As far as build quality, it's as good as any EB bass. In terms of tone and design, it's a unique instrument - a completely new sound and look for the MM line. I think it's a great bass, and a big step in a new direction.
It sounds great, but I also love the HH models. A back to back comparison would be interesting. Not that I could afford or even want to spend a few G on a mass produced bass. Maybe one of the cheaper Sterling models but not the insanely priced MIA's. They also sound great (if they are the HH models.)
Thank you, Mr Friedland for another great review! You are so good at this. I never thought I would hear a bass that rivaled the L2000 in terms of the amount of usable tones, but the Big Al certainly does that!
@dalstar925 - Thanks. I expect more videos to come, so stay tuned. Glad the reviews are helpful, but I always recommend playing any bass first - if possible. The feel is something only you can decide, and only you can tell when you play one.
These vids are the reason i bought and now really dig the sound of the GB neo 212 cabs - My 2nd one will be on the way tomorrow. Maybe you can get some money out of that, lol.
I'm interested in this bass just for the middle pickup, it seems to be in the perfect place. The inner coils on my two H+H basses are around that same position and splitting the coils yields my favorite sounds on both basses.
@Alvabass - You're welcome. I used to have a thing for 24 frets, but so many of my favorite instruments have 20, 21 or 22, I just learned to deal with that.
What do you mean? I spent HOURS composing the perfect riffs just for this bass! They have NEVER been played before, in fact... I'm going to copyright them so any time someone else plays them I get paid! ;)
Ed..you're the man! I wish you had more reviews...I'd watch them all. I'm thinking about buying this bass based on your review (and my own if i can find one) Though i did buy the Human Base Roxy B5 based on your review w/o even trying first and love it.
You got a bongo, or big al? Just wondering wether to buy big al without playing one first. I made that mistake with the bongo, and the second pickup gets in the way of my slapping. Anyone out there with this issue? Any thoughts?
I got a Bongo, I never played one before I ordered it, because it's kinda hard to find one in The Netherlands. I have tried a Stingray&Sterling before though, they where the best basses I ever played, so I almost knew the Bongo wouldn't be disapointing. As for slapping, there are more people who have trouble with that on the dual-humbucker and hum/single coil basses.
Hey Ed! I really like the sound of a stingray, and I was planning on buying a HH stingray. But after seeing this vid I am considering this bass because of its amazing bunch of different sounds! I would like to ask you wether it is possible to get a stingray sound out of this Big Al. (Since you're the one who played it!) Thanks!
@slappywhitevideo - I love passive mode on this bass, and on my 25th Anniversary. I almost never turn on the preamp, though it's great to have in some rooms.
True. But what I'm saying is that a single pickup in passive sounds louder than combined pickups in passive. For example: when he switches from the bridge in passive mode to the bridge and middle pickups, in passive and in parallel, there's a volume drop.
I'm assuming that you can run coils 1 & 2 in parallel as well (and not just in series). Coils 1 & 2 is my favorite combination...It has more of that MM sweetspot sound. If you where in cover gig where you need to cover a lot ground (IE different bass tones) then this would be one hell of a bass to have.
Great review as always, Mr. Friedland. Basses like this (with lots of options in the electronics department) are exactly what I like. It's a shame that it doesn't have a 24-fret fingerboard. I know it is not possible because of the pickup location, but anyway that's a deal breaker to me (and that's one of the many reasons why I love the EBMM Bongo so much). The Big Al is a terrific instrument anyway. Thanks for the review!
for the headstock shape, no but I do semi-agree with you, it does look pretty funny on some basses but for this headstock it makes sense because of the shape.
@BassGuitarMag i agree...normally i would play one first, but charlotte isn't exactly a music hotbed...theres really no good music stores around. i lucked out on the human base! is the neck the same on the big al as on the stingray, sterling, or one of its own?
I want to get one but I feel like the neck pick up is super close to the neck which would make it hard to slap cause there is less room for my index finger. Is this true ? I have a t40 that I cannot slap on because of this . Any help would be nice
Nick Phlegar It's not impossible but it's a pain for your Victor Wotten-esque fiddly tuff. Everything else is good to go. Source; Musicman Bongo user here!
I'm not a big slapper myself, but I don't have any problems with that, but my fingers are quite thin anyway. I think it's a matter personal preference. You could also try finding a Single-humbucker Bongo, it has a distinctive sound due the unique pickup-position, and a 3-band EQ (instead of 4-band).
Right, It's all a of personal taste. A solid body adds little to the coloration of the sound so if the pure sound of the string is your taste then an amp like the Genz Benz is a good choice. The truth is though most musicians want some sort of coloration in their sound. Players of acoustic instruments strive for just an instrument that adds just the right coloration to their sound. Personally I like Ampeg because it gives a rich coloration that I find pleasing. Ampeg even brags about it.
I noticed the sound output was noticeably lower on the active setting. That doesnt make a lot of sense considering you're activating an additional preamp. Shouldnt the sound be louder, not quieter? I ask because I bought an active bass recently and thats the maiin gripe I have with it. Its too quiet and thin doesnt have that deep body/fullness, fingerstyle. Its great on slap bass though, probably because I'm plucking the strings much harder. But why active no good w/ fingers?
Yeah, but I would think that you'd have uniform volume across the positions, all being passive and in parallel. It sounds like when you combine pickups, in parallel and passive, there's a drop in volume.
this is a way different bass then im used to hearing, the slap tones are really different then anything else i have heard, its no p bass killer as i think they sound to different but this is deff a a new kind of bass
I think it looks awesome, just like the Bongo (I got one myself). At least it's something fresh and unique instead of another basic Fender(-clone) (no offence)
Yeah, single coil bongo would be perfect! Anybody out there who has one and would consider swapping give me a shout, mine is Egyptian Smoke in excellent condition.
Good review as always Ed. killer slap tone, just ok pick tone, boring finger tone. I don't slap, so I'll pas on this one. BTW, what's with all the string buzz? Was the setup so poor from the factory?
Funny, I feel exactly the opposite about Genz. I like it because it DOESN'T color the sound and that it gives me the MOST natural tone I've found. Oh well, it's a free country.
Unbelievable range of useful sounds. This thing looks and sounds unique. Demonstration was excellent in every aspect. Great job Ed.
great bass. all 3 coils active in series mode will peel the wallpaper
It has the sounds, or close to, a Jazz, a Precision, a Stingray, AND A Rickenbacker. It's all the basses I could ever want in one bass!
@Casperrrh - Personally, I don't think the Big Al sounds anything like a Stingray. It's great in it's own unique way.
How could anyone give this Vid a thumbs down?
I don't care who you are , or what you play..this is another gread video.
Period.
musicman has really impressed me with these new basses! great variety and quality of sounds, not to mention those killer looks!
i remember buying your'e slap bass dvd years ago. still like it.
I really enjoy your reviews Ed. Your approach really lets me know what I can expect from each bass. This review did it for me. Time to order me an AL!
The Perfect Bass, Big Al
@BassGuitarMag I've played a Stingray and I love it, but i've never been able to find one of these at any store
"Big Al RAWKS" - Fantastic.
best review ever! we got the full package!
As far as build quality, it's as good as any EB bass. In terms of tone and design, it's a unique instrument - a completely new sound and look for the MM line. I think it's a great bass, and a big step in a new direction.
It sounds great, but I also love the HH models. A back to back comparison would be interesting. Not that I could afford or even want to spend a few G on a mass produced bass. Maybe one of the cheaper Sterling models but not the insanely priced MIA's. They also sound great (if they are the HH models.)
Thank you, Mr Friedland for another great review! You are so good at this.
I never thought I would hear a bass that rivaled the L2000 in terms of the amount of usable tones, but the Big Al certainly does that!
Love your reviews man. First bit on the EMG JVX set and chompin at the bit for one of these... thank you
Yeah, and Paul Reed Smith made a three pickup bass, and the Fender Urge.... it's been done, but not often.
the versatility of the stratocaster, in bass form. pretty cool.
Ed, i seen lots of your videos and wanted to tell you that i think your an incredible bassist
@dalstar925 - Thanks. I expect more videos to come, so stay tuned. Glad the reviews are helpful, but I always recommend playing any bass first - if possible. The feel is something only you can decide, and only you can tell when you play one.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder they say. I think it looks cool. No problem popping.
You do the best reviews.
damn this bass sounds versatile like hell
When Music Man issues my signature bass, I might revive this shape. Why haven't they called? : )
These vids are the reason i bought and now really dig the sound of the GB neo 212 cabs - My 2nd one will be on the way tomorrow. Maybe you can get some money out of that, lol.
I'm interested in this bass just for the middle pickup, it seems to be in the perfect place. The inner coils on my two H+H basses are around that same position and splitting the coils yields my favorite sounds on both basses.
@Alvabass - You're welcome. I used to have a thing for 24 frets, but so many of my favorite instruments have 20, 21 or 22, I just learned to deal with that.
that is one great sounding bass!
That's because series mode is only an option on coils 1&2, the rest of the configurations are in parallel mode.
That middle pickup is killer
What do you mean? I spent HOURS composing the perfect riffs just for this bass! They have NEVER been played before, in fact... I'm going to copyright them so any time someone else plays them I get paid! ;)
@dalstar925 - the Al 4 has the Sterling neck. the 5 is like the Sterling/Ray 5.
Hi Ed, great reviews.
Ed..you're the man! I wish you had more reviews...I'd watch them all. I'm thinking about buying this bass based on your review (and my own if i can find one) Though i did buy the Human Base Roxy B5 based on your review w/o even trying first and love it.
@plangentmusic Ignoring that there is a 4 band EQ on top of those PUP configuration sounds. Seems like a fairly important thing to miss off.
the most impressive review ever.
You got a bongo, or big al? Just wondering wether to buy big al without playing one first. I made that mistake with the bongo, and the second pickup gets in the way of my slapping. Anyone out there with this issue? Any thoughts?
I got a Bongo, I never played one before I ordered it, because it's kinda hard to find one in The Netherlands. I have tried a Stingray&Sterling before though, they where the best basses I ever played, so I almost knew the Bongo wouldn't be disapointing.
As for slapping, there are more people who have trouble with that on the dual-humbucker and hum/single coil basses.
Hey Ed!
I really like the sound of a stingray, and I was planning on buying a HH stingray. But after seeing this vid I am considering this bass because of its amazing bunch of different sounds!
I would like to ask you wether it is possible to get a stingray sound out of this Big Al. (Since you're the one who played it!)
Thanks!
@slappywhitevideo - I love passive mode on this bass, and on my 25th Anniversary. I almost never turn on the preamp, though it's great to have in some rooms.
True. But what I'm saying is that a single pickup in passive sounds louder than combined pickups in passive. For example: when he switches from the bridge in passive mode to the bridge and middle pickups, in passive and in parallel, there's a volume drop.
hey ed when are you going to do a spector bass demo
@mistificacao - Well I already have a 25th and a Stingray... so I guess I need to choose the Big Al to make life complete.
I'm assuming that you can run coils 1 & 2 in parallel as well (and not just in series).
Coils 1 & 2 is my favorite combination...It has more of that MM sweetspot sound.
If you where in cover gig where you need to cover a lot ground (IE different bass tones) then this would be one hell of a bass to have.
good job, very detail!
I don't see one available at the Music Man Web Site.
Do you think you will ever do a review on Wal basses?
Hello Ed,
At 3:51, you say "Coils 1 and 2 in series mode". How do you switch from series to parallel mode on the Big Al?
Thanks.
The first part is the 25th Anniversary review, it'll be posted soon.
am I the only one who likes the way this bass looks?
Great review as always, Mr. Friedland. Basses like this (with lots of options in the electronics department) are exactly what I like. It's a shame that it doesn't have a 24-fret fingerboard. I know it is not possible because of the pickup location, but anyway that's a deal breaker to me (and that's one of the many reasons why I love the EBMM Bongo so much). The Big Al is a terrific instrument anyway. Thanks for the review!
Damn, this is so versatile... A good studio bass, tour bass too.
@nintendonut100 - No, I LOVE the way it looks.
incredible palette
Hi Ed! Are you ever going to do a Wal bass demo?
Hey, Ed! if you had to choose between Big Al, Stingray and 25th Anniversary, which one you would choose? tkz, man!
for the headstock shape, no but I do semi-agree with you, it does look pretty funny on some basses but for this headstock it makes sense because of the shape.
How is it with the tone all the way off ?
wow .. a lot of tones
nice bass
hey ed i saw a picture of you on talk bass playing a Gibson ripper you should do a video on it.
@BassGuitarMag i agree...normally i would play one first, but charlotte isn't exactly a music hotbed...theres really no good music stores around. i lucked out on the human base! is the neck the same on the big al as on the stingray, sterling, or one of its own?
I want to get one but I feel like the neck pick up is super close to the neck which would make it hard to slap cause there is less room for my index finger. Is this true ? I have a t40 that I cannot slap on because of this . Any help would be nice
Nick Phlegar
It's not impossible but it's a pain for your Victor Wotten-esque fiddly tuff. Everything else is good to go.
Source; Musicman Bongo user here!
I'm not a big slapper myself, but I don't have any problems with that, but my fingers are quite thin anyway. I think it's a matter personal preference.
You could also try finding a Single-humbucker Bongo, it has a distinctive sound due the unique pickup-position, and a 3-band EQ (instead of 4-band).
Nice tone would love to hear this bass with 5 string version on maple neck .
They do make that now. Big Al 5.
any video with that features ?
it happens with my jazz bass, both pickups don't sound as loud as the neck pickup by itself
Fat... SUPER fat! LOL! Love it, very sweet bass. This is the first time I've got to hear it, very impressive.
Is it just me, or does it seem to get quieter when combining pickups in passive mode?
@ 3:52
why "coil 1 and 2 IN SERIES mode"
he doesnt say this for 2 and 3 or 1 and 3.
The Bass For All Seasons
Enjoy! I love my Neo212!
Big Al RAWLKS!
Right, It's all a of personal taste. A solid body adds little to the coloration of the sound so if the pure sound of the string is your taste then an amp like the Genz Benz is a good choice. The truth is though most musicians want some sort of coloration in their sound. Players of acoustic instruments strive for just an instrument that adds just the right coloration to their sound. Personally I like Ampeg because it gives a rich coloration that I find pleasing. Ampeg even brags about it.
how much is it
How many times must you have played these 3 riffs in your life?
I noticed the sound output was noticeably lower on the active setting. That doesnt make a lot of sense considering you're activating an additional preamp. Shouldnt the sound be louder, not quieter?
I ask because I bought an active bass recently and thats the maiin gripe I have with it. Its too quiet and thin doesnt have that deep body/fullness, fingerstyle. Its great on slap bass though, probably because I'm plucking the strings much harder. But why active no good w/ fingers?
aww
thanks.
FKN AWESOME BASS
YES! the review is here! time to GAS like crazy again
Is it me or have you reviewed every ernie ball bass?
seems like you could get every electric bass sound out of this baby!
and its an ernie ball music man bass, so it doesnt surprise me!
cool bass
this thing is phatty... how much do they run for??? :D
so since youre the bass whisperer....what do the basses tell you? when they talk? :F
Yeah, but I would think that you'd have uniform volume across the positions, all being passive and in parallel. It sounds like when you combine pickups, in parallel and passive, there's a drop in volume.
Wal MK2 bass review please! :D
I'm glad someone finally understands what I'm saying. I think it has to do with them being in paralell.
If they made a fretless version I would be very interested.
WOW
this is a way different bass then im used to hearing, the slap tones are really different then anything else i have heard, its no p bass killer as i think they sound to different but this is deff a a new kind of bass
I think it looks awesome, just like the Bongo (I got one myself). At least it's something fresh and unique instead of another basic Fender(-clone) (no offence)
Yeah, single coil bongo would be perfect! Anybody out there who has one and would consider swapping give me a shout, mine is Egyptian Smoke in excellent condition.
Am I the only one who wishes Ernie Ball 5-string headstocks had a 3 + 2 tuner arrangement a la Warwick instead of the 4 + 1?
Good review as always Ed.
killer slap tone, just ok pick tone, boring finger tone. I don't slap, so I'll pas on this one.
BTW, what's with all the string buzz? Was the setup so poor from the factory?
oooh 3 n 1
@Dugger1997 - Well... I can't make that choice for you. Go play both basses and decide for yourself.
Man, demo-ing this thing must have been a pain - all those settings, knobs, pickups, active/passive, etc. LOL
ever.
If a Strat and a Stingray had a one-night stand...
oh my, so many electronic options. I would get so confused. hahaha
Funny, I feel exactly the opposite about Genz. I like it because it DOESN'T color the sound and that it gives me the MOST natural tone I've found. Oh well, it's a free country.
@bullsharkreef 1. there's no buzz...2. buzz is cool for a more agressive tone