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Musicman Bongo 5hh Vs Dingwall nolly

ellenripley

ellenripley

Jan 28, 2023
40
98
45
SULAC
#1
Hello everyone

I'm debating between buying a Music Man Bongo 5HH and a Dingwall Nolly. In the past, I had a Bongo 5HH that I loved, both for its sound and versatility, not so much for its looks, but the latter seems to have changed for me. Regarding the Dingwall, what I hear in reviews online I like; I like their looks and they seem more ergonomic with better adapted solutions (fan frets), active and passive, good B string security, and Darkglass preamp (which I love). But I still think I prefer the sound of the Bongo; I believe it sounds better in a mix for various styles since I play rock, indie, soul, funk... etc... Has anyone had both instruments and can advise me??? They are expensive instruments and I wouldn't want to regret my choice. I have no possibility to try either one in any store near me.
 
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#2
Have you ever tried a fan fret?

Short Version: If not, you should before deciding; even if it is not a Dingwall. Recognizing Dingwall will feel different, but trying any of them will help provide some perspective.

Long Version: I ask because I always liked the idea of fanned frets. I did not like playing one. Fanned frets were certainly comfortable under my fretting hand. However, a big part of how I get my sound is plucking hand position and moving that position as needed (sometimes frequently during a song). I found this difficult to do on fanned fret. My hand would need to move at an angle to retain the same relative position on the string. I am used to moving my hand straight across the strings to maintain consistent string to string sound. On a few occasions, I even ended up plucking the bridge and completely missed the high strings. Cool concept that some people bond with, but it was not for me.
 
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#4
The Dingwall NG's are sharp looking Basses: I came close to getting one back 2023 but decided on Stingray Special

After reading @ahadl2500 post I play very similar to his style/Technique
I might have made right choice

I am 4 string player and still the John Taylor with Neve intrigues Me
 
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#6
I own a NG3 5 and Stingray Special... no Bongo HH.

Surprisingly, the NG is easy to get used to but the high registrar gets pretty weird and I takes practicing with that bass enough to get muscle memory working for you. If you are playing solos or lines past the 12th fret, it would be hard to switch between basses if truly get acclimated to the Dingwall.

I would say the Dingwall with Darkglass is surprisingly versatile sonically. While you are not going to get a classic Pbass sound out if, you will get a variety of sounds you can use in any type of music. Same can be said for the Music Man, for that matter.

Lee Sklar plays a Dingwall when he's out with Lyle Lovett. That is far from a grinding sound used on that gig. This video illustrates how sonically versatile this bass is.

There is not a better sounding B string I have heard on any bass that is as tight and clear as the Dingwall.

 
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#7
I had both of these up until about a month ago when I parted ways with the Dingwall, but to be fair I also have the Bongo posted for sale too. Not because there was anything wrong with either, but simply because I had other basses that filled similar roles and I had other expenses come up(water main burst on our side of the property. $$$$) In all honesty, I would have recommended the Bongo originally, but after getting the NG3 and playing it for a while I was really surprised at just how versatile it was. I know this doesn't help, but I think you'll be happy with either one. They're both stellar instruments, and at least for me, the fanned frets didn't really help or hinder my playing at all. Felt very natural and did provide some slightly better tension on the lower strings, but not by a large enough margin to make the Bongo feel worse. My Bongo is an older model with the painted neck, so I did prefer the satin finish on the Dingwall. Felt more like the oil/wax of other EBMMs. The active/passive switch on the NG3 is definitely a plus. Also, as I'm sure you've read from many others, don't let the "Made in China" sticker on the Dingwall fool you into thinking that the build quality is anything less than the Bongo. They're definitely on par. I really don't think you'll have any regrets regardless of which one you choose.
 
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#9
ellenripley said:
Hello everyone

I'm debating between buying a Music Man Bongo 5HH and a Dingwall Nolly. In the past, I had a Bongo 5HH that I loved, both for its sound and versatility, not so much for its looks, but the latter seems to have changed for me. Regarding the Dingwall, what I hear in reviews online I like; I like their looks and they seem more ergonomic with better adapted solutions (fan frets), active and passive, good B string security, and Darkglass preamp (which I love). But I still think I prefer the sound of the Bongo; I believe it sounds better in a mix for various styles since I play rock, indie, soul, funk... etc... Has anyone had both instruments and can advise me??? They are expensive instruments and I wouldn't want to regret my choice. I have no possibility to try either one in any store near me.
Click to expand...
For me it’s the Dingwall NG3. It’s the most versatile and most comfortable bass I’ve ever played. The fit, finish, and weight are perfect. I’ve owned virtually everything and the NG3 is one of the few that has “staying power” in my arsenal.
The fanned-frets felt comfortable from the minute I first played the bass. That feature makes it much easier on the fretting hand because it places your hand in a more natural position as you move up the neck.
 
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#10
I have owned both an older Combustion and briefly a Bongo 5. I sold (or traded) the Bongo almost immediately because of the weight (too heavy) and the body shape. I always practice sitting down and the pointed edge of the lower horn was just uncomfortable. It did sound good though.

As others have said, the Dingwall super long scale is more of a stretch in the lower register. I only remember it being problematic on one song where it was a constant 4-fret stretch at the end of the neck. And, if you are doing high fret chording, it can be tricky (I don't, so no problem). But, I have not heard or played a better B-string than the 37" Dingwall. And, it is more playable the further up the neck; you don't get those strange overtones the higher you fret on the B-string. They are also very versatile. They get a lot of praise in metal circles, but they also play everything else well (which I am sure the Bongo would do as well).

It's tough if you can't play them both. Maybe you can ask if there is someone in Dingwall club if there is someone in your area that would be willing to let you try theirs.
 
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#12
ellenripley said:
my head says dingwall, but my heart says bongo... I think I will follow my heart. Thank you for the answers.
Click to expand...
I should also mention that I got rid of the Dingwall, have the Bongo 5HH for sale, but I'm keeping my Bongo 4HS. While I really did like both, I decided I wanted to keep this Bongo.
1000096018.jpg
 
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#13
Bongo was ahead of its time, but thankfully, its time has finally arrived. If it matters, I saw that Sterling also released a Bongo with a really nice satin purple finish, so they no longer have to cost thousands of dollars.
 
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#16
ellenripley said:
Hello everyone

I'm debating between buying a Music Man Bongo 5HH and a Dingwall Nolly. In the past, I had a Bongo 5HH that I loved, both for its sound and versatility, not so much for its looks, but the latter seems to have changed for me. Regarding the Dingwall, what I hear in reviews online I like; I like their looks and they seem more ergonomic with better adapted solutions (fan frets), active and passive, good B string security, and Darkglass preamp (which I love). But I still think I prefer the sound of the Bongo; I believe it sounds better in a mix for various styles since I play rock, indie, soul, funk... etc... Has anyone had both instruments and can advise me??? They are expensive instruments and I wouldn't want to regret my choice. I have no possibility to try either one in any store near me.
Click to expand...
i will share a view that some may dislike. i am ok with that.

Get a p bass or maybe a jazz bass (can play anything) and get the nolly.

we can use effects/eq/modeling to create just about any sound if there is a will. just look up what lee sclar does with a dingwall (hint it is the bassist, not bass).

But a bongo will always look like a bongo. and for me that is a dealbreaker. in a world full of great instruments, i just wont consider buying colours i dont like, or shapes i find ugly.

i am not always form over function… but given a choice of riches… i always go for beauty. That is the first check for me. Still needs to meet my function needs though. many choices out there will meet your form and function needs.

imho if you love the bongo get it. same for the nolly.

early on i bought a bass on function… it was a 24 fret fender urge ii bass. p and jazz in one. it really was the perfect bass mathmatically. looked quite good also. but i sold it and got a very imperfect ric 4003 and never looked back.

character is a thing also imho. some love rics for that, some love bongos for that. respect.

i now have 5 rics and dont miss the urge bass. my jazz is plenty enough. dingwalls are my perfect ideal bases. but i dont always want perfect. sometimes a cheap 1995 mim fender jazz is what i need/want.
 
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#17
ahbass2500 said:
Have you ever tried a fan fret?

Short Version: If not, you should before deciding; even if it is not a Dingwall. Recognizing Dingwall will feel different, but trying any of them will help provide some perspective.

Long Version: I ask because I always liked the idea of fanned frets. I did not like playing one. Fanned frets were certainly comfortable under my fretting hand. However, a big part of how I get my sound is plucking hand position and moving that position as needed (sometimes frequently during a song). I found this difficult to do on fanned fret. My hand would need to move at an angle to retain the same relative position on the string. I am used to moving my hand straight across the strings to maintain consistent string to string sound. On a few occasions, I even ended up plucking the bridge and completely missed the high strings. Cool concept that some people bond with, but it was not for me.
Click to expand...
change is hard. i think the better you are, the harder the change.

i am not very good so swapping to fan frets was pretty easy. now i find parallel frets hard, but it takes me about the same amount of time (maybe two hours) for me to get used to them now as it did for me to get used to the fanned frets for the first time. if i keep playing both it is not so bad. same with short vs long scale. adjustment periods.

a song i learn on fanned frets takes more time to relearn on parallel, and vice versa. but right now i find fanned more ergonomic.
 
#19
Had the NG3-5.

I felt that I need to fully commit to the 37”-34” to really rip the benefits of the super long scale spread, i.e. muscle memory. That means less time for my 34” fretted and fretless basses.

Decided to let it go after switching back and forth for 18months.
 
#20
Dbassmon said:
I own a NG3 5 and Stingray Special... no Bongo HH.

Surprisingly, the NG is easy to get used to but the high registrar gets pretty weird and I takes practicing with that bass enough to get muscle memory working for you. If you are playing solos or lines past the 12th fret, it would be hard to switch between basses if truly get acclimated to the Dingwall.

I would say the Dingwall with Darkglass is surprisingly versatile sonically. While you are not going to get a classic Pbass sound out if, you will get a variety of sounds you can use in any type of music. Same can be said for the Music Man, for that matter.

Lee Sklar plays a Dingwall when he's out with Lyle Lovett. That is far from a grinding sound used on that gig. This video illustrates how sonically versatile this bass is.

There is not a better sounding B string I have heard on any bass that is as tight and clear as the Dingwall.

Click to expand...

So build wise would you say the import Dingwalls are at least equal to Ernie ball musicman?
 
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