Big AL feedback please

[lovechick]

I'm getting the itch to pull the trigger on one of these beauties. I had a chance to play one briefly at GC but (1) that's a tough place to gauge an instrument IMHO and (2) I was travelling home from business, late at that, on a Friday. What feedback would Big AL owners have about these basses? I own an AL guitar, so I'm already a fan of the body shape. I'm a long time SR owner and I'm curious about adapting to a new instrument. How are the electronics? What are the pros and cons of the 3 singles? Pros and cons of the Sterling-size neck? Is it comfy at a gig?

 

[Metropolis_488]

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[Eggman]

Great bass - great tones - small neck is super easy to play - good ergonomics - shape is an attention getter.

All this comes from a certified Bongoloid!

 

[cellkirk74]

The Big Al is a very good sounding bass in the first place. And it plays very nice and you will feel common with the bodyshape at once.

If you like it, get one. You can already find a lot about the different sounds with the search function here. To put it short, nearly every possible pickup-combination sounds good and has an own vibe to it. It does not sound like a Stingray.

 

[Stereo_Monkey]

I have two of them and sold all my other basses since the first Big Al arrived. I love it in passive mode!

But, both basses are alder bodys. The new ones are build from african mahogany which will sound a bit different..

 

[mmbassplayer]

I think your toughest thing wth a Big Al is that you are used to playing a Ray. The electronics are different, the sound is different. It is very easy to become relient on the massive MM humbucker and be able to power you way though any type of music. Big Al is doesn't quite have that type of crushing overhead. What Big Al does have is a very strong defined sound. I think the Big Al SSS has a place in everyones collection and i can't wait to get my hands on a Big Al 5 H. JOSH

 

[sitonmybass]

It's great that the Big Al comes in four configurations.

4-string SSS

4-string single H

5-string SSS

5-string single H

All available with rosewood, maple or fretless fingerboard options.

 

[lovechick]

Thanks gang. Interesting, the swap to the mahogany body. I wasn't aware of that. I will agree that the body is an attention grabber. I've been picking up guitar gigs of late and the AL always draws interested players in for a closer look.

 

[phatduckk]

The Big AL is awesome!

ive been a long time Sterling fan and swore they were the best basses ever made but the Big AL is really something special

The 3 single coils give you a huge pallette of tones. so there's something in there for everyone. personally i find a ton of the tones awesome

the neck is great for me since i love sterlings

 

[syciprider]

I have an SSS

So many placing options for the right hand

If you slap you'll have to adapt to less real estate (it cleaned up my playing)

The neck feels different at first but you'll be switching between Ray and AL with no effect on your playing in no time.

It sounds nothing like a Ray. It is easier to rein in. If the Ray is an out of control drunk college freshman then the Big AL is a well behaved research assistant.

 

[Colin]

I love the jazz style neck and it's a very versatile bass