MusicMan Big Al Review (Ed Friedland!)

[Duarte]

Personally, I love this bass. Played one in the States and it was insane.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTv0dHtHHbI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eernieball%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Fmusic%2Dman%2Dbasses%2F39732%2Dbig%2Dal%2Dvideo%2Donline%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTv0dHtHHbI...player_embedded[/url]

Zak

[thisnameistaken]

Is it a Stingray neck or is it different? I think they look pretty cool and all those tonal options would be great, but Stingray necks just don't do it for me.

[GreeneKing]

Yet again MM seem to be putting a great package into a controversial body shape

[thisnameistaken]

That one he's got there in the video, with a rosewood board, and chrome knobs, would look the biz.

[Gust0o]

Is it really that controversial a shape?

[OutToPlayJazz]

I like the look of it & the tonal options are massive. Looks wise, I do prefer the 25th Anniversary model better, though. Have you seen the price of these things??

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='Gust0o' post='591875' date='Sep 7 2009, 07:24 AM']Is it really that controversial a shape?[/quote]
+1.. controversial compared to what?

I think it looks mint...

[chris_b]

[quote name='Gust0o' post='591875' date='Sep 7 2009, 07:24 AM']....Is it really that controversial a shape?....[/quote]
I don't know, but it's not pretty.

Look at the basses which have survived over time. They all sound "good" but also they all look "good". In 25 years I bet there will be a 50th anniversary Stingray, but I'd be surprised if the Big Al or the Bongo were still in production.

Edited September 7, 2009 by chris_b

[Gust0o]

I know the Bongo gets the occasional knock for it's looks, but I thought this one was a bit more conventional - but I'm not a big MM fan. I was wondering if they'd broken some unwritten rule, as if Fender had redesigned the Jazz or somesuch!

I thought it looked pretty reasonable, and certainly sounded the business - another reason why I'm constantly tempted to join in with this MM business.

[LeftyJ]

[quote name='Gust0o' post='591902' date='Sep 7 2009, 09:43 AM']I was wondering if they'd broken some unwritten rule, as if Fender had redesigned the Jazz or somesuch![/quote]

They once attempted to

[BassAgent]

And I like that Performer bass!

Anyway, the Big Al may look a bit weird, but the sound is just Music Man.

[GreeneKing]

[quote name='Gust0o' post='591875' date='Sep 7 2009, 07:24 AM']Is it really that controversial a shape?[/quote]

Going from the response in previous threads, it would appear so.

Personally I'm not so sure yet.

[wateroftyne]

I'd go as far to say as it's not controversial *enough* for a MM.

I think it's like something from the Jetsons.. back in the day, the Jazz could easily have ended up with a body shape like that IMO.

[GreeneKing]

It sounds like one heck of a bass. I just think about the fact that previously the extremely versatile 4 EQ was only available in the Bongo, which I personally like, (but many don't) and then they produce this incredible sounding, very versatile and very 'different' package electronically in yet another 'unconventional' shape.

I'm normally very tolerant of bass shapes perceived by many as more unconventional. My personal jury is still out on the Big Al.

I do know that if it was more Sterling-esque for example I'd be more enthusiastic, perhaps that says it all.

[Jobiebass]

Id spend a year trying to figure out the possible tone configs and still make it sound like sh*t im sure.
Would love to give one a go tho. the 4EQ Bongo was crazy enough.

[jmesa]

Dont like the shape at all.

Sounds great though

[Low End Bee]

I like the shape a lot.

4EQ? I can just about get my head around 1 passive tone.

[Cybergimp109]

sounds really nice but not a huge fan of the looks. the pickguard seems a bit weird more so than the body shape doesnt line up or something

id still prefer a stingray

Edited September 7, 2009 by Cybergimp109

[Duarte]

According to Mr Ball the neck is exactly the same as a sterling. So, a great neck!

[Rayman]

Awesome, love it, both in terms of looks and tone. Peter described it to me earlier today, so I decided to have a look, love it. That thing must have just about every tone most people could ever want rolled into one, a bit like the Bongo I guess.

[nash]

can you get one for under £2k yet?

[dub_junkie]

If you dont mind importing from the States there are two on ebay at the moment for just over 1K + shipping and duty/vat.

(sigh) I'll own one of these one day in ice blue/maple :wub:

[Musicman20]

Ive decided, after thinking about it for a while, that this bass is damn cool. The 5 string is even cooler... dont know why.

My next bass had to be a Big Al 5, SSS.

For some reason, I really dig what EB do...a lot. High quality, flexible, excellent electronics, cool looks.

At first I didnt really get into this shape, then I saw this:

[url="http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r309/bovinehost/BigAl5/bigal481.jpg"]http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r309/bo...l5/bigal481.jpg[/url]

Perfect

[dub_junkie]

are you going to change your order and go with the Big AL 5?

I owned an Albert Lee guitar for a few years. great shape imo. they've discontinued the ice blue now but I guess I'll take whatever I can when the exchange rate gets better and I can import a used one.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='dub_junkie' post='824974' date='May 1 2010, 04:53 PM']are you going to change your order and go with the Big AL 5?

I owned an Albert Lee guitar for a few years. great shape imo. they've discontinued the ice blue now but I guess I'll take whatever I can when the exchange rate gets better and I can import a used one.[/quote]

Im gonna keep the Ray 5 coming....I know its the one 5 string Ive been after ever since I started on their 4 string basses.

But, after that gets 'paid off', I think a Big Al 5 SSS is in order.

Edited May 1, 2010 by Musicman20