Musicman20

I think the picture has disappeared! Probably pulled as its not meant to be shown yet...perhaps?!

The Big Al SSS Bass – My review! So, this has been a long time coming! Not because I haven’t had time, but because Ive only just got my hands on one. To cut a long story short, I had a Big Al 5 SSS on order, but unfortunately I had to cancel it. This was back in May 2010. Fast forward to this month, and now my work/job position is great, and I have also obtained a position/training contract in a law firm which I have been searching for a long time for! Great times! So, to celebrate this, and my 30th birthday that is looming, I got the Big Al 5 SSS back on order, and I also traded in some instruments for other new EBMMs, (see signature, Im a lucky guy). The great chaps at S&T UK thought they had the exact spec arriving last week! Eg no wait! It turns out to be a single H, so unfortunately I still have the 3-4 month wait (not a problem, Im patient with these basses!) So, to make up for this, I was loaned a Big Al 4 SSS to make sure its what Im looking for, (I was stuck between this and a Bongo). I knew Id like it, I just wanted to test one! So, the bass arrives on Saturday. I had 2 days to enjoy it at home to see what its like. [u]Style[/u] Now don’t get me wrong, I fell in love with the look when I saw the proto threads. But, the bass is MUCH nicer than you can imagine once it is in your hands. Those straight edges are curved fantastically at the end, so it looks modern, but still a classic. The paintwork was fantastic, and the sculpt at the back of the neck with the 5 bolt neck plate looked so well crafted it was unreal. The comfort factor is excellent. Those lines do make the bass one very comfortable bass! This bass has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Personally, I think the best colours are White and Vintage Sunburst….but that’s me. [u]Neck[/u] Super fast, super smooth, yet not too cramped like I find Jazz bass necks can be. I have small hands, but I like room to play. This Sterling neck profile is excellent. It felt like an old trusty pair of slippers in moments. [u]Quality[/u] As mentioned, the paintwork was fabulous, as was the neck sculpt and neck to body join. It FEELS like an EBMM quality instrument. It looks like its worth more than you pay! Excellent QC all over the bass. My only gripe was that the neck pup probably needed adjusting a little higher, but hey, that’s minor and just takes a moment! Its an easy few seconds job. Action was amazing, and there was virtually no buzz. I like it low like this! [u]Sound[/u] This is the big one. What exactly does a bass with all these options sound like? I would start by saying its like nothing EBMM have released before, yet has that DNA in the tone. Imagine a more vintage sounding EBMM bass, but still with that punch and output that you expect. Do the single coils sound ‘big’? Yes. This is what I wanted to test! ALL three work well solo’d. The neck has that old school motown warmth and thump, but with clarity. NO mud, whatsoever. The middle is a very, ahem, P Bass like, but with a massive output, (and more in active mode!). This is a very good thing! I like the Tele style P bass, but Id much prefer it in this package. It WILL also give you that P bass grind if you want it, but with EBMM sounds. I used the TC RH450 tube tone, and WOW, does it sound nice. The bridge, my favourite! Imagine a Jaco-ish tone, but with big lows and a meatier midrange. Want sizzle? Add EQ! Want old school, goto passive and mess with the tone control. Combine these, and you have a monster. The best combination for me was neck and bridge. You can rock out with this setting! Next, the killer setting. Bridge and middle in series. POWWWW! This sounds HUGE. Its close to a Ray, but not close as to warrant it ‘just a Ray sound’. It’s a more modern midrangey tone, and so punchy! This WILL cut through a mix. Ok, onto the other controls. Passive – They have nailed the passive vibe 100%. If you like Fender but want something fresh and exciting, you will love this. The tone control works flawlessly. Modern and bright or fat and warm. Active -Switch into active, and there isn’t a huge volume ‘jump’, which is great. You do however, notice it, which is the main thing. With it being a Bongo-esque active EQ, it was new to me. A little goes a long way. I found cutting the treble a smidge, boosting the mids (both) by a tiny bit, and leaving the bass flat was perfect for me. Those controls are VERY powerful and give you so much to play with. There is nothing like an onboard EBMM EQ….it just works perfectly and I cannot ever understand why people would swap them out! So, that’s the sound. It goes from motown to rock grind to jazz solo to EBMM signature tone all in one…..and then some! The pickups look like they mean business, and they are very comfy to rest your thumb on, which is great. I can imagine these basses sound brilliant with flats. I will make sure I do this at some point when mine arrive. [u]Conclusion[/u] This bass design is great, stands out a little, but also has ‘classic’ written all over it. Make sure when you try it, that the amp is set up flat, you are in the right input for the bass, and you have a good 30 mins to play around at least! Cheers!

The Lakland ones are helpful, but there is no indication (I dont think) as to what pickups are used (eg Fralin, Hanson, etc). Personally, its nice to have the samples, but not something that would make me 'buy' a bass. Too many variables to consider.

[quote name='Conan' post='982792' date='Oct 9 2010, 06:29 PM']None the wiser I'm afraid. Anything like Genesis? Any plans to play any pub gigs up here? You do, and I'm there mate! Good luck with the O2 gig - that's almost walking distance for you isn't it? [/quote] I think we will definitely be playing most pubs around Newcastle and surrounding areas. The 02 literally is 5 mins walk away, so I might just walk my bass up the street with a light amp. Very much doubt our cabs will be there. Cheers!

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='986093' date='Oct 12 2010, 07:24 PM']Hey Gaz,,,,did nobody tell you theres a recession on!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote] I know. Well, Ive cut back on most luxuries and I currently dont need a car where I live and work, so Im making the most of it. Plus I had to say goodbye to two Fenders to get the three on order! I am also approaching 30...and decided I needed to treat myself haha!

That is seriously cheap.

When Ive returned Fender's (one turned up with rusty pole pieces and a bit of damage near the neck) I just asked for a complete replacement. That was at £850 ish. At £1400 plus, Id be expecting them to do even more for me, eg send a new one AND make sure they pay for all the courier costs and send you some freebies. Luckily all basses since a year ago have been bought through one store, and they treat me excellently. It is all down to you mate, but please dont accept it if its niggling you enough to make a thread on it. Im just trying to help a fellow bassist out; id hate you to lose money later down the line. BTW - I reckon if you barter you can easily get one for £1400 or less....offer the cash and they will accept! Bass specialists especially.

Neck pocket isnt really bad, but it isnt as good as it should be. As I mentioned in my PM, three of the recent ones Ive had (2 have been traded) had SUPER tight neck pockets...like perfection! I am super picky, but we all spend hard earned cash and deserve a well crafted instrument. If this was a Squire, I wouldnt be suprised....but Im guessing this was around £1300-1400?

Well ive finally sorted my order. Big Al 4 Single H, and Big Al 5 SSS along with a Sterling 5 HS. Got rid of lots to get to this point, and now need to save like mad....but im very excited!

Where did you get it from? It doesnt matter if they think its acceptable, its whether you do If there is space for a credit card between the neck and body, Id just say its not acceptable.

[quote name='KiOgon' post='985801' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:57 PM']Exactly! Minor details - but shouldn't be, especially at the price - it's certainly a lovely player & that matters most to me. I'm leaning towards keeping it, I've only seen one other advertised in this country & heard next deliveries won't be until January [/quote] By all means if you are happy stay with it, but ive found imperfections get on my nerves if the bass was like that from new. Thats me, and im fussy! Id always worry it would spoil its value. I doubt it would be that long, and it would be worth the wait. Ive got a 4-5 month wait on my new EBMM basses!

I think the EBMM maple boards are nice due to the one piece of maple for the neck/board, not separate.

Neck pocket is your main concern. Dont for one second accept if you arent happy....as its Fender who lose out, not the shop, if you send it back. Dave Bass on here had 3 basses over 2-3 weeks recently I think....all with different issues.

I agree with chris_b, it is unfortunately part of Fenders normal production to make a few errors, but you can, by trial and error, get a very good Fender. The one I currently own is the best Ive ever owned..and Ive had a fair few. I will say this, most the MIA basses now are much better. Although, its like a lottery as to whether you get one. You are completely in your rights to send it back and request another. The shop will just send it back and get another.

Did you pay full whack brand new? If you arent happy, ask for another. They are NOT cheap instrument, not at all. The neck pocket would by my main concern, but that guard isnt right either. Ive owned a Fender a fair while back where the decal was not that great at all, but I think yours might be ok. I agree on the truss part....annoying.

Its more a 'feel' and aesthetics difference with me. I had a 3EQ Natural/Maple Ray which looked stunning! I also had a 3EQ Black/Rosewood Ray which didnt, IMO, look as exciting as the grain on the Natural was stunning. But, everytime I picked up the Black/Rosewood.

Ive had rosewood board basses for years. I got a little tired of them a few years back, and thought maple would be better for 'me'. Obviously, everyone is different, and it seems the majority on here prefer maple. Something about the aesthetics of a dark board, and that smooth soft finish just works for me. Plus, if you want it to sound more agressive, use your EQ or stainless strings! I am not saying I wont flirt with maple in the future, and ive got a Telecaster guitar with maple that feels and sounds great, but im pretty certain after years of messing about, im a rosewood guy.

[quote name='JTUK' post='985435' date='Oct 12 2010, 10:11 AM']That is looking like a nicely made cab. Can't wait to see the end result.[/quote] +1 Looks professional!

Another 2x12....that will seriously move air and be super light. I wish id never sold my M212 to the local bloomin practice room

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='985433' date='Oct 12 2010, 10:10 AM']Cheers for the PM certainly explains things Im looking at going for one like this [url="http://www.bassprice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Music-Man-Big-Al.jpg"]http://www.bassprice.com/wp-content/upload...-Man-Big-Al.jpg[/url] Black / black / maple Just waitin for distributers to get back to me [/quote] Must admit, that is super cool!

Ill PM you.

[quote name='HMX' post='985073' date='Oct 12 2010, 12:06 AM']Propagandhi are the modern punk/thrash band for me. I love them and NOFX - they have funny little 'digs' at each other in songs. Check out 'Supporting Caste' album - best album of 2009 IMO. Todd Kowalski is a great bassist too.[/quote] +1. Great bass sound on that album.

Molan had one for sale.

Personally, I am all for rosewood boards. EBMM maple boards are my favourite maple boards, but still, I prefer rosewood. This is probably due to playing my ex MIJ P for years and years, and simply finding darker boards more aesthetically pleasing. I am currently negotiating a mammoth EBMM order with the Bass Merchant, who have been very helpful. Currently, instead of getting another Fender Jazz (I never 100% bonded with a Jazz in my life....yet) im going to push myself and get a Big Al 4 H as well. Thats as well as the Sterling 5 HS and Big Al 5 SSS. Personally, I think the best colours for the Big Al are: White/Rosewood/Tort or Black and Vintage Sunburst/Rosewood/Tort or Vintage White Pearloid. The Black does look slick, and the silver is very out there! I currently have one here to demo and the paintjob is stunning. The bass is packed to go back as my demo time has finished, and Im missing it already! The Sterling neck profile that the 4 has is brilliant. Halfway between a P and a J....fast but not too thin.