Hi, I've been trying to find a good 24 fret bass for a while and I've been considering a Sadowsky NYC, but I recently came across the MM Bongo. If anyone can advise me on which would be better (obviously I'd prefer the Bongo, because it's cheaper, but I want the better of the two. The Sadowsky is almost definitely better, of course, but if the Bongo is decent I might give that a go instead). Things to take into consideration would be that I have tiny hands, so I'd be able to get the Sadowsky with a thinner radius. Also, I think the Sadowsky is a bit lighter, so that's probably something to consider (I prefer lighter basses). Any advice is appreciated, particularly if you have/ have tried or owned both. Cheers!
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MM Bongo vs Sadowsky NYC
- Thread starter TheSnowdon
- Start date
Theres probably a $2k difference in price between those two basses.
I have a Sadowsky (metro) and love it but it's tough to recommend a bass without know what kind of music you play. IMO the Sadowsky is the more versatile of the two.
However, I would never recommend one over for you. That's a personal choice. Play them both and you will know.
I have a Sadowsky (metro) and love it but it's tough to recommend a bass without know what kind of music you play. IMO the Sadowsky is the more versatile of the two.
However, I would never recommend one over for you. That's a personal choice. Play them both and you will know.
Um, I think you're a bit confused... 
In one sentence, you ask for guidance about which instrument is "better" - although you don't state the criteria by which one is supposed to determine which one is better. In the very next sentence, you state categorically that the Sadowsky is "better" - again without qualifying your remarks, other than to refer to weight and fretboard radius.
As you will soon find out by lurking in these forums, "better" is not the obvious, objective judgment that you seem to think it is. It's actually highly subjective, and depends very much on the personal, individual criteria you choose to use in the assessment, which (obviously) differ quite a bit from one person to the next.
Play them both. Determine which qualities are most important to you. The instrument you choose should be the better one - for you.
MM
In one sentence, you ask for guidance about which instrument is "better" - although you don't state the criteria by which one is supposed to determine which one is better. In the very next sentence, you state categorically that the Sadowsky is "better" - again without qualifying your remarks, other than to refer to weight and fretboard radius.
As you will soon find out by lurking in these forums, "better" is not the obvious, objective judgment that you seem to think it is. It's actually highly subjective, and depends very much on the personal, individual criteria you choose to use in the assessment, which (obviously) differ quite a bit from one person to the next.
Play them both. Determine which qualities are most important to you. The instrument you choose should be the better one - for you.
MM
I don't own either but have tried both. The tonal pallet of the Bongo was huge but not sure how much of that I would normally use. The weight of the Sadowsky was nice as was the balance and general feel. Both were 5 strings. The cost difference is significant unless you buy the Sadowsky used. I really love musicman basses and specifically Stingrays but for some reason can't get over the "toilet seat" look of the bongo so if both were in a similar price range I'd opt for the Sadowsky even if it were used.
- Dec 28, 2009
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- Endorsed by K.B. Guitars, Nordstrand Audio Pickups, Von York Strings and Gallien-Krueger Amps.
I have 2 Bongos and love them. They are now my main basses. A few months back our town had some little music festival thing and one of the bands bass player had a Sadowsky. He and I spoke after their set and he was kind enough to let me play his bass too. I liked the bass. It played well, felt pretty balanced and had a nice feel and look to it but I totally preferred my Bongos to it. I could get more versatility out of them and like others have said, they are not as expensive of a bass.
@MysticMichael, yeah, I was a pretty tired when I posted this, so let me clarify a few things:
I play predominantly jazz/fusion, rock and solo stuff. Secondly, the main reason I'm asking which is better (although, like you pointed out, I haven't really said exactly what "better" is, so sorry for that... mainly versatility, build quality, playability) is because I live in Australia, so I can't try both, there really aren't too many Sadowsky NYCs floating around here. Hopefully the Bass Centre near me will get a Bongo in soon for me to try. Thanks a lot for the feedback, guys, I'll try one as soon as I can.
I play predominantly jazz/fusion, rock and solo stuff. Secondly, the main reason I'm asking which is better (although, like you pointed out, I haven't really said exactly what "better" is, so sorry for that... mainly versatility, build quality, playability) is because I live in Australia, so I can't try both, there really aren't too many Sadowsky NYCs floating around here. Hopefully the Bass Centre near me will get a Bongo in soon for me to try. Thanks a lot for the feedback, guys, I'll try one as soon as I can.
The Sad will give you more traditional sounds with a modern edge (except for the 24F4 or 24F5, which sound very modern), while the Bongo will sound more modern.
If you like light weight instruments, a NYC Sad is the way to go. Build quality and attention to detail are of course different, in favor of the NYC Sad (what would you expect, with that price difference), but EBMM instruments are one of the most high quality mass produced instruments. Their QC really is top notch if you see how much instruments they pump out.
If you like light weight instruments, a NYC Sad is the way to go. Build quality and attention to detail are of course different, in favor of the NYC Sad (what would you expect, with that price difference), but EBMM instruments are one of the most high quality mass produced instruments. Their QC really is top notch if you see how much instruments they pump out.
TheSnowden - I assume from your last post that you are in Melbourne. Bass Centre has 2 Bongo 5HHs in at the moment.
I own a Bongo 5HH and 5HS - one of which will soon be on the chopping block to fund my Stingray GAS.
If you want to have a play at any time shoot me a pm.
I have compared both and I love both, but honestly, the Bongo feels better in my hands than the Sadowsky (which I know a guy near Geelong selling one of those too)>
Cheers
I own a Bongo 5HH and 5HS - one of which will soon be on the chopping block to fund my Stingray GAS.
If you want to have a play at any time shoot me a pm.
I have compared both and I love both, but honestly, the Bongo feels better in my hands than the Sadowsky (which I know a guy near Geelong selling one of those too)>
Cheers
There are other 24 fret basses between the price range of a Bongo and a Sadowsky. I'm confused as to how you came to those two basses. Especially if your only criteria is to have 24 frets and a thin neck.
Fender Jazz 24. Way cheaper than both of them...
Fender Jazz 24. Way cheaper than both of them...
The Sadowsky is going to run you atleast double the Bongo. It should have better fit and finish and be a better bass...but will it be two to three times better than the Music Man? No.
I agree with the above poster. Sadowsky is great, but EBMM is also top notch.
And it's no where near the same league as the Bongo or Sadowsky, IME.
Sadowsky guys will tell you a Sadowsky. Bongo guys will tell you a Bongo. People who judge what is better by how much it cost will tell you a Sadowsky. People who judge what is better by value will tell you the Bongo is the way to go.
I'm not knocking a Sadowsky...but I really like my Bongo.
I agree, I own a Sadowsky NYC. It seemed to me that they were concerned about price and wanted something with 24 frets. Just throwing out some more options.
Gotcha.
There are several options for a 24 fret here. I think the OP is hoping to come up with a solution overseas where the options are more limited.
A Bongo is a well made bass. A Sadowsky NYC will be well made and generally much lighter.
A used Bongo will be approx $1000 and the cheapest used NYC will be $2000.
Completely different sounding IME. I had 3 Sadowskys at one point ( a NYC and 2 Metros). Loved all of them but found my old Fenders to be almost as versatile.
A Bongo will offer quite a broad range of tones and IME, a great sounding modern bass.
You really need to play both.
A used Bongo will be approx $1000 and the cheapest used NYC will be $2000.
Completely different sounding IME. I had 3 Sadowskys at one point ( a NYC and 2 Metros). Loved all of them but found my old Fenders to be almost as versatile.
A Bongo will offer quite a broad range of tones and IME, a great sounding modern bass.
You really need to play both.
This pure case of apples and oranges. The OP seriously needs to just play these basses. Since he is in Melbourne, that probably possible. In this case, I don't think the price difference means very much. EBMM is a top flight factory and Sadowsky is a top flight small shop. The price difference mainly a factor of scales of production.
@madbassplaya, Yeah, I'm basically trying to find the best options before trying them because basses are a lot harder to get (and, more importantly, try) here. I know there are other production line models with 24 frets, like Ibanez Prestige and the Fender Jazz 24 etc... I've tried both and didn't really like them, I have a Precision bass right now and didn't see the point in getting a Jazz when I prefer my Precision just for the sake of a 2 octave neck, which is why I'm also going for a bass that is better build quality, versatility etc. @stoneboy26, cheers, I had no idea the Bass Centre had the Bongos in, I'm such an idiot sometimes! I live pretty far away from Melbourne (though I'm in Victoria) so it might be difficult to make it to you, but I'll PM you. I might be passing through Geelong anyway so I might give that guy's NYC a crack. The problem is, I'm at Uni and I'm not quite done saving up, so he may well sell before I can save up enough to buy it. I'll definitely try to get down and play it, though. Cheers everyone!
Oh wow, just found a website with a few HH Bongos in that Dargie's Delight 2 finish... Hmm... Maybe I should scrape some cash together quick smart...
Hi mate.
Gidday from Sydney
- I played a Bongo 5 for years but now play a Sadowsky Metro 5.
Although I loved my Bongo the Sadowsky is just a one-stop-shop for me tonally.
Havent played a Sadowsky NY but price wise - the Metro and Bongo are in the same'ish ball park.
Dont know if Guy has any NY's at the moment, but he got a new shipment of Metros in about 2 months ago, so the 24 fret thing will be an issue.
(If you get a chance try the Sadowsky "Will Lee" (Candy Apple) - second hand he has ....and plays like a dreeeeeam!!!!! (sorry only a 4'er..)
Gidday from Sydney
- I played a Bongo 5 for years but now play a Sadowsky Metro 5.Although I loved my Bongo the Sadowsky is just a one-stop-shop for me tonally.
Havent played a Sadowsky NY but price wise - the Metro and Bongo are in the same'ish ball park.
Dont know if Guy has any NY's at the moment, but he got a new shipment of Metros in about 2 months ago, so the 24 fret thing will be an issue.
(If you get a chance try the Sadowsky "Will Lee" (Candy Apple) - second hand he has ....and plays like a dreeeeeam!!!!! (sorry only a 4'er..)
