Ed Friedland - The Bass Whisperer demonstrates the Ernie Ball Music Man 25th Anniversary Model HH 5 string bass. Print review in Guitar World Magazine 10/09.
I know this comment is like 3 years late but some of you people kill me talking shit about this guy. I watch his videos all the time. They're all very helpful... and the dude has mad chops! Great player all around!
My bass teacher, who is also endorsed by Ernie Ball, got this bass and was amazed on all the tones that you can get it. He got it back in October and sometimes is still figuring out what tone he wants out of it.
The string spacing is 19mm. The bass is a tad neck heavy due to the shorter top horn. It's not bad, it has a smaller headstock and lightweight tuners - most basses dive a little, but it may not compare well to your F Bass which was designed specifically NOT to be neck heavy. I find it sits well if I keep it on a longer strap, kind of rock and roll length.
@JuloColo - 25th is ash, w/maple top and mahogany tone block. Bongo is basswood. The electronics are basically the same, but the 25th goes passive too. The 25th can be H, HH, or HSS. The Bongo can be H, HH, HS. There are a lot of differences- the body shape, the neck.... I can't do a 25th (now the Reflex) VS. Bongo though.... they have their own unique sound and feel. But.... I do like having passive mode on the 25th, THAT is a real advantage for my use.
If I were a working session bassist, where I covered a lot of different styles of music, this is the bass I'd have. This thing's ridiculous. I've never heard such tonal flexibility ever, except from a Peavey T-40, and that doesn't even come close to this gem.
I paused the video on the controls and now I want one. That is a beautiful bass my friend. If there was a 6 string in this, I would save up and sell everything until I could afford this but I guess a 5 string would work, that is a do it all, all in one bass.
In series, one pickup feeds it's output into the next one, combining the signal to the preamp. In parallel, they both feed their outputs separately to the preamp. Series is a bit louder with more low mid range. Parallel is brighter, with a little scoop.
Another Q for you Ed. How about the string spacing? Musicmans in general seem to have a somewhat more narrow spacing. How´s the spacing on this bass? And also a big thank you and thumbs way up for all the info you´ve shared both technical and last, but not at all least, musical. It´s made me a better player. Bless. Anders
I have been waiting for this review, and it was PERFECTLY done! THANK you for the review. I noticed you played it in the video without a strap. Do you have any sense of how it balances on the strap? My Fbass BN5 has spoiled me a bit to balance with the neck nice and high. Would you happen to know the string spacing at the bridge as well?
This thing sounds MONSTEROUS holy shit.. @BassGuitarMag you did a fantastic review, I'd like to know if you could do perhaps an ibanez 6 string bass as i'm looking into purchasing them and I noticed you don't have many 6 string basses you've reviewed besides the bongo (Which sounds beastly but isn't in my price range of under a grand).
Well, the 25th is more versatile because of the active/passive capabilities. Personally I think the B strings are pretty much equal. It's hard for me to compare them tonally as I feel there are a lot of inherent differences between any 6 and 5 string. But I did keep the 25th Ann. bass and not the Bongo, so that might tell you that I have a preference for that one. Mainly, it was the dimensions on the Bongo 6 that I didn't care for. I like a narrower string spacing on my 6 strings.
@BassCovers90 Have you heard the B string on the 'Human Base' basses? 34" scale, and a freaking killer B string. Check out Ed's reviews of both the BaseX.oc5 and the Roxy B5; they sound awesome!
I must say the best B string sound I have ever heard to this day would be a Dingwall bass. They just have the best sound on the B string. It doesn't sound all Boomy, you can pick up the sound really well and it sounds great.
I see the Reflex 5 HSS on the MusicMan site, but they seem to be pretty rare out in the wild. Is this still being produced? It looks/sounds pretty great.
7:25 This is THE sound. Beautiful bass, though it's a pity that it hasn't got this huge vintage tuning machines as in the other MM basses. As always awesome video, I love watching your reviews. Bass 4 life!
Hi Ed.. I was quite interested on the Bongo after watching your previous review. And now this 25th Anniversary one also looks great. Just your personal opinion which one sounds "better" and which one is more versatile? To me I feel the B string in the Bongo6 review sounds a bit more punchy comparing to this one.. isn't it?
@CherryConcrete - No, here is the comment I was responding to: "I hate people that play bass like he do -.- it's not good for the strings, And it sounds like shit, Bass is meant to sounds good, not shitty!!!! As a bass player for up to 4year, I say NO to SLAP". The guy is an obvious moron, so I was messing with him. Don't be so sensitive. I have to have some fun with the idiots sometimes.
probably useful for a full time studio player who doesn't want to drag along a bunch of basses but like most people comment, overly complicated. I play in a cover band that spans the 50's to the 90's and get everything I need from my J-bass. And own 16 basses I might add so not just saying that because I can't afford more options.
ed, y're a star, informative, to the point, and enthusiastic,.... and funny!! (deadgoldbass!!) on the back of yr reviews i've been convinced to get a ray34 that came my way, keep up the VERY good work, long life to you and yrs
What do you recommend, a reflex 5 with Dual Humbucking with ceramic magnets or Humbucking/Single coil/Single coil with ceramic magnets (Humbucker) and Neodymium magnets (Single coils)?
@christmy1savior - Sure, it's 5 years better. The 20th Anniversary is a Stingray bass, the 25th Anniversary is a different design completely. Different shape, different pickups, and electronics.
Not entirely related, but I'm looking at purchasing a Reflex. I'm looking at the HSS model for maximum versatility, but concerned the Bridge pickup may be too close to the bridge making it slightly too bright. Have you any experience with the HSS model? Great demo of the HH, absolutely considerable as a purchase. I own an HH Bongo, and was looking for something different, though this would still be different. Mostly looking for opinion of the Hunbucker on the HSS if you have any. Thank you!
i think i'm in love with that bass. not so much with the fingered playing, but the slap tone and the pick tone are amazing--i think one of the reasons you have the best reviews is because you show that distinction. now i just gotta find 2500 extra dollars lying around for the 4 string...
ed, y're a star, informative, to the point, and enthusiastic,.... and funny!! (deadgoldbass!!) on the back of yr reviews i've been convinced to get a ray34 that came my way, keep up the VERY good work, long life to you and yrs vankeays
If I had this bass, I think I'd have to tape a cheat sheet on the back to keep track of the sounds I like...I don't think I could keep track of all of them. Awesome bass though...can't wait until they start putting that preamp into other basses (hopefully)!
what is the distance between strings and body at the end of the neck? I mean with fenders and MMs i feel comfortable slapping with the pickguard under my popping finger. so, the space is similar to others MMs models or is it wider? thanks
Sure, I don't use all the sounds on this bass, I rarely use the preamp... but you never know when you might need it. Every room presents a different set of challenges, and sometimes I might dial in a setting I never use to get through. Anyway, there's something for everyone out there.
The more I watch this... and its been A LOT... the more I think the different settings are pretty close sounding... may just be the recording. When I play my Sterling HH & move the pickup selector the tone change SEEMS more drastic. Am I off there?
That was a Genz Benz GBE 1200 and NeoXT-212 cab. That amp was killer! A Pre-class D “lead sled” that delivered big time! It had one of the best pure overdrive tones ever.
what an incredible bass!!!!! I don't like the looks that much, but damn, I asdasd can't believe it's awesomeness XD anyway, It's too much for me and I wouldn't use half of it's potential
But that doesn't mean I'd be able to remember which ones I liked and what the settings were...I don't know, just sounded like an awful lot for me to remember the first time I watched this video.
Man this Bass is too damn complicated to many damn setting for me I just want to rip the stage BassguitarMag you are too good for know all of those Terms I feel like you are talking another language.
These demos are not intended to be a vehicle for me as a player...it's about the bass. Of course, I try to play it well, but what I do by myself sitting in front of a camera is not representative of what I do as a working bassist. I'm not really a "play by myself" kind of player, I like to play with good musicians, and make the energy happen. Not something I can duplicate demoing a bass....
I know this comment is like 3 years late but some of you people kill me talking shit about this guy. I watch his videos all the time. They're all very helpful... and the dude has mad chops! Great player all around!
My bass teacher, who is also endorsed by Ernie Ball, got this bass and was amazed on all the tones that you can get it. He got it back in October and sometimes is still figuring out what tone he wants out of it.
Nice review!
always love your random review gigs!
keep up the good work
holy shit,Ed.Thats some selection of tones.
Totally comprehensive demonstration. Great job, thanks
@BlueTreecko - I think you can play any kind of bass style on any kind of MusicMan.
The string spacing is 19mm. The bass is a tad neck heavy due to the shorter top horn. It's not bad, it has a smaller headstock and lightweight tuners - most basses dive a little, but it may not compare well to your F Bass which was designed specifically NOT to be neck heavy. I find it sits well if I keep it on a longer strap, kind of rock and roll length.
@JuloColo - 25th is ash, w/maple top and mahogany tone block. Bongo is basswood. The electronics are basically the same, but the 25th goes passive too. The 25th can be H, HH, or HSS. The Bongo can be H, HH, HS.
There are a lot of differences- the body shape, the neck....
I can't do a 25th (now the Reflex) VS. Bongo though.... they have their own unique sound and feel. But.... I do like having passive mode on the 25th, THAT is a real advantage for my use.
If I were a working session bassist, where I covered a lot of different styles of music, this is the bass I'd have. This thing's ridiculous. I've never heard such tonal flexibility ever, except from a Peavey T-40, and that doesn't even come close to this gem.
I paused the video on the controls and now I want one. That is a beautiful bass my friend. If there was a 6 string in this, I would save up and sell everything until I could afford this but I guess a 5 string would work, that is a do it all, all in one bass.
In series, one pickup feeds it's output into the next one, combining the signal to the preamp. In parallel, they both feed their outputs separately to the preamp. Series is a bit louder with more low mid range. Parallel is brighter, with a little scoop.
Another Q for you Ed. How about the string spacing? Musicmans in general seem to have a somewhat more narrow spacing. How´s the spacing on this bass? And also a big thank you and thumbs way up for all the info you´ve shared both technical and last, but not at all least, musical. It´s made me a better player. Bless. Anders
I have been waiting for this review, and it was PERFECTLY done! THANK you for the review.
I noticed you played it in the video without a strap. Do you have any sense of how it balances on the strap? My Fbass BN5 has spoiled me a bit to balance with the neck nice and high.
Would you happen to know the string spacing at the bridge as well?
This sounds amazing, especially with the pick - nice.
@thefid89 - I have bought quite a few there, that's for sure! Some of them came in as reviews and had to stay. A few I've had for years.
This thing sounds MONSTEROUS holy shit.. @BassGuitarMag you did a fantastic review, I'd like to know if you could do perhaps an ibanez 6 string bass as i'm looking into purchasing them and I noticed you don't have many 6 string basses you've reviewed besides the bongo (Which sounds beastly but isn't in my price range of under a grand).
@mossa59 - I think you were looking at the 4 string model. 17.5 sounds right for the 5.
Well, the 25th is more versatile because of the active/passive capabilities. Personally I think the B strings are pretty much equal. It's hard for me to compare them tonally as I feel there are a lot of inherent differences between any 6 and 5 string. But I did keep the 25th Ann. bass and not the Bongo, so that might tell you that I have a preference for that one. Mainly, it was the dimensions on the Bongo 6 that I didn't care for. I like a narrower string spacing on my 6 strings.
@BassCovers90 Have you heard the B string on the 'Human Base' basses? 34" scale, and a freaking killer B string. Check out Ed's reviews of both the BaseX.oc5 and the Roxy B5; they sound awesome!
I must say the best B string sound I have ever heard to this day would be a Dingwall bass. They just have the best sound on the B string. It doesn't sound all Boomy, you can pick up the sound really well and it sounds great.
I see the Reflex 5 HSS on the MusicMan site, but they seem to be pretty rare out in the wild. Is this still being produced? It looks/sounds pretty great.
love it,wery unique sound
@poppinthangs - It's not as complex as you think.
7:25
This is THE sound. Beautiful bass, though it's a pity that it hasn't got this huge vintage tuning machines as in the other MM basses.
As always awesome video, I love watching your reviews.
Bass 4 life!
sweet review!!!
Hi Ed.. I was quite interested on the Bongo after watching your previous review. And now this 25th Anniversary one also looks great.
Just your personal opinion which one sounds "better" and which one is more versatile?
To me I feel the B string in the Bongo6 review sounds a bit more punchy comparing to this one.. isn't it?
@manoliono - Thanks. But please... turn off the ALL CAPS BUTTON!
The Ray 34 5 string is a very nice bass, in it's price range it's one of the best.
@CherryConcrete - No, here is the comment I was responding to:
"I hate people that play bass like he do -.- it's not good for the strings, And it sounds like shit, Bass is meant to sounds good, not shitty!!!! As a bass player for up to 4year, I say NO to SLAP".
The guy is an obvious moron, so I was messing with him. Don't be so sensitive. I have to have some fun with the idiots sometimes.
im thinking about getting the HSS version
probably useful for a full time studio player who doesn't want to drag along a bunch of basses but like most people comment, overly complicated. I play in a cover band that spans the 50's to the 90's and get everything I need from my J-bass. And own 16 basses I might add so not just saying that because I can't afford more options.
I want that bass!!!
There's not a bad sound with coils 2 and 3 chosen, active or passive, parallel or series. That's impressive.
ed, y're a star, informative, to the point, and enthusiastic,.... and funny!! (deadgoldbass!!) on the back of yr reviews i've been convinced to get a ray34 that came my way, keep up the VERY good work, long life to you and yrs
What do you recommend, a reflex 5 with Dual Humbucking with ceramic magnets or Humbucking/Single coil/Single coil with ceramic magnets (Humbucker) and Neodymium magnets (Single coils)?
wow - all those options took forever! Virtue of a good bassplayer: patience. Rock on Ed.
awesome slap tone
I love this bass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@christmy1savior - Sure, it's 5 years better.
The 20th Anniversary is a Stingray bass, the 25th Anniversary is a different design completely. Different shape, different pickups, and electronics.
Not entirely related, but I'm looking at purchasing a Reflex. I'm looking at the HSS model for maximum versatility, but concerned the Bridge pickup may be too close to the bridge making it slightly too bright. Have you any experience with the HSS model? Great demo of the HH, absolutely considerable as a purchase. I own an HH Bongo, and was looking for something different, though this would still be different. Mostly looking for opinion of the Hunbucker on the HSS if you have any. Thank you!
i think i'm in love with that bass. not so much with the fingered playing, but the slap tone and the pick tone are amazing--i think one of the reasons you have the best reviews is because you show that distinction.
now i just gotta find 2500 extra dollars lying around for the 4 string...
amazing bass!
ed, y're a star, informative, to the point, and enthusiastic,.... and funny!! (deadgoldbass!!) on the back of yr reviews i've been convinced to get a ray34 that came my way, keep up the VERY good work, long life to you and yrs
vankeays
Ed, do you think you could explain the difference between parallel and series pup configurations?
@mcg413 - Yes, and if they are bad, I won't demo it. You can't hide crap. Don't ask me for names.
Hey ed do a majority of your basses come from the Austin bass emporium? I was there recently but you were not in at the time.
The preamp is the same as the Bongo, with the added ability to go passive.
That would mean I'd have to get one of them over to my house.
@mossa59 - The spacing is the same as all MM 5 strings. You can see the specs for this, and all their basses at music-man (dot) com.
My bad, looked further down, found the answer 19mm, right? ;-). And if so, wider than the 17.5 on some of the other MMs?
Hi,
What are the main differences between the 25th Anniv. and the Bongo?
Do you have pros and cons for one vs. the other?
Thanks.
If I had this bass, I think I'd have to tape a cheat sheet on the back to keep track of the sounds I like...I don't think I could keep track of all of them. Awesome bass though...can't wait until they start putting that preamp into other basses (hopefully)!
what is the distance between strings and body at the end of the neck?
I mean with fenders and MMs i feel comfortable slapping with the pickguard under my popping finger.
so, the space is similar to others MMs models or is it wider?
thanks
god. and i have trouble picking which of my two jazz bass pickup to pick between.
so does the guitar technician needed to operate this bass come with it or is sold separately?
@halfMAKOL - I'm a big fan of Genz Benz myself.
Sure, I don't use all the sounds on this bass, I rarely use the preamp... but you never know when you might need it. Every room presents a different set of challenges, and sometimes I might dial in a setting I never use to get through. Anyway, there's something for everyone out there.
Are you really gonna use all these settings? For me, I would choose a simple bass with less configurations. Nice sounds right enough!
Hey, I just plug it in and rock out.... but I have 16 different choices to rock out with!
Awesome
And btw can you give a hit on how much this bass might cost?
May I ask you a question: have you ever gotten a bad bass guitar?
Do they make a 6-string version of this bass?
@CherryConcrete Do you wear a helmet when you sit at the computer?
What type of bass is the Fender VI is? Its not the same as a regular 6 string bass.
@neglectedMushrooms - It's not so bad, it's no more complicated than you average blender (with 4-band eq). ;)
The more I watch this... and its been A LOT... the more I think the different settings are pretty close sounding... may just be the recording. When I play my Sterling HH & move the pickup selector the tone change SEEMS more drastic. Am I off there?
they seem pretty drastic to me
Is there anyway just to buy the electrics?
Damn, what's with all the treble? Sounds like a jazz bass!
Which Genz Benz cabinet and And Amp was in the video?
That was a Genz Benz GBE 1200 and NeoXT-212 cab. That amp was killer! A Pre-class D “lead sled” that delivered big time! It had one of the best pure overdrive tones ever.
how much is the price for this bass??
@BassGuitarMag who said that blenders were simple :S
what's the difference between this and the Music Man Reflex 5 HH bass?
thanks
The finish, perhaps different woods. Same shape, same electronics.
Bass Whisperer TV thanks ed for reply.greetings from london
@BassGuitarMag epic :D:D
Why doesn't a left handed version of this monster exist. I'd do anything to get my hands on one..
@BassGuitarMag I understand.
How's the B-string on this bass?
how much cost this bass?
I was thinking of building a J clone with MM-style pickups, now I'm not so sure. . . .
@PiorovPL
agreed
Sometimes there is such a thing as too many choices...........although you do look good playing it Ed.
@DeadGoldBass - Good for you. Say NO to slap!. Bass is meant to sounds good, not shitty.
i sale all my 5 basses to buy that one! eheh LOVE THAT
@DeadGoldBass no one asked for your opinion on if you like it, other people do, good bass players learn to master all techniques
it looks halfway between a les paul and a telecaster :P
@mcg413 - No, but in my business, it would essentially be killing myself.
what an incredible bass!!!!!
I don't like the looks that much, but damn, I asdasd can't believe it's awesomeness XD
anyway, It's too much for me and I wouldn't use half of it's potential
Sometime to much choice is to much to deal with... great bass but I would find my sound and stick with it.
A new slap and pick riff! How dare you?
But that doesn't mean I'd be able to remember which ones I liked and what the settings were...I don't know, just sounded like an awful lot for me to remember the first time I watched this video.
1:07, Seinfeld!!!
To many settings for me rather have somthing like a ibenez 705
Treble = good
@DeadGoldBass Lol before you insult people learn to spell. Anyways, great review.
Man this Bass is too damn complicated to many damn setting for me I just want to rip the stage BassguitarMag you are too good for know all of those Terms I feel like you are talking another language.
He is a really good player ,. . . but he's really gotta demonstrate the product too, . . so it might seem to take away from all he's got ! :)
These demos are not intended to be a vehicle for me as a player...it's about the bass. Of course, I try to play it well, but what I do by myself sitting in front of a camera is not representative of what I do as a working bassist. I'm not really a "play by myself" kind of player, I like to play with good musicians, and make the energy happen. Not something I can duplicate demoing a bass....
+Bass Whisperer TV Good demo, as usual, Ed. Thanks for letting us get some useful info about the bass. For those, that need entertainment, pay for it.
I mean ibanez
@DeadGoldBass And who has been
lying to you other than your
EARS!!!!!!?
I'm through with you!!!!!!
@DeadGoldBass No to slap and bass is ment to sound good are 2 way diffrent things. XD
awesome sound, but too much stuff to work with for me
he must be very tired..haha