Bongo Question

The info you have posted looks correct, but what was your question?

 

uh yeah... what is it you want to know?

 

I'd say dual humbucker w/ 4-band EQ (I don't think this config is available with a piezo bridge). The tonal flexibility of this instrument is staggering!

 

I'm guessing that he wants to know which of the options to choose...

 

Well, I guess, it depends on your needs. Why'd they offer all those options to choose from?

Gruesse, Pablo

 

Choosing the double humbucker is the most flexible for tone choices, but it is always best if your son's friend can play a few to find out which configuration he likes best. Personally, I like the growl of the single humbucker the best, but to each his own.

 

Great point for trying them first; there's more options with the 2 pickup models but you don't get the single pickup sound from those basses. I like the two humbucker sound myself, but I haven't had the pleasure of trying the piezo basses.

 

I thought the piezo was really only usefull if you were going fretless. I have a HH bongo and love it. Its pretty much the swiss army knife of bass.

 

I never played a single H so I don't know what they sound like. Some people like the simplicity I guess, and if it sounds right - then why go for anything more.

I personally love versatility because I like to tweak for dfferent situations, and I play in a lot of different kinds of groups. I've got a 2H Bongo, BUT I have an HS stingray and feel I get even a little more versatility out of that. The reason I have an HH instead of HS bongo is that the 5 string HS Bongo has (or had - don't know if they changed anything) 60 cycle hum on the neck pickup and I'm not a fan.

As for the piezo - I've got one. If your son's friend is playing any kind of loud rock, it's pretty pointless. I can't notice any difference if I dial it in. For quieter music it can bring out a different character in the high end, but it's fairly subtle when mixed with the other pickups. When soloed it has a clangy dubby kind of sound that I've never found a use for, but I'm sure some might in a jazz or acoustic situation. Just my experience.

I wanted the most versatile bass I could get - so I got it all. No regrets. I'm sure one day I'll come across something that calls for the piezo.

In short my opinion is this: What's going to work best for your son's friend is going to depend on the kind of guy he is and what he wants to play. If he loves versatility and likes to tweak - 2H, if he's a P bass kind of kid, single, if he's a rocker, no piezo, if he's into everything, piezo...

 

Father knows best.

 

Joe you have to try a single H bongo, the sound is anything but simplistic (I used to think that same way before I tried one). Pure Bongo growl. The single coil in the HS has a dummy pick up, so there is no hum what so ever. If I had to describe the sound of the HS, I would have to say it is a more civilized sounding Bongo. IMHO of course.