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Musicman Big Al 5 HH vs SSS?

Jason Harris

Jason Harris

Jan 17, 2017
470
694
#1
Hi guy just wondering the sound differences since I couldn't find any threads about it.
Whats everyone's preference and I would also like to know which is everyone's favorite bongo model H, HH or HS?
 
#2
Jason,
The Big Al was made SSS or H, never made with the HH configuration, as far as I know. I can, however, tell you this: My first year Big Al SSS has an Alder body, Blue metalliac in color, after that the bodies were Mahogany. My Big Al H has the mahogany body, metalliac Burgandy in color. The SSS has about a million sounds, none of them sound like a Stingray, the H has about 3 sounds, to my ears, none of them sound like a Stingray either. Sterling yes, Stingray no. Both play wonderfully well. The SSS is much brighter than the H, however, the 4band EQ can control that, but it can't add what the pickups don't send it. The H is nowhere as bright. I prefer the SSS for sound, the H for it's color. Both are worthy of being "The Best Bass I Own", except that I am a bass whore and I have many basses worthy of being "The Best Bass I Own". Which brings me to the Bongo basses. I have a HH,Cardinal Red metal flake, and a Hp First gen Dargie Delight. Both sound great, play great and look great. I think the Hp is richer and fuller than the HH, but, as I have said before, both are worthy of being "TBBIO". I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Big Al or Bongo basses.

YMMV

Ken R
 
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#4
Ken R said:
Jason,
The Big Al was made SSS or H, never made with the HH configuration, as far as I know. I can, however, tell you this: My first year Big Al SSS has an Alder body, Blue metalliac in color, after that the bodies were Mahogany. My Big Al H has the mahogany body, metalliac Burgandy in color. The SSS has about a million sounds, none of them sound like a Stingray, the H has about 3 sounds, to my ears, none of them sound like a Stingray either. Sterling yes, Stingray no. Both play wonderfully well. The SSS is much brighter than the H, however, the 4band EQ can control that, but it can't add what the pickups don't send it. The H is nowhere as bright. I prefer the SSS for sound, the H for it's color. Both are worthy of being "The Best Bass I Own", except that I am a bass whore and I have many basses worthy of being "The Best Bass I Own". Which brings me to the Bongo basses. I have a HH,Cardinal Red metal flake, and a Hp First gen Dargie Delight. Both sound great, play great and look great. I think the Hp is richer and fuller than the HH, but, as I have said before, both are worthy of being "TBBIO". I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Big Al or Bongo basses.

YMMV

Ken R
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the detailed response!
I've always wanted a Big Al and Bongo and thanks to this are seeable in the future.
 
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#6
Jason Harris said:
Hi guy just wondering the sound differences since I couldn't find any threads about it.
Whats everyone's preference and I would also like to know which is everyone's favorite bongo model H, HH or HS?
Click to expand...

The reflex is similar to the Big Al. It is the production version of the 25th anniversary Musicman bass. A Reflex has the same push button pickup switching and 4 band EQ that the Big Al has. It came in H, HH and HSS versions. The H and HH have the pickup in the sweet spot. The HSS does not. Body shape is very different between the Al and Reflex.

Big Als have mahogany bodies except for like the first year of production. The reflex has a mahogany tone block.

Both bass lines are discontinued.

Reflex may be another option for you to look at, especially if you are interested in an HH.
 
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#7
Edmang said:
The reflex is similar to the Big Al. It is the production version of the 25th anniversary Musicman bass. A Reflex has the same push button pickup switching and 4 band EQ that the Big Al has. It came in H, HH and HSS versions. The H and HH have the pickup in the sweet spot. The HSS does not. Body shape is very different between the Al and Reflex.

Big Als have mahogany bodies except for like the first year of production. The reflex has a mahogany tone block.

Both bass lines are discontinued.

Reflex may be another option for you to look at, especially if you are interested in an HH.
Click to expand...
Interesting, will look into it thanks!
 
#9
I've had a Big Al SSS for about seven years (mine is actually an alder version). Big Al, can do a decent Jazz bass bridge pickup, Precision bass, Ric neck pickup, and then a few unique tones. Big Al does not sound like a Stingray (I have five Stingrays for companion, btw), or a Jazz bass (I have four of those) with both pickups wide open, which are two of my favorite bass tones. Over all, for me, it is sort of a novelty bass. If I'm playing a Musicman, it's going to be a single H Stingray.
 

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