I love those fat S pickups. HS is my vote. It looks badass.
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Musicman Bongos - worth it?
- Thread starter BlackDog Music
- Start date
Too narrow. I need 19mm. I can make 18.5mm work, but anything tighter and I have problems plucking clean notes. I know I could take the time to learn and adapt (probably), but when 19mm options (MTD, for example) are avvailable; I don't have to.
You really need to play one to see if you like the tone. I would go for a single H and keep it as simple as possible. The HH/Hs have two pickups a blend knob, and a four band EQ. The single H has one pickup, no blend knob and a three band EQ. I have a Big Al, and all I do is turn knobs and push buttons when I'm playing it.
I read somewhere that MM had no plans for a 6 string Bongo until Myung requested one from them. They rolled one out the custom shop for him and he asked for a few more as backups and spares. And then the requests from everyday customers started coming in and it was enough to put it on the menu.
Your description of it's capabilities make me want to go find one right now. Problem is, like the OP's, I have never seen one in person.
Although it's offered in a six,I would not get one.
Cannot stand the "cut off tips" of the horns look.
Why do that?
...and the name.
Bongo?
Really?
Cannot stand the "cut off tips" of the horns look.
Why do that?
...and the name.
Bongo?
Really?
Last edited:
Owned both stingray 5 string and bongo 5. The bongo doesn't sound like the stingray , I don't know if it's ash vs basswood or the different pickups (alnico vs neodymium I believe) but they don't sound the same imo.
One thing that can be a pro or a con is how the bongo hangs. To me it felt shorter than the stingray. Because it hangs more to the right instead of more straight down. Felt awkward to me personally but I can see how some folks would like it and I actually recommend the bongo to those considering a shorter scale. The difference isn't as much as a 34" vs a 30" but maybe 34" vs 33" or 32" feel wise.
I spent some time with a sr5 and a bongo5, expecting the SR to feel better but it really didn't to me. I've since picked up an SR4 and a bongo 5 HS which I'm really fond of.
I was surprised at the difference in feel in the two 5 strings ebmm basses.
I was surprised at the difference in feel in the two 5 strings ebmm basses.
I had a Bongo 5HH. I liked it more than the StingRay 5HH I owned, but it didn't make the cut long term. The tone was almost too clean and hi fi for me, but it played great and was very versatile sounding.
My 4HHP is super diverse, I'm not a fan of painted necks, so I was lucky enough to get a rosewood one when they were doing them a few years ago. It is a slightly slimmer neck than my Stingray but still really comfortable.
I saw his rig rundown on youtube, and none of the knobs (except the volume pot) on his Bongo do anything (they are just dummy knobs).
Long time owner of a 4HH (7 years) and still my main. Awesome basses.
Although I've never played the H or HS, I do find the HH very versatile.
Although I've never played the H or HS, I do find the HH very versatile.
Thanks for sharing that. That is a really cool video.
Un-freakin'-real that Myung is playing a 6 banger on a 5 string neck! I guess that it would be more similar to guitar string spacing, but when you figure in the thickness of the strings it must take some crazy finger accuracy to play his basses.
Stock pickups and off the shelf EB strings, and he is making top-notch prog-rock music. Speaks a lot to his talent. This is really making me want to both hit the woodshed for some more practice and go buy a Bongo!
Damn now the OP really isnt getting one now. Way to go.
Yeah, I also need wider string spacing. Myung, some way or another, uses six strings on a 5 string neck, which is even tighter.
The name is kinda stupid but the bass is anything but. The OP hasn't replied yet, so he is either dead or still undecided. All is not lost!
I have a 5HH, and it's a very versatile bass. I find the shape comfortable and the narrower string spacing to be quite playable. My only complaint is that the electronics are a bit noisy.
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
I have a Stingray 5H that I've owned since I bought it new in 2000, and a recently acquired Bongo 5HH that has quickly become my main player, and my bass soulmate. Feel between the two is similar, yet different. I attribute it to the string spacing being the same, but the necks being different (SR5- oiled maple/maple, B5- painted maple/rosewood). The Bongo definitely has it's own sound, more clean than the Stingray, and I find I rarely touch the blend knob, keeping it centered most of the time. I mostly do small changes to the EQ depending on what I need. I don't find that the body shape hinders anything. I think it sits nicely (albeit slightly differently) compared to the SR5. The Stingray is just a great, ballsy rock machine, but can be tamed nicely with EQ.
Blows my mind that he can do this under the easiest of circumstances. But then when you consider that he is laying the low sound for Dream Theater and their complicated style of music.... I have suddenly developed a major respect for John Myung. I couldn't keep up with Dream Theater on a cowbell.
