on the Big Al as well. I believe the string spacing on the Big Al 4-string is 17.5mm at the bridge vs 19mm on the Reflex - though I'm not 100% sure of that.

Also, the Big Al body is made entirely of African Mahogany vs the Reflex which has an Ash body with a Maple top and has a mahogany "tone block" which is a piece of mahogany that runs underneath the pickups between the neck and the bridge.

Yeah, I don't really have it very low. Actually I use to wear it "Mark King Strap height" but found out that's not very good for you either on a full scale bass. Actually seeing it strapped on the Big Al doesn't look that bad after seeing your action shots (thanks BTW)

 

[BigAlis4me]

There is a significant difference in the neck witdth at the nut of the 4stringers.
Big Al's nut width is smaller (like a sterling) than the Reflex's (stingray-neck).

There shouldn't be any big differences in the necks of all musicman five stringers.

Bridge width: 4-stringers 19mm, 5-stringers 17,5mm both

They also both have the 4 band EQ.. is this the same Pre? I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the Reflex, but I realized that strapped on it may be a little uncomfortable reaching for those first position frets (which was the reason I moved an old Warwick Thumb years ago). While I'm not too wild about the Big Al shape, it may be a solution for a balanced instrument that has the same sound as the Reflex?

Yes, you're right. Preamps should be the same. Biggest difference should be the playing position when strapped on, Reflex a little bit more neck dive and nut farer away than that of the very ergonomic BigAls. Maybe Bongo's ergonomics are even better. But there really isn't any problem with Reflex' ergonomics.
figurativly speaking but exaggerated: Reflexes like to be hung high and more horizontal , Big Als love to hang low and diagonal.