Help! Big Al Question

[clmjlg]

I am currently in the market to get a new big Al. I already own a SSS 4 string with a rosewood fret-board. I love the big Al and all of its different tone options it offers me. I am looking to get another one so I can have one to play in bar gigs and another to play every where else. The problem I am having is should I get one of the PDN Neptune blue with a maple fretboard and its African mahogany body or should I go with one of the all rose wood neck. I am curious as to which one will give me the most difference in tone than a basic big al with a rosewood fretboard. I am leaning towards the Neptune blue one though, but if you can persuade me to rosewood neck then please try. I also have not played on a bass with a rosewood neck so I have no real idea of how they affect the sound. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Movielife]

I'd opt for a maple board SSS 4 or 5 string to balance it out

 

[Holdsg]

I've owned 3 Big Als at different times, but never more than 1 at once. So take with some salt here. I didn't really find much different tonewise between the standard neck and roasted neck ones I have owned. Not enough to stand up and say "that's a different animal". They were all great, just to my ears no measurable difference in tone for me.

 

[sanderhermans]

Are roasted necks even suposed to sound different from a standard maple neck? Thought it was just for looks and stabillity of the neck....
Also my guess is that the body wood will influence your sound much more than the neck. So i would go for the new pdn instead of rosewood neck as it will affect the sound of your bass a bit more. At least thats my experience. Looks also count so you will have to figure that out for yourself.

 

[Movielife]

I think the standard Big Al basses are african mahogany?

 

[sanderhermans]

I think the standard Big Al basses are african mahogany?

ah yep, I see it now. so probably those new pdn's will give you somewhat the same sound.

 

[five7]

maple boards have a snappier sound to me and feel faster. give one a try