Question: 25th Bass Neck and Pick-Ups?

[projectapollo]

Greetings.... I, too, may be getting the 25th bug and have been reading what I can find, here and elsewhere. I am not the most sophisticated bass owner and could use some advice. First, are there any strong opinions out there on the neck wood for this model? There is maple with maple fretboard and maple with rosewood, and perhaps a full rosewood version -- if I am reading these threads correctly. My present MM basses both have the rosewood fretboard and I think it looks nice, I oil it periodically, but that is about the level of my intelligence on the matter. Secondly, the issues of pick-ups. For the basic stuff I play, the difference between HH and HSS probably does not matter. But since Tony Levin's "big red" 25th has the HSS, of course, I want what he has. Again, not a very sophisticated decision process. So, all input and considerations valued. Thanks!! One last item, I've only ever played a 4-string. But I feel I'm ready for the 5-string plunge and the 25th would be it. When I play songs in C and D, I can easily see the value of the extra string. Make sense?

[laneline]

Welcome aboard, the 25th in any configuration is an incredible instrument.
I do think you should try out a five string before buying, MM 5 strings are very easy to acclimate to and have a killer B string, as a diehard 5 banger I of course say in makes great sense to have the B string. The maple board will be a little brighter, and rosewood a bit warmer, and the all rosewood which only 25 were built will be a little warmer still, the 4 band pre amp has such a wide spectrum you can get any variation to get pretty much anything you need.
No sense railing on about the pkup's, since you have decided already, but the HH will probably be the most well rounded, the HSS doesn't get a signature MM tone in the bridge because of placement. I personally like that but I also have an HH coming hopefully next month, so I'm covered. The 25th is a new addition to the fold and is amazing in what it offers. The passive tones are huge, the HH will double every position as it can be played in parallel or series while active or passive, a ton of stuff but the real beauty of the 25th for me, is that while having all this stuff available on a bass might seem complicated or too busy, it's not at all. The controls are completely intuitive and really simple to use, absolutely nothing complicated about it. If you haven't listened to Ed Friedland's demo's those are a must.
YouTube - BassGuitarMag's Channel

Hope I was of some help. Rick