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Musicman Bongos - worth it?

BlackDog Music

BlackDog Music

Oct 4, 2016
76
143
#1
Hey, all - my first post after lurking on the threads for a while.
I'm looking to get some firsthand experience on Musicman Bongos - preferably 5 strings. I recently got Stingray 5 and it's quickly become my number one for gigs and recording. Up here in the not-so-frozen north (Maine) we don't have a ton of brick-and-mortar places to choose from when we want to check out new gear. I have yet to see a Bongo in my local haunts, so I thought I try to get the low-down here on TalkBass.
For those of you who own/play one:
How do they compare to the Stingray/tone/feel/playability wise?
How much does the funky body shape actually help/hinder playing?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Oh - and if someone has one they're willing to part with, I've got a few other basses I'd be willing to (possibly) put up for one.
Thanks!
 
#2
BlackDog Music said:
Hey, all - my first post after lurking on the threads for a while.
I'm looking to get some firsthand experience on Musicman Bongos - preferably 5 strings. I recently got Stingray 5 and it's quickly become my number one for gigs and recording. Up here in the not-so-frozen north (Maine) we don't have a ton of brick-and-mortar places to choose from when we want to check out new gear. I have yet to see a Bongo in my local haunts, so I thought I try to get the low-down here on TalkBass.
For those of you who own/play one:
How do they compare to the Stingray/tone/feel/playability wise?
How much does the funky body shape actually help/hinder playing?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Oh - and if someone has one they're willing to part with, I've got a few other basses I'd be willing to (possibly) put up for one.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have a Bongo 5HH and StingRay 5HHs. The Bongo has more robust mids and more zing. It doesn’t do StingRay. The StingRay has more balls. Feel wise, the Bongo is lighter, has a slimmer neck and the body is more ergonomic.
 
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#3
Stevorebob said:
I have a Bongo 5HH and StingRay 5HHs. The Bongo has more robust mids and more zing. It doesn’t do StingRay. The StingRay has more balls. Feel wise, the Bongo is lighter, has a slimmer neck and the body is more ergonomic.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info - I've been GAS'ing for one of these. I've found the neck on the Stingray 5 surprisingly agile already, especially for something the supports 5 strings. Much to think about.
 
#5
I own several Music Man basses and have owned almost every bass model made by them. I now have several Bongo's and Stingray's in both 4 and 5 strings. They are my favorites. The 5 string Bongo sounds amazing and shares many simalarities with the SR5's.
Both are very versatile. The Bongo has a slightly hotter pre amp in it and the neck has a different circumference than the Stingrays do. But, I can transition back and forth between my Stingray's and Bongo's without any negative issues.
 
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#6
I was looking to get into 6 string and got a great deal on a Bongo 6 so I grabbed it. That was about a year ago.
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I've barely put it down since then: Full pup pan instead of a switch with fixed settings, 4 band pre-amp. It is light and body shape is compact and comfortable.

I never thought a 6 string would be my #1 but now it is - the Bongo 6 sounds and plays better and does more than any other bass I've owned. (That's about 30 basses as of now...) Like all MM's the quality is impeccable. The range and sound of the 6 makes it feel like a true concert instrument. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing a piano! I'll add that the strings and set up were perfect out of the box (I got it from BassCentral.com ) - only bass I've ever owned that I haven't changed something when I got it - I've never even adjusted the truss rod.

But it's true what others have said: The Bongo on its own is not super deep and thumpy the on low end, like some of the other MM's or a Lakland 5. It does not sound bad or thin or cheap - not at all - it sounds very musical and rich - like no other B or E string out there AFAIK - but it's not a big time thumper - it's a very well balanced, consistent sound from top to bottom. I can play the higher registers on the C string and it still sounds like a bass, and I can work the B string and get very rich, musical sounding note and also dial in some very good growl.

These days I play mostly jazz at medium volumes, so I don't really need a super thick thumpy low end - I like the low end sound the Bongo produces. But if you need to pound and thump hard and loud down on the bottom, you're either going to have do something to get a very thick, heavy bottom from the Bongo - maybe just different strings and the right cab would do it. I've never had the need.

I say go for a Bongo - you will not be sorry.
 
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#14
The Bongo is a good bass. It has a painted neck, so it will be a bit different than your oiled Stingray in feel. It is also 24 fret, but I don't really recall having any issues going between it and my other basses. I'm a crappy player, so I notice stuff like that. The body is basswood or something like that and VERY susceptible to dings and dents if you are rough with your gear.
 
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#15
I've never seen or played a bongo, as all the local music stores don't carry that model. HOWEVER, I have dealings with Sterling and Ernie Ball MusicMan, and I really like their products, and quality of how they build instruments. And, their customer service is one of the best in the music industry. They really stand behind their products.

As for the Bongo, It is on my bucket list of things to get before I die.
 
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#16
Bongos are solid basses. I had one a few years ago but sold it to buy another Spector (my go to bass). I have a policy that I will not buy another piece of equipment unless I sell one (arrived at this policy after seeing all 22 of my basses in one room at the same time and thinking I may have a problem). But I digress. I've often regretted selling my Bongo, it was a versatile bass. If I come across another one at a good price I may very well violate my policy.
 
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