Question Which bass for gig? Bongo or Big Al?

[Powman]

Hey everyone,

I have a gig coming up and I can't decide which MM bass I shoudl use. I have a Big Al SSS and a Bongo HH. I love 'em both. But here are some of the songs we shall be playing and perhaps you all can weigh in and tell me which bass you would use. Note also there are 4 of us in this band: lead vocals, drums, one guitarist, and me on bass.

Mustang Sally.
This Love (Maroon 5)
Stuck in the Middle with You
Brown Eyed Girl
Beast of Burden
Jumping Jack Flash
Honkey Tonk Woman
3 Am (Matchbox 20)
Mr Jones (Counting Crows)
New Orleans is Sinking (Tragically Hip)
Johnny B Good
Twist and Shout
What I Like About You (Romantics)
Should I Stay or Should I Go
and more, but cant remember right now.

Which bass would you use? Don't just say "Play the bass you like" because I love them both. Love the really fat sound of the Bongo. But I love the versatility of the Big Al, particularly the ability the combine pickups for different sounds. The Bongo, I tend to leave the settings alone (pretty much close to the middle for all controls) and just enjoy.

 

[tunaman4u2]

I play pretty much all of that stuff...
Honestly, both basses can handle that perfectly... really.

Dont get tricked into believing the Big Al is THAT much more versatile just because it has more buttons. The Bongo can get most of those tones & trying to be a hot shot on stage hitting buttons, going active passive may detract from just going up there & wailing on your instrument.

Either one is going to be great really... just play & have fun.

 

[Powman]

Good point about fussing with the buttons on the Big Al. But I don't plan on doing that too much. I keep it in active mode at all times because the switch between active and passive means I have to change my amp settings. I generally use the middle and bridge PUPs at all times, but for some songs I switch to just the middle PUP (eg Stuck in the Middle and Brown Eyed Girl).

 

[tunaman4u2]

Good point about fussing with the buttons on the Big Al. But I don't plan on doing that too much. I keep it in active mode at all times because the switch between active and passive means I have to change my amp settings. I generally use the middle and bridge PUPs at all times, but for some songs I switch to just the middle PUP (eg Stuck in the Middle and Brown Eyed Girl).

Perfect man, with the Bongo all you would do is move the blend so in the end, you're all good either way.

 

[drTStingray]

If it was me it would be between SR4 Classic, SR4HH or Bongo for that set.

The Bongo does that stuff great so would probably be my choice but I guess the Big Al would be equally at home - as Tunaman said, turning the blend knob on the Bongo will cover everything.

 

[adouglas]

Well, if you're leaving the BA active all the time and only use a couple of pickup configs then you're eliminating its greatest strength, which is the vast range of tones it produces.

I gig the BA instead of the Bongo these days because it's so easy to go from in-your-face, modern, funky aggressiveness to pulled-back, woofy vintage motown. Switching is easy if you're comfortable with the controls. In passive, the Big Al does things the Bongo cannot.

But that's me. Since you're not going there, I'd say Bongo. In active, Bongos dominate.

PS: I don't change my amp settings one bit going active to passive... but then I don't use my amp to color the tone except for a bit of a midrange bump. I do adjust volume on the bass, though.

PPS: Yeah... play the bass you like on that day. If you can't decide, flip a coin.

PPPS: Or you can play the one that matches your shoes. Accessorize properly, darling!

 

[drTStingray]

I couldn't agree more - I'd like to try a Big Al or Reflex on Motown/Stax type stuff.

Accessorize properly, darling!

When I first read this I thought it said daring.................then I realised it didn't!!

 

[Holdsg]

I don't understand this question....

 

[adouglas]

I couldn't agree more - I'd like to try a Big Al or Reflex on Motown/Stax type stuff.

Of the 14 songs on Powman's list I'd go passive on at least five.

 

[TSHOW]

Use the Bongo........Practice getting different sounds by the way you play with your fingers...Dynamics...etc....Enjoy....Most of all....have fun!!!

 

[five7]

adouglas, what happened to the bongo mind control machine?

 

[bassmonkeee]

Big Al puts out some serious rays, too.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Dude,
You have a car right?

Bring an extra stand. Bring them both. You win.

 

[Holdsg]

Weed was reading my mind.

 

[stu42]

Agreed...why limit yourself.

Not to completely change the topic but....I saw Stone Temple Pilots in concert last spring and Dean DeLeo (the guitarist) used a different guitar on pretty much every song.

So...why not switch between both the Bongo and Big Al? It would give the audience something new to see and hear and add some more variety and entertainment for you and them.

My two cents.

 

[LawDaddy]

Bring them both, and make the decision when you get to the venue and check out the room. Right before soundcheck, look them both right in the eye and ask which one *really* wants in the game that night. Then, go with your instincts.

/only sorta kinda joking

//has deep conversations with his instruments

 

[adouglas]

adouglas, what happened to the bongo mind control machine?

Still humming happily along. I've got three Bongos but only one Big Al, and more people are getting sucked in to the vortex every day.

The active/passive thing is only part of the reason I'm gigging Mr. Albert. The other half is that its looks totally match the vibe of the band.

I mean, seriously. How can you argue with this? Genuine '70s suit, wide tie, pointy shoes, the whole thing.

 

[stu42]

That pick guard looks awesome on there.

LOL...your glasses match your bass. How intense is that looking at your bass with those glasses on?! "None more orange"

 

[Aussie Mark]

I face the same dilemma regularly. What color shirt are you going to wear at the gig?

 

[five7]

I don't remember gloves like that in the 70s. lol