- Thread starter Grand Wazoo
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bovinehost
Administrator
I'd like anyone who has Bongos and Big ALs to leap right in, too.
I'll start by noting that the BA5 SSS I have can produce what I'd call a "very traditional" sort of tone. That is, if your reference bass tone was formed in the 1960s, you will be very pleased with what the Big Al does in certain settings.
No matter what anyone says, my beloved Bongos do not sound at all like a P bass or a Jazz bass at any time. And the Big Al doesn't either, really - but it CAN give you those types of tones very easily. I don't choose to do that very often (if I wanted a P bass, I'd buy a P bass) but one of my friends said, "This thing can get very Fender-y." Which is true, and not at all suggestive of some sort of throwback technology or attempt by Ernie Ball to copy Fender. It simply says that this electronic package is extremely versatile when it comes to tone shaping.
I will add more as we go along.
I'll start by noting that the BA5 SSS I have can produce what I'd call a "very traditional" sort of tone. That is, if your reference bass tone was formed in the 1960s, you will be very pleased with what the Big Al does in certain settings.
No matter what anyone says, my beloved Bongos do not sound at all like a P bass or a Jazz bass at any time. And the Big Al doesn't either, really - but it CAN give you those types of tones very easily. I don't choose to do that very often (if I wanted a P bass, I'd buy a P bass) but one of my friends said, "This thing can get very Fender-y." Which is true, and not at all suggestive of some sort of throwback technology or attempt by Ernie Ball to copy Fender. It simply says that this electronic package is extremely versatile when it comes to tone shaping.
I will add more as we go along.
RobertB
Well-known member
Not surprising that those tones would be a subset of the possibilities on the SSS, since each "S" does, after all, stand for "single". I know there are many factors (none of which do I know very much about), but it just seems "intuitive" that as an electronic device, a single coil pickup has a certain inevitable basic character that can be purely emphasized in some configurations, and/or built upon to get creative new sounds in other configurations ("configurations" taking both pickup and eq/preamp variables into account). From what you've said, it sounds like the BA SSS does all of the above, which is extremely cool.
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ivbenaplayin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
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- 688
i haven't had the priviledge of playing a big al yet ( & i'm sure my wife is happy about that!), and the bongo (especially my HHp) IS extremely versatile, but jack is right - it doesn't & won't sound like a p or j bass, period. if/when I need that sound, I'll use one of my p or j basses - pretty simple program... actually, in MHO it's WAY simpler that trying to make a Bongo sound like a p bass 
I haven't given much love to my j or p basses (or any of my other basses) since switching to EBMM, and there's a reason for that... they have a sound (& look) of their own, and that's what I'm diggin' these days...
I haven't given much love to my j or p basses (or any of my other basses) since switching to EBMM, and there's a reason for that... they have a sound (& look) of their own, and that's what I'm diggin' these days...
Jef
Well-known member
Grand Wazoo,
I don't want to hijack this thread but please let me improve your french.
The correct spelling is "s'il vous plaît".
I don't want to hijack this thread but please let me improve your french.
The correct spelling is "s'il vous plaît".
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
Thanks Jack,
my next question is... with the 3 pickups being single coils, I have not read any confirmation of a "dummy" coil or "hum cancelling" device, is there any unwanted noise issue when playing any 1 of the 3 pickups "solo"?
I mean, on loud volume settings, (have you played it live with "cowpilot" yet?) do you get any static when removing your hands away from any metallic parts, i.e. the bridge or the strings, and when touching the bass again?
Finally I agree with you, if I want a Leo Fender sound I'd use a Leo Fender bass, but on this occasion I appreciate that this is the great work of one Sterling Ball which we are all devoted to. I am sure that if Sterling lived here in UK the Queen would have knighted him by now, and we would all have to address him as Sir Sterling Ball of Coachella
Thanks
my next question is... with the 3 pickups being single coils, I have not read any confirmation of a "dummy" coil or "hum cancelling" device, is there any unwanted noise issue when playing any 1 of the 3 pickups "solo"?
I mean, on loud volume settings, (have you played it live with "cowpilot" yet?) do you get any static when removing your hands away from any metallic parts, i.e. the bridge or the strings, and when touching the bass again?
Finally I agree with you, if I want a Leo Fender sound I'd use a Leo Fender bass, but on this occasion I appreciate that this is the great work of one Sterling Ball which we are all devoted to. I am sure that if Sterling lived here in UK the Queen would have knighted him by now, and we would all have to address him as Sir Sterling Ball of Coachella
Thanks
bass-slinger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2009
- Messages
- 52
The bongo definately has a sound all it's own, very punchy with an insane frequency response, but I have used the neck pickup (have an HH) by itself when recording. I wouldn't say it sounds like another bass, but it is a little more organic (engineer's word actually, but it fits) than when the bridge pickup is blended in. While I don't have a Big Al (yet), I did get to play one at the local GC (an SSS). It can certainly nail more of a "vintage" vibe.
RobertB
Well-known member
Check out 00:40 for confirmation ... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTv0dHtHHbI"]Big AL review [/ame] ... if you trust what that guy has to say, that is.
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
I hear what Ed says on 0.40 but... the thing is I searched on the EB Instrument page and even the wiring diagram doesn't show any mention about "phantom coils" unless it's a secret recipee.
That is why I asked Jack, it would be awesome if BP could confirm this.
That is why I asked Jack, it would be awesome if BP could confirm this.
RobertB
Well-known member
I'll bet you two pints Ed's right.
adouglas
Well-known member
Ed is right. I found a clip somewhere of Dudley at NAMM saying words to that effect (I think he actually said "stacked humbuckers" but I'm not sure).
Jack, you said that the Al cops a 60s tone really nicely, and that makes perfect sense.
My reference tonemaker, however, is Tony Levin. So I've got EBMM deeply embedded in my hindbrain.
I'm sure I know the answer to this already, but can the BA cop the trademark EBMM tone (that the Bongo does so well) also?
I know it's not a Bongo and it won't sound like a Bongo... but the EBMM thing is a good thing.
Jack, you said that the Al cops a 60s tone really nicely, and that makes perfect sense.
My reference tonemaker, however, is Tony Levin. So I've got EBMM deeply embedded in my hindbrain.
I'm sure I know the answer to this already, but can the BA cop the trademark EBMM tone (that the Bongo does so well) also?
I know it's not a Bongo and it won't sound like a Bongo... but the EBMM thing is a good thing.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Its a stacked humbucker.
It really is designed to not replicate what we have done and was not designed to be a p or a j. I have wanted a three s bass since 93. The Sterling was going to be that bass but the pickups werent ready. There is a pic floating around of the candy pink proto. With all switches in the 'up' position and in active you can get a big mm style tone. If you want a more MM style bass try the single h.
THe real key here is that this bass has so many possibilities. I will also give advance warning that you may want to re set some of you r amps EQ.
THis is really a different beast.
It really is designed to not replicate what we have done and was not designed to be a p or a j. I have wanted a three s bass since 93. The Sterling was going to be that bass but the pickups werent ready. There is a pic floating around of the candy pink proto. With all switches in the 'up' position and in active you can get a big mm style tone. If you want a more MM style bass try the single h.
THe real key here is that this bass has so many possibilities. I will also give advance warning that you may want to re set some of you r amps EQ.
THis is really a different beast.
adouglas
Well-known member
Big MM style tone.
Big is good.
Big is good.
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
bovinehost
Administrator
And I hope I was clear that of all the things it is, it sure as hell ain't no Pee Bass. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) But again, if someone were married to that TYPE of tone, the Big Al wouldn't break a sweat. "Oh, that's all you want? Here. But do try and challenge me later, I get bored easily."
It is, and as hot as I am now for a single H version, I'm glad Dargin talked sense to me and got me the SSS.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
bingo jackson....sounds like a good stage name
cellkirk74
Well-known member
Something that has not been mentioned that often is the feel of the Big Al. Although it looks "retro-futuristic" (thanks to AD), it has a very comfortable and familiar feel to it either on the strap or on your chest. Compared to a Stingray or a Bongo, it also is / feels shorter making it very easy to play.
Since I have the older alder body, I think this contributes to a more "vintage-ish" (sorry for that) tone especially in passive mode. With this I have another question:
Was there a reason to switch to mahogany besides the weight, I mean tone wise?
Since I have the older alder body, I think this contributes to a more "vintage-ish" (sorry for that) tone especially in passive mode. With this I have another question:
Was there a reason to switch to mahogany besides the weight, I mean tone wise?
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Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
As everyone have said, the Big Al is a departure from the other EBMM basses and not just because of the futuristic Albert Lee body shape or the 3 single coil (humbucking) pickups.
I assume that the very fact that the wood used for them is now African mahogany is what makes them all the more interesting to own, and sets them apart from the other woods the other EBMM basses come in. The 30th anniversary Stingray if you recall, was made entirely in mahogany and what a success that was, Jack can prove that as he's got one of them too. Jack can you tell a similarity in vibe between the 30th Stingray and this BA5SSS?
I assume that the very fact that the wood used for them is now African mahogany is what makes them all the more interesting to own, and sets them apart from the other woods the other EBMM basses come in. The 30th anniversary Stingray if you recall, was made entirely in mahogany and what a success that was, Jack can prove that as he's got one of them too. Jack can you tell a similarity in vibe between the 30th Stingray and this BA5SSS?
is now african mahogany? when did it change and what was it before? i do notice my big al's passive/active-flat tone is fairly warm. even with fresh new eb stainless steels my bongo with eb nickel super slinkies is fairly brighter. i'm wondering if this is just due to the particular cut of wood for this bass?
still, the big al is great. i've been digging more of the different pickup combos too. i used to stick with the neck or middle pickups soloed, but lately the neck + bridge and middle + bridge combos have won me over. sweet, awe-full bass
i also notice the dimed passive and flat active tones are very similar. i like that. it's like the active is completely transparent when flat. so you can dial in some highs or bass just for that extra subtle kick.... "subtle kick"
still, the big al is great. i've been digging more of the different pickup combos too. i used to stick with the neck or middle pickups soloed, but lately the neck + bridge and middle + bridge combos have won me over. sweet, awe-full bass
i also notice the dimed passive and flat active tones are very similar. i like that. it's like the active is completely transparent when flat. so you can dial in some highs or bass just for that extra subtle kick.... "subtle kick"
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