Backup to Big Al 5 conundrum

[Stflbn]

I had a Big Al 5 and stupidly sold it a few months ago, then dealt with a few months of loss and self loathing for what I did.

Now I have another Big Al 5 and am completely happy again.


My conundrum is... knowing my preference for the Big Al 5, what should I acquire to put in the backup role or rotation?

First impulse was a Reflex 5 with HSS config., but I can't decide if I want something 'that' similar to the BA5, or move toward a Bongo5 or Sterling 5. I've found I prefer smaller bodied basses so trying to keep it to those models.

Needs to be versatile, but doesn't necessarily need to be 'as' versatile as BA5.

I think my biggest problem is that I feel there's no 'wrong' choice between the three.

 

[Holdsg]

I would recommend the Bongo + Big Al combo-nashun.

 

[adouglas]

I would recommend the Bongo + Big Al combo-nashun.

this.

These two are not directly comparable... and therefore, not redundant.

Both come with large doses of awesomeness.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Im going to assume your Big Al 5 is a SSS configuration. If you want a blast, buy a Big Al 5 H you'll love it.

TD

 

[madbassplaya]

Im going to assume your Big Al 5 is a SSS configuration. If you want a blast, buy a Big Al 5 H you'll love it.

TD

That's not a bad idea at all!

 

[Movielife]

Sterling 5. Not many around, awesome style/tone.

 

[ubnomnar]

I too, faced a Big Al conundrum... but I solved it. Now I have 3 Big Als and a Bongo 5HHp. Interestingly enough, it seems that my "solution" may have created a new conundrum as I should probably slim the herd to three... but I still want a Bongo 5Hp.

 

[Stflbn]

Im going to assume your Big Al 5 is a SSS configuration. If you want a blast, buy a Big Al 5 H you'll love it.

TD

Single H Big Al is not an option for me. I have a single H SR5 and it's not quite versatile enough for me for the wide range of genre's that make up my set lists.

 

[adouglas]

Single H Big Al is not an option for me. I have a single H SR5 and it's not quite versatile enough for me for the wide range of genre's that make up my set lists.

And this is why I bought a Big Al. I can go from old-school passive woofy Duck Dunn thumpiness to ultra-modern hi-fi slap-happiness with the press of a couple of buttons.

The H does the active/passive thing too, but I believe the SSS gives a wider range of options.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Single H Big Al is not an option for me. I have a single H SR5 and it's not quite versatile enough for me for the wide range of genre's that make up my set lists.

Have you tried one? The Neo Humbucker combined with the 4 band EQ and 18 volt output is a killer combination! I used to be a SR5 guy, until I bought my BA5-H.
Don't sell the BA5-H short in the versatility dept.

TD

 

[tunaman4u2]

Bongo 5 HH, I love my Sterling but its more similar to the Big Al than the Bongo, so for variety, Bongo

 

[jlepre]

St5

 

[cellkirk74]

In my experience, the Big Al 5 H covers both the Stingray and Sterling Tone very well and it can be used passive. The only alternative to me would be a Bongo 5 HP.

 

[BigAlis4me]

If I could have exactly two EBMM instruments and already would own a Big Al 5 SSS, I would get a Stingray Classic 4 as a second instrument to hold available THE classic AND the ultra-modern-neo-singlecoil-all-in-one (germans love composite words )

 

[adouglas]

If I could have exactly two EBMM instruments

If I could have exactly two EBMM instruments I'd flip the bird to whoever came up with that rule and buy more.

 

[Stflbn]

I've been on the fence about a Bongo for years. I twitched at the Big Al 5 first, and it did it for me. I just wish the Bongo HH or HS had a bit of coil switching for more tonal options. (I know... loads of varied tones are there in the Bongo with the 4-band, which is also in the Big Als)
I'd likely go for an HS Bongo before an HH... maybe...

 

[ubnomnar]

I've been on the fence about a Bongo for years. I twitched at the Big Al 5 first, and it did it for me. I just with the Bongo HH or HS had a bit of coil switching or such for more tonal options. (I know... the tones are there with the same 4-band as Big Al)
I'd likely go for an HS Bongo before an HH... maybe...

The Big Al and Bongo may share a 4-band eq, but the similarity ends there. They sound completely unique and different in a great way. One cannot replace or come anywhere close to duplicating the sound of the other.

 

[laneline]

Bongo.

 

[J Romano]

Bongo, any flavor.......

 

[tunaman4u2]

The Big Al and Bongo may share a 4-band eq, but the similarity ends there. They sound completely unique and different in a great way. One cannot replace or come anywhere close to duplicating the sound of the other.

+1 bro

Wait for Amazon to sell another Big Al SSS 5 for $1150, that was a HUGE score