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Musicman Bongo Comparison

Steviewevie95

Steviewevie95

Mar 24, 2015
80
24
30
Portland, Oregon
#1
Hey Talkbass users,

How are Musicman Bongo's?

I'm really curious on these basses! My favorite bassist, Will Kubley from Passafire, plays a Bongo 5 HS and live it is enormous sounding (he also runs a Ampeg SVT 5 Pro through a 8 x 10 cab). I've set my sights on buying one in the near future and was curious about the sound differences between the HH, HS, and H models as well as the Piezo and how that changes the tone. Plus it wouldn't hurt to know how they feel and play because my local Guitar Centers and stores don't have any in stock.

It'd be awesome also to get some feedback on how they play, feel, ect.

Any info helps!
 
#2
The bassist in Kenny Chesney's band will also have your head sideways with his awesome playing. He uses Bongo HH 5'ers. AXS TV had a live show a few months back. The guy was schooling all night on that thing.

I've tried a few Bongo's in the past & shook my head. That guy from Kenny's band got my head right.
 
#3
I have to get real nit-picky to find things I don't like about the Bongo. The one thing I'd change...well, maybe two....is that I play thumb on the pickup. On a Bongo there's not much of a shelf to rest on. The other is that I don't know if they come with satin finished necks or just painted. It's probably all psychological, but I just don't much care for painted necks. I absolutely love the feel of the satin finished Stingrays, though. The Bongo is a beast!
 
#4
They're great basses, really well made. The high mids are somewhat unique and give the tone a bit of character. The tone is generally a neutral, versatile platform; it doesn't have a real distinctive personality like a Stingray. The electronics play a large role in that. It has a good "generic" active bass tone, which doesn't sound like a compliment but actually I often need it for singer songwriter type stuff. When my Stingray sounds too funky and my P bass is a little too rough around the edges, the Bongo usually does the trick.
 
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#5
I own an HS and an H

The double pickup models do not compare in tone to the single H model IMHO

I prefer the Single H - to me - it can do anything a P bass can do and then some- it's hard to explain-

it's a more sophisticated - fuller sound than a Sting ray

I only use the single H version - of course - some swear by the two pickup versions - the Bridge pickup is Closer to the bridge on those models and has a much different tone to my ears.

as far as feel - it looks different but feels like "home" - the contours give the bass a very familiar feel-

I Hate 24 fret necks - but the Bongo neck is a great execution of one - and I love it - I think of the bongo as a perfected Stingray
 
#6
Hi, Since your thinking of getting one soon I thought you might want to see this...

Musicman 2015 Premier Dealer Network Vintage Tobacco



The package includes tinted, figured necks finished in gunstock oil & wax, alder bodies, and the Vintage Tobacco Burst finish. Once again this year you can order JPs, Bongos, Lukes, Luke 3s, Morse with maple fretboards. In addition matching headstocks are available on these instruments.



You can order the package on any instrument across the board with the exception of Armada, JPX, JPXI, JP12, JP13, JP15, Game Changer, Majesty or Neck Through Stingrays.



8340c2e2-a648-43fe-aa81-14fd7c029497.jpg
 
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#9
I have both an 5 HH und a 4 Hp fretless. On the fretless bass, the piezo bridge saddles make absolute sense and it is capapble of some very nice, natural wooden tones. Bit I do not see that much use for them
The 5 HH just sound great without even touching the electronics. I like them a lot. The 5er is a bit on the heavier side due to the amount of wires and pickups in it.

They easily shoot out most "boutique"-basses in tone and versatility imho.
 
#12
Rocky said:
Hi, Since your thinking of getting one soon I thought you might want to see this...

Musicman 2015 Premier Dealer Network Vintage Tobacco



The package includes tinted, figured necks finished in gunstock oil & wax, alder bodies, and the Vintage Tobacco Burst finish. Once again this year you can order JPs, Bongos, Lukes, Luke 3s, Morse with maple fretboards. In addition matching headstocks are available on these instruments.



You can order the package on any instrument across the board with the exception of Armada, JPX, JPXI, JP12, JP13, JP15, Game Changer, Majesty or Neck Through Stingrays.



8340c2e2-a648-43fe-aa81-14fd7c029497.jpg
Click to expand...
That is a beautiful finish. I also loved the PDN Honey Roasted finish from 2012.
 

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