bovinehost
Administrator
Scared the crap out of me, too.
- Thread starter Grand Wazoo
- Start date
Scared the crap out of me, too.
oli@bass
Well-known member
The SSS Reflex looks mighty cool. And that HH... does it have a Gamechanger on board?
projectapollo
Well-known member
After a couple weeks with the Big Al, am I correct in observing the distinct growl in the 3-buttons-up active position. Way more than my stingray or bongo. Very cool, really.
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
Same occurrs with the 25th anniversary with all the 3 buttons up, and it's all due to these new fantastic preamps which are fitted to these basses. They are the sh|t! (meant in a good way, you get me?)
OldManMusic
Well-known member
I've had my BA4 SSS for a few months now and it has had a surprising affect on my playing because of the tonal variations. I've never been a P guy but have used that "sound" from the Al on a couple of songs. I'm not a bass solo kind of guy either, but I keep catching myself on the bridge pup and plunking out some really cool riffs. I still love riding a groove with that classic MM Ray tone pumping away that I got addicted to back in 1978. But the Big Al has that tone and so much more. I'm not ready to sell the rest of my stable of Rays and Bongos, but they are not getting the playing time they used to.
drTStingray
Well-known member
The SSS Reflex looks mighty cool. And that HH... does it have a Gamechanger on board?
Do I spy a 25th with a blue dawn headstock amidst the carnage
And a question - doesn't the Big Al 4 have an alder body (as opposed to mahogany on the 5)? Is there much of a tone difference between the two (apart from the B string I mean!)
Big Poppa
Well-known member
They are all mahog.....
drTStingray
Well-known member
Thanks for clarifying.
smallequestrian
Well-known member
The Big Al has been my main bass for basically the last year. I love the versatility, but in all honesty I use two settings 95% of the time. I'm either soloing the middle pickup or running the middle and bridge in series. The middle pickup is my "classic rock" type tone and the pickups in series is my "aggressive, musicman type sound"
I like dabbling with the other settings on my own, but for my band, the two settings above are the best.
The bass is extremely comfortable. I picked up a 25th HSS when I was in Austin earlier this week to audition a new cab and while similar tonally, did not find the bass to be anywhere near as comfortable as the Big Al for me, YMMV. I've got big hands and really have gotten use to the skinny Sterling sized neck, even though I used to think the Bongo 4 string neck was one of the best feeling.
I haven't bought a new bass in 4 months (nor an amp for that matter, it feels weird and may shock those of you that know my habits well) and currently only have the Big Al. I may go for a Single H Big Al at some point, but I have a new car purchase coming up that I need to figure out first.
If there was one thing I could change about the Big Al, as ridiculous and non -musicman-like as it may sound, I would actually like a completely passive option for the SSS. I never use active mode, I'm sure at one point I may need too, but a cheaper bass sans preamp would definitely work for me.
I like dabbling with the other settings on my own, but for my band, the two settings above are the best.
The bass is extremely comfortable. I picked up a 25th HSS when I was in Austin earlier this week to audition a new cab and while similar tonally, did not find the bass to be anywhere near as comfortable as the Big Al for me, YMMV. I've got big hands and really have gotten use to the skinny Sterling sized neck, even though I used to think the Bongo 4 string neck was one of the best feeling.
I haven't bought a new bass in 4 months (nor an amp for that matter, it feels weird and may shock those of you that know my habits well) and currently only have the Big Al. I may go for a Single H Big Al at some point, but I have a new car purchase coming up that I need to figure out first.
If there was one thing I could change about the Big Al, as ridiculous and non -musicman-like as it may sound, I would actually like a completely passive option for the SSS. I never use active mode, I'm sure at one point I may need too, but a cheaper bass sans preamp would definitely work for me.
adouglas
Well-known member
You traveled from Chicago to Austin just to try out a new cabinet?
That must be one heck of a speaker right there.
That must be one heck of a speaker right there.
Movielife
Well-known member
Im guessing this was the Berg AE212? If Berg was a better price over in the UK id definitely own a few cabs, but the pricing here compared to Aguilar etc is insane!
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
I just noodle on Bass so I'm no expert, but I know when a bass guitar feels nice - and the Big AL feels nice!
I was privileged to man the Strings n Things stand at Music Live 09 - 4 days of exhibition - I spent a lot of my time "persuading" people to try it, and the response was incredible.
From that evidence I would have to say that EB have hit the right spot on this one.
One day a Big AL4 will be mine !!!!
I was privileged to man the Strings n Things stand at Music Live 09 - 4 days of exhibition - I spent a lot of my time "persuading" people to try it, and the response was incredible.
From that evidence I would have to say that EB have hit the right spot on this one.
One day a Big AL4 will be mine !!!!
