Bongo Settings

[jefft54]

Did a search but didn't find anything. Being new to the Bongo I was wondering what settings most of you Bongoloids use. I play mostly typical classic rock covers with some new stuff thrown in. I've been setting the p/u blend about 4 o'clock towards the bridge, bass and low-mids all the way up, high mid flat, and treble around 3 o'clock. Sounds good but would like what you experienced guys set up at.

 

[Aussie Mark]

On my HH Bongo the pickup blend is centered, and every tone control is centred except the treble, which is rolled right off. I use flats for rock covers.

 

[AnthonyD]

Everything flat... Pickups blended 50/50/50.

In the privacy of my practice room, I joyfully noodle with the wide variety of tones but when the Band rehearses or gigs, I'm real straight forward - flat and go.

 

[phat5]

On my HH Bongo the pickup blend is centered, and every tone control is centred except the treble, which is rolled right off. I use flats for rock covers.

Me too!

 

[slaine01]

Everything centred and a touch up on the Bass knob (cause I like the way the Eden cabs move the air on the back of my legs... lol) Mmmmmmmmm

 

[MingusBASS]

I prefer the dual pickup Bongos. With my HHp I play everything as close to flat as possible, although depending on the song or style I'll add a little bass, low mid(magic knob), and kill the treble a bit.

On my fretless HSp I love favoring the bridge pickup and boosting the low mid...holy freak'n cow. Talk about Jaco tone on steroids.

 

[nashman]

Everything centred and a touch up on the Bass knob (cause I like the way the Eden cabs move the air on the back of my legs... lol) Mmmmmmmmm

Slaine01 - Nice Eden rig. Mine is similar, except I have the WT550. Your sig says 210XST and 210XLT ... isn't that a 212XLT?

 

[adouglas]

HHp 5 here.

Mag pickup blend centered. Piezo anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 up from zero.

Bass and treble flat.
Low mid boosted some, maybe 1/5 to 1/4 turn, hi mid boosted to taste, never all the way.

Sometimes if I want to get a 60s vibe (early Beatles, etc.) I'll roll the treble and high mids off to reduce the roundwound overtones.

I've found that extreme settings on the Bongo EQ (especially extreme boost settings) is just too much muchness, like a pretty girl who insists on wearing too much makeup. Less is more.

A tone tip that's worked really well for me:

Take a minute and walk out in front of the band, as far away as you can, while the whole band is playing and listen to the whole mix instead of focusing on yourself. You might find that the settings that give you what you think is good tone really don't support the whole band mix all that well. Lots of bass boost makes mud and the dreaded Wall 'o Sound, where you're cranking out massive volume but you still can't "hear" the bass.

Mids are your friend. When playing alone it sounds kind of thin and wimpy at first, but it cuts through MUCH better when the rest of the band starts playing.

 

[jefft54]

HHp 5 here.

A tone tip that's worked really well for me:

Take a minute and walk out in front of the band, as far away as you can, while the whole band is playing and listen to the whole mix instead of focusing on yourself. You might find that the settings that give you what you think is good tone really don't support the whole band mix all that well. Lots of bass boost makes mud and the dreaded Wall 'o Sound, where you're cranking out massive volume but you still can't "hear" the bass.

Mids are your friend. When playing alone it sounds kind of thin and wimpy at first, but it cuts through MUCH better when the rest of the band starts playing.

One of the best suggestions I've heard, thanks. I'll try it tonight.

 

[SharonG]

I've found that extreme settings on the Bongo EQ (especially extreme boost settings) is just too much muchness, like a pretty girl who insists on wearing too much makeup. Less is more.

So true!!

HH for me - flat on the bass

Low on the low and high mid, boost on the low mid, and flat on the hight on the Mark Bass.

We play small rooms, and this cuts through without flattening the patrons. Out doors, the low end on the amp goes up.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Take a minute and walk out in front of the band, as far away as you can, while the whole band is playing and listen to the whole mix instead of focusing on yourself.

One reason I use wireless - so I can do just that during soundcheck.

 

[tegzsa]

I have a HHP5, playing through a Trace Elliot 1x15. I usually roll the piezo right off unless I specifically need it.

Usually everything is centred, but I often cut the upper mid by a quarter turn and boost the treble by about the same.

Alternatively, cutting the bass a little, boosting the upper mids and favouring the neck P/U gives a very nice Rickenbackerish tone. If you like that sort of thing.

 

[Rdub]

I have an Eden setup, like Slaine and Nashman. 210XST, 215XLT & WT-800 (swapped a second 210XST for the 215XLT recently, and it was so worth it). My 4-HH Bongo, I leave flat with volume all the way up. Amp EQ basically flat, with just a little enhance, gain 1/2 and master vol 1/2 as well. O-M-G! I play DGCF tuning and put a set of heavier EB strings in 110 (the purple package).

Live with my amp, it sounds very balanced, full and detailed at the same time--seems like so long as I get the timing right, the perfect sounding note pops right out with every pluck. Lovin' life here. Awesome tonal options moving back and forth between the pickups and some EQ, but flat is so good I have no need to adjust at the moment.

With my Line 6 Toneport and near field monitors w/sub, which is how I practice at home and experiment with recording, I get a lot of control out of the Bongo but have to be careful with all the settings and how I play, more flexible and precise and less forgiving I suppose. In that setting, the EQ differences really come out, and can go quickly end up "too much of a good thing" especially with the bass and low mids on the bass. I'm still mastering the setup. One thing I notice is when the EQ is just right, I tend to ease off on volume and it seems to take less effort to play. Ommmmmmmmmmm...

I think I'd enjoy an Hp as a second bass, for tonal options. I'd check out a Sterling, but I like the Bongo so much that the Sterling'd probably not reach the #1 spot... Not a bad thing.

 

[Alvabass]

Being new to the Bongo I was wondering what settings most of you Bongoloids use.

Click here (And read the whole thread. I think you may find some interesting info).

 

[RobertB]

Knowing how folks set their onboard eq's doesn't necessarily tell you a whole lot unless you also know how they set their amp's eq, right?

 

[strummer]

Standard setting on both my HH and my HS: All controls centered!
Then playing older rock, country and old school funk I might go for just the neck pick up.

What little eq I might use would be if my bass sounded weird out in the room, but since my amp is just for stage use I rarely touch the eq.

 

[JohnnyBoy]

Like strummer, I just keep all the controls centred on my HH bongos; may adjust front/back pickup balance if needed. Plus my amp Ampeg B100R has deep switch that I use now and again.

You can also get a lot of variety by using a pick instead of fingers (I use a hard felt one or regular) and by playing over the bridge or over end of the fret board. Muting strings with palm of the hand also gives sounds.

Have fun!

 

[strummer]

You can also get a lot of variety by using a pick instead of fingers (I use a hard felt one or regular)

Have fun!

I found rubber picks at the lims, very nice and pretty close to felt, which I can't find in Sweden

 

[JohnnyBoy]

Strummer... Hanks in Danmark Street in London, stock felt picks plus rubber ones (PM me I'll mail a felt one to you?) I think they may be for ukuleles actually! (weirdly enough)

 

[strummer]

Strummer... Hanks in Danmark Street in London, stock felt picks plus rubber ones (PM me I'll mail a felt one to you?) I think they may be for ukuleles actually! (weirdly enough)

PM coming your way JohnnyBoy