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Stingray Vs. Bongo

Stingray or Bongo

  • Stingray

    Votes: 226 58.1%

  • Bongo

    Votes: 163 41.9%
  • Total voters
    389
#21
I love the sound of the Bongo. really the only problem I have with it is all of the controls. It's just too many for me to learn. My 'Ray has bass, mid, and treble. The Bongo has that times a thousand.
When I set the Bongo flat, though, I love the sound of it. And after I get a fretless 'Ray, I think I will get a Bongo

In the mean time, it's 'Ray over Bongo for me
 
#22
bluestarbass said:
Itd be more fair to compare a pbass to a stingray, even though a bongo and stingray are the same brand. I feel like you dont see this debate too much becuase different types of people are attracted to each bass specifically.

Guys who are into stingrays are more into the vintage vibe whereas bongos lend better to a more modern hi fi crowd IMHO.

If it were me I have a stingray so I'd definatly go with one. I cant stand the look of bongos or the feel of the neck.
Click to expand...

:cool: What he said but I'd like to add that I've played a Bongo, though reluctantly, and the sound is actually not bad at all. It does sound more hi-fi like someone else said but if you're into that sound AND THOSE LOOKS...go for it. :)
 
#23
I've got 3 SR-5s if that tells you anything. However, I've played a few Bongos and while I haven't pulled the trigger and bought one, I really like them. I think they are one of the truly different looking basses to have come out in the past several years. Weather you like the looks or not, you have to admit it is different.
 
#24
For me, it's the Bongo. I had a brand new SR HH for a few months earlier this year, and it was a total dog playability wise. It was built well, had great tones, fit and finish was perfect. I just couldn't get it set up to play without buzz, regardless of what kind of strings I used, or what gauge. And I don't have my action set so low that that would be the cause (I'm usually at 5/64ths or so on the E string at the highest fret, and at about 3/64ths or so on the G string).

My Bongo, on the other hand, is incredible, and plays like butter. Same goes for my '79 Stingray and '79 Sabre. It's too bad - I really liked the tone and feel of the EB SR HH, but I just couldn't get it to play right (I even took it to a pro for a set up, and he couldn't get it set up the way I wanted it either). I ended up flipping it for an Alembic Stanley Clarke Signature Standard, also brand new which has since become one of my favorites.
 
#25
abngourmet said:
For me, it's the Bongo. I had a brand new SR HH for a few months earlier this year, and it was a total dog playability wise. It was built well, had great tones, fit and finish was perfect. I just couldn't get it set up to play without buzz, regardless of what kind of strings I used, or what gauge. And I don't have my action set so low that that would be the cause (I'm usually at 5/64ths or so on the E string at the highest fret, and at about 3/64ths or so on the G string).
Click to expand...

In my opinion that's pretty low action.
 
#28
easy said:
I love the sound of the Bongo. really the only problem I have with it is all of the controls. It's just too many for me to learn. My 'Ray has bass, mid, and treble. The Bongo has that times a thousand.
Click to expand...

I don't have a Stingray (yet), but I got my Bongo 4HH first. so I must like it.
Since I got the Bongo, my MIA 62 RI Jazz almost never gets any action...

And a Bongo really only has one more control than a StingRay.

Stingray: bass/mid/treble/volume/switch
Bongo: bass/lomid/himid/treble/volume/blend
 
#32
Jazzray57 said:
Stingray. Amazing for slapping.
Click to expand...

This is one reason that I stayed away from a Stingray for so long. I'm not really a slapper, but I was getting tired of my Fender Jazz basses. The B string was not that great, and I tried a friends SR5. I was hooked! Outstanding B string and a great bass overall. I bought one for myself and I have never been happier.
 
#33
I've got a Bongo HH 5 and a Stingry HS 4. Right now I'd have to say I prefer the gooier sounds I can get out of the Stingray. Next month I'll probably change my mind and say Bongo. I've come to the conclushion that they are definitely 2 distinct sounding basses and neither imitates the other all that well.
 
#35
BONGO!

having had two SR5s (one HH fretted, one H fretless), I can tell you they're fantastic basses.

That said, there's just something magical about my Bongo HH and HS. I can get everything I liked about my SR5s (except the fretless mwaahh) and more from my Bongos.

Just love 'em!
 
#36
COOL AND DEADLY said:
I'd say go with the Music Man if you want to be locked into the bridge only pickup tone. Get the Bongo if you want a bass that looks like a toilet seat.
Click to expand...

You are too cool.:rolleyes: Anyway, I happen to own both and I can tell you that both basses are great, though I prefer the Bongo, because it does more (but the SR is just a single H 4 and the Bongo a HH 5). If I had a SR5 I probably wouldn't be able to choose. It changes by the week :p. SRs have a bit more aggressive and piercing sound and sound better for slapping than Bongos IMO. Your choice depends on what you are looking for I guess, but both basses are excellent.
 
#39
ive tried to like the bongo, but it just doesnt compare to the stingray or the sterling. in my opinion it just doesnt have a better sound. also, ive never been a fan of guitars or basses with irregular shapes (ie, flying v, thunderbird) there not comfortable for me, the original stingray design is just simple and effective, the way i like it. the bongo looks over the top, like it came from a space ship. plus i don't feel like representing my music with something that looks like a toilet seat.


(EDIT: i noticed later someone above me feels the same about the appearance)
 
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