I've got a 93 2eq ray and a bongo stealth 5HH and am looking for another four string which will offer something different to the stingray tone. I've noticed that the bongo sounds darker and warmer when played acoustically when compared to my ray. How do the reflex and the big al compare? I'm after something with a thick rich tone, not too bright. Most interested to hear from anyone who has either. Thanks!
- Thread starter mingsta
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oddjob
Well-known member
All are very different beasts. You can hear the EBMM dna in them all but each one brings a different pallet to the table. Even in the same model line different pickup configs will off different results. My suggestion is the Bongo HH or Reflex HH just because they will offer you different sonic pallets that tend to be darker than the HSS or HS models... beyond that it is a true question of taste. Not I great answer but since everyone's tastes are different it is a loaded question.
Holdsg
Well-known member
My experience is that the Big Al is the one MM that most fits your description. Will cop a great p-bass tone if that's what you are after, but don't misunderstand me, it's much more versatile than any p-bass. It will do brite with the treble and high mids in that 4-band eq, but it will do serious round pillowy, but not boomy, thick bottomy goodness if you want it to.
Listen to some Craig Young playing on that latest Lady A album to see it that's the tone you are after. Much done with his big al.
Listen to some Craig Young playing on that latest Lady A album to see it that's the tone you are after. Much done with his big al.
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Thanks for the input, keen to hear from Big Al owners and their thoughts on tone comparison compared to a 'ray. I've heard that mahogany bodies tend to give a warm tone, is that the case from your experience with the BA?
I just picked up a new Stringray 4HH in vintage sunburst for a good price on ebay. It is absolutely stunning, but I'm slowly coming to accept that its not going to offer me anything wildly different to my existing 'ray (while the bongo and ray are a night and day difference) so I think things are heading towards moving it on and picking up a Big Al or something else thats truly different.
I just picked up a new Stringray 4HH in vintage sunburst for a good price on ebay. It is absolutely stunning, but I'm slowly coming to accept that its not going to offer me anything wildly different to my existing 'ray (while the bongo and ray are a night and day difference) so I think things are heading towards moving it on and picking up a Big Al or something else thats truly different.
Disco Batman
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Big Al or Reflex will give you a ton of different tonal options and both can get very warm. The Classic Ray's and Sterlings also have a really fat warm tone to me as well.
five7
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I agree, every sub I have owned has a fatt tone, gotta love the 2 band!
Mine are 2 totally different beasts. The single H Ray has that great Ray sound, and honestly I use it for most of the stuff I play because I love the tone and simplicity of it, but the Big Al 5HHH can do it all. I've been banging on mine for a while now and still find new tones. You can go warm or downright mad aggressive depending on PU & EQ config.
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
Far be it for me to discourage anyone from buying another bass, but have you thought about trying flatwounds strings? A Bongo neck pickup and flats is the way that I achieve warm tone.
I have owned a 25th Anniversary 5HH and a Big Al 5SSS. Both of them went away because I prefer the Bongo to both and I can get any tone I want with the pickups and preamp.
Between my amp (Streamliner 600) and my Bongos, I can achieve major warm old school tone.
I have owned a 25th Anniversary 5HH and a Big Al 5SSS. Both of them went away because I prefer the Bongo to both and I can get any tone I want with the pickups and preamp.
Between my amp (Streamliner 600) and my Bongos, I can achieve major warm old school tone.
OldManMusic
Well-known member
I am partial to the warmth of a Bongo H with the "small eq". But Bassmonkee's comment about flats is spot on too.
Smallmouth_Bass
Well-known member
I would agree that the Big Al has such a wide range of tones, including dark and warm, that you should check it out. With the three pickups (I'm talking the SSS model, not the single H), active/passive and the 4-band EQ, there are countless options available.
I had an HH Bongo for a short period of time and also liked it. If it wasn't for the weight, I'd still have it.
I had an HH Bongo for a short period of time and also liked it. If it wasn't for the weight, I'd still have it.
drTStingray
Well-known member
A definite plus 1 from me!
Strangely my Ray HH has thick warm tone but is my lightest bass, and it's strung with raucous rounds (non EBMM ones - sacrilage I know - but they were daughters Christmas prezzie - to be replaced by standard slinkies at some point as these work best on this bass! It sounds woody and thick though)
rizzo9247
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Bongo with flats...now that's a thought..hmmm
T-bone
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That's great, five7! I feel the same way.
30th Stingray - best ever!
Although....my next bass will probably be a bongo (did I just say that out loud?).
tbone
bovinehost
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bongo/flats/done
Freddels
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bassmonkeee
Well-known member
But which Bongo? H? HH? HS?
Yes.
Personally, I'd go for one of the models with two pickups. Neck pickup at about 60/40 plus a little low mid bump and treble cut and you've got a meaty, warm tone.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
The 'hog bodied 30th anniversary Stingray wearing flats is the warmest single pickup EBMM you'll find, but in the multi-pickup range the Big Al SSS with neck and middle pickups engaged together is the epitome of thick, gorgeous, warmth (well, in the bass guitar department anyway).
