Thank you. That's what I thought, but I just wanted some confirmation. The noise is there even when going direct into my Tascam rehearsal recorder, so I can rule out the rig. Hopefully it will be a quick and easy thing to fix.
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Musicman Big Al Club
- Thread starter Melvin7822
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Thank you. That's what I thought, but I just wanted some confirmation. The noise is there even when going direct into my Tascam rehearsal recorder, so I can rule out the rig. Hopefully it will be a quick and easy thing to fix.
How anyone can claim that an SX bass or Squire is just as good as one of these beauties is beyond me. This has to be one of the coolest looking lines of basses ever developed. Really. Kudos to EB for trying new things! I am especially liking the flourescent olive green, and the ones with the roasted necks...I would love to have one of these!
I've dealt with customer service on multiple occasions with this new bass. I'm a bit upset that a new bass has had this many problems. First it went to have the nut replaced because the E slot was cut too low. Then it had to have the frets leveled as there were too many inconsistencies. I really hate sending it because the setup they send it back with is always horrific.
I tried working it out last night. Two very small c-clamps at the top of the headstock on opposite sides managed to make the bass completely useable. However, the amount of weight that has to be added to fix it is just too much.
I'm guessing that I'll have to beg customer service to let me pay to have the neck replaced. I'm sure that will be a battle.
All in all, I guess I'll have to just chuck this up to the fact that mine was probably the only lemon they produced in how many years.
That's what the soundman thought at first, but touching the strings, bridge or jack had absolutely no effect. The noise was altered only by the direction the bass was facing. FWIW my Sterling was dead silent in the same environment.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Does it really matter?
I'm on the fence here cuz my soon to be wife is considering a bass wedding present for me. Tough decision coming my way. I currently have a Bongo 5 HH, Stingray 4 HS, Big Al 4 SSS...
Do I want a
Sterling 5 HS?
A Big Al 5 SSS
A Reflex 4 or 5
Leaning towards the Sterling.
Haha! I'm similar with my collection. Love EBMMs. I have some on order after selling some other basses and saving.
Currently got the Ray situation covered, definitely have a 4SSS coming, but I also have a Sterling 5 HS and Big Al 5 SSS on order. I've had unexpected bills and I'm fine to cancel one.
But! Do I want Rays, big al 4 SSS and big al 5 SSS or don't take the big al 5 and take the Sterling 5 HS?!?! The sterling would add more variety to my collection, but the big al is cool as we know !
Currently got the Ray situation covered, definitely have a 4SSS coming, but I also have a Sterling 5 HS and Big Al 5 SSS on order. I've had unexpected bills and I'm fine to cancel one.
But! Do I want Rays, big al 4 SSS and big al 5 SSS or don't take the big al 5 and take the Sterling 5 HS?!?! The sterling would add more variety to my collection, but the big al is cool as we know !
Does it really matter?
I'm on the fence here cuz my soon to be wife is considering a bass wedding present for me. Tough decision coming my way. I currently have a Bongo 5 HH, Stingray 4 HS, Big Al 4 SSS...
Do I want a
Sterling 5 HS?
A Big Al 5 SSS
A Reflex 4 or 5
Leaning towards the Sterling.
FWIW the reflex and Big Al are my favorites. The Anniversary was much warmer than the Sterling and much more versatile! I only sold it as Im purging my 4's! If only there was 18-19mm' fivers Id be back in a heartbeat!
I had two SSS ones about a year ago, I only played one of them (my original one). If I'm not playing something than I move it on, so it made no sense to keep it. Ended up with a Bongo H and then a Stingray Classic, which was absolutely the best sounding Stingray I have played. In the end, the Big Al 4 is still the most comfortable and best playing bass I've gotten my hands on, so it made the most sense to get the Single Humbucker Big Al. I'm actually giving equal time to both instruments, which almost never happens when I have multiple basses.
Next bass, not that I'm in a hurry, will probably be an HH Reflex, the HH Reflex sounds great. My favorite HH that MM is offering.
I'm thinking the same, reflex HH later in the year (much later!).
Im so tempted by two big als instead of one and a sterling.
Im so tempted by two big als instead of one and a sterling.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
How does the reflex compare to the big al? Is it a lot bigger and heavier? Does it sound more Stingrayish, or Bongoish?
MM20... I owned a Sterling a while back. There's a certain sound I love in the stingray, that as silly as this sounds, the Sterling does even better. That funky, rubbery like sound. And it cuts like a razor. Only thing I didn't like was I sometimes wished it had a tad more bottom end, and a little more versatility. The Stingray HS gave me all of that and then some. I'm imagining the addition of a neck pickup on a Sterling 5 would give me the same.
The neck profile is the same on the Sterling as the Big Al. If my memory serves me correctly the Sterling is smaller and lighter than the other two. No bass ever fit me quite as well as that one did. Always loved the looks of it too. The slightly different shape of the pickgard specifically.
I've pretty much narrowed down my choice to the Sterling or Reflex. I want something different. Having a really rough time deciding though. Anyone know of any good reflex reviews out there?
Yep, your ground connection is broken. Should be an easy fix. It's easy with a continuity checker (most volt meters have them). Start with the input jack, checking that the black wire is electrically connected. If that connection is good, make sure the bridge has continuity with the input jack. Just follow the ground path back to where it is broken. A quick hit with a soldering gun, and the hum will be gone.
Most times it's right at the input jack.
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My decision is made! My big al 5 SSS turned up as did the Sterling 5 Hs. My dealer gave me such a good deal to take those two (basically got the big al 5 with vintage sunburst the same price as a 4 in flat colour) I've said yes.
I really do have a lot if flexibility in my current setup now and gas has gone! Finally!
Streamliner 900 incoming to top off my amp collection too
I really do have a lot if flexibility in my current setup now and gas has gone! Finally!
Streamliner 900 incoming to top off my amp collection too
My decision is made! My big al 5 SSS turned up as did the Sterling 5 Hs. My dealer gave me such a good deal to take those two (basically got the big al 5 with vintage sunburst the same price as a 4 in flat colour) I've said yes.
I really do have a lot if flexibility in my current setup now and gas has gone! Finally!
Streamliner 900 incoming to top off my amp collection too
Congrats on all that good stuff.
If it were an older bass, I would get the multimeter out and follow your advice. But, a brand new instrument should not have a problem like this, so today I sent it back to San Luis Obispo. Thanks for the info!
