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Bongo...better than Stingray or just different?

A

Abemas

Dec 15, 2005
48
1
#1
I've noticed in a few different threads that some people are favoring their Bongo over their Stingrays and some are even selling their Stingrays completely. Can some of you that have played/owned both comment on their similarities and differences...particularly the 5 strings?

Thanks!
 
#2
Different. I prefer Sterlings and Stingrays over bongos.

Many people swear by ONLY bongos.

Very different feel/tone. Bongos have a very versatile tone, way more piano-like IME, and can produce more booty when called for.

We know what stingrays sound liek. the SR5s have the same electronics as sterlings, which basically is my favorite tone right now. (i play a sterling). Amazingly warm, punchy, amazing slap tone.
 
#10
I've played both and I've owned both. I Have two Bongos with a third on the way. I just sold a killer Stingray and I would have kept it if I could have afforded it. The SRHH I played was a great bass, but different than my Bongo HH. I totally unnderstand why some people might not like the Bongo compared to an SR and if Bongo's didn't exist I would be very happy with one (or two, or three). The Bongo 4 just feels like home to me.

For me, its the electronics and the neck of the Bongo that do it for me. I really like the shape of both equally. I want to look for a beatup SR one day to do a refin on. All I know, is that if it says EBMM on it I will probably like it.
 
#13
I have a Bongo 5HH right now as my main (well... only) bass. I've played a lot of SR5s at various music stores, but have never owned one (though I've come close).

There are a lot more differences than similarities regarding the two:

-First, the body wood. Bongos are made of basswood. I might be mistaken; but I don't think that musicman has used basswood in other designs.

-Also, the electronics are quite different. I'm no tech head, so I couldn't tell you any exact figures or anything.

-The bongos IIRC don't have a maple fretboard option.

-Another difference is the pickups. Looking at them, you'd think they're the same; but the Bongos have neomydium magnets in the p/u's.

-You have 24 frets (Bongo) vs. 22 (SR5).

-The Bongo also has a slightly wider neck (1/16 wider than the SR5).

-As well as the Bongo being a bit lighter (SR5s~10 lbs. / Bongos~9.4 lbs.)

As far as similarities, I think they both have the same bridge, and have maple necks with an 11" radius and 34" scale.

From a sound standpoint. I can sum up the sound of the bongo with two words: growl and bawls. The first time I went direct with the bass, I had the bass EQ cranked - causing the power amps to clip. The bass has thunderous low end unlike any other bass I've owned. Saying that, you'd think that there would be a lack of highs; but saying that would be completely facetious (spelling?).

Hope this helps in some way, shape, or form.
 
#18
I think different, although, if I had both I would def use the bongo more often because of it's versitility. The sterling is another one of my fav basses (EXTREME GAS for one by the way), it has more of a "rock/emo/pop" sound. They both seem to have the same playability in my opinion though, same great neck feel.
 

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