Help with musicman basses

bassist23 · #1 08-31-2009, 04:40 AM

you guys are the best there is. I'm an old school rock & roller, blues type player and am having a hard time making up my mind between the Bongo, Stingray or Sterlings. I like them all for different reasons. I think I want to go with the HH pick ups but not really sure even about that. Your experience would be very helpful. thanks

ThePerfectBass · #2 09-01-2009, 09:16 AM

I like the HH config myself...but we have had a lot of purists that still like the single H as well. The HSS is probably the 3rd most popular config, but still a good % of what we sell at TPB. The Big Al is really putting a wrinkle in everything because it's a 3 singles! And they rock!! My next MM will likely be the Big Al... Love that bass!

At the end of the day, there is a reason to buy any and/or all of the models they offer... The best thing to do is to give us a call and we can help you better over the phone!

Peace!

cellkirk74 · #3 10-05-2009, 07:12 AM

Get the Big Al. Since i have mine i pretty much don´t use something else anymore...

The tone out of this one is BIIIGGGGG!

FunkyPunky · #4 10-05-2009, 08:16 AM

I own 5 StingRays: all of 'em are 4strings, 3 single H and 2 HH.

Why 5 of 'em? 'Cause they all sound TOTALLY different. Best one and most played is my Ebony ltd. Edition

The sound just kills you.

But the Sterlings are not bad, too. Too my taste they are much more filigree than the rough StingRays.

BigAl? Absolutely hate 'em for their shape and for they are not what I find is a simple bass (plug it in and get a damn good sound out of the bass without adjusting half an hour or so...).

-FunkyPunky

ThePerfectBass · #5 10-05-2009, 12:22 PM

But the flexibility of the preamp on the Big Al and 25th models is awesome if you're a tweaker!

cellkirk74 · #6 10-06-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyPunky

I own 5 StingRays: all of 'em are 4strings, 3 single H and 2 HH.

BigAl? Absolutely hate 'em for their shape and for they are not what I find is a simple bass (plug it in and get a damn good sound out of the bass without adjusting half an hour or so...).

-FunkyPunky

and this is where you are wrong. The Big Al has more of an out-of-the-box good sound than any other bass i have. with no knob pushed you have the middle and bridge pu in series in passive mode. For that you have just a passive highblend like a J or P-bass. When you engage the active/passive switch you get the 4eq.

The funny thing is, you can tweak around like hell with Al, but you don´t need to. I was at home immediatly with the passive sound without hours of tweaking and adjusting as i know it from Fenderstuff...

ThePerfectBass · #7 10-06-2009, 09:54 AM

I like the Big Al in with the bridge/middle in series also... There's magic in that config!

Let's keep the discussion lighthearted guys! Builders make so many different models because of the wide variety of individual tastes out there!

Peace!

cellkirk74 · #8 10-06-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerfectBass

I like the Big Al in with the bridge/middle in series also... There's magic in that config!

Let's keep the discussion lighthearted guys! Builders make so many different models because of the wide variety of individual tastes out there!

Peace!

sure, no bad feelings here. i just wanted to point out that you can tweak a lot, but you don´t have to...

ThePerfectBass · #9 10-06-2009, 01:29 PM

I'm with you! I'm not a tweaker personally, I like to just plug in everything set at neutral and just give a bump here or there where needed. But it's nice to know the headroom is there...

Peace!

NAZ · #10 10-06-2009, 03:06 PM

I have 2 single H SR 5's. I love the set up, I like all the room between the pickup and the neck as it provides different tones for slapping (ie on the neck or down the string without actually slapping over the pickup. And all the finger room for popping is great.

I have played several HH models with the want to buy, but I just feel confined to the short finger pop space that lies between the fretboard and the neck H

ThePerfectBass · #11 10-06-2009, 03:36 PM

We have heard that before from some of our more "slap oriented" players... For most players I think the clearance is adequate, but if you play slap style a lot, you may want to try the HS version if you're looking for some more tonal variety while maintaining the clearance issue.

Peace!

steve f · #12 10-20-2009, 09:23 PM

I read that the clearance between the neck pup and fretboard is identical in HH and HS models. Is that inaccurate?

ThePerfectBass · #13 10-21-2009, 09:33 AM

On the Bongo the clearance is the same, on Sterling and SR models the HS offers a little more room between the neck pickup and fretboard.

Marley's Ghost · #14 10-21-2009, 09:53 AM

I had a Stingray4, and now use a Bongo5 as my main bass. I give the edge to the Bongo for flexibility and playability. Both are great basses Some don't care for the Bongo looks (insert toilet seat comment here), but I dig it. YMMV.

ThePerfectBass · #15 10-21-2009, 10:17 AM

No "ts" comments are allowed in the TPB sponsored forums...

murphy · #16 11-15-2009, 09:30 PM

Just want to say , I love my 20th anniversary HS SR5.
Every sound I could want