Bongo 5 HS or HH...am I missing something?

[Zippydog]

Hey all,

About to spring for a Bongo 5 string to add to my SR5 HH.

Is there much of a difference between the Bongo 5HH vs. 5HS?
Seems to me that I'd be ok with the HS if I'm focused on the tail PUP vs. neck, but can you please give me your experinces / thoughts on this before I pull the trigger? What would the HH give that the HS can't? Conversely, what does the HS do that the HH can't?

I really like the sound of my SR5 HH and don't want to get this wrong!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and input!

 

[bovinehost]

Is there much of a difference between the Bongo 5HH vs. 5HS?

There is a difference. I've described it a zillion different ways and none of those descriptions have really been very accurate. I find it impossible to talk about tone without going all wine-aficionado.

And I'm not going there.

You're going to get the same basic tone out of the bridge pickup, of course, no matter if you go HH or HS. This is good news, because that bridge pickup (to me) defines the aggressive, snarly Bongo goodness.

But then you think, "Hmm, I might like to dial in a little something else...."

And that "little something else" is different on the HS and the HH.

Overall, I prefer the HH. It maintains that power, that aggression, by keeping it all humbucker. It's not very subtle. Who wants subtle? So, on the Bongo HH, you roll the pan knob forward and WHOA, it's big, it's deep, it's serious, but it still has that classic MusicMan humbucker go-for-the-throat aggression.

But I do have a Bongo HS, and I like it, too. Very much. It still blends in that deep sonic rumble, but it's a tad more refined......it's a single coil, after all, and - to me - is a bit more, um, "fender-y" while not really sounding at all like any Fender I've ever owned.

We toss around the "like a P" and "like a J" descriptions....I've done it, too, but it's because that's the baseline. But they're not much like Ps or Js, truly.

Everyone is going to say this, so let me say it, too. You have to play both. And not in a guitar store, God bless 'em, or even alone in your living room, but with loud, raucous instruments all around you. That's the test.

If I could only have one option (other than the single H), I'd take the HH. But thank the FSM that I don't only have that one option, because I truly love what the HS does.

Go. Play them both. Don't be in a hurry.

Oh - and try the single H. You might be very, very surprised.

Jack

 

[asianjeff]

I mean, my next bass very could likely be the Bongo 5 Hp... I love my HH, but, the H is a different animal.

 

[Zippydog]

Thanks, Jack!

Really helpful perspective and good guidance. Much appreciated!!
My searches on the site weren't bringing much info. up (maybe I was using the wrong words). so its great that you jumped in.

Since I've got the HH thing covered with my Stingray, I wonder if the Bongo HS might be the ticket for more tonal variety. Yep, I know these are two different instruments, but the refined single coil sound might, as you said, get me a bit of that "fender-y" sound.

Unfortunately, my local Bongo selection stinks, so this one's going to be a leap of faith purchase (why I'm trying to soak up all I can here and over at TB before squeezing the trigger).

Thanks again!

-Paul

 

[WillPlay4Food]

Wow, someone else touched by his noodly appendage!

I have a Bongo 4HH that will be with me forever. I love that bark / growl / snap / whatever you call it that just makes it sound so awesome. I have an SR5 HS and while it definitely sounds great, it doesn't have that aggressive snarl my Bongo has. I'm sure comparing an SR5 to a Bongo isn't quite apples to apples but between the two my Bongo wins hands down in the "I love that tone!" department.

 

[ekb16b]

im probably gonna pull the trigger on a bongo in a few weeks, like you im in a bit of a dilemma not knowing which pup config to go with, im probably gonna go with the HH without ever playing one, something about BP saying its the swiss army knife of basses,

 

[adouglas]

There is a difference. I've described it a zillion different ways and none of those descriptions have really been very accurate. I find it impossible to talk about tone without going all wine-aficionado.

And I'm not going there.

You're going to get the same basic tone out of the bridge pickup, of course, no matter if you go HH or HS. This is good news, because that bridge pickup (to me) defines the aggressive, snarly Bongo goodness.

But then you think, "Hmm, I might like to dial in a little something else...."

And that "little something else" is different on the HS and the HH.

Overall, I prefer the HH. It maintains that power, that aggression, by keeping it all humbucker. It's not very subtle. Who wants subtle? So, on the Bongo HH, you roll the pan knob forward and WHOA, it's big, it's deep, it's serious, but it still has that classic MusicMan humbucker go-for-the-throat aggression.

But I do have a Bongo HS, and I like it, too. Very much. It still blends in that deep sonic rumble, but it's a tad more refined......it's a single coil, after all, and - to me - is a bit more, um, "fender-y" while not really sounding at all like any Fender I've ever owned.

We toss around the "like a P" and "like a J" descriptions....I've done it, too, but it's because that's the baseline. But they're not much like Ps or Js, truly.

Everyone is going to say this, so let me say it, too. You have to play both. And not in a guitar store, God bless 'em, or even alone in your living room, but with loud, raucous instruments all around you. That's the test.

If I could only have one option (other than the single H), I'd take the HH. But thank the FSM that I don't only have that one option, because I truly love what the HS does.

Go. Play them both. Don't be in a hurry.

Oh - and try the single H. You might be very, very surprised.

Jack

Enabler.

 

[Old_Guy]

A Few Good Bongos

We toss around the "like a P" and "like a J" descriptions....I've done it, too, but it's because that's the baseline. But they're not much like Ps or Js, truly.
Jack

Can't help it, seems like I've heard this before..in a movie with another Jack...

Jack: You want answers?
Poster: I think I'm entitled to them.
Jack: You want answers?
Poster: I want the truth!
Jack: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has bands. And those bands have to be supported by bass players. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Mr. “J” Bass? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for single coil passive pickups and you curse the Bongo. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that active pickups PRODUCE BETTER TONE. And 18V circuitry, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, SOUNDS BETTER....You don't want the truth, because deep down, in places you don't talk about at gigs, you want a Bongo, you NEED a Bongo.
We use words like tone, groove, pocket…..we use these words as the backbone to a life spent holding down the bottom end. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man whose groove rides on the superior sounds I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide them! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Bongo and start playing. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
Poster: Did you order the HH configuration?
Jack: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Poster: Did you order the HH configuration?
Jack: You're *&@!*^%! right I did!!
--------
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[Zippydog]

Bravo!!

Absolutely Hilarious!:d

 

[bovinehost]

That was a thing of beauty.

*crying quietly*

Jack

 

[T-bone]

Encore!

And you gotta love Jack's nod to the FSM

tbone

 

[Sonnyonbass]

Can't help it, seems like I've heard this before..in a movie with another Jack...

Jack: You want answers?
Poster: I think I'm entitled to them.
Jack: You want answers?
Poster: I want the truth!
Jack: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has bands. And those bands have to be supported by bass players. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Mr. “J” Bass? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for single coil passive pickups and you curse the Bongo. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that active pickups PRODUCE BETTER TONE. And 18V circuitry, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, SOUNDS BETTER....You don't want the truth, because deep down, in places you don't talk about at gigs, you want a Bongo, you NEED a Bongo.
We use words like tone, groove, pocket…..we use these words as the backbone to a life spent holding down the bottom end. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man whose groove rides on the superior sounds I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide them! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Bongo and start playing. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
Poster: Did you order the HH configuration?
Jack: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Poster: Did you order the HH configuration?
Jack: You're *&@!*^%! right I did!!
--------
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

THAT was very funny indeed and actually made me smile today!

 

[Old_Guy]

I crack me up. I do gotta hand it to Jack though.

 

[sloshep]

Can't help it, seems like I've heard this before..in a movie with another Jack...

Jack: You want answers?
Poster: I think I'm entitled to them.
Jack: You want answers?
Poster: I want the truth!
Jack: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has bands. And those bands have to be supported by bass players. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Mr. “J” Bass? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for single coil passive pickups and you curse the Bongo. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that active pickups PRODUCE BETTER TONE. And 18V circuitry, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, SOUNDS BETTER....You don't want the truth, because deep down, in places you don't talk about at gigs, you want a Bongo, you NEED a Bongo.
We use words like tone, groove, pocket…..we use these words as the backbone to a life spent holding down the bottom end. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man whose groove rides on the superior sounds I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide them! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Bongo and start playing. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
Poster: Did you order the HH configuration?
Jack: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Poster: Did you order the HH configuration?
Jack: You're *&@!*^%! right I did!!
--------
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

That has got to be a classic here. Too funny

 

[MingusBASS]

Congrats Zippydog. Welcome to tone country.

 

[Zippydog]

Allright gang, I've done it.

Pulled the trigger yesterday on a Black 5 String HH Bongo with a black pickguard!

Can't wait to see it next to my black/black/rosewood SR5HH! What a pair they'll be!

Thanks all - I'll get some first impressions and photos up next week.