Music Man Stingray Special vs Bongo

[StonedApe24]

I was wondering how the Ray special sounds in comparison to the Bongo since they both use neodynium pickups and 18 volt preamps.

So how similar/different are the preamps and sounds of the two? I had a Stringray standard in a 4h that I sold because I could not dial out this metallic clank from my sound. If not for that I would have kept the thing since it played great, the neck was awesome and it was build like a tank.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I don't know if I can directly respond to your questions, except to say that the Special allows you to tame the clank (I call it the zing) of the earlier StingRays. That was a huge selling point for me, because I always thought the StingRay was too harsh for my tastes.
I haven't owned a Bongo in a very long time. My recollection is that my Bongo 4HH was capable of some massive low-mids and lows. TBH, I don't know why the heck I got rid of it, except for the fact that I like basses that are very simple and easy to dial in, such as Precision Basses.

 

[StonedApe24]

bump. I'm surprised no one has compared these two.

 

[ac100X]

I'm waiting.............. I have to try a special, I love my Bongo -

 

[Stevorebob]

I find there is little tonal similarity between the StingRay Special and the Bongo. Yeah, one can coax them into each other’s territory, but their strengths lie elsewhere. For me, the StingRay Specials provide a more organic, edgy tone, and Bongos are more hifi. The StingRays are more naturally scooped (especially in positions 2, 3 and 4) while Bongos are meatier in the mids and can be searing in the high end. It’s the body woods, pickup locations, pickup/coil selector v. blend and three v. four band EQ. While both have neodymium pickups, they are voiced differently.

Edit: I own both well as pre-Special StingRays. All are 5-strings.

 

[Epitaph04]

Owned both. They are very different from each other as far as pretty much everything.

 

[StonedApe24]

Owned both. They are very different from each other as far as pretty much everything.

Does the special still have that clank the original rays have?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I had a Stringray [sic] standard in a 4h that I sold because I could not dial out this metallic clank from my sound.

What kind of strings were you using, and tell us a bit about your playing style/techniques?

 

[Stevorebob]

I have no issues with “clank” with my StingRay Specials or pre-Special StingRays. For what it’s worth, I use nickel round-wound strings primarily. Maybe my understanding of “clank” differs, but it’s not a problem for me in any of my StingRays.

Now my Bongo, it will “ping” when fretted if I use super bright strings — cobalt or steel round wounds.

 

[StonedApe24]

What kind of strings were you using, and tell us a bit about your playing style/techniques?

I use Ernie Ball 105 roundwounds and play pretty aggressively with either a pick or my fingers. I tend to strike the strings near the neck. My amp is a Mesa Boogie Strategy Eight:88 if that makes any difference.

 

[Epitaph04]

Does the special still have that clank the original rays have?

Yes of course. The specials arent as big a departure from the previous rays as some people assume. More of a refinement if anything.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Does the special still have that clank the original rays have?

There's no so-called 'clank' inherent in the three band SR. 'Clank' is a product of strings, action, and more importantly, technique. If one uses bright sounding round wound strings, employs a low action and plays aggressively over the pickup, then sure, it'll sound 'clanky', but under those circumstances, any bass will. It just so happens that the three band is voiced in such away that it'll amplify these factors in combination to the extent that the player starts blaming the 'clank' produced as a shortcoming of the bass itself.

If someone is having an issue with 'clank' on a three band SR, my advice is always to raise the action a tad, don't use round wound strings, and work on employing a less aggressive technique. The bass will sound a lot better.

 

[StonedApe24]

There's no so-called 'clank' inherent in the three band SR. 'Clank' is a product of strings, action, and more importantly, technique. If one uses bright sounding round wound strings, employs a low action and plays aggressively over the pickup, then sure, it'll sound 'clanky', but under those circumstances, any bass will. It just so happens that the three band is voiced in such away that it'll amplify these factors in combination to the extent that the player starts blaming the 'clank' produced as a shortcoming of the bass itself.

If someone is having an issue with 'clank' on a three band SR, my advice is always to raise the action a tad, don't use round wound strings, and work on employing a less aggressive technique. The bass will sound a lot better.

Clank probably isn't the best term but the fact is the stingrays I owned had a metallic thing going on with the tone. None of my other basses have that sound when I play them. Same strings, same attack, etc.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I use Ernie Ball 105 roundwounds and play pretty aggressively with either a pick or my fingers. I tend to strike the strings near the neck.

There the cause of the clank.

 

[StonedApe24]

There the cause of the clank.

So it sounds like its the preamp and it just makes it more prominent sounding.

 

[Bill Murray]

I see this kind of an old thread but it’s exactly what I’m looking for, can anyone offer insight as to which one has more low-end? Like if you rolled everything down but the bass all the way up, which one would be more likely to birth the brown note?

 

[Stevorebob]

I see this kind of an old thread but it’s exactly what I’m looking for, can anyone offer insight as to which one has more low-end? Like if you rolled everything down but the bass all the way up, which one would be more likely to birth the brown note?

IMO the StingRay Special has more low end. I think this is due to pickup position due to the Bongo’s 24-fret neck.

 

[Bill Murray]

IMO the StingRay Special has more low end. I think this is due to pickup position due to the Bongo’s 24-fret neck.

Thank you!!!

 

[Stevorebob]

Thank you!!!

Let me add, YMMV.