Stingray vs Sterling vs Big Al vs Bongo Vs Reflex Vs Anniversary Music Man basses

[bassplayer1494]

I know there has never been a thread like this but im going to change that. Which ones do you guys like better and explain why?

 

[syciprider]

There are really not too many points for comparison between models in the lineup because EBMM designed them to be different from each other instead of just repackaging like a certain guitar company in Riverside County is wont to do.

Bongo: Pickup blending

Reflex/Big AL: Direct pickup selection

SR/Sterling: Coil selection via 5 way switch

To me, the choice of bass is dependent on the need, the tonal options or the control preference. If I were to answer the question then I "like" my Bongo the best when it comes to sound however I prefer to play a Stingray. My Big AL also gets its fair share of playtime due to its passive abilities. I know that I can always get the "me too" passive bass that everybody else uses but I chose the Big AL because I know that the chance of me getting a dog Music Man is about the same as the chance of me sleeping with Mila Kunis.

 

[metalarch]

I like the tones of the my HH 25anniversary in general all tought I really love the passive tones, but i prefer to play a Sterling or a BigAl because I like that kind of neck, I don't own a Sterling nor a BigAL, one of those will be my next pick, I like the BigAl because it have the active/passive control and I will like a classic sterling I love the looks of those finished maple boards.

 

[TheAntMan]

This is like trying to pick your favorite child. Each is unique and has their positive and non-positive points but you love each of them for who they are and what they bring to your life. It is the same with each of these basses.

--Ant

 

[oli@bass]

I like my Sabre. Because you can't have one.

 

[bassplayer1494]

I like my Sabre. Because you can't have one.

i forgot to include the sabre and cutlass

 

[adouglas]

I like the Bongo because it was the first bass I ever owned that makes the sound I've been carrying around in my head all these years.

I went through something like 13 basses looking for it, including doing the whole modification thing.

I think I'll like the Big Al because I believe it will also sound the way I want a bass to sound and its aesthetic fits what I'm doing right now perfectly.

 

[MrMusashi]

i like them all, and todays flavour is my single h bongo.. tomorrow i might fancy my sr4 fretless again and so on
repeat till you find money to buy another one... heheh

MrM

 

[Elad_E]

I really want to own every bass EBMM makes. I'm especially intrested in the Reflex and the Big Al but everytime I think about it I just buy another Stingray. I guess I'm a Stingray-holic, I keep finding out more and more of my favourite recordings feature Stingrays and I just love the SR sound, the way it sits in the mix and the the feel of the bass (neck, balance, reach, size).

 

[fly]

I just have to throw down some Sterling love.......

......such a comfortable bass to play........and the tones are killer.

 

[RaginRog]

Growly....anyone?

I just have to through down some Sterling love.......

......such a comfortable bass to play........and the tones are killer.

 

[keko]

Stingray:
Alnico pickup(s)
Switching if multi pickup
2 or 3 band EQ

Sterling:
Ceramic pickup(s)
Switching
Real phantom coil with single coil mode
3 band EQ

Bongo
Neodymium pickup(s)
Active pickup balancing (mixing)
4 band EQ (except single H, 3 band)

Reflex/25th
Ceramic pickup(s)
Push pickup switching
Passive/Active mode switching
4 band EQ in active/Tone knob blend in passive
Special 3 ply body wood construction, ash, mahogany tone block, maple top
(on 25th more fancy and quality finish and wood work)

Big Al
Single H Ceramic Pickup
SSS ? not sure ceramic or neodymium?
Push switching
Passive/Active switching
4 band EQ/ Passive tone knob
On 5 strings mahogany body
___________________________________________________________

Tried all except Big Al.
Every model is special in tone character and Little bit in playing versatility (subjective), but all are great on their own way!
Most important is what any bass player need from a bass and which shape likes better...etc., all other is very subjective and depends of each person!

From my signature it's very obvious which Music Man basses I prefer, but I'm not You, ...so You getting the picture?

 

[melvin7822]

Stingray:
Alnico pickup(s)
Switching if multi pickup
2 or 3 band EQ

Sterling:
Ceramic pickup(s)
Switching
Real phantom coil with single coil mode
3 band EQ

Bongo
Neodymium pickup(s)
Active pickup balancing (mixing)
4 band EQ (except single H, 3 band)

Reflex/25th
Ceramic pickup(s)
Push pickup switching
Passive/Active mode switching
4 band EQ in active/Tone knob blend in passive
Special 3 ply body wood construction, ash, mahogany tone block, maple top
(on 25th more fancy and quality finish and wood work)

Big Al
Single H Ceramic Pickup
SSS ? not sure ceramic or neodymium?
Push switching
Passive/Active switching
4 band EQ/ Passive tone knob
On 5 strings mahogany body
___________________________________________________________

Tried all except Big Al.
Every model is special in tone character and Little bit in playing versatility (subjective), but all are great on their own way!
Most important is what any bass player need from a bass and which shape likes better...etc., all other is very subjective and depends of each person!

From my signature it's very obvious which Music Man basses I prefer, but I'm not You, ...so You getting the picture?

Not bad Keko, just a few small corrections.

Both the Reflex and Big Al use neodymium pickups for the single coils and all Big Als are now made with a mahogany body.

 

[keko]

Not bad Keko, just a few small corrections.

Both the Reflex and Big Al use neodymium pickups for the single coils and all Big Als are now made with a mahogany body.

Thanks for the info, of course, I forgot HSS reflex and wrote that I'm not sure about SSS BA! So, 4 and 5 Big Als got now mahogany body, right?

Now, everything is perfectly clear!

Thanks for corrections!

 

[fly]

Growly....anyone?

The Sterling is the secret weapon.......that not enough people know about.......it will surface one day as a killer bass.......


I can't put mine down......

 

[melvin7822]

I wonder which is more growly; a Sterling or a Big Al SSS with coils 1&2 in series.

 

[mrfstop]

Honestly cannot pick one.
Impossible...for me at least..

I think my favorite stingray just became the 2008 LE Sequia Gold 4 HS I got last week.
The neck is true lightning on this thing, great tone and TONS of eyeball!

I love the heck out of my 2004 Bongo HH4.
BUT, JUST picked up my 2009 Dargie H4 with ebony tonight.
Will play the Dargie for a few days and then maybe change my mind about having a favorite )

Each of my MM basses truly has it's own personality visually and tonally.

 

[Old_Guy]

Here's my problem. I have two Bongos and LOVE LOVE LOVE them (5 HH w/P; 4 HS) - and I had been doing funk/R&B, but am now doing classic rock gigs. I've had Sterlings (still have a 4 HS), but... although I like the neck (not as much as the Bongo), too heavy, didn't feel right. I'm itching for a Big Al SSS, but have no way to go test drive one. Anybody out there that can tell me if I'd like the Al or if I should just get...ANOTHER Bongo?

 

[adouglas]

Yes.

 

[Holdsg]

you're going to want to own all of them at some point. so just start with one and work your way down the list.