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Big Al Bass?

C

cc9191

Sep 11, 2012
35
3
#1
Hi, just wondering what people think of the Ernie Ball Big Al basses? I've watched a few tutorials and i was blown away, seems to have a great passive tone and versatility. Only set back is its hideous 80's glam rock appearance, i have a feeling that if i were to show up at an audition with that bass i wouldnt be taken seriously, or for original band it might not suit the bands "image".

Has anyone had any experience with this bass? whats the neck/ string spacing & general playability like?

Any feedback would be much appreciated :)
 
#5
I have 2 Big Al 5's, one is an H and the other is the SSS version. Both basses are killer. Great necks and electronic versatility. Personally, I love the body shape. If a band can't take you seriously for showing up with a Music Man bass, I'm not interested in playing with them.

TD
 
#8
Thanks for the feedback guys. I would like to try out a big al but no stores seem to stock them. Still unsure about its appearance, spiky guitars kinda make my stomach wretch but maybe if i tried it and it was as good as the demos make out i'll be able to see past its looks.

Do Ernie Ball make any other guitars with the same pick up/ electronic configuration but a more neutral appearance?

It seems very odd to me, the tone and versatility of the bass seems too good to be true, i dont know why the musicman designers decided to make it look so weird. i can understand how people may like its appearance, but surly it would put more people off that attract people? and its not like they need a gimmicky look to sell the guitar... strange
 
#10
I would rock that bass hard. It's a high quality instrument with an exceptional range of tone capability. I wasn't that keen on the looks at first, but after hearing what the 3-pup model can do I'd really like to have one.
 
#11
Its modeled after their Albert Lee series of guitars. I have a 5 string SSS. Great bass. only 5'er that has ever felt comfortable to me and it plays like a dream. Has the same string spacing and neck profile as a Stringray or Sterling 5. Or at least feels close.

You can try a Reflex. They come in HH and HSS versions. Look a little more "normal" than the Big Al, but that's also why I love my Big Al so much.

Good luck finding your bass!
 
#13
BIGEJ2 said:
Its modeled after their Albert Lee series of guitars. I have a 5 string SSS. Great bass. only 5'er that has ever felt comfortable to me and it plays like a dream. Has the same string spacing and neck profile as a Stringray or Sterling 5. Or at least feels close.

You can try a Reflex. They come in HH and HSS versions. Look a little more "normal" than the Big Al, but that's also why I love my Big Al so much.

Good luck finding your bass!
Click to expand...

Reflex? That's a brand?
 
#14
cc9191 said:
Hi, just wondering what people think of the Ernie Ball Big Al basses? I've watched a few tutorials and i was blown away, seems to have a great passive tone and versatility. Only set back is its hideous 80's glam rock appearance....
Click to expand...

Please do not berate 80's glam rock like that:hyper:
I'm not all that concerned with looks, but honestly in this case it is a deal breaker
 
#18
BIGEJ2 said:
Its modeled after their Albert Lee series of guitars. I have a 5 string SSS. Great bass. only 5'er that has ever felt comfortable to me and it plays like a dream. Has the same string spacing and neck profile as a Stringray or Sterling 5. Or at least feels close.

You can try a Reflex. They come in HH and HSS versions. Look a little more "normal" than the Big Al, but that's also why I love my Big Al so much.

Good luck finding your bass!
Click to expand...

Thats reflex looks nice..but waaayyy out of my price range..
 
#19
odarellmc said:
Thats reflex looks nice..but waaayyy out of my price range..
Click to expand...

MusicMan basses are generally not cheap but you do get what you pay for.

if you don't have to have three pickups, try to find a used Sterling or Stringray in HH or HS. They each have a 3 band EQ and 5-way switch. Even a 5-string Stingray H has a 3-way switch.

Bongos are also very cool but like the Big Al, the shape isn't for everyone. They don't have a switch though, instead just a pan knob which can change the tone dramatically. Plus, they have a 4-band EQ instead of 3.

You can go very well on any of these used as long as you are patient and don't need a specific color.
 

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