Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Just traded that Stealth 5 HH beauty for a JM 6 in platinum with a friendly TBer that was looking to do the same but in reverse.
Loving it so far! The string spacing hasn't bothered me at all, probably since I also play guitar. I had a Dingwall NG3 6 before to fill the 6 string slot, but sold that (and the D-Roc 4 I had) to fund the purchase of a too-good-of-a-deal-to-pass-up Dingwall Z3 5 string, and didnt like how wide the neck was on that NG3 6 anyways.
Since then, I've always wanted to have another 6, but with tighter spacing / a less wide neck, and I thought why not let the Bongo do that, since it's already not afraid of being different. Glad the trade worked out for both myself and the TBer that wanted to trade their 6 for my 5
Last edited:
These are so tempting!! Please post clips I you have the time~Just traded that Stealth 5 HH beauty for a JM 6 in platinum with a friendly TBer that was looking to do the same but in reverse.
Loving it so far! The string spacing hasn't bothered me at all - I had a Dingwall NG3 6 before to fill the 6 string slot, but sold that (and the D-Roc 4 I had) to fund the purchase of a too-good-of-a-deal-to-pass-up Dingwall Z3 5 string, and didnt like how wide the neck was.
Since then, I've always wanted to have another 6, but with tighter spacing / a less wide neck, and I thought why not let the Bongo do that, since it's already not afraid of being different. Glad the trade worked out for both myself and the TBer that wanted to trade their 6 for my 5
View attachment 7422239
How low can you lower the height of the front pickup on the Music Man Bongo HH model?
Can you lower it all the way down to the height of the pickguard?
Can you lower it all the way down to the height of the pickguard?
I have owned several USA Stingray 5's and had problems with the G string slipping off the edge of the fingerboard. I presently own a Sterling Stingray 5 and a USA Bongo 5 and have not had that problem although the G strings are pretty close to the edge of the fingerboards.
It continues to be a puzzle to me why Ernie Ball has not corrected this issue. It has been going on for years.
I see. Indeed, I checked whether the issue was still present in 2026 production, albeit it is described from like 2 decades. And since I didn’t find anything, came here to ask specifically.
Well, happy to know that with the Bongo that’s mitigated and have not to be scared of my weekend bassist technique!
Many pro players had the problem with the SR 5 G string/neck in the past. It was not limited to occasional players.
Odd that this should come up today when I practiced with my Sterling SR 5 and my Ernie Ball Bongo 5. I never gave a thought to the G string while playing today.
It's about the same on both the 5 string Bongos and Stingrays. It varies a bit by bass, and I've owned a few of each, but they all have it to a certain degree
My 5er has the issue prominently. I didn’t know about this issue until it repeted several times and began to check whether I was the only one. I understand that a clean technique helps but, one shouldn’t play clean (or limit himself to use the G string in a way that doesn’t slip off) due to an (expensive and “build to perfection”instrument defeat).
Just curious, was that a 1 mm wider neck was all needed in order to solve? If it’s so, can’t understand why they never did it.
Now I see why most Bongos on the used market are 4er or 6er. Honestly, I am a bit scared to spend a ton of money for a new 5er, given that I have to order it online as no stores around have it in stock
Just curious, was that a 1 mm wider neck was all needed in order to solve? If it’s so, can’t understand why they never did it.
Now I see why most Bongos on the used market are 4er or 6er. Honestly, I am a bit scared to spend a ton of money for a new 5er, given that I have to order it online as no stores around have it in stock
It only happens to me if I haven't played one of my EBMM 5 strings in a while, then I subconsciously adjust and it doesn't happen again.
Plenty of people never have an issue with it, which is why they haven't changed it I guess
Fair enough, plenty of people have better technique than I have. Ernie Ball wants us to be better bassists!
I actually don't think it's about better or worse. I know some great bassists that can't stand EBMM 5 strings
It took me a very long time to fall in love with the Ernie Ball Bongo basses. Now they are my main players and I even have grown to love the look of them. Other players would not touch one with a ten foot pole. We have a lot of wonderful basses available to choose from and we all have our own valid likes and dislikes.
I also have 3 of the imported Sterling basses. One is a Sterling Sterling, one a Sterling Stingray 4 and the last one is a Sterling Stingray 5. They are terrific basses considering what they cost.
Johnny talks about how he prefers the 6 string over the 5 because of the G string issue. Interesting as he talks a lot about how he uses the preamp too (mostly uses dual mids and leaves everything else alone)
Just joined the club so figured I’d make it official. 2026 bongo 6 in Blood Orange 
Just joined the club so figured I’d make it official. 2026 bongo 6 in Blood Orange
Genebro - You are #282 - Welcome aboard
That color is fantastic! Amazing find.Got this couple months ago! It's from 2004 and resonates really well! I had Stingray special with one pickup some years ago and I really like the HH configuration on this a lot more! Also the colour kinda sold this bass for meView attachment 7411520
Ordered a while ago and waiting for it to arrive. These remaining 4 weeks are revealing to be an immense amount of time 
