Strings For MM Bongo

[BobKos]

Hi All:

I pulled a rare leap of faith yesterday. I bought a used MM Bongo pretty much on faith. I took a quick look at it, but the reputation of the instrument pretty much sold me on it. It's a used instrument and the strings are quite whooped. I thought that before I break out a set of my much liked Fender 8250s that I might ask the group here - what strings do you like best on your Bongo? Anybody know what came on it from Music Man ( Ernie Balls?? )? I'm not a slap player of any discernable level but I'm learning. I generally play finger style - mostly rock running from classic thump to Rush / Yes stuff. I am wondering if there is a string that really excels on this bass? I've read so much about the tonal pallette available on this instrument and I'd like to get a taste of that. I want to really get everything out of this bass that it has available to give it an honest evaluation.

Please share your experiences. Thanks in advance.

[jasper383]

Ernie Balls are stock. 45-100 gauge. That would be a good start. Your Fenders will work fine, too. The Fenders will be a little darker; Balls are a little crispier sounding.

You're going to get many, many recommendations here, everything from steel rounds to flats. They all will work fine. Just a matter of personal taste.

[SirCanealot]

The amount of high-end you can get out of the Bongo pickups (especially if you have the peizo option) is just insane. Any sort of rounds are going to sparkle and sparkle, and flats just sound really mellow and warm. I have d'addario nicklwounds on mine right now and the sound is great!

[Racermech]

According to Ernie Ball's website, Bongo's come stock with Super Slinky Roundwounds. I really liked these strings and they gave the bas a great tone, but I couldn't get away with how floppy the E string felt when dropped to D.

A few weeks ago I slapped regular slinky's on and it gave the Bongo even more growl and punch. I am a harder player, so I like some strength to my strings. But, I do find that the higher strings are a bit to stiff even for my heavy hand. Most likely I will go with some hybrid slinky's on my next change.

So, my recommendation...for growly and roundwound bliss, go with some hybrid slinkys.

[BobKos]

Thanks for the replies. I tried a set of steel GHS Infinity rounds that I had on hand. They are too bright, as I suspect all steel strings will be. I think I'll use the nickel Fenders and run with it. Thanks again.