MM Bongo 5 or Ibanez SR4005?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Well, i've played the Bongo, and I can tell you - it has "wide" string spacing - and I've *never* played an ibanez that had anything but narrow string spacing. I don't have the measurements, I just know what when I sat down with a Bongo 5 at GC, I went "wow... kinda wide" (I usually play a Zon, which has narrow strings...)

I've not played a Bongo, but I know the spacing on my BTB (monorail) is pretty wide!

Tho granted, the SR's generally are narrow, the one's I've played anyway!

Haven't considered the BTB because I haven't tried playing it before. And well the 4005 is £200 cheaper than the 5005 and the black 4005 looks waaay better than the 5005 in my point of view

I'd strongly suggest trying one if you can

Personal preference again, but I just found the BTB's to surpass the SRs. Tho, I'm not as big a fan of the most recent "updates" to the BTB's shape.

I too also know the pain of buying in the UK, and will suggest looking used, tho neither of those basses will be common on the used market!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Okay, fine - I'll vote for US Jobs and go with the Bongo.

 

[daahoud]

I click Bongo to make 22 : 6. Look at the figure. People already say =)

 

[ZiggyDude]

The Bongo 5 is wide at the bridge but not at the nut. They space the 5 strings different than the 4 stringers. Just add an extra 1/8" for the extra string while the 4 is more standard. My Alembic Rogue is closer to standard spacing at the nut and is much more playable there.

If the Ibby is actually more narrow - blech!!!!!!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Go to Youtube or Woodchuck's website and check out his clips with SolCypher. He uses Ibanez 5005, and I think he sounds great. His tone reminds of the semi-old school sound that Stuart Zender got with Streamer for Jamiroquai.

 

[Darkstrike]

In the UK, Ibanez, definatly, though both are fine basses.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

SR5005 clip:

 

[Bassist Jay]

I would go with the Bongo for several reasons. For starters, your resale value is much greater but overall I think it is a much better bass. I have also used Ibanez basses since 1993 but recently switched over to Music Man due to their quality and craftsmanship. I still love my Ibanez basses as well but when I compared the two makes, The Music Man basses were far better. Plus, on may Ibanez high end basses, quite a few have developed a hum in the electronics that is being a pain in the butt to fix. Many times it is either the pre-amp or one of the pick ups but is very expensive to fix if the warranty is expired.

 

[ZiggyDude]

I am listening to live recordings of us while working late and took this break. Currently listening to a Bongo 5 HH I am playing.

Not to muddy the waters - have you tried a Euro Spector 5 with the twin humbuckers? I have that and the Bongo. The Spector is more crunched in spacing at both the neck and bridge. It's advantage is more a "Big Deep" sound while still getting all the boink or modern tones.

My Bongo goes to more jobs than the Spector just because I like it for some reason. But if thunder rumble is important - the Spector has more a sound like you are in a big PA. Still - don't consider unless you try one.

 

[aproud1]

Well, i've played the Bongo, and I can tell you - it has "wide" string spacing - and I've *never* played an ibanez that had anything but narrow string spacing.

Most Ibanez basses have 16.5mm spacing but the BTB's have 19mm.

 

[naruki]

I am listening to live recordings of us while working late and took this break. Currently listening to a Bongo 5 HH I am playing.

Not to muddy the waters - have you tried a Euro Spector 5 with the twin humbuckers? I have that and the Bongo. The Spector is more crunched in spacing at both the neck and bridge. It's advantage is more a "Big Deep" sound while still getting all the boink or modern tones.

My Bongo goes to more jobs than the Spector just because I like it for some reason. But if thunder rumble is important - the Spector has more a sound like you are in a big PA. Still - don't consider unless you try one.

Spector makes sexy basses but I haven't tried one before.

I think I'm getting the Bongo. Thanks guys

 

[coastie72]

I ordered a EBMM 25th Anniversary HH without ever laying eyes on one. It is the best bass I have ever owned or played. With that sayed, A Bongo is in my near future, just got to some how convince the wife its necessay. I'll be gettin a Bongo 5 HH when I buy, just have'nt decided on the color yet. The Ibanez are great instruments, I owned a SRX for a short while and have played a friends Prestige 5 string. For my money, and it might take a bit more, I'll go EBMM and never look back.