Question: Bongo HH pickups and EMG

[dodge]

On the HH Bongos, are the pickups basically just 2 of the regular MusicMan pickups, or are they an entirely different setup? I'm thinking of replacing the pickups in my Bongo with EMG's but I'm not sure how I would go about wiring the EMG's up. The 2 I'm thinking about using are the MMCS (Electric Guitar Pickups & Accessories - EMG Pickups | MMCS). Any opinions as far as sound of the EMG's would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[stingray96191]

why anyone would want to neuter their bongo with emg pickups. is beyone me..

[bovinehost]

On the HH Bongos, are the pickups basically just 2 of the regular MusicMan pickups, or are they an entirely different setup?

They use neodymium magnets. Totally and completely different. This is a big reason why the Bongo sounds like it does.

I'm thinking of replacing the pickups in my Bongo with EMG's

Listen, I always say the same thing - it's your bass, make it do whatever you want it to do. I just can't say that in this particular case.

It's like you're saying, "I married Halle Berry, but I'm thinking I'd be better of with Rosie O'Donnell."

As a man, I just have to tell you - dude. No. Dude. Seriously. No.

[Aussie Mark]

You own an unusual looking bass that has the best sounding electronics on the market. The HH Bongo is the nerdy kid who always gets picked on at school until he shows everybody that he's a wing chun black belt.

Put those EMGs in and you take away his black belt. Then all you have left is an unusual looking bass with great ergonomics that sounds no better than a $500 cheapie.

Tweaking basses, like cars, is fun when you're young and have nothing better to spend your money on, but when the time comes to try and sell that car or bass you'll realise how much money you peed against the wall that you'll never get back. If you buy a $500 bass, by all means have some fun swapping out parts - but if a bass costs $1000 or more brand new there's a pretty good chance it's been designed well and works and sounds as good as it can already.

[TheAntMan]

hmmm...and exactly WHY did you buy a Bongo to begin with?

Yeah, you know....

-- Ant

[shakinbacon]

On the HH Bongos, are the pickups basically just 2 of the regular MusicMan pickups, or are they an entirely different setup? I'm thinking of replacing the pickups in my Bongo with EMG's but I'm not sure how I would go about wiring the EMG's up. The 2 I'm thinking about using are the MMCS (Electric Guitar Pickups & Accessories - EMG Pickups | MMCS). Any opinions as far as sound of the EMG's would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Unfortunately you are going to get less than sympathetic responses here

Bongo owners (and I'm one) are pretty passionate about the tone of the bass. What you've asked amounts to heresy around here

You may find that by replacing the pickups you will get exactly what you are seeking. Who am I to say it won't work for you? However, if it were me, I would sooner replace the bass (unless it is a very common Pbass or Jbass) than try to mod it. The reason is you will likely lose value on the bass if you get rid of the stock equipment and certainly on the new equipment if you decide to sell it.

My recommendation is try as many basses as you can until you find the one you love without modd'ing it.

In any case, best of luck to ya.

[bdgotoh]

My recommendation is try as many basses as you can until you find the one you love without modd'ing it.

A huge +1 on that.

I've owned and tried out nearly every aftermarket pickup out there and they've never, ever fixed a bass I wasn't happy with. At most you might find a slight improvement on a bass you think is great.

I now focus on finding basses that fit my needs perfectly as-is.

[Grand Wazoo]

... please pass the mike... thanks

check... 1, 2 - 1, 2 ...

.... coming from me this might sound a little strange. I have been considered by many here as that "mad man" who swapped his P/up in his Stingray 5, yes "guilty on all charges your honour" it was not an EMG though, and I am not repeating what it was to avoid me more trouble.

As Jack explained very well, i.e. it's my bass and I can do what I like with it. however I did it for a personal reason I don't really need to explain to anyone, I had the chance to test both pickups and I was ready to swap back the replacement if I didn't like it. Remember it was my personal opinion that mattered here, if the replacement pickup turned out to be a worthess soap dish it would have gone back and the person who made the pickup was willing to refund me the full cost including shipping back to the US.

Well the result "for me" was more than satisfactory and the new p/up stayed. I was, and still am happy with my choice, regardless of how much bad reputation that has got me in this forum. Which is fair enough seen as this is an EB forum and it is sort of unkind to discuss after market parts in a owner's manufacturer's forum.

In fact I wish I never did mention it, because no matter how much I apologize to EB, I will never be forgiven and I kinda feel like an infidel. Again, so sorry and I mean it.

However I also own a Bongo 5HHp and whilst you can continue to consider me as that "mad man" or worst, even I, wouldn't even contemplate in my wldest dream replacing those super dooper neodymium mags with anything else on the market.

The Bongo is the Bongo not just because of the choice of wood used, and it's preamp set up, the Bongo will never be the same with anything other than its Neodymium pickups. So take it from this "mad man" don't do it. Never. It will be a bad move.

a very apologetic Fran....

[phat5]

If you really have the itch to modify your Bongo............perhaps a different pickgaurd will do

[bovinehost]

I want to clear a few things up, since we're on this subject.

As the moderator most often present - an internet celebrity! - I get frustrated when I hear the unwashed masses complaining that the overall feel here is that if you modify your bass, you're insane, unwelcome, a turd in the punchbowl and so on. I won't go to "the other forums" and defend this anymore, but there is a lot of crosstalk - so maybe I can clarify.

I've heard Sterling say more than once, "Modify it if you must, just keep the original parts in case you ever sell it." This is good advice. I myself also say, "It's your bass, you own it, do with it what you like." The only thing we (I suppose that's the royal 'we') ask is that you discuss the aftermarket parts on an aftermarket (or open) forum. Fair enough?

If you put a Duncan or whatever in your Stingray and it works for you, excellent! I personally won't make you out to be a crazed mass murderer. On the other hand, this ain't the Seymour forum, nor can I control what the knuckleheads say....and generally, I don't WANT to control that. I am Jeffersonian in my moderating outlook.

And we've covered this before, but come on: this is the Ernie Ball Music Man Forum. If you ask here whether you should use aftermarket pickups or preamps, what do you THINK the overall opinion is going to be?

I just have to shake my head a little when this happens. "Won't an EMG/Fralin/Voodoo/Vintage whatchamacallit be an UPGRADE?"

Short answer: No. No, it won't be an upgrade. It will be a change. Whether that change is good or bad is a matter of opinion. And, again, imagine what kinds of opinions are going to be prevalent on the EBMM Forum?

I also understand and am completely sympathetic to the fact that not everyone has been on the forum a zillion years and may not have heard all this before. I'm not slamming anyone, especially the OP...but I do want to reiterate that this is the official company forum, so we do tend to be a bit faithful to the official company.

Make sense?

Jack

[Sting]

I have owned basses with active EMG pickups. All but one I've sold or traded. The EMGs have a lot of low end but to my ears, have little character. Your Bongo oozes character, putting the EMGs in that bass will take its character away and you will be left with a bass that needs much eq-ing to make it sit nice in the mix. Trust me, 'cause once again I have owned, gigged with and recorded with EMG equipped basses.

My advice: If you truly like the sound of EMG pickups, there are other manufacturers out there that sell basses stocked with them. Sell your Bongo to someone who will appreciate it for what it is and buy a bass already equipped with the EMGs, like perhaps one made in the Czech Republic.

[mammoth]

I modified my bongo with aftermarket drool....

[Mogee]

What they said. Modding stuff is fun when you buy a $250 bass and hot rod it. PLease don't lobotomize your Bongo.

[Big Poppa]

1. Wazoo your issues here on a regular basis have zero to do with your changing pickups...you are hyper sensitive and fairly bluntly insensitive. Thats it in a nutshell. You are passionate about our product and we all appreciate that. Your post here is an example.....Nobody gave a rats ass that you changed your pickup...it was your introduction, presentation and relentless arguing that set your stage.

I really am past whether Talk Bass says this or harmony central says that.....Its our forum...what would they do? First off they would never have a forum and secondly the average person only looks at things through their eyes. That is what will limit them their entire lives.

I never never never think that we can make everyone happy with what we offer....It's sort of like a band that creates a sound gets a hit and then flops trying to chase the hit...We are knee deep in r&D on a journey that we get input on but we are on our journey...I found that is the best way to gain acceptance in the market. You cant chase it.

So
If you want to change your Bongo pickups....have at it....just save the originals (like Jack quoted me on) THe only thing I really dont approve of is routing an instrument as you really have created an unsalable bass or guitar.

[five7]

+1 to what everybody has said. Sell me your bongo and buy a bass that EMG makes and then join their forum.