Reflex users out there....

[r goldsmith]

As a traditional Stingray H player, I've been thinking of getting something with a bit more variation. Whilst ruminating about Bongos and Big Als but not really feeling a compulsion to go either way, I was reminded of that "other bass", the Reflex. Then I thought.... it doesn't seem to feature much amongst Knucklehead conversations, well not in the way that the Bongo does.

I have to say this ticks all the boxes for me, but am really looking for some input from users and/or others who may have tried one but decided against one in favor of another EBMM instead, for whatever reason.

The catch is for me, being in Australia I can't really get to try out first, so will be buying on reputation and reviews. Of course being an EBMM I know I can't go wrong.

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

 

[laneline]

Happy Holidays, well the HSS will give you a ton of tonal options. I think the model is loved by any who have one, but I don't think it's a big ordered bass, as it cost more than the rest. I had both the HH and still ( and will always ) have the HSS. I only sold the HH to get the Big Al as I'm stuck in the sell one to get one mode. The passive tones alone are worth the price of admission, they are huge, I think they are P slayers. I hear some people say they don't like the fact the different HSS bridge position doesn't sound exactly like a SR but to me that's whole idea.I'm pretty sure this the first MM with the bridge pup so close to the bridge. Solo the bridge can get an aggressive modern vibe,but there is so much EQ available you can dial in whatever you want. The bridge and middle together give a very recognizable MM tone. The singles kill separately or together. The neck is the same as a Bongo minus two frets, so if you can get to play a Bongo that will let you know if you're ok with that aspect. Have you checked out Ed Friedland's videos ? He has an HH 25th and a few Big Al on you tube which are very informative and will give you a real idea of how they both sound. The Big Al HSS video will provide a great example of the singles, even though the BA and Reflex are different wood the pups and EQ are very similar. Hope I helped a little, good luck, Rick

 

[MSilvers]

When the Game Changers were first available for order the only thing holding me back from ordering one was that I never played a Reflex/25th. They are VERY hard to find in the wild. Fortunately I made my way to the Guitar Center in Manhattan which has a great EBMM collection. They had both a Reflex and a 25th. After I played each once I decided I loved the Reflex enough to order the Game Changer.

 

[bovinehost]

I am constantly surprised and amazed by the 25th HH I am fortunate to have. I'm still more of a Bongoloid than most, but when I want something different, the 25th has it in spades. Some seriously non-Bongo tones in that thing.

I think it's true about the Reflex not being talked about as much simply because there are fewer of them out there so far. Keko does a pretty good job, though!

The HSS configuration has me intrigued. I loved the single coils on my Big Al 5 and of course am addicted to the bridge humbucker - the HSS would give me all of that in one package, sort of.

 

[MadMatt]

I absolutely love my Reflex HSS and 25th HSS. The bridge and middle are addictive. It comes close to the single H stingray sound and I prefer it. All buttons up gives a monster sound that I am using more often.

The 25th wears group III's (Jack, you need to try them if you havn't already) and the Fretless roasted reflex Slinkies. I play in arock/pop cover band and always seem to find the right sound for the song.

I simply find the design of the bass as a whole makes it extremely comfortable. My Sterlings simply dont get the love they deserve since getting the 25th and FRR and I even sold the roasted Stingray I though I would never part with Beware, they are that good

If you are like me and simply are not man enough for a Bongo but still desire something that stands out and has a lot of versatility then you owe it to yourself to give one try!

 

[keko]

Hi dude,

what exactly do You wanna know about RX basses?

I'm the one of first users around here and use it at live gigs for about 7-8 months almost every weekend, so I find myself pretty experienced with reflex 5 HH bass!

Reflexes are killer basses and that's for sure!

 

[adouglas]

The HSS configuration has me intrigued. I loved the single coils on my Big Al 5 and of course am addicted to the bridge humbucker - the HSS would give me all of that in one package, sort of.

If that's not a hint I don't know what is.

 

[Bass Control]

The Reflex has become the only horse in my stable. The HH configuration has everything that I will ever need. I only use the preamp for special needs, the passive tone knob pretty much handles everything. The pickup selections offer enough versatility to spare, though I will admit that I haven't soloed the neck pickup. I generally stay on the series setting, but parallel is beginning to call my ear again. And the tone block? Yes, you'll notice it, it does make a difference. Have I mentioned how this monster sounds with flats? Like a dream!

If there is one short fall, I wish it came in an HS model. But, I guess that will put me in the market for a Game Changer in the future. :-D

I bought my Reflex almost completely in the dark. Granted I had played the 25th Anniversary model before, but I had never spent as much time with any EBMM model that I had purchased prior to pulling the trigger (the Sterling 5s and Bongo 6s that I've had) and not once have I been disappointed with the feel or tone of any EBMM bass. In my eyes, the Reflex takes the pickups of the Sterling, the preamp of the Bongo, and the neck of the Stingray and slams it all together into an amazing super-instrument.

If you're thinking about a Reflex, take the leap. You won't be disappointed.

 

[keko]

In my eyes, the Reflex takes the pickups of the Sterling, the preamp of the Bongo, and the neck of the Stingray and slams it all together into an amazing super-instrument.

If you're thinking about a Reflex, take the leap. You won't be disappointed.

Well, actually neck is more Bongo shaped, only with 22 frets!
If I'm wrong, please someone from SLO correct my words!

Humbackers are ceramic (of the Sterling, as You wrote), but HSS have combination of Bongo's S neodymium pickups + one ceramic H.

 

[MadMatt]

Yes, the neck is more bongo like. Somewhere between the stingray and sterling in thickness and width.

 

[Bass Control]

Hmm. I was always under the assumption that the stingray/bongo/reflex necks were alike with exception being the frets. I can't feel the difference between those three, but I can feel the difference between those three and the sterling/big al. My apologies if I'm mistaken.

 

[keko]

Hmm. I was always under the assumption that the stingray/bongo/reflex necks were alike with exception being the frets. I can't feel the difference between those three, but I can feel the difference between those three and the sterling/big al. My apologies if I'm mistaken.

I think it's a minimal difference between those three, but SR got 6 bolt on neck, so maybe there is slight difference, while Bongo and reflex are 5 bolt on neck! Of course, as You wrote Bongo got 24 frets, SR and RX 22 frets!

Big Al and Sterling have the same neck shape, but slightly different headstocks, well...I think so?

 

[smokey]

Where abouts in Aus are you? If you are in Melbourne, you can take a trip to Pony Music to try their 25th 5HH.
They are swiss army knife basses. In my opinion, one of the best basses you can buy regardless of price. I'd jump on it, tonal options galore and EBMM quality. A winning combination any day of the week.
Cheers

 

[MadMatt]

Well its not my best playing but this demonstrates the different sounds the Reflex/25th HSS is capable of. I did this for a comparison project cellkirk called to life on the German Bassic board.

The 25th is wearing Group III flats and the Fretless Reflex normal Slinkies.

Brick House Challenge by Matthew Friend on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

 

[keko]

Cool preview Matt!

I think I prefer bridge H & middle S tone together!

 

[MadMatt]

Cool preview Matt!

I think I prefer bridge H & middle S tone together!

Thanks! For that song, though an amp, I think the neck and middle sound best... Having said that, the bridge and middle together is what I play about 80% of the time. Simply love that growl!

 

[tunaman4u2]

Well its not my best playing but this demonstrates the different sounds the Reflex/25th HSS is capable of. I did this for a comparison project cellkirk called to life on the German Bassic board.

The 25th is wearing Group III flats and the Fretless Reflex normal Slinkies.

Brick House Challenge by Matthew Friend on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

Major props to you.... thanks so much for the clips... RAW, perfect

My thoughts: Tons of great tones there. I'd LOVE to compare vs a Reflex HH. The single bridge pickup for the HSS is no where near as good as the H in the "right" position BUT when combine with the various singles, its great.

Its hard to say if the G is weaker vs the rest of the notes... do you find that to be the case?

Thanks again boss

 

[MadMatt]

Thanks, I had a 25th HH and yes the Single H Sound of the HSS is weaker but the HS is much Birger but Not too Big like the HH can be.

Its hard to say if the G is weaker vs the rest of the notes... do you find that to be the case?
Thanks again boss

Uhhh... There is not one note in the sample played on the G string The G->A tap is done on D and i probably simply am not tapping it hard enough.

-Matt

 

[tunaman4u2]

Thanks Matt

Theres a bunch of configs I like... HSS, HS, SS then switch it up with series & parallel. Much more versatile than my Bongo HH 5... I may just grab one of these IF I can score a deal. Have a Bongo 5 HH in silver than I'm going to play VERY sparingly until I know if this deal is dead.

Rock on & thanks again so much

 

[tunaman4u2]

Cool video to go with yours from Perfect bass

Music Man Reflex HSS 4-String Bass Demo - The Perfect Bass - YouTube