Notwithstanding, that's a gorgeous fiver you have there sir. Carry on.
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The STERLING Bongo Club
- Thread starter ninjatanzen
- Start date
No worries! If you meant to reply elsewhere, it may not be there is all
Installed some Cobalt flats on my SBMM BONGO 4 today. I did really like the Slinkys that were on there and haven't played roundwounds for a few years now, except on my fretless (DR Sunbeams), but I wanted to try the Cobalt flats because several trusted EBMM BONGO players highly recommended them. So far, they are still really "grabby" but after some play they're starting to grow on me and I'm fairly certain I will really like them after a week or two. Fantastic tone, even new and very roundwound-like minus the string noise. I have almost every bass I own for sale to fund a EBMM BONGO...after playing this SBMM BONGO (which is a REALLY, REALLY great bass), I'm fully sold on these. It only took me almost FIVE DECADES to find a bass that I can bond with. I've had some wonderful instruments but aside from my early 80's Steinberger L2-5 and MusicMan Sabre...every one of them had some issue I just didn't dig...but these BONGO basses have something very special. Hope everyone is doing well~
Best of luck in funding the EBMM Bongo! That should be a sweet bass.
So I have a question for you. Are you able to get mids/highs out of your bass? Every single video I see of this bass sounds fantastic, and I'm honestly wondering if mine simply has an issue somewhere in it. I replaced the dead 9V it shipped with, wired in parallel, tried my 4x10 and my little 1x10 combo, DI from amp to audio interface, and straight to audio interface with plugins. All have the same issue of being all low end, a smidge of mids, and no highs.
While I find the preamp to be average, it does funtion for me. I tend to favor a little high boost, a little low cut and blend slightly to the rear p/u to get the sound I believe you're talking about. I use a Fender Rumble 800c plus 210 ext cab most of the time but I also have a Quilter 802 (or Quilter Interbass45) w/ 4x12, so I have a pretty wide variety of amp options. I also tend to roll back (ever so slighty) amp low mids sometimes. I know the EBMM BONGOs have incredible preamps and I don't expect these SBMM BONGOs to be anywhere near those but I do find a pretty wide variety of tones and never muddy unless I really try. Also w/ headphones it's pretty bright IF I roll up the highs somewhat. I had a ESP/LTD multiscale w/ sweepable mids and 3-band eq and I find this bass WAY less muddy than that one. Sorry to hear your experience is not so great~
I think average on the preamp compared to an EBMM is fine, considering the price difference. Especially hearing others testimonials about them, and the few videos on YT with them. I like the sound everyone else has been able to get. I can boost the treble all the way with almost no discernable difference on mine.
I didn't want to pay to ship it back to Sweetwater, and I didn't really want to sell it at a loss. Part of the reason I am keeping it and turning it into a project bass. I'll keep looking into things where I can, but in the end new pickups might be what it takes for me to sort my bass out (passive, no preamp). Not sure when I'll get around to ordering them, but I'll definitely update once I do.
Thank you for your extra details!
I wish SBMM offer the Single H model since I never bond with HH ray and bongo sound
As in a single humbucker Bongo? I know they have single H rays in the SBMM range. Or at least did, I don't know about currently as I haven't checked.
I've thought about a single H Bongo before, and assumed it wouldn't be considered a Bongo anymore. Then again, I would be interested to see one even if only in the SBMM range. I imagine a Bongo could be converted to a single H, and you could either get a new pickguard to cover the empty spot (idk if they exist outside of a custom order), or fill it with some colored resin. Not the same as the body only having one p-up cutout, but probably as close as we will get for now
this sounded great.....No worries! If you meant to reply elsewhere, it may not be there is all
That does sound great! Very nice playing too.
Well, in looking around I found out I was wrong. EBMM did do versions of single H Bongos. Very cool! What I'm about show having done to mine might be sacrilege, but at least it's a Sterling and not a full EBMM 
I pulled the electronics out of my Bongo. I replaced the pots with two Fender/CTS 500k pots for a V/T setup, one of which broke while trying to put the knob back on. Hence the picture not having knobs. Taking those knobs off the stock pots were incredibly difficult. I had to use a flathead to pry them up, using the body as leverage point for the screwdriver.
I should have known that if they were that hard to get off, they'd be difficult going on. I even tried squeezing the new split shaft posts together before putting the old knobs on. First time I've broken a pot like this where the center post sinks down and in, with the rear assembly being stretched/broken apart. Given, I don't know if it's fully broken or simply "un-clamped." I will check when I pull it out, and likely go Volume only, no tone control, if it is completely broken.
I played it for 10 minutes before going to put the knobs on. Sounded SO much better than stock. Seemingly no more issues with mids/highs being cut away, or bass being boomy and muddy. All that with a temporary $25 passive pickup too. At this point, I'm going to hold off on the MEC because I actually like the sound of the bass now.
Once I fix this issue, I'll play some more and see if I continue to like the pickup. Eventually, I do still want an MEC in there. Upside is now I only have to buy one MEC!
Pickguard is rough approximation of a proper pickguard, but was hastily made so it's not perfect by any means.
I don't know what this means for the stock electronics and pickups. Perhaps through all of my gear that's simply how it sounds. I'm still open to the idea that my bass had issues with stock electronics, but can't say definitively.
I pulled the electronics out of my Bongo. I replaced the pots with two Fender/CTS 500k pots for a V/T setup, one of which broke while trying to put the knob back on. Hence the picture not having knobs. Taking those knobs off the stock pots were incredibly difficult. I had to use a flathead to pry them up, using the body as leverage point for the screwdriver.
I should have known that if they were that hard to get off, they'd be difficult going on. I even tried squeezing the new split shaft posts together before putting the old knobs on. First time I've broken a pot like this where the center post sinks down and in, with the rear assembly being stretched/broken apart. Given, I don't know if it's fully broken or simply "un-clamped." I will check when I pull it out, and likely go Volume only, no tone control, if it is completely broken.
I played it for 10 minutes before going to put the knobs on. Sounded SO much better than stock. Seemingly no more issues with mids/highs being cut away, or bass being boomy and muddy. All that with a temporary $25 passive pickup too. At this point, I'm going to hold off on the MEC because I actually like the sound of the bass now.
Once I fix this issue, I'll play some more and see if I continue to like the pickup. Eventually, I do still want an MEC in there. Upside is now I only have to buy one MEC!
Pickguard is rough approximation of a proper pickguard, but was hastily made so it's not perfect by any means.
I don't know what this means for the stock electronics and pickups. Perhaps through all of my gear that's simply how it sounds. I'm still open to the idea that my bass had issues with stock electronics, but can't say definitively.
I’m sure it sounds great. My eyes, however, are hurting. That pickguard on that body against that wall… the negative after-image burned into my retinas hard. It’s all I see when I look away from the screen. The photo should come with a warning 
Seriously, I’m looking forward to your upgrade progress on this Bongo.
Seriously, I’m looking forward to your upgrade progress on this Bongo.
I’m sure it sounds great. My eyes, however, are hurting. That pickguard on that body against that wall… the negative after-image burned into my retinas hard. It’s all I see when I look away from the screen. The photo should come with a warning
Seriously, I’m looking forward to your upgrade progress on this Bongo.
So true! I really should have put a disclaimer lol.
Thankfully I didn't enjoy the looks of this bass because it's conventionally attractive. Initially, my plan was for the brushed gold MEC pickups for a hint of gold on the purple, with either a clear or black pickguard. This "grass green" is more or less a mock-up for test fitting/scratch-guard. I'd ideally like to get the dimensions more accurate and take out the low-poly rounded edges on the next revision.
Appreciate you stopping in!
Was SW making you cover the shipping to return it? I have not had them do that to me so long as I was just getting a replacement.
To be fair, I did not explicitly ask. Their website quotes "If your purchase was eligible for free shipping, the shipping cost will be deducted from your credit or refund." My rep also did not mention it would be free to return. I miss my OG rep! I think my current one just got switched out again.
If I knew it was actually defective and had a way to quantify it, I might have been able to get it exchanged at no cost. Seeing as I wasn't happy with the bass, I wasn't looking for a replacement over a refund.
In the end, I'm enjoying the process of modding the bass. I got it before the price increase too, so that helps the sting a little bit. I'll still take this experience over a 45 minute drive to GC. I don't have enough fingers to count the bad experiences I have had at GC's over the last few decades.
Yeah. My GC experiences have been mostly frustrating too. Modding can be rewarding. I’ll probably end up trying the SBMM as it is hard to justify an EBMM at the prices for even used ones.
I have had relatively good experiences with buying used gear from them online, at least. When I had issues with one purchased item being wrong due to a listing error, they initiated a free return on that without issue. My current guitar was used from my local GC and it's been amazing, not even considering the modest price!
Going back to early 2000's I recall having better experiences there. Good variety of gear, employees that seemed more like a musician's friend (pun intended?) than a salesperson, ability to haggle modestly or get a small item for free (speaker cable, bass strings, etc.) when buying a new amp, cab, or bass. I also remember them doing the occasional in-person auctions in the backroom! It's those kinds of experiences I miss vs now.
I haven't done much modding recently, so this has been a fun experience.
I'd recommend trying the SBMM, especially in person if you can. Used EBMM's are still a bit much for my liking as well. I can't say they are or aren't worth it personally, as I've never owned one. I will happily sit on the sidelines and look at TBer's photos, listen to music with them, etc. and enjoy for now
I was unstringing the bass when I noticed just how poorly this nut is cut. The E string is the most egregious, but all of the slots are pretty bad. I think it's time for a new nut. Seems like the neck is 40 mm wide here (41 mm actual installed nut width). Time to start browsing 
I wish we had a larger data set to compare any quality issues...I've had nothing but raves w/ mine. Sorry to hear about all the issues you've had w/ this one, but it sounds like once you're done modding it, you'll have a fine instrument.I was unstringing the bass when I noticed just how poorly this nut is cut. The E string is the most egregious, but all of the slots are pretty bad. I think it's time for a new nut. Seems like the neck is 40 mm wide here (41 mm actual installed nut width). Time to start browsing
View attachment 7475515View attachment 7475516
Absolutely. I wonder if any local shops have one in stock that I can check out for comparison.
I am still holding out hope that mine is the odd one out, as I would prefer others purchasing this bass have a pleasant experience
I was just thinking, maybe I should resin print a nut. It may not be the best solution long term, but I have the tools for it so why not? I'll update once I get that designed, printed, and installed.As for the MEC pickup swap I mentioned earlier. I did contact them about a single pickup version of their brushed gold chrome pickup. They said they would be able to get one on order for me and provided a price. I agreed, and am waiting for them to either provide and invoice/let me know when they have it available. I imagine this will take a bit of time since it's not something they typically stock. It's been a few weeks since I last heard from them, but there is no rush on my part thankfully.
