Honestly I didn't know they had one either. I actually bought this off of a friend (and coincidentally sold it to another... but still going to full review)
This is the first time I liked video and there were 200+ likes before me. And 7000 subscribers. Wow. I like that bass, too. The shape reminds me of what "futuristic" looked like in the 1960s.
Absolutely love my Big Al 4 string in Aztec Gold. High end quality. Never understood why they didn’t stick around long. Tones from everywhere for everything!
OMG, this is my favorite bass shape. I was thinking to make this model with a local luthier but never found body measurements online. Can't wait for the full video, and I really hope they will make a sterling version. I am hoping for that for years. 😍
I saw the Lobster 🦞 logo and a picture of the Music Man Big Al and my thoughts ground to a halt for a second as I had just bought one. I absolutely love it. I got the model I wanted which is 4H and love the neck on it. Can’t wait for the full review. Go the MM Big Al 🎥🎊
Just read about this bass on my "No Treble" newsfeed! WOW!🤗👂❤!! A plethora of tones indeed!🎶🎶🎶 That seems like an amazing bass!🎸 Looking forward to the full review!👀
@@LowEndLobster This Bass is a bit like a Diva, more like an italien Sportscar . But the Sound and possibilities are too good. Favourit is Middle and Bridge Pickup serial(all Buttons non pushed) with a gentle lowmid cut.
I have a 4 string version that I picked up for a great price and love it. Definitely a great bass and you can get a great P bass tone using the middle pickup by itself.
I remember when these were released. Loved the funky styling (especially the move away from the typical mm pickups) and sound but the price kept it out of reach for me. Can't wait to hear your review.
Love ‘em, Lobster! 🦞 After searching awhile, I finally acquired a Big Al 5 single H w rosewood board in a chopper/diamond baby blue. You’ll never believe who I ended up getting it from..... (Randy Jackson himself). Long story! lol. Then shortly after I located a 4 string SSS in same color scheme as your review piece. Now prized possessions, I’m not really sure why these never truly caught on beyond Music Man enthusiasts.
The Big Al is a cool bass.It had a heavy price plus most people associate Musicman with the sound they always had so I don’t think they sold many.They did make a Big Al with the humbucker and same push button preamp.
How's is it that this has appeared out of my dreams? I was trying to figure out the same thing in my head. I didn't know they made such an animal. Siiick! I'm gonna have to look into this.
They really are unique and special! :) The 5's are super rare and the 4's come up from time to time. I bought this off of a friend and paid a fair price for it.
I got the big al 4 string sunburst love it back in 2014 still in mint condition will never part with it. Saving up for Guitar that matches 😍😍. Albert Lee
I played around with the 4 string version several years ago at Bass Central. Fell in love with it but wasn't in a position to buy at the time. Always wanted to pick one up after that, just have had too many other priorities with my limited disposable income.
Thanks Michael! Yeah the prices on some of the rarer EBMMs is insane. I snagged this off of a friend so I didn't break the bank, but I've seen some of the discontinued models go for like $2-3k
I’m a big fan of the Big Al. Too bad it was discontinued! Now that I think about it, it’s sort of the progenitor of the Caprice. Nice review! I think it looks and sounds great.
Great video, Lobster. It’s funny since getting my short scale stingray the G string on 34” basses sound like it’s being pulled too tight to my ear. I’m hoping EBMM makes a fanned fret stingray one of these days. :-)
I've wanted to get hold of one of these for a while, so it's fun to see one in action! I dig the Music Man take on the single coil sound. spoilers for "can't unsee" ----- When next you do a string change, you might check to see if the neck wiggles back and forth in the pocket... it looks like you might have the same pocket issue as my StingRay 5 creating a neck alignment that's shifted a bit toward the high strings. I was able to pull it back up to the low side and then the screw clamping force has been enough to keep it in place. Or leave it alone if you're happy, of course!
in a nutshell, it does everything the other basses do, but better. I haven't seen an instrument on your channel pull up the treble that thickly without getting clacky or jabby, and you can tell right at 4:00 - I feel like you can dial that thing all the way to full Jaco and not be clicking when you touch the strings and there isn't much string slap clatter on the frets, if any at all. Congrats on finding a 5. The fours are hard enough to score and none of them are anywhere near free lol
why do you only have 7k subs. This is blowing my mind. I've seen channels with 10% of the content and quality gain like 100k subs over the past year for doing pretty much nothing, people are bored, and YT algorithm gave them that one instead of yours...seems like how it is. Maybe I need a YT channel indexing and review service lol
You are correct! I just shot an in depth video on this bass releasing in a few weeks. I say the correct stuff there. I will edit the description here. Thank you for the correction Holger!
If Bootsy Collins and Andy Warhol had designed a bass - this would be it. It looks like it could have come out of the retro design school from the 60's. Love it or hate it looks aside - the tone is great and I'm sure it plays as good as it sounds. Sad that there's no cup holder.
I have one question regarding the comfort of playing this shape: How would you compare body comfort to let's say with P bass or stingray? I mean Do you have to "get used to" or you didn't notice it?
I have both a Music Man Stingray 4H and a Music Man Cutlass. I also have a Music Man Big Al. I would actually say that the Big Al is more comfortable to play than both the Cutlass or the Stingray.
I'm not sure I understand the buttons? They not only switch each pickup on/off they also select series/parallel? How does that button perform these two functions?
Great question! Yes, it's a bit confusing. So with all 3 pickups in the 'off' position, they're actually all on in series. When you push one of the pickup buttons in, you're now engaged with just that pickup. Push two in, you're engaged with just those two (any two). Push all three in, and you're in parallel. How they achieved it? No idea hahaha. I should try and dig up a diagram for the full review!
@@LowEndLobster actually no, all button OFF (up) is only the 2 rear pick up in series...which in my opinion is actually the best passive sound you can get from the big al. Front alone does not cut it from me but recently I've really enjoyed "P-mode" which is the middle pick up alone in passive
Thanks Krodran! So I'm not sure if these are split coils or if they're doing the 'phantom coil' business here. Will try and get more detailed info for the full review!
Ok there Puritan 🤣🤣🤣 there are differences there are similarities I bet you couldn’t tell the difference if I played a track for you Man that tone is sick if only they were “real” singles or would be better Vintage is cool but faux vintage is cool too 🤣🤣🤣
@@kodykindhart8230 I didn't say i had a problem with them not being single coils... I just wanted to say that you can't call them single coils because to be hum-cancelling, they have to involve two coils
*presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman etc.
@@LowEndLobster Honestly? I think it looks GORGEOUS! I must be mad... I LOVE the sounds but I think all the options would send me a bit loopy. I like my old Stingray with 2eqs and I just turn everything on full and play it differently to get alternative tones but HOW DOES MusicMan get every setting to be so .... musicmany? You know, that spangly twang? What is it? It Can't be the pickups because that thing has 3 x single coils but IT STILL SOUNDS MUSICMANLIKE!!!
@@bakkhertz BMW just basically upgraded you from toilet to space toilet tho Everyone hates on the Big Al but I dig the look, especially the sunburst...art deco af looks like a throwback to 50's coffee table style
@@bakkhertz They made an H model, the fours of that were easier to find than the SSS when I was looking. The Big Al SSS is basically wired like a bucker and a half, IIRC. In all fairness, I'd like to make sure they work like I imagine they do, then I'd probably replace all the buckers on everything with quad coils. Speaking of single coils being wired like a bucker and other odd stuff, I guess split coil J form factor pickups have been around for a while, but they were new to me when I saw a guy doing a demo/test and ever since then I've been wrapping my head around the fact that *none* of the pickups except a rank stock OEM P/J probably look nothing like we think inside, and I've been a tech for over quarter century lol
actually, there's a black 4 SSS on ebay rn (crazy, they are kind of uncommon to find ANY) but the black is even uglier than the white. I am not nitpicky but if I didn't get sunburst or another nice color I'd probably just take it down to natural since there is good wood under there and I don't mind blemishes (commonly accepted that most companies use the structurally same but less attractive cuts of wood for painted bodies).
I love the shape, This bass in tangerine orange would look amazing
Thanks Dom! I agree, I've seen some pics of one in that finish and it's so yummy
@@LowEndLobster I love the shape, looks so 90's to me at least
Didn't know this bass was ever sold, fantastic tone! Your recording quality is noticeably better then other channels!
Thank you John!
I have a special place in my heart for pointy things
I know you refuse to buy a bass unless it's name contains "The Impaler" ;P
@@LowEndLobster hey! That is what i call my...
Beardly
Ahhhhhhh Lobster!!!!! You're killing us with all these fantastic reviews. 😮😮😮😊😊😊👍👍👍😻😻😻
Wasn't aware they made a 5er in this model. Must have been sleeping back then......might still be.........😉😴
Honestly I didn't know they had one either. I actually bought this off of a friend (and coincidentally sold it to another... but still going to full review)
There it is, my favorite EBMM in my favorite colour combo. Beautiful bass Lobster!
Thanks Brock!
@@LowEndLobster No problem!
Dude the big AL !!!! Awesome lobster!!!!
Thanks Jeremy!
@@LowEndLobster thank you!!
Fucking rad. Bazillions of usable tones.
Thanks Flipper!
This is the first time I liked video and there were 200+ likes before me. And 7000 subscribers. Wow.
I like that bass, too. The shape reminds me of what "futuristic" looked like in the 1960s.
:) Thanks John!
No way! A Big Al, thats so cool! What a gem!
Thanks Ross!
Damn you!! Making me miss my Al even more
Thanks Geekguitars! Hope another finds its way to you :)
Ugh, that tone! I could see this being a sick metal machine, especially with all three pickups on.
Thanks Jonah! That would be a VERY interesting thing to see
Absolutely love my Big Al 4 string in Aztec Gold. High end quality. Never understood why they didn’t stick around long. Tones from everywhere for everything!
Thanks Alan! Yours sounds BEAUTIFUL! Send some pictures over on IG :)
@@LowEndLobster love too but not on IG for professional reasons
Man that is nice
Thanks Johnson!
OMG, this is my favorite bass shape. I was thinking to make this model with a local luthier but never found body measurements online. Can't wait for the full video, and I really hope they will make a sterling version. I am hoping for that for years. 😍
Thanks Bro!
That Bass sounds amazing.
Thank you!
.......waiting for the full review then! I'm really curious to hear all the combinations.
Thanks B@ssiCS :). Oodles of tones!
Man that sounds nice.
Thanks Jason!
Man I havent seen onf these in a long time! Sounds good 🤘🏽. Thanks for the vid!
Thank you!
I saw the Lobster 🦞 logo and a picture of the Music Man Big Al and my thoughts ground to a halt for a second as I had just bought one. I absolutely love it. I got the model I wanted which is 4H and love the neck on it. Can’t wait for the full review. Go the MM Big Al 🎥🎊
Awesome! Congrats on your new bass!
Ah, this reminds me of G&L post recently of a bass Leo was working on just before he died and it looked just like this
I saw that! Really neat pic and I see the pickup placement similarities (even though Leo had nothing to do with this)
Just read about this bass on my "No Treble" newsfeed!
WOW!🤗👂❤!!
A plethora of tones indeed!🎶🎶🎶
That seems like an amazing bass!🎸
Looking forward to the full review!👀
Thanks Jason!
@@LowEndLobster
🙏🏿🎸🎶!!
In own a Al5 in the same finish an d love it!
Awesome!
@@LowEndLobster This Bass is a bit like a Diva, more like an italien Sportscar . But the Sound and possibilities are too good. Favourit is Middle and Bridge Pickup serial(all Buttons non pushed) with a gentle lowmid cut.
Wow! This bass sounds a lot punchy in each configuration 😍😍
And what a an awesome low B man
I love it 💙
Thanks Ej! Yes the B is supreme on this
this bass is sick
Indeed, very unique
It's got that Music Man attitude.
Thanks Platinum!
I have a 4 string version that I picked up for a great price and love it. Definitely a great bass and you can get a great P bass tone using the middle pickup by itself.
Thanks John!
Strange design good sound
Thanks Ram!
I remember when these were released. Loved the funky styling (especially the move away from the typical mm pickups) and sound but the price kept it out of reach for me. Can't wait to hear your review.
Thanks D W!
I heard that Graham Central Station lick, sir!
:)
Now that's an odd duck. I like the sound of the neck and bridge combo, sounds a lot like how I normally play my L-2000.
Thanks Sparks!
As usual, a beast from EBMM. I just think they should have made the headstock style match the style of body.
That'd be cool to have a more angular version of the standard 5'er headstock
Great video! I always wished MM had offered the Big Al pickups and preamp in a Stingray or Sterling body
Thanks Mike! I agree, seeing this combo in an SR body would be suhweeet
Love ‘em, Lobster! 🦞 After searching awhile, I finally acquired a Big Al 5 single H w rosewood board in a chopper/diamond baby blue. You’ll never believe who I ended up getting it from..... (Randy Jackson himself). Long story! lol. Then shortly after I located a 4 string SSS in same color scheme as your review piece. Now prized possessions, I’m not really sure why these never truly caught on beyond Music Man enthusiasts.
Thanks BP! That's a great story! That blue is a killer color!
A Big Al 5H would be my perfect 5 string. I’ve never seen one and wasn’t even sure if they made them. Hang on to it brother !
I wish they would add that preamp into the stingrays!!! I love the 4 band, I love the high and low mids options
That would be a suhweeet abomination ;P
Great, Al is Albert Lee?
The tone is super taut. Precise.
Thanks James! Yes I believe so
The Big Al is a cool bass.It had a heavy price plus most people associate Musicman with the sound they always had so I don’t think they sold many.They did make a Big Al with the humbucker and same push button preamp.
Thanks njtguy! Indeed this was from the era when you could 'have it your way' pickup wise with a variety of humbucker and single coil configs.
I think that is almost as versatile as a T40. All 3 in parallel sounds great!
Thanks Quincy! Man, I'd love to try out a T40
@@LowEndLobster That was my 1st bass around 80 or 81. I loved it but I sure wish I knew how to use the electronics when I owned it.
Ah,something that I used to own.
:)
Always liked this bass, weird , which adds to its appeal.
Indeed! Weird and unique!
THANKS!
:) You're welcome!
Is that a BMW design? Excellent sounding bass.
Thanks Ralph! I don't believe this is, only the Bongo. That was an interesting design era for BMW
How's is it that this has appeared out of my dreams? I was trying to figure out the same thing in my head. I didn't know they made such an animal. Siiick! I'm gonna have to look into this.
I bought one recently and they are awesome 😎 !
That's cool. I looked on Reverb and there aren't any available. Must be pretty rare. The only thing available is a pick guard and pickups.
They really are unique and special! :) The 5's are super rare and the 4's come up from time to time. I bought this off of a friend and paid a fair price for it.
You're a very lucky man Lobster.
Sounds good, but it kinda looks like a cartoon bass. I like it! Can't wait to see what Bully thinks about it.
Thanks Bizi :)
I got the big al 4 string sunburst love it back in 2014 still in mint condition will never part with it. Saving up for Guitar that matches 😍😍. Albert Lee
Awesome Tabatha!
I played around with the 4 string version several years ago at Bass Central. Fell in love with it but wasn't in a position to buy at the time. Always wanted to pick one up after that, just have had too many other priorities with my limited disposable income.
Thanks Michael! Yeah the prices on some of the rarer EBMMs is insane. I snagged this off of a friend so I didn't break the bank, but I've seen some of the discontinued models go for like $2-3k
Ah the bass that virtually inspired me to build the 6-pup Glarry...
:)
For a second I thought you were sending this lovely bass to your friend Al... Bundy... 😂
;P
I’m a big fan of the Big Al. Too bad it was discontinued! Now that I think about it, it’s sort of the progenitor of the Caprice. Nice review! I think it looks and sounds great.
Thank you Sam!
Jesus!!! I want one!!!
:)
🤩🤩🤩
:)
Great video, Lobster. It’s funny since getting my short scale stingray the G string on 34” basses sound like it’s being pulled too tight to my ear. I’m hoping EBMM makes a fanned fret stingray one of these days. :-)
Thanks Greg! That'd be suhweeet
I've wanted to get hold of one of these for a while, so it's fun to see one in action! I dig the Music Man take on the single coil sound.
spoilers for "can't unsee"
-----
When next you do a string change, you might check to see if the neck wiggles back and forth in the pocket... it looks like you might have the same pocket issue as my StingRay 5 creating a neck alignment that's shifted a bit toward the high strings. I was able to pull it back up to the low side and then the screw clamping force has been enough to keep it in place. Or leave it alone if you're happy, of course!
I already changed the strings and sent 'er off, but she'll be back and I'll check next time!
You did it! The madman did it! :)
What other odd designs has ebmm made?
Reflex!... basically a round this.
in a nutshell, it does everything the other basses do, but better.
I haven't seen an instrument on your channel pull up the treble that thickly without getting clacky or jabby, and you can tell right at 4:00 - I feel like you can dial that thing all the way to full Jaco and not be clicking when you touch the strings and there isn't much string slap clatter on the frets, if any at all.
Congrats on finding a 5. The fours are hard enough to score and none of them are anywhere near free lol
6:00 you did NOT sound like you want to put that guitar in a box :-)
there are reasons I want one...
why do you only have 7k subs. This is blowing my mind. I've seen channels with 10% of the content and quality gain like 100k subs over the past year for doing pretty much nothing, people are bored, and YT algorithm gave them that one instead of yours...seems like how it is.
Maybe I need a YT channel indexing and review service lol
Thanks man! I'm just going with it ahaha. I'm happy to be where I'm at and very happy with where things are going :)
Hi Lobster. I think all knobs out are just bridge and middle coil in series. The neck pu will be disengaged.
You are correct! I just shot an in depth video on this bass releasing in a few weeks. I say the correct stuff there. I will edit the description here. Thank you for the correction Holger!
Have you ever considered reviewing the Supro Huntington III? Seeing this 3-pickup monster reminded me of it
Hey Mitchell! Those indeed look very interesting. I've had my eye on em but have never found the right time to snag one. They're on my radar though!
Very pointy! Should be the Music Man George Jetson. Buttons??? Why is Big Al requesting buttons?
Cheers
The MM George Jetson has a nice ring to it haha
@@LowEndLobster indeed
If Bootsy Collins and Andy Warhol had designed a bass - this would be it. It looks like it could have come out of the retro design school from the 60's. Love it or hate it looks aside - the tone is great and I'm sure it plays as good as it sounds. Sad that there's no cup holder.
LOL Thanks Chris!
Well, My name is Allan and I’m a Big guy!
Also I live in MA maybe... I’m that guy! Hahaha
;P
Your black brown ricnbecker looks real good connect and play please 🙂
Thanks Ram! That's a great bass. I did a video last year but it definitely deserves a follow up.
@LowEndLobster Did I somehow miss the full review? :-o
Heyo! Nope, in depth vid coming very soon however
I have one question regarding the comfort of playing this shape: How would you compare body comfort to let's say with P bass or stingray? I mean Do you have to "get used to" or you didn't notice it?
Great question! It's different and you notice it, though it's not uncomfortable I wouldn't call it the most comfort oriented or ergonomic design.
I have both a Music Man Stingray 4H and a Music Man Cutlass. I also have a Music Man Big Al. I would actually say that the Big Al is more comfortable to play than both the Cutlass or the Stingray.
Thank you both for the useful input bout the body shape.
I'm not sure I understand the buttons? They not only switch each pickup on/off they also select series/parallel? How does that button perform these two functions?
Good point!
Great question! Yes, it's a bit confusing. So with all 3 pickups in the 'off' position, they're actually all on in series. When you push one of the pickup buttons in, you're now engaged with just that pickup. Push two in, you're engaged with just those two (any two). Push all three in, and you're in parallel. How they achieved it? No idea hahaha. I should try and dig up a diagram for the full review!
@@LowEndLobster Ingenious!
@@LowEndLobster actually no, all button OFF (up) is only the 2 rear pick up in series...which in my opinion is actually the best passive sound you can get from the big al. Front alone does not cut it from me but recently I've really enjoyed "P-mode" which is the middle pick up alone in passive
@@bikoko Thanks! Definitely a lot to unravel.
Something smells. Series?Parallel ?Neck? 2 rear? Oreo minus the middle?? Nice .I wasn't ready for the slap.
One could play this thing for an hour and not get through all the tones this thing has ahaha
I love basses with wierd electronics like this one! Noiseless single coils aren't single coils though...
Thanks Krodran! So I'm not sure if these are split coils or if they're doing the 'phantom coil' business here. Will try and get more detailed info for the full review!
Ok there Puritan 🤣🤣🤣 there are differences there are similarities I bet you couldn’t tell the difference if I played a track for you
Man that tone is sick if only they were “real” singles or would be better
Vintage is cool but faux vintage is cool too 🤣🤣🤣
@@kodykindhart8230 I didn't say i had a problem with them not being single coils... I just wanted to say that you can't call them single coils because to be hum-cancelling, they have to involve two coils
Ooooo, tasty. Me like!
Thanks Ryan!
Ah yeah, that Gamers Nexus shirt!
:) Gotta love GN!
Count me intrigued --- now gotta do some Internet research!
:)
this is the coolest fucking bass ever but i would bastardise it into a strat bass
hola, bearman!
I am a Lobster!
I really wish they didn't pull the plug on these. I thought they were great and sounded awesome.
I agree, very unique instruments. EBMM loves pulling the plug on cool stuff and watching the price tags skyrocket lol
Great sounding bass, but none for sale can be found...
Thanks Mike! Yeah these have become quite the rare bird.
*presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman *presses button* sounds like a musicman etc.
LOL true, but it has buttons! You get the joy the music man sound with the tactility and satisfaction of button mashing ;P
@@LowEndLobster Honestly? I think it looks GORGEOUS! I must be mad... I LOVE the sounds but I think all the options would send me a bit loopy. I like my old Stingray with 2eqs and I just turn everything on full and play it differently to get alternative tones but HOW DOES MusicMan get every setting to be so .... musicmany? You know, that spangly twang? What is it? It Can't be the pickups because that thing has 3 x single coils but IT STILL SOUNDS MUSICMANLIKE!!!
EBMM: makes stingray and sterling basses, sleek and gorgeous legendary designs
Also EBMM: makes the bongo and big al, versatile but ugly as sin
@@bakkhertz BMW just basically upgraded you from toilet to space toilet tho
Everyone hates on the Big Al but I dig the look, especially the sunburst...art deco af looks like a throwback to 50's coffee table style
@@bakkhertz They made an H model, the fours of that were easier to find than the SSS when I was looking. The Big Al SSS is basically wired like a bucker and a half, IIRC. In all fairness, I'd like to make sure they work like I imagine they do, then I'd probably replace all the buckers on everything with quad coils. Speaking of single coils being wired like a bucker and other odd stuff, I guess split coil J form factor pickups have been around for a while, but they were new to me when I saw a guy doing a demo/test and ever since then I've been wrapping my head around the fact that *none* of the pickups except a rank stock OEM P/J probably look nothing like we think inside, and I've been a tech for over quarter century lol
actually, there's a black 4 SSS on ebay rn (crazy, they are kind of uncommon to find ANY) but the black is even uglier than the white. I am not nitpicky but if I didn't get sunburst or another nice color I'd probably just take it down to natural since there is good wood under there and I don't mind blemishes (commonly accepted that most companies use the structurally same but less attractive cuts of wood for painted bodies).
Ugh the look of the Bongo. Absolutely not. I don't know enough about them because I can't stand to watch the demos because they're just so bad
I like em both :P
If musicman hired BMW to design the Bongo, I guess they hired LADA to design this one.
LOL. In mother Russia, bass slap you.
I'd say it's more Frank Lloyd Wright but okay
ITS SO SEXY
VERY don't like the look even if it sounds good
Thanks Chris! They're not for everyone, definitely a polarizing aesthetic