Talk to me about the 25th Anniversary Single H Fiver ...

[OldSchool Noob]

I am about to be seriously in the market in about 2 weeks. I have two basses that really get the job done for me ...

1) A J-Bass (not Fender or a Fender clone, BTW) but active and awesome.
2) A Stealth Bongo HH. Kicks much, MUCH butt! (But everyone here already knows this.)

I'd really like a third bass to round out the stable but it's really hard -- these two don't leave much space beween them. Together, they do a phenominal job of covering my gigs (Urban Gospel). With that said, I really want something different -- tonally and aesthetically.

I've been considering the Big Al on one hand and the 25th Anniversary on the other, specifically the Single H/Quilt/Maple. I've read a lot of discussion here about the 25th HSS and HH but not much about the Single H.

Anyone have insights to offfer about the Single H? (Or does anyone care to convince me to make a different choice that will better fleshout my arsenal?)

I'm very interested in hearing your thoughts.

 

[oli@bass]

Get a Classic StringRay first. Nothing else can get you that sound. Not even another EBMM. Really.

 

[LawDaddy]

I recently had the pleasure of playing around with a Big Al, and I think that would fit what my understanding of Urban Gospel is (at least in Nor Cal). The tonal options of active/passive, and the ability to select any combo of the 3 pups in either mode, give this bass an amazing range. An aesthetically, it's a knock-out.

I agree with the post above (I own an SR4), a single H in the hands of a capable player can cover pretty much anything. In Urban Gospel, the bass is essentially a lead instrument, and any EBMM will cut through just fine. The wide tonal palette of options on the Big Al deserves some attention for those inclined to master the switching scheme. It really does that "Super J" thing in spades, and back to classic vinyl tones in a flash.

 

[guenter]

Get a Classic StringRay first. Nothing else can get you that sound. Not even another EBMM. Really.

Not even a Stingray 30th?

 

[OldSchool Noob]

Thanks for the feedback. Let me add some additional information.

The bass I'm really strongly leaning toward is the Big Al. I'm not sure if I've totally embraced the shape yet but I'm getting there really fast. Shape aside, this is really a quest for some different tonal options & textures while maintaining EBMM quality and (not insignificantly) string spacing. My Bongo really got me hooked on narrow 5 spacing and I'd like to stay consistent.

The Big AL is a completely different animal than the 25th and the Reflex or any other humbucker equipped EBMM. If you are hooked on that signature Musicman tone then the Big AL SSS might not be for you.

The BA sounds NOTHING like a Stingray nor any HB equipped MM I ever owned.

This is the part that appeals to me about the BA. I am truly looking for something different in this particular bass.

Get a Classic StringRay first. Nothing else can get you that sound. Not even another EBMM. Really.

That's my point -- I really don't want that sound. My Bongo gets me as close to that sound as I want to be. It's not a bad sound, mind you -- just not what I'm looking in this bass. The Bongo is definitely "in the MM family" and I use it for that MM sound when I want/need it.

... The tonal options of active/passive, and the ability to select any combo of the 3 pups in either mode, give this bass an amazing range ... It really does that "Super J" thing in spades, and back to classic vinyl tones in a flash.

The concept of EBMM's take on the "Super J" is very intriguing to me. (I realize that is borderline blasphemy to say out loud but there you have it.)

 

[LawDaddy]

The BA really does have it's own vibe, and feels great under hand. I gig as a guitarist, so I'll let others comment on the feel live. Suffice it to say that my daughter, who idolizes Duck Dunn and Geddy Lee, and reads and plays fretless in her high school jazz band, is really jonesing for one. I'll let the reader draw their own conclusion as to her opinion of the tonal possibilities.

 

[leond]

I had a 25th Anniversary quilted 5 w/ maple fretboard. By far, the finest five string I've ever had. One pickup and the series/parallel switch was all it needed. I never even used the eq.

The one thing the bass did teach me however was that I'm not a five string player. So, I traded it for a four string Big Al.

My 25th went to Dubaldo in CT. Then I believe Jack had it in TX. Then I'm not sure where it went. I do miss that bass.

The Big Al is a fine bass in it's own right but that 25th stood head and shoulders above everything else.

 

[Manfloozy]

The BA really does have it's own vibe, and feels great under hand. I gig as a guitarist, so I'll let others comment on the feel live. Suffice it to say that my daughter, who idolizes Duck Dunn and Geddy Lee, and reads and plays fretless in her high school jazz band, is really jonesing for one. I'll let the reader draw their own conclusion as to her opinion of the tonal possibilities.

OT: BUT I had to give your daughter major kudos in taste and direction! I recently went all fretless again... and I admire someone in high school -CHOOSING- to go that route near the start of their musical career/adventure.

As for the 25th single H, it won't suck at all... but neither would a 25th HH, HSS, or BASSS....

Brandt owns a BFR single H, he would probably be able to provide some good feedback on it.

 

[LawDaddy]

OT: BUT I had to give your daughter major kudos in taste and direction! I recently went all fretless again... and I admire someone in high school -CHOOSING- to go that route near the start of their musical career/adventure.
<snip>

OT: I think she is angling for a BA for her 16th BDay.

I am interested in what others are saying about the series/parallel option on the 25th, wonder how that would fit with the OP's desires.

 

[OldSchool Noob]

Get a Classic StringRay first. Nothing else can get you that sound. Not even another EBMM. Really.

Okay -- I stand corrected ... this SR5 is WORKING in a Gospel context:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qBHUsGVOp4]YouTube - Revive Us Again (James Brown Funk)[/ame]

Maybe a Classic Stingray IS the ticket?