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Bongo vs Dingwall
- Thread starter JustFunk
- Start date
Having played both I can say this...I really wanted to love the fan fret and owned it for a while...it just never felt "right". The BONGO felt like I'd been playing it my whole life and it haunts me when I'm not playing it...I have no issues standing or sitting. I am currently trying to sell most of my basses to fund another BONGO. After almost 50 years playing bass, I feel like I finally found my muse. Best of luck finding yours~
Dingwalls can sound clean and pristine, but don't have to. Claudio Rocha has some great demos of different tone. Always liked the bongo shape but never played one.
I went through the same internal debate as you some time ago. And from what you’re saying, we seem to have very similar tastes — I also have Stingrays and was very happy with them for a long time. After thinking about it a lot, I decided not to take the risk with the fanned frets. Even though I never got to try a Dingwall, I did try a friend’s bass, an Ibanez with fanned frets, and it felt really strange… maybe you eventually get used to it. But, as you said, since I was going to make a big investment, I decided to go for the Bongo 5HH… and I’m really happy with it now. It fits perfectly in any mix, it’s as versatile as they come, comfortable, and very cool-looking (I know that’s subjective… but I’ve always liked them). By the way, I also chose the same color you’re considering — stealth black.
Wow. I greatly appreciate all of you as I can feel your judgments coming from heart and experience, not important when pro dingwall or pro bongo.
To answer a few…
Neck:
Not a fan of painted neck, albeit I didn’t try the Bongo one, I have both my MM 4 and 5 strings with painted neck. Would have been happy to see my new purchase with a non painted neck, at least in this occasion (+1 for Dingwall or a different Bongo/Stingray);
Blind purchase:
I know it seems crazy to go blindly. I really don’t have an opportunity to try both of them as they barely appear among great retailers offering (“my” Bongo has still to reach Thomann in Germany, and if Thomann doesn’t have one, better avoid even to search at more local shops). Plus is that I can return it no questions in Sweetwater’s fashion if I don’t like it.
Used market:
If I were in US, I would have purchased both used. And only in case one I didn’t like, I could resell it at no lost. Unfortunately, not such market in Europe (price, availability, etc). A used recent MM reaches 2.500 euros pretty quickly. The Bongo sells for around 3.600-3.800, so 3200 is a good price for a new unit., compared to 2.500 for a used one.
The best could be to have them shipped together and keep the one you like best. Waiting that some premium dealer like Thomann begins offering this, at least for selected customers (I believe I could be one of them, as my purchases are pretty frequent).
Stingray feel:
I am happy that the Bongo doesn’t sound like a Stingray. I have 2 of them already and dorsn’t need a third one. Even if in HH configuration (yes, I know the sweet spot difference between the SR and the Bongo in HH versions). What I am seeking for is something more versatile, powerful, but still…well, a Musicman (that feel and basic you know?). Of course, if the Bongo is so different that could carry an Ibanez, or Yamaha logos and no one could reger it as being a Music Man, then I’ll have to reconsider my preference for sure.
Band:
I am in diverse bands and no, I don’t choose a bass basing on one of them. I bring to them my sound, not the other way around. But I love to have a rich enough arsenal to meet the needs on what’s going on. i built it slowly, and for being a weekends player, I have a lot of stuff to fit in every possible scenario. Except, a really versatile 5er to replace my current 5er (as I have a 4 which is identical).
DG:
Albeit I know I can change my mind sooner than I think, and the Dark Glass preamp and distortion stuff may well be intriguing for me, I am not sure that I would base my Dingwall/Darkray choise based on a preamp I could make occasional use of, and that may well be in a pedal format to fit every bass I want. I use a Mesa amp and love the sounds out of it. with a MM, that’s a killer combo already, very punchy, great bottom-end and breaks in the mix greatly. For the effects, I am sticking with an old Roland VB-99 as I particularly like the power and the sounds of this machine. Not sure I even need a Dark Glass pedal per se as the limit of the VB is mainly the time needed to build “the recipe”, but in case, well, I will just add a pedal.
@MrBassman22, very interested in what you did to your neck. If the Bongo will convince me enough to decide it to stay long time (and I am scared of this, since I let go things that I would have never thought to let go. Just, I change my mind), I may be interested to do the same. Yours, and @ellenripley experiences, seem to be the most aligned with my doubts.
Best evergreen suggestion is to try, try and try. But that’s difficult nowday. If I try to reach the first store, will find there like 20 basses divided between Mim Fender, Sterlings, Mark Bass or Marcus Miller, some Yamaha and Ibanez. That’s all. Dingwalls and Bongos are pretty expensive stuff that normal stores will never have in stock. BTW, yes, I should put more effort in finding some of them here and there, and build an idea prior to purchase.
To answer a few…
Neck:
Not a fan of painted neck, albeit I didn’t try the Bongo one, I have both my MM 4 and 5 strings with painted neck. Would have been happy to see my new purchase with a non painted neck, at least in this occasion (+1 for Dingwall or a different Bongo/Stingray);
Blind purchase:
I know it seems crazy to go blindly. I really don’t have an opportunity to try both of them as they barely appear among great retailers offering (“my” Bongo has still to reach Thomann in Germany, and if Thomann doesn’t have one, better avoid even to search at more local shops). Plus is that I can return it no questions in Sweetwater’s fashion if I don’t like it.
Used market:
If I were in US, I would have purchased both used. And only in case one I didn’t like, I could resell it at no lost. Unfortunately, not such market in Europe (price, availability, etc). A used recent MM reaches 2.500 euros pretty quickly. The Bongo sells for around 3.600-3.800, so 3200 is a good price for a new unit., compared to 2.500 for a used one.
The best could be to have them shipped together and keep the one you like best. Waiting that some premium dealer like Thomann begins offering this, at least for selected customers (I believe I could be one of them, as my purchases are pretty frequent).
Stingray feel:
I am happy that the Bongo doesn’t sound like a Stingray. I have 2 of them already and dorsn’t need a third one. Even if in HH configuration (yes, I know the sweet spot difference between the SR and the Bongo in HH versions). What I am seeking for is something more versatile, powerful, but still…well, a Musicman (that feel and basic you know?). Of course, if the Bongo is so different that could carry an Ibanez, or Yamaha logos and no one could reger it as being a Music Man, then I’ll have to reconsider my preference for sure.
Band:
I am in diverse bands and no, I don’t choose a bass basing on one of them. I bring to them my sound, not the other way around. But I love to have a rich enough arsenal to meet the needs on what’s going on. i built it slowly, and for being a weekends player, I have a lot of stuff to fit in every possible scenario. Except, a really versatile 5er to replace my current 5er (as I have a 4 which is identical).
DG:
Albeit I know I can change my mind sooner than I think, and the Dark Glass preamp and distortion stuff may well be intriguing for me, I am not sure that I would base my Dingwall/Darkray choise based on a preamp I could make occasional use of, and that may well be in a pedal format to fit every bass I want. I use a Mesa amp and love the sounds out of it. with a MM, that’s a killer combo already, very punchy, great bottom-end and breaks in the mix greatly. For the effects, I am sticking with an old Roland VB-99 as I particularly like the power and the sounds of this machine. Not sure I even need a Dark Glass pedal per se as the limit of the VB is mainly the time needed to build “the recipe”, but in case, well, I will just add a pedal.
@MrBassman22, very interested in what you did to your neck. If the Bongo will convince me enough to decide it to stay long time (and I am scared of this, since I let go things that I would have never thought to let go. Just, I change my mind), I may be interested to do the same. Yours, and @ellenripley experiences, seem to be the most aligned with my doubts.
Best evergreen suggestion is to try, try and try. But that’s difficult nowday. If I try to reach the first store, will find there like 20 basses divided between Mim Fender, Sterlings, Mark Bass or Marcus Miller, some Yamaha and Ibanez. That’s all. Dingwalls and Bongos are pretty expensive stuff that normal stores will never have in stock. BTW, yes, I should put more effort in finding some of them here and there, and build an idea prior to purchase.
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I'm actually selling my fanned fret bass right now. It works as designed and I appreciate the string tension and efficiency, but my playing style does not work with a multiscale. Too many chords and harmonics which I found hard to play with everything spread out. So, my vote would be the Bongo. Less of a gamble for that $$$
I HIGHLY recommend you try and play both. Take a trip out of town. Talk to other bass players and see if anyone has one of these basses you can just check out. From one person who blind bought too many basses to another, don’t do it without having them in your hands first.
OR
Go with your gut. Either will be fantastic. Never owned a Bongo but played a few quite often (15ish years ago in the store I worked at lol) and they DO sound excellent. The body shape alone is a no go for me but they played great. I own an NG3-5 and it’s really somethin special. The neck and string spacing is a tiny bit wider than my Music Man StingRay5’s but it’s not a drastic difference.
I will say I’m not a huge fan of the Darkglass electronics that are in the NG. Usable? Sure. Wide range of adjustment? Meh. I am able to get what I want out of it for the most part but 90% of the time I run it in passive with the neck and bridge pickups in parallel. That’s THE sound. THAT sound is me. Perfectly me. The other 3 pickup positions are great as well but that’s the 1 I use by far the most. Also I’ll add I don’t have any pedals so it’s all clean and pristine for me.
OR
Go with your gut. Either will be fantastic. Never owned a Bongo but played a few quite often (15ish years ago in the store I worked at lol) and they DO sound excellent. The body shape alone is a no go for me but they played great. I own an NG3-5 and it’s really somethin special. The neck and string spacing is a tiny bit wider than my Music Man StingRay5’s but it’s not a drastic difference.
I will say I’m not a huge fan of the Darkglass electronics that are in the NG. Usable? Sure. Wide range of adjustment? Meh. I am able to get what I want out of it for the most part but 90% of the time I run it in passive with the neck and bridge pickups in parallel. That’s THE sound. THAT sound is me. Perfectly me. The other 3 pickup positions are great as well but that’s the 1 I use by far the most. Also I’ll add I don’t have any pedals so it’s all clean and pristine for me.
I love my Bongo HH with the piezo option. No slipping of the G string at all. Why don't you buy used from the States and have it shipped. Mine was less than half of what you're saying. Leaves a lot of room for shipping and tariffs.
I’m a music man guy also and just got a bongo 5. It’s awesome and I love it. I’m not a fan of dingwalls b/c of the fan fret.
I am sure some of you has been in the same situation. Hopefully, I have ever found myself with constraints and tried to get “best bang for the bucks” stuff. Berry Schwarz’s “the paradox of choice” is by no mean true. When the budget rises, many choices make sense at the same time. Once was easy, US instruments were practically always the best, the mandatory choice if you could pay for them, and the price was just a consequence of superior, tangible quality. Nowday cheap instruments are not lemons anymore and the distance with the real things is much more on the price side than on the quality one (tried some harley benton, much cheaper here than in US, and they feel and sound 3x their price) till, well, chinese basses perfectly made and priced 3k with a great praisment from a quality audience. Not complaing for this raise in quality and offer, maybe more for not being in US, reach a local GC, try both basses and tell to myself “why to choose” 
My 2 cents. If you are worried about not being happy and ending up selling at a loss, don't buy new. Buy used and get more bang for your buck and have a less likelihood of taking a loss if you sell. Good luck with whatever bass you decide on.
I checked it out. Shipment goes like 300, plus then 25% of the price (duty and VAT). A 2,000 US bass would reach me at 2,800, and in case of problems, return is not an option. It would be more than the local used market, and just 15% less than new.
@Thumpin6string no used options available for the Bongo 5HH in Europe (at reasonable price). Some markets are widely known (reverb, ebay), while others are strictly local and is much more difficult to find them and to deal something in there (not all speak English or want international deals, otherwise they go on Reverb/Ebay).
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I own a Bongo HSp 4 string and a Dingwall NG2 5 string. I’ve always been a 4 string player, so the extra string on the Dingwall took a lot longer to get used to (still working on it) than the fanned frets. Darkglass time capsule is cool, and build quality is fine, no issues there. Great B string.
That said, I love the Bongo. I used to own a stealth HH and it was a monster, but I prefer the HSp for what I need. Mine has a roasted maple neck (unpainted) but the painted neck on the stealth never bothered me. Haven’t tried a Bongo 5 though.
If you like MM basses and have no issues with the body shape, I’d go with the Bongo.
That said, I love the Bongo. I used to own a stealth HH and it was a monster, but I prefer the HSp for what I need. Mine has a roasted maple neck (unpainted) but the painted neck on the stealth never bothered me. Haven’t tried a Bongo 5 though.
If you like MM basses and have no issues with the body shape, I’d go with the Bongo.
One other Dingwall potential con - that 37" scale length is just not for everybody. It's a reach. It's why I don't still have my early AB1 I bought when they first came out. But that said, 'twere me, Dingwall over the Bongo any day.
As for the sound, Lee Sklar sure doesn't sound sterile on his Dingwall when he's playing ballads with James Taylor, etc
It's unfortunate that they're largely hyped as these machines for aggro music. Really does the brand a disservice IMO.
As for the sound, Lee Sklar sure doesn't sound sterile on his Dingwall when he's playing ballads with James Taylor, etc
It's unfortunate that they're largely hyped as these machines for aggro music. Really does the brand a disservice IMO.
Playing fanned frets was a non issue for me. Maybe hitting harmonics is a little different and some chord shapes are a little different up higher on the neck, but that’s about it.
I've owned a Dingwall NG-3 6 string and a Bongo 6.
I bought the Dingwall because I wanted to have one for ages and I found one in my favorite color about an hour's drive from my home, so I went and picked it up. The Bongo was a find - an ad that looked all kinds of weird, but I decided to contact the seller and he completely checked out - in the end he proposed that we do the payment via paypal for the buyer's protection, so I went ahead.
I sold both basses after a while. The Dingwall sounded too much in-your-face with that wiry tone, and the darkglass preamp did nothing to help.
I was about to have a tech install a Glockenklang preamp and reverse the pickup order so I could get neck+middle - but I waited a bit before doing such a drastic change to an instrument and it was the right call. About half a year in, I decided it's not my bass. It was okay. But okay is not where a €2900 bass should be. It should be much better than okay. So I sold it.
The main reasons I sold the Bongo were that the six string is incredibly neck heavy and you can't really enjoy the clever design of the bass when you battle neck dive all the time, plus the bass was too resonant for my personal taste. I felt like I'm hitting the brakes all the time, stopping notes, muting noise, everything agitated and bubbling up all the time.
I bought the Dingwall because I wanted to have one for ages and I found one in my favorite color about an hour's drive from my home, so I went and picked it up. The Bongo was a find - an ad that looked all kinds of weird, but I decided to contact the seller and he completely checked out - in the end he proposed that we do the payment via paypal for the buyer's protection, so I went ahead.
I sold both basses after a while. The Dingwall sounded too much in-your-face with that wiry tone, and the darkglass preamp did nothing to help.
I was about to have a tech install a Glockenklang preamp and reverse the pickup order so I could get neck+middle - but I waited a bit before doing such a drastic change to an instrument and it was the right call. About half a year in, I decided it's not my bass. It was okay. But okay is not where a €2900 bass should be. It should be much better than okay. So I sold it.
The main reasons I sold the Bongo were that the six string is incredibly neck heavy and you can't really enjoy the clever design of the bass when you battle neck dive all the time, plus the bass was too resonant for my personal taste. I felt like I'm hitting the brakes all the time, stopping notes, muting noise, everything agitated and bubbling up all the time.
