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Bongo sounds great on A, D and G, terrible on E and B?

*insertcoolname

*insertcoolname

Jan 5, 2007
732
14
Twin Cities
#1
Hi all, I just received my new Musicman Bongo 5HHp a couple of days ago and have encountered a serious problem. On the top three strings the bass sounds awesome: punchy, snappy and really responsive to my playing. However the E and B sound pretty awful. It's not an electronics problem because I can hear the issue when I play unplugged. It sounds as if these two strings are being choked off or slightly muted. The sustain suffers and there is little to no hi-fi sound that I like. An important thing to note is it does have the piezo bridge, if that means anything at all. It sounded this way when I first played it and since then I have tried another E string and two other B strings but to no avail. Please help because I already love this bass in every way but there's no use having a bass if only three of the strings sound good!

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Problem solved ya'll. Set-up issue taken care of.
 
#3
EliasR said:
it sounds like a setup issue. If you're not comfortable setting it up yourself, take it to a local tech and they should be able to deal with it.
Click to expand...

I don't consider myself a master by any means but I've been setting up my HH 'Ray for a year and a half now and never had this problem. Taperwounds is really my last guess for a good fix so I suppose I'll pick some of those up. But in the mean time :confused::confused::confused:
 
#5
#8
I don't have much to add. I've used standard EBMM strings with a piezo bridge on a Bongo before with no problems. I would suggest you call EBMM customer service at 866-823-2255. They are generally extremely helpful. Also, if you bought it from a shop, I would take it back there and get one of their techs to check it out (assuming it's a decent place with experienced techs).
 
#9
+1 to calling their customer service or consulting the seller.

I have a thing against doing these myself... but a choked E and B with string changes? I'd be upset, and if I couldn't fix it, probably furious.
 
#11
*insertcoolname said:
Hi all, I just received my new Musicman Bongo 5HHp a couple of days ago and have encountered a serious problem. On the top three strings the bass sounds awesome: punchy, snappy and really responsive to my playing. However the E and B sound pretty awful. It's not an electronics problem because I can hear the issue when I play unplugged. It sounds as if these two strings are being choked off or slightly muted. The sustain suffers and there is little to no hi-fi sound that I like. An important thing to note is it does have the piezo bridge, if that means anything at all. It sounded this way when I first played it and since then I have tried another E string and two other B strings but to no avail. Please help because I already love this bass in every way but there's no use having a bass if only three of the strings sound good!

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I got a dead E string in a brand new set many times (usually the E string), change the E string or all of them. I don't think that the piezo bridge is choking the lowest (thicker) strings.
another thread....http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591288
*insertcoolname said:
Nope, no fret buzzing issue. The neck looks straight from all angles. The nut LOOKS normal so I don't think that's it which is why I think it's the bridge. The piezo bridge saddles don't seem very wide so maybe the thicker gauged strings are being choked? Here is a photo of what the bridge looks like: http://media.photobucket.com/image/musicman piezo/victorrente/Musicman/piezoelectricoampliado.jpg
This is why I think taperwounds might be a good bet.
Click to expand...

I see only four strings on your bass...:confused:
 
#15
That picture is one I just found online, not my actual bass but the bridge is exactly the same. I have now tried the stock strings: sounded like crap. Elixers: sounded just as bad. A fresh set of slinkys: also sounded like crap. The pickups are completely level, not to high where the string would smack against them either. I guess I'm gonna call customer service tomorrow.
 
#17
I'm in the same boat with regards to an early 2000 Warmoth Deluxe 5 neck. The B,A,D and G strings sound tremendous. The E (open or fretted) sounds dead and lifeless...no fundemental to speak of. I've changed everything imagineable, hardware,electronics,strings,set up, fret level... Heck I even ordered a new body!
The anomoly wasn't there from the begining though. As my main gigging bass for about five years, it had taken it's share of falls. I wonder if perhaps one of the stiffening bars has been knocked loose, causing the E string lose it's response.
Good luck with your bass. I'm eager to find out what the cause of the problem is.
 
#20
*insertcoolname said:
Hi all, I just received my new Musicman Bongo 5HHp a couple of days ago and have encountered a serious problem. On the top three strings the bass sounds awesome: punchy, snappy and really responsive to my playing. However the E and B sound pretty awful. It's not an electronics problem because I can hear the issue when I play unplugged. It sounds as if these two strings are being choked off or slightly muted. The sustain suffers and there is little to no hi-fi sound that I like. An important thing to note is it does have the piezo bridge, if that means anything at all. It sounded this way when I first played it and since then I have tried another E string and two other B strings but to no avail. Please help because I already love this bass in every way but there's no use having a bass if only three of the strings sound good!

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Is it so for the whole string (E and B) or just the open notes? I mean on the E string for ex. if you play A or B or whatever else, is it still bad?
 

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