Although I fear they might not be everyone's cup o' tea..
(http://media.music-man.com/images/com_fpss/big_al_1.jpg)
(http://media.music-man.com/images/com_fpss/25thbass01.jpg)
(http://media.music-man.com/images/com_fpss/25thbass5_01.jpg)
Not crazy about the looks of 'Big Al', but the other looks nice IMO.
I've always liked the Albert Lee guitar so I do like the Big Al.
I like the Axis/EVH shape. The figured maple top would keep me from ever buying one.
Quote from: Dave W on February 17, 2009, 05:35:49 PMI like the Axis/EVH shape. The figured maple top would keep me from ever buying one.
Nothing that one of THESE wouldn't be able to fix though.
(http://www.chromosart.co.uk/catalog/images/Montana%20spray%20cans.jpg)
I thought that the Big Al shape looked familiar.
I presume it's the bass Albert Lee would play if he were a bassist.
He's a terrific guitarist.
See if you can identify the bassist in this clip. 8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PscAZyOMGiA
Says video is no longer available.
Working for me now. Don't recognize the bassist tho. ???
I don't care for the name (Big Al that is) but I like the bass, which for me is a first............
At least they don't look like a 7ender clones and for that I applaud their design effort.
The bassist is Sterling Ball.
Albert Lee sings like Dylan. Minus the bum notes. :mrgreen:
Those new bass designs aren't bad. I thought the Bongo was a commendable effort and the Albert Lee bass is even brave. The other shape might be anything, but still they are trying something different.
Big Al looks like a overpriced Peavey. I like the 25th annv. model though
Quote from: godofthunder on February 20, 2009, 05:46:35 AM
Big Al looks like a overpriced Peavey. I like the 25th annv. model though
Peavey? ??? ??? ???
It's a bass version of the MusicMan Albert Lee guitar. If Peavey has any shape like that, it would be copied from MusicMan, not the other way around. Wouldn't be the first time that happened (EVH).
Quote from: TBird1958 on February 18, 2009, 06:52:01 PM
I don't care for the name (Big Al that is) but I like the bass, which for me is a first............
At least they don't look like a 7ender clones and for that I applaud their design effort.
My feelings exactly. In spite of the fact that I'm usually turned off by the looks of MusicMan, that Big Al is cool looking. The name does suck, although I understand why they felt they had to call it that.
Quote from: Dave W on February 20, 2009, 06:04:28 AM
Peavey? ??? ??? ???
It's a bass version of the MusicMan Albert Lee guitar. If Peavey has any shape like that, it would be copied from MusicMan, not the other way around. Wouldn't be the first time that happened (EVH).
It reminds me of this ! 1983 Peavey Razor (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/1983peaveyrazer-cus.jpg)
I'm pretty sure that monstrosity had nothing to do with the inspiration for the Albert Lee guitar.
Never said it did but the cutaways look veeeeeeeeeeeeery similar. :rolleyes:
I like that retro-futuristic styling of the Big Al. It's the first MusicMan bass that appeals to me (the toilet seat pickguard was always a turn-off). It's nice that they kept the signature headstock and were not tempted to redesign it to match the body, like they did with the Bongo.
I'd like the bass, the guitar, and some of Big Al's talent. That's not too much to ask, is it?
Quote from: Dave W on February 20, 2009, 10:34:54 PM
I'd like the bass, the guitar, and some of Big Al's talent. That's not too much to ask, is it?
Mwah, it depends on which context you're talking about. I have several "Tribute to..." albums on which Albert Lee is guesting and his constant noodling is getting tedious at times. The guy played win Eric Clapton's band and I'm pretty sure that Slowhand, the master of unstated solos would have given him a couple of times on not to overplay but Albert Lee, killer guitarist as he is DOES overplay a lot, to the moment that I'm about to turn the music off.
Quote from: Dave W on February 20, 2009, 06:04:28 AMIf Peavey has any shape like that, it would be copied from MusicMan, not the other way around. Wouldn't be the first time that happened (EVH).
(http://www.rocknrollweekend.com/MMBlue%2084757%20-%20%20top.jpg)
This is a Musicman Van Halen
(http://www.rocknrollweekend.com/Amber%20quilt%20962%20-%20top.jpg)
This is a Peavey Wolfgang
(http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/Gear/2027668/p1_uqjg1pgux_so.jpg)
This is a Fender Wolfgang
The Peavey and the Fender look alike, no doubt (although they aren't an exact match) but the musicman is a completely different looking guitar. Much stubbier and rounder than the Peavey and the Fender.
Quote from: Blazer on February 21, 2009, 10:37:59 AM
Mwah, it depends on which context you're talking about. I have several "Tribute to..." albums on which Albert Lee is guesting and his constant noodling is getting tedious at times. The guy played win Eric Clapton's band and I'm pretty sure that Slowhand, the master of unstated solos would have given him a couple of times on not to overplay but Albert Lee, killer guitarist as he is DOES overplay a lot, to the moment that I'm about to turn the music off.
LOL! I agree, he does play a lot of notes. But compared to most of the music you post here, I just have to laugh when you complain that he noodles and overplays. To each his own.
To me, it's all about whether or not I like the songs. Nothing more, nothing less.
Quote from: Blazer on February 21, 2009, 10:50:13 AM
The Peavey and the Fender look alike, no doubt (although they aren't an exact match) but the musicman is a completely different looking guitar. Much stubbier and rounder than the Peavey and the Fender.
Peavey changed the shape to avoid potential trademark issues. There's still no doubt where the Peavey design came from.
Fender must think someone still cares about EVH. Maybe so. Maybe there's a new generation of kids who like pointless shredding.
there is always a new audience for pointless shredding. most of them grow up, though. btw i would love to hear one of clapton's 'unstated' solos, it would have to be better than the ones i can hear. ;D
Quote from: nofi on February 21, 2009, 08:29:41 PM
there is always a new audience for pointless shredding. most of them grow up, though. btw i would love to hear one of clapton's 'unstated' solos, it would have to be better than the ones i can hear. ;D
God, that a typo can do so much... :rolleyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sQfRY08ke8
"Sunshine of your love" must be one of Slowhand's best solos, he plays enough but never too much.
Eddie Van Halen has cited Clapton as a major influence on his playing and never is that more evident in "When it's love" where EVH quotes Clapton's solo of "Sunshine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gfLFmd4J4E
I love this solo, easily one of EVH's best.
Quote from: Blazer on February 21, 2009, 08:54:49 PM
"Sunshine of your love" must be one of Slowhand's best solos, he plays enough but never too much.
True. And that was his high point -- 42 years ago. :P
Quote from: Blazer on February 21, 2009, 08:54:49 PM
Eddie Van Halen has cited Clapton as a major influence on his playing...
That explains a lot. :rolleyes:
Quote from: Dave W on February 21, 2009, 09:53:40 PM
True. And that was his high point -- 42 years ago. :P
Well if you want something more recent. I always thought that the solo on this song also was one of his best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGDIxcuPT7s
Quote from: Dave W on February 21, 2009, 09:53:40 PMThat explains a lot. :rolleyes:
EVH is one of the best examples of taking influences and developing into a completely different musician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ
Here's a couple more pics of the Big Al bass to check out. The second pic is Sterling Ball playing a fancy one with a flame maple top.
I really like the look and have one on order, blue metallic with a rosewood fingerboard. I'm looking forward to hearing the single coils, I had an HS Bongo for awhile and I absolutely loved the neck single coil pickup but it sounded so much better than the bridge pickup that I sold the bass.
That Peavey does look similar around the cutaways. I also think it looks a little bit like G&L's Interceptor bass which is a favorite of mine. I have to give them credit for making a bass that looks different in this era of F*nder copies (not that I don't have some myself).
The Anniversary basses look very nice but I'm not interested. With the minimal forearm contour, the long reach to first position, and the neck diving due to where the upper strap button is located it's just not the right design for me. It's the same problems I have with ASAT basses.
(http://home.att.net/~bwdell/big_al_frnt.jpg)
(http://home.att.net/~bwdell/BigAl.jpg)
(http://home.att.net/~bwdell/interceptor.JPG)
Ooh, I want the black/maple one. And a matching AL guitar. I'm glad the Big Al will be regular production and not just an anniversary issue.
Thanks for the pic of Sterling Ball. :)
Damn, if I had moobs like that I wouldn't want to be advertising them by dressing as the latest member of the Village People! :o
I do like the one in the middle! The Big Al is too much like an over-styled Jag bass for me.
The Big Al is finally here and it sounds great. It's heavier than I wanted at 9.7 lbs but balances well. The neck feels exactly like a Sterling, very comfortable. The controls are pretty interesting and not hard to figure out. Like most other basses with complicated controls, there are 3-4 really great tones and a bunch of ok tones - the odd part is no one ever agrees which is which!
(http://home.att.net/~bwdell/blueBigAl2.JPG)
Congrats, Brad. If I had the money, that would be my next bass.
Thanks Dave. I'm now waiting for them to start popping up used. It'll probably take awhile but I'd like to snag one that's way under 9 lbs if possible. It'll be interesting to see what they go for used.
Quote from: bdgotoh on June 13, 2009, 10:55:46 AM
Thanks Dave. I'm now waiting for them to start popping up used. It'll probably take awhile but I'd like to snag one that's way under 9 lbs if possible. It'll be interesting to see what they go for used.
I guess that Musicman will probably release them under their Sterling brand as well, they should be cheaper.
Quote from: Blazer on June 13, 2009, 06:15:54 PM
I guess that Musicman will probably release them under their Sterling brand as well, they should be cheaper.
That's not likely to happen for years, if ever. Certainly not for a new model.
If the Albert Lee sig guitar is ever released as a Sterling By MM model, then you might see the bass.