On the fence... Bongo 6 or Icon 6..

[bassingstripes]

Hey guys,
I've found a thread asking basically the same thing but it seemed a little dated so I thought I'd bring this up again since both have released within the past few years.

I am looking to acquire a new Sixer and have looked around and done some homework. I find myself torn between the MusicMan Bongo 6 and the Carvin Icon 6 string. I have played both and thought each felt and sounded really nice, however the bongos were only 4 or 5 strings, never found a bongo 6 to fumble upon with...

My purposes for this new bass are many. It will likely become my main ax for recording sessions, any size live gigs, jammin with folks, etc. It will be used with many different styles, predominantly Heavy Metal, Jazz, and Country... buncha' tappin, sweepin, pluckin, some slappin and pickin..

I'm a big fan of Carvin's many options of customization but dang I like the Bongo too, and I could likely get it it any color they currently make it in... Any thoughts/advice?

Sorry so long.. Thanks in Advance, guys!!

 

[TolerancEJ]

Personally, the MusicMan Bongo 6 is among my top 4 wanted basses.

 

[WaskoDS]

Go for the Carvin Icon!

 

[Simorchid]

The Bongo 6 would be great for all those music styles. I have a HH which I use as my main axe for the metal band I play in. It has the perfect feel and sound for the music that we play. If you are playing country and jazz too maybe the hum-bucker/ single coil combination would be more to your liking.

 

[Bob C]

I think they are very different from each other.

Bongo is bolt-on. Icon is neck-through. Bongo has dual H (or SH?). Icon has soapbars (or single coil in SB casing).

Bongo is probably a little more expensive.

I like my Carvin LB70. Have never played an Icon. I like MM Sterlings I've tried out. Have never played a Bongo. I imagine it has a massive sound. It might me more fat and gutsy than the Icon. Sounds like you really want to buy both basses.

 

[christw]

I can say that Carvin (and Ibanez) make my favorite 5 string necks. Wish I've tried Carvin's 6'ers. (Ibanez holds favorite 6 string slot due to this.) I have no knowledge on the bongo, but I've read almost nothing but good things about its versatility since I joined.

 

[Double Agent]

If you are playing country and jazz too maybe the hum-bucker/ single coil combination would be more to your liking.

Is that why John Myung prefers the Bongo 6 HS....for all the country and jazz he plays?

In all seriousness, I see the HH used by jazz guys and metal heads alike. The only difference that I can tell is that the HH has more low end, with the EQ set flat, than the HS. Boost the lows on the HS and you have PLENTY of low end. The default (i.e. flat) tone each one has is different, but you can EQ either one to mimic the other if you were so inclined. The single H is different animal altogether, which most say is actually the most aggressive-sounding of all the Bongo configurations.

OP...I think I would choose the Bongo if I were you. But, there is no right/wrong answer here. Listen to as many video clips as you can of both basses and see which one "speaks" to you the most. If you get a chance to play either one before you buy it, jump on it. Both basses, while pretty different from each other, are extremely versatile so it isn't like either one won't work for any of the styles you play. It will just be a matter of which you prefer. I will say that the Icon is more affordable than the Bongo, so that may tip the scales towards the Icon. But, if you really love the Bongo, I don't think the Icon will scratch that itch for you.