MM Bongo = "A Nuclear Cruise Missle of Tone" 
MM build quality = Second to none.
IotaNet = Happy customer
MM build quality = Second to none.
IotaNet = Happy customer
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Musicman Basses
- Thread starter Bassmann135
- Start date
If you look at any picture of a MM bass, you will see a wheel with holes in it where the neck and body meet. That is the truss rod adjustment wheel. It is brilliant because you don't need any kind of special tool to adjust it, any tool that will fit in the holes will do the trick. No special allen wrench or screwdriver needed. No need to remove the truss rod cover or take the neck off of the bass. Very simple and easy to adjust.
I have owned 2 . A SR5 and SR4 fretless. Both great instruments. They are IMO the best mass produced basses made!
I've owned 4 StingRays, a Sterling, and a Bongo. Each were great basses.
They all have that signature MM tone for the most part, the StingRay being the most traditional, the Sterling a bit more midrangey, and the Bongo being just insanely powerful.
Alas like so many others I sold all of them because of the "weak G" complex they all seemed to have to some degree. Some people dont notice it/say it doesnt exist, and others are driven to insanity trying to cure it.
Try them out at a GC before you buy.
They all have that signature MM tone for the most part, the StingRay being the most traditional, the Sterling a bit more midrangey, and the Bongo being just insanely powerful.
Alas like so many others I sold all of them because of the "weak G" complex they all seemed to have to some degree. Some people dont notice it/say it doesnt exist, and others are driven to insanity trying to cure it.
Try them out at a GC before you buy.
i'm biased beacuse my stingray has been with me for more than 10 years and it's my only good bass and play it exclusively. the build quality is second to none as others have pointed out (all MM basses/ guitars), it sounds good imo, it plays very well and it looks cool. and i got a free birdseye/flame neck 
the feeling of the neck is particular as well imo, have,'t played any other bass or guitar that feels that well in my hands. i have played sterlings and bongo's, both feel more comfortable to me. i was disappointed with the sound of the sterling though and not impressed with the painted neck on the bongo; but that might be a matter of getting usede to.
just try them, see what you think of them yourself.
the feeling of the neck is particular as well imo, have,'t played any other bass or guitar that feels that well in my hands. i have played sterlings and bongo's, both feel more comfortable to me. i was disappointed with the sound of the sterling though and not impressed with the painted neck on the bongo; but that might be a matter of getting usede to. just try them, see what you think of them yourself.
In the past I had a '92 'Ray that was my first active bass; followed that up with a 'Ray 5 a few months later. Had to sell the 5 for rent once, but the 4 stayed with me thru my short time at MI. Now I'm on a Bongo; hands down the most powerful bass I've ever had, and that includes the aforementioned plus top shelfers from Modulus, Warwick, and Ibanez. Don't be put off by the body shape, strap it on and give it a whirl. Saw a Sterling, wasn't overly impressed but I never tried it. You may want to check out the Sterling Series when they come out; they'll be more affordable versions of the Ray 4 and 5 and the Sterling...
