Help: Can anyone give me their opinion on a LEFT HANDED Ray, Sterling or Bongo 5?

[ZiggyB]

Kids, I am completely new to this forum. I am a LEFTY bassist. I started playing in 1972. I own 8 basses. I want to buy a 5string MM, but I am torn between a Ray and a Sterling, and have no experience at all with a Bongo.

I currently play a G&L2500L and a hot-rodded Bartolini Schecter5, but I am not satisfied. I am looking for the ultimate "uberbass" and I think the MM might be it. I will most likely have to order mine custom. I wanted a Piezo H Ray, but I found out from Ernie Ball people that they don't make a Lefty Piezo.

I am hearing a lot about Sterlings and Bongos on this forum. I was very naive and thought the Sterling was a cheaper Ray and the Bongo was just plain odd. I now know that's completely wrong...

I am more of a Jazz Bass type player, and I like a thin neck, so I am wondering if I would be happier with a Sterling?

It's very hard being a lefty trying to find basses. I usually go to a guitar store, hold a righty, close my eyes and try to feel the neck on different basses to see what fits me. The ones that feel the best are the MM and the Lakland, the latter which I can't afford... Haven't been able to try the Sterling or the Bongo though, only the Ray, and it is soooooo nice....

If anyone can help me with some expertise on the differences between these fine basses it would be a great help! Thanks! ZiggyB

[mynan]

One cool thing about the lefty Bongos is that you can get them in the dual-pickup configurations as well as the single-H.

[DaddyFlip]

Here's a good example of what I would get if I were a lefty. I love the natural streaks in this RW fretboard. If you bite, tell Brandt "The Rack" sentchya.

The Perfect Bass - Bass Guitars, Amps, Gear!

I thought I wanted a Sterling, but after trying them both, I liked the flatter radius of the Bongo neck. The Sterling felt like playing the fat end of a pool cue. You still have to experience them for yourself. Hope you find what you're looking for.

[b-unit]

I own a lefty Ray5, a ray4 and have a Bongo on order. I recently was able to play a lefty Sterling so I can geive you my thoughts on the Rays and Sterlings. I haven't played a lefty Bongo yet but am anticipating that I am going to love it.

The Classic Stingray is closer in the feel of the neck radius and fingerboard width to a fender Precision whereas the Sterling has more of a Fender jazz bass sized neck.

The Stingray has a slightly different pre amp and uses alinco magnets in the pickup where the Sterling (and Ray5) share a slightly different voiced preamp and use ceramic magnets.

In comparing my Ray4 to Ray5 tonally, they are very very close but the ceramic pickup seems to have slightly punchier mids and playing with the tone controls yields a slightly different flavor then the controls on the 4.

The Sterling also has a pickup selector switch to go from parallel to series wiring which allows more variation from a one pickup bass.

The biggest difference in a Sterling to a Stingray for me was that the Sterling has a smaller, thinner body, thinner neck and weighs less then the Ray. I think I prefer the Stingray sizing but many feel that they can get around a Sterling easier. Dont think for a minute that Stingray is clunky or hard to play. My Stingray4 is effortless to play and is not overly heavy.

The Bongo is going to have different pickups again, a totally different pre amp and is made from different wood as well. Its a whole other animal but still sounds like a Music man by all accounts.

If you honestly can't try any of these out in person (being a lefty sucks), then I would feel comfortable recommending that you simply decide on which model looks right to you based on the specs provided. I don't thin you can go wrong with any Music Man model in any configuration or color. I have owned a lot of basses as a lefty and nothing has ever satisfied me so completely as my Ernie Ball basses.

Hope that helps a bit!

[maddog]

I am more of a Jazz Bass type player, and I like a thin neck, so I am wondering if I would be happier with a Sterling?

a Sterling will feel more like a Jazz with its thinner neck.

only the Ray, and it is soooooo nice....

sounds like you found something you like. You could waste your whole life dating every girl out there and never find the one or decide she is it.

[tkarter]

Girls aren't basses but yeah if you like skinny necks and don't want to try anything else.

The Sterling will be right for you.

I thought the SR5 had the best neck and still do. But I love the bongo and it didn't take me long to love the neck on it.

Just like a girl you gotta spend some time with one before you should commit to love and a life long relationship.

If you must go fast Sterling. If you want to walk down the field try them all.
imho
tk

[adouglas]

If you want an uberbass get a Bongo.

[Jimmyb]

Ziggy, you need to talk to the King of Lefty's (Chuck) to post. He can give you all of the info that you need.

[strummer]

the Bongo was just plain odd. I now know that's completely wrong...

No no, you are right, the Bongo is indeed odd. But in a very very good way!

[ZiggyB]

Ziggy, you need to talk to the King of Lefty's (Chuck) to post. He can give you all of the info that you need.

Thanks Man! I need to find this dude!

[ZiggyB]

Now I want to buy one of each! Seriously thanks for all the help. Even though opinions vary, you're all basically right and spot on helpful.

I loved the Ray which is what got me going on this, and I know I won't go wrong. Sounds like I might be happier with the Sterling neck (don't much care for Precision necks myself...) BUT, NOW I want to play a Bongo! I am intrigued by your collective wisdom and I thank you all for it...

Maybe I will become Bongo Ziggy!
that works....

NOW LIVE ON STAGE PLEASE WELCOME

BONGO ZIGGY and the BACKWARDS MUSIC MEN....

!!

[BOOST]

how far are you from basscentral in florida? last time i checked they had a lefty bongo, I'm a lefty myself, been thee , done that.. with what you are doing now... I chose the sterling..

[T Alan]

As a lefty, I was never offered a left handed trombone when joining grade school band. I high school, I was never offered a left handed piano. I suppose I kinda harbor the same attitude towards bass guitar as those leaders do towards their instruments.

[ZiggyB]

I wish to finish this thread:
LEFTY
BONGO 5 HH STEALTH W/ EBONY LINED FRETLESS on order from BassCentral..

I went Bongo !


"Bongoloid he was a Bongoloid..."
And he Wore a hat, and he Had a job and he
Brought Home The Bacon so that,
no one knew, WOOO!
He was a Bongoloid, he was a Bongoloid...."

[Powman]

I went Bongo !
[/I]

Excellent choice...but then again any of your choices would have been excellent.

I was going to suggest Bongo as the "do everything bass". But my Sterling H has got balls on it...wicked instrument.