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Best Way to Order Big Al 5

T

The_Robster

Nov 13, 2007
81
3
Missoula, Montana
www.myspace.com
#1
I have recently became infatuated with the looks and especially the sound of the Musicman Big Al 5. I desire a blue body, whitepearloid pickgard, with matching headstock. I just know that this is to become my next bass and first 5 string.. However, this is an elusive bass to find, internet and music-store wise.
Should I go through a dealer? If so can it be any local dealer, or a dealer that specifically deals with musicman instruments? Can I go directly through the factory myself? If so, what is the best way to go about that?
People who have experiences with these basses please tell me how you went about purchasing it. But even more importantly if you have experience with actually playing this instrument, please enlighten me in what your thoughts on the instrument are e.g sound, feel, string spacing, playability, balance, etc..
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Think this bass in a 5 string... O, and if you are just going to criticize it on its looks and have never played one, Don't bother to post...
 
#6
Bad news for you: that color is Ice Blue Metallic and EB canceled the finish last year, before the BA5 existed. I had a Al 4 banger in that color and it was really sharp looking!

As far as ordering, someone mentioned Bass Central and The Perfect Bass. I agree. Both reputable and competitively priced. I've ordered EB's from both.
 
#7
That is a bummer that Ice Blue Metallic is canceled, but o well, I think that the darker Blue Pearl color will still be looking pretty snazzy...
I will look into those online dealerships, I did talk to a guy at the nearest guitar center to my town and he said he would "talk to his guy at Ernie Ball" and get back to me with some information, do you think that a Guitar Center would be competitively priced to an e-store such as perfect bass or BassCentral? Also anybody with experience ordering a bass through one of those e-stores, can you give me some sort of rough estimate of waiting time and whatnot?
 
#9
The Perfect Bass is a good choice. I also highly recommend DuBaldo Music http://www.dubaldomusic.com/ in Connecticut. Tell Pete DuBaldo I sent you, he might even give you a better deal (or he might not, heh heh). I know when I need something, I go through DuBaldo. He checks every instrument and is quite a player himself so I trust him.

Guitar Center....they don't keep up very well with developments, generally. "Oh, a Big Al? Yeah, um, I bet we could get one of those. It's a Fender?" Can't blame 'em, but......

Waiting time is a crapshoot. DuBaldo or TPB might have something in stock, although BA5s are pretty rare still. Or they might have something already on order that you'd like. This would cut the waiting time down if the instrument is already in the pipeline.

Best thing to do is to call either of those guys and see what they have cooking.

I've been playing nothing but my Big Al 5 for the last few weeks. Man, these are AMAZING things - my Bongos are feeling very neglected.

Jack
 
#14
i think mine looks awesome!!!

2010-02-25151458.jpg
 
#16
yeah worth the wait...but yes that is correct...there is a significant waiting time on them for rite now...you should be able to get one by summer...i was very fortunate to get mine...and i only know of 1 other out there rite now...but yes a badass bass...play a 4 string and you will have the general idea... :)
 
#18
Ok cool, I've been pretty well convinced to go through the PerfectBass then and wait it out, should be worth it for "my bass" (with the darker blue however).
However,one thing that I am a little worried about is playing the bass solo. When I am just jamming out with myself, sitting down at home, does the bass contour the body fairly well? That is to say when sitting (or standing) does that sharp horn jab you at all? I have heard that is well balanced, but having a sharp horn jabbing into me as I play would indeed be a dealbreaker..
Anyone with experience care to elaborate on the comfort if you well of this bass?
I would jsut go try out a 4banger myself, but that would mean a 300+ mile drive, and a severe case of GAS.
 
#20
The_Robster said:
However,one thing that I am a little worried about is playing the bass solo. When I am just jamming out with myself, sitting down at home, does the bass contour the body fairly well? That is to say when sitting (or standing) does that sharp horn jab you at all? I have heard that is well balanced, but having a sharp horn jabbing into me as I play would indeed be a dealbreaker..
Click to expand...

I've been sitting around these last few weeks with mine on my lap, playing garage rock star, and have had no issue whatsoever with comfort. Feels great on a strap, too.

So that's really it? Just two of us so far with Big Al fivers?
 

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