You Know What I've Been Thinking?

[bassmonkeee]

It's the most usable passive tone control I've ever had on a bass*. I never thought I'd use it more than the 4 band EQ, but I'd say I'm running passive about 70% of the time I'm playing the Big Al.








* I understand the Sadowsky passive tone control is really nice, too.

 

[Oldtoe]

I'm amazed that you forgot you are a 4-string kind of man, Mr Toe.

But not to worry, I will gladly take the Big Al 5 H off you

I also have a roasted neck Big Al 4SSS ordered, Magnus.

 

[strummer]

I also have a roasted neck Big Al 4SSS ordered, Magnus.

Ben, if I didn't love you so much I would hate you just a little bit...

The wishing for some more of the oldtoe kitchen table recordings

 

[bovinehost]

I got a little note from Cliff Hugo today. I think his Big Al is scaring his Bongos.

 

[Movielife]

What are the predictions for how the market is going to take the Big Al over the next few years? The Bongo has obviously caught on worldwide. Some EBMM fans dont normally hear about new gear until they see them in the store so they might not even know they exist.

Im quite excited to see how the market/public/famous names take the Big Al.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Im quite excited to see how the market/public/famous names take the Big Al.

All I really care about is that i'm happly with mine.

TD

 

[cellkirk74]

Very cool! Now i'm even more excited to receive my BA5-H.

TD

Same here!

 

[Oldtoe]

Holy Awesome Bass, Batman!

This one is a keeper. Lovely to play and only 9.2 pounds.

So far, my favorite sound is parallel/active with the upper mids bumped, lower mids bumped a little less, trebled rolled off slightly and bass at center. The passive sound is pretty much tied with the above. It's love at first play, folks!

Pictures later.

 

[Movielife]

My 5 SSS came in as a 5 H. Mixup with ordering. Unfortunately this means I wont have my 5 SSS for a LONG time, but I am being sent a trial 4 SSS to make sure its 100% for me.

This might be the safest way around it as I cant test these any other way!

Im hoping I love the tone straight away and get the 5 SSS back on order!

 

[bovinehost]

Holy Awesome Bass, Batman!

I think, if this photo is any indication, and I'm not saying it is, that we should look to Robin.

So far, my favorite sound is parallel/active

Series/passive is also quite lovely.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Series/passive is also quite lovely.

This.

 

[Morrow]

Wow ..... I have to say that was a nice review , Jack .

Even I now have the urge in a big way .

 

[Oldtoe]

iPhone pics

 

[Movielife]

The Blue 4 SSS turned up today for a test drive. So far the comfort and sheer precision of the build (the area where the neck meets the body in particular) have impressed me a lot.

The neck feels great, so now I know I like Sterling 4 necks as well as Stingray 4s. Ive only just started to play with the tones.

The bridge pickup, active, with a touch of mids added, roll back the treble, sounds like a Jazz should sound in EBMM world....tight punchy and huge.

My Ray 4 that was on back order also turned up but there are a few issues so thats going back for another one.

Now I have to decide if I want to commit myself to the 4 month wait for another 5 SSS to arrive in the UK.

 

[lefenton]

iPhone pics

WOW!!! This is stunning! Beautiful colour and pickguard choice!

 

[Movielife]

Here is the bass im getting to test until Monday. It isnt mine, but definitely gives me an idea of what it can do before I order.

 

[bovinehost]

That blue headstock with the rosewood board is really nice.

 

[Movielife]

I must admit, I am a big fan of rosewood. I used to think it was so 'normal' to see rosewood boards, but after trying so many different basses, rosewood seems to work a little better with me. Not sure why!

I wont be ordering a blue one, but it IS a nice colour and finish if you like that type of colour. The headstock paint looks brilliant. One more day and it is being packaged to be sent back...then the wait begin!

 

[lefenton]

I must admit, I am a big fan of rosewood. I used to think it was so 'normal' to see rosewood boards, but after trying so many different basses, rosewood seems to work a little better with me. Not sure why!

I wont be ordering a blue one, but it IS a nice colour and finish if you like that type of colour. The headstock paint looks brilliant. One more day and it is being packaged to be sent back...then the wait begin!

The overall aesthetic of this bass is quite stunning! The combination of the rosewood fb with the black pg and the painted headstock is very nice. I normally don't like blue basses, but this one is quite good.

What did you think of the Big Al SSS?

 

[Movielife]

The overall aesthetic of this bass is quite stunning! The combination of the rosewood fb with the black pg and the painted headstock is very nice. I normally don't like blue basses, but this one is quite good.

What did you think of the Big Al SSS?

So far....im pretty impressed. Ive heard a lot of people raving about this bass, and they have done a good job with the volume levels active/passive etc. The only thing this one has is a tad low volume on the neck pup, but if I get that when I order one, Ill raise the pickup! The rest is even.

The amount of subtle changes you can make is nice. The E sounds huge, so Im betting a B string does.

I definitely like the neck, which as mentioned is the Sterling 4 H neck.

It isnt the same as a Ray, and I wouldnt expect it to be. Its more 'old school' as in less obviously in your face, but it still can be. Its like EBMMs progression from a P/J bass, to something thats totally different, yet does those old tones in a unique and MASSIVE way. The bridge pup output in passive is so much more controlled and pleasing than a MIA 7ender Jazz.

I think I can see a 4 H and 5 SSS in my sights. At first I was a little like 'oh, I want it to sound like a Stingray'....but I have 2 (and one more incoming) Rays so whats the point of that? Its different, its a progression, and its not in any way difficult to work out how to use it. I dont understand why people are worried about the extra buttons....it works well and the buttons are solid.

I can see them being fantastic for studio work when you want to nail lots of tones but give a very pleasing full signal and have a very well made bass.

At the moment, fingertyle sounds the best...its less in your face and more warm/old school, but slap with the bridge is so in your face its hard to ignore!

No problems slapping with those pups btw....