Stingray or Bongo? Need advice

Pet Sounds · #1 05-25-2011, 02:22 PM

I have a chance to trade a Stingray H 4 plus $200 for a Bongo HH 4. Both are in excellent condition. I've always found the Stingray to be a little too "zingy" for my tastes, where the Bongo seems to cover a huge spectrum of sound. What do you guys think of this deal?

T. Alan Smith · #2 05-25-2011, 02:38 PM

If the standard 'Ray is too "zingy" for you, the Bongo HH should fit your better. However, it you really dig the feel of your 'Ray, have you tried pressurewound or halfround strings?

Melvin7822 · #3 05-25-2011, 02:50 PM

I guess it depends if you can stand to depart with the StingRay sound itself. If so, then yes the Bongo is extremely versatile and it would reward you very well in this regard and is definitely not a bass I would characterize as "zingy."

On the flip side, if you really like the sound of the StingRay, a string change would be a great suggestion and a lot of people love the sound of flatwounds on a StingRay. EB flatwounds are even bright enough to get a decent slap sound out of. Otherwise, a more expensive option would be to go for a two band EQ StingRay.

Pet Sounds · #4 05-25-2011, 03:15 PM

OK, I probably deserve a little static for using the term "zingy"! Our guitarist used that term to describe the tone, and it seemed appropriate. I already have flats on it. Being a P-bass guy, I suppose I just never felt the SR has the warmth and bottom end I like.
Does anybody find the monetary part of the deal objectionable? (Trading the 'Ray + $200 for the Bongo?)

Stingray89 · #5 05-25-2011, 03:17 PM

I've never liked the Bongo basses but I have always loved the Stingray tone. If the Bongo suits your tone better than I say go for it.

jbednarski · #6 05-25-2011, 03:20 PM

A Bongo will definitely sound "warmer" than a Ray with it's EQ. Keep in mind that it has it's own sound and won't give you a true Stingray sound if you ever want to go back to that again. My question would be why are you listening to what your guitarist says anyway?

Ric5 · #7 05-25-2011, 03:20 PM

The stingray looks better ... the Bongo has more tonal versatility with the 4 band preamp.

Pet Sounds · #8 05-25-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbednarski

A Bongo will definitely sound "warmer" than a Ray with it's EQ. Keep in mind that it has it's own sound and won't give you a true Stingray sound if you ever want to go back to that again. My question would be why are you listening to what your guitarist says anyway?

I'm not listening to him. In fact, he's quitting the band, so screw him.

Actually, the guitarist wasn't being uncomplimentary; he likes the Stingray. It is I who question whether it's for me. However, I just pulled it out again after some months and I like it better than I remembered. So now I have to decide if I want to pay $1,100 for a used Bongo or trade something else for it.

trunkshope6 · #9 05-25-2011, 09:20 PM

if u think the stingray has too much zing and top end, then u should really look at a bongo or sterling for sure, the bongo can still get that zing but they are not voiced that way.

bassbenj · #10 05-25-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet Sounds

I'm not listening to him. In fact, he's quitting the band, so screw him.

Actually, the guitarist wasn't being uncomplimentary; he likes the Stingray. It is I who question whether it's for me. However, I just pulled it out again after some months and I like it better than I remembered. So now I have to decide if I want to pay $1,100 for a used Bongo or trade something else for it.

This is EXACTLY the point. 'Ray is such a unique and special bass I'd never get rid of it. Nothing else is like it. If you trade it, you'll be sorry no matter how great the bongo is (and they ARE great!)

This only leaves the TB solution. No, not flats and tort guard (though that does work here!), namely, you have to find a way to have BOTH of them!

Rule: You can never own too many GREAT basses!

quadrogong · #11 05-25-2011, 10:35 PM

The Bongo is such an intuitively
thought-out bass, the 4 band EQ is useful and the huge, neo pickups are soooo powerful
I regret selling mine, the frets felt big and bumpy to me in a way, but worth it. The TONE. What tone.
The Sterling is no joke, if u prefer the 1.5" j width neck it's a no brainer, get it.

I STILL think there is no more powerful rock bass than a single pu SR, it's so loud and powerful, makes me feel manly playing one!

Great for competing with those guitarists with huge Marshall stacks

**jmattbassplaya** · #12 05-25-2011, 10:56 PM

I could never get my Bongo to sit in the mix just right. It always seemed like there was a hole in the low mids that it could never quite fill. My StingRay has never had that problem.

rodl2005 · #13 05-26-2011, 01:01 AM

Bongo's IMO- take a bit of getting used to, but once U Do, Are AMAZING basses! As stated already- really powerful 4 band EQ- a LITTLE GOES a LONG Way with this!!
Pups are powerful & great. I had NO trouble getting it to 'sit' in band mix. SUCH THICK & HUGE sounding with flats on too!!

husky123 · #14 05-26-2011, 05:06 AM

Yeah I'll jump on the Bongo train...they are monsters for sure. You can really get them to sit wherever you want in the mix with a twist of the mood knob. Phenomenal necks on them. Everything I pick up after my Bongo feels sloppy including my Ray.

**pringlw** · #15 05-26-2011, 05:21 AM

Listening to this, I need to give a Bongo another try. I've only played one and I found that the strings were so close to the body wood in front of the fingerboard that pop/slap felt smothered - at least for me. To be honest though I didn't look all that closely and it may have simply been a setup issue.

rayzak · #16 05-26-2011, 05:43 AM

I LOVE Stingrays. But deals on used ones can always be found. If you want to give the Bongo a whirl, I say go for it! Price seems fair.

Geddyfleaharris · #17 05-26-2011, 07:45 AM

Well I have Stingrays and have just purchased a Bongo from a fellow TBer. I will get it today! Yay!

I really think they are worth about the same, unless your SR is a lot older or beaten up. I am pretty sure the new selling prices are very comparable depending upon model etc. I think a straight up swap is more the way to go if you do the deal.

T. Alan Smith · #18 05-26-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet Sounds

I'm not listening to him. In fact, he's quitting the band, so screw him.

Actually, the guitarist wasn't being uncomplimentary; he likes the Stingray. It is I who question whether it's for me. However, I just pulled it out again after some months and I like it better than I remembered. So now I have to decide if I want to pay $1,100 for a used Bongo or trade something else for it.

Again, why don't you simply try some nickel pressurewound strings or groundwounds on your 'Ray before coming to any conclusions?

Pet Sounds · #19 05-28-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbenj

This is EXACTLY the point. 'Ray is such a unique and special bass I'd never get rid of it. Nothing else is like it. If you trade it, you'll be sorry no matter how great the bongo is (and they ARE great!)

This only leaves the TB solution. No, not flats and tort guard (though that does work here!), namely, you have to find a way to have BOTH of them!

Rule: You can never own too many GREAT basses!

Well, I have become Bongoed! And without getting rid of my Stingray! I ended up trading in something else, so now I have a black Bongo with a swirly blue and gray pickguard. Can't wait to throw on some flats and experiment with it. Thanks to all for the helpful advice.