Setup my Bongo HH pickups to kick @$$

[tunaman4u2]

Got my Bongo 5 HH new from Amazon & the sound was all messed up vs a fantastic used Bongo I sold to get this one

At first I blamed the strings, amp etc until I noticed something.

My neck pickup was fairly recessed into the body. The bridge pickup was above the body (Like it should be)

I did 3 things

1: Neck pickup flush with the body (Screw heads)
2: Raised the neck side of the bridge pickup a hair
3: Lowered the bridge side of the bridge pickup a fair amount (Emphasize the magnets in the more traditional musicman spot)

Now all is well with the world... The excessive grind I was getting is now smooth Bongo Bliss. I also find myself enjoying the blend toward the bridge side of things more as well

Party on

PS. It still doesn't even come close to beating my Sterling HH

[keko]

OK, ...than Party on!

[Oldtoe]

Found this in the FAQ:

The factory specifications for the pickup height is 6/32" or 4.76mm from the top of the plastic pickup cover to the bottom of the G string. The angle of the pickup is set fairly level, so the larger strings are naturally a bit closer. If you haven't already adjusted the pickup or changed to a very heavy gauge string set, you shouldn't have to do any adjustments on the pickup.

On the 2-pickup basses the measurements are virtually the same on the bridge pickup and the neck pickup is further away, about 8/32" or 6.35mm from the bottom of the string to the top of the pickup cover.

On the new 3-pickup basses the measurements are (starting from the bridge pickup) 6/32", 7/32", and 8/32"; or 4.76mm, 5.56mm, and 6.35mm respectively.

[five7]

Got my Bongo 5 HH new from Amazon & the sound was all messed up vs a fantastic used Bongo I sold to get this one

At first I blamed the strings, amp etc until I noticed something.

My neck pickup was fairly recessed into the body. The bridge pickup was above the body (Like it should be)

I did 3 things

1: Neck pickup flush with the body (Screw heads)
2: Raised the neck side of the bridge pickup a hair
3: Lowered the bridge side of the bridge pickup a fair amount (Emphasize the magnets in the more traditional musicman spot)

Now all is well with the world... The excessive grind I was getting is now smooth Bongo Bliss. I also find myself enjoying the blend toward the bridge side of things more as well

Party on

PS. It still doesn't even come close to beating my Sterling HH

How are your pickups adjusted on your sterling.

[tunaman4u2]

How are your pickups adjusted on your sterling.

You made me check... funny you should ask

My neck pickup is flush, just like the bongo BUT my rear pickup is just slightly above the body (and even height front & rear) vs the Bongo's bridge pickup which is pretty high over the body on the front side, fairly over on the rear side

At the time I was looking for a warmer tone... as I was playing church gigs with it but I'm actually going back into rock... may raise that bridge pickup a tad for some more grit but I will keep it even unlike the Bongo