Big Al - not so big in production?

[cassius987]

I have been following the Big Al since I first learned of it, as a possible re-entry into EBMM ownership. I've played a few at GC and they are indeed quite sweet, if expensive. I'm just kind of surprised to see that they don't seem to be filling the market, I don't believe I've ever seen one for sale used, and it's hard to find anyone trying to pass them off on a sale, so they remain out of my wallet's reach. I'm just wondering after all of this time waiting--are they not being produced at the same rate as the other basses? It seems like if they were, there would be some used examples in various places, and dealers would be more apt to offer discounted prices occasionally.

Just curious--thanks for your assistance.

 

[Aussie Mark]

There's a good reason you can't find Big Als for sale used very often - for most people who buy them, they are a keeper. Sure, they don't sell as many as Stingrays or Sterlings, but I would imagine just as many Big Als are being sold these days as say Bongo and Reflex models. Would be interesting to hear from a staff member about how Big Al sales compare to other models.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Cassius: As a previous big al buyer I found a few for sale here, ebay, amazon, used at GC, talkbass for decent prices. Its just not like the good ole days when the music stores could carry every bass, every color, just too much you know.

Keep looking in those locations & they will pop up. I recommend buying one where you can return it if you dont like it (Ahem... as I did) unless you know you already love it.

 

[cassius987]

I have played Big Als before and really, really get along with them, better than other EBMM basses as a matter of fact. I'm a former Stingray owner. I just can't afford the standard price (so long as I don't sell something to make room, but I have no plans to do that) so I'm looking for sales and used listings. Thanks for the advice.

@Aussie, I know how great these are but not everyone is going to get on with them. That's how it is for everything. So there should always be a bit of a used market if something is in decent enough supply.

 

[Big Poppa]

IF GC buys something it does really well They really effect the market they are not buying the big als right now or bongos or reflexes

That being said it is a good seller considering

 

[cellkirk74]

It sells good. At least with me and on this forum. I got two of them.

Everybody I showed the Big Als to really liked them a lot. They are extraordinary good sounding Basses, both the H and the SSS version.

 

[adouglas]

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....

One of the nice things about privately held businesses is that there is room to develop and sell products that aren't super-popular. I believe that BP said the Big Al got made because he'd always wanted to to a bass version of the AL guitar. That's reason enough to put it into production... 'cause the boss wants to. Without investors to please the company doesn't have to justify the decision to built it or sell a boatload of the things to keep the stockholders from coming after the CEO with pitchforks and torches.

I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Amar Bose once. He said that the smartest thing he ever did with his company was refuse to take it public like most of his peers did (Harmon Kardon, Acoustic Research... all those guys were classmates at MIT and Bose is the only one that really succeeded over the long term). "Had I done that they would have fired me decades ago," he said.Why? Because Bose makes what it wants to (not what the market is asking for), takes many years to develop it and once it is introduced they stick with it for a long, long time. They still make the Bose 901 speakers, which were introduced in the 1970s. The famous noise-cancelling headphones? He came up with the idea in 1979 and the product didn't hit the consumer market for a decade or so. Bose gear is successful despite being really expensive. It's costly because of the really high level of investment in ongoing development. I've seen the inside of the R&D facility in Framingham. It's amazing.

If you have to show results every quarter, you can't do stuff like that.

I'm not saying that the Big Al is a loss leader... only the company knows if it's profitable. I'm just really, really glad I've got interesting choices that go beyond the ordinary.

 

[nurnay]

Hey, I got mine used! It still was expensive, but worth every penny.

 

[Stflbn]

I purchased my Big Al for the pickup config, versatility and 4-band preamp. At the time I was skeptical about the visual look and ergonomics it.

After 3 months with it I remain completely in awe of it. Now I'm trying to decide between a Reflex 5 HH or Bongo 5 HH for my next purchase to compliment the versatility of the Big Al.

 

[Holdsg]

Loved the Big Al I owned (bought used) and only sold because I let GAS get ahead of me. Aside from my current Bongo, which I hope I never part with, its been my favorite EBMM bass that has passed through the HOLDSG household.

 

[madbassplaya]

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....

One of the nice things about privately held businesses is that there is room to develop and sell products that aren't super-popular. I believe that BP said the Big Al got made because he'd always wanted to to a bass version of the AL guitar. That's reason enough to put it into production... 'cause the boss wants to. Without investors to please the company doesn't have to justify the decision to built it or sell a boatload of the things to keep the stockholders from coming after the CEO with pitchforks and torches.

I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Amar Bose once. He said that the smartest thing he ever did with his company was refuse to take it public like most of his peers did (Harmon Kardon, Acoustic Research... all those guys were classmates at MIT and Bose is the only one that really succeeded over the long term). "Had I done that they would have fired me decades ago," he said.Why? Because Bose makes what it wants to (not what the market is asking for), takes many years to develop it and once it is introduced they stick with it for a long, long time. They still make the Bose 901 speakers, which were introduced in the 1970s. The famous noise-cancelling headphones? He came up with the idea in 1979 and the product didn't hit the consumer market for a decade or so. Bose gear is successful despite being really expensive. It's costly because of the really high level of investment in ongoing development. I've seen the inside of the R&D facility in Framingham. It's amazing.

If you have to show results every quarter, you can't do stuff like that.

I'm not saying that the Big Al is a loss leader... only the company knows if it's profitable. I'm just really, really glad I've got interesting choices that go beyond the ordinary.

Very cool. And I agree, I like that EBMM offers me something different than ANY other manufacturer offers.

I purchased my Big Al for the pickup config, versatility and 4-band preamp. At the time I was skeptical about the visual look and ergonomics it.

After 3 months with it I remain completely in awe of it. Now I'm trying to decide between a Reflex 5 HH or Bongo 5 HH for my next purchase to compliment the versatility of the Big Al.

I love your Big Al! As a Bongo owner (a 5HH at that) I would say get a get a Bongo. Like the Big Al, there is NOTHING else on the market like it.

 

[MattOfSweden]

I miss my Big Al but take comfort knowing there's bound to be another one lurking in my future.

 

[muggsy]

Big Als do turn up occasionally in the classifieds, here and other places, but they don't seem to last long. I've seen several FS in the past couple of months. I totally understand the desire to buy used, but be patient. They are out there.

Just don't wait for me to sell mine, 'cause that ain't gonna happen.

 

[Thornton Davis]

I know where there's a Big Al 4 SSS available. It's apparently owned by a major recording star and being offered for sale for just under twelve hundred dollars. It's configured as follows, black body, black p/g, rosewood fretboard, non matching headstock.

PM me if you're interested and i'll tell you where it is. The bass is reportedly owned by Lady Gaga. I recall seeing pics of it on stage with her last year.

TD

 

[DTG]

I still think the big al is the most rock n roll bass ever made. It just looks like a rock star

 

[JayDawg]

That is one of the few Music Man basses that I have not played yet. I really want to too. If I get one, I would love to get a Vintage Sunburst one with black pick guard, rosewood finger board and SSS pick up configuration.

Dang, I just found one at Bass Central too. The wife would be soo angry if I called them tomorrow...

 

[madbassplaya]

That is one of the few Music Man basses that I have not played yet. I really want to too. If I get one, I would love to get a Vintage Sunburst one with black pick guard, rosewood finger board and SSS pick up configuration.

Dang, I just found one at Bass Central too. The wife would be soo angry if I called them tomorrow...

It's better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.

 

[madbassplaya]

Also, I think this is the Big Al that I would buy:

 

[cassius987]

IF GC buys something it does really well They really effect the market they are not buying the big als right now or bongos or reflexes

That being said it is a good seller considering

BP, I was actually wondering in part what proportion of basses produced are Big Als. i.e., how much is EBMM "investing" in this model by producing it? Just curious.

 

[tunaman4u2]

PM sent on a ridiculous deal on a new big Al... and by ridiculous I mean if you're looking for a big al you won't even hesitate. Any other takers if Cass doesn't want it PM me ASAP & I can give you the info.

I'm tempted to buy it myself!