5 string Bongo Users??

[redchair72]

Just purschased a 5 string Bongo at GC ,,,first ever 5 string bass and Bongo bass....my question is it normal when I play,,for the sound to have a ring to it...kind of that "radiator" noise,,,or the Korn low slapping sound they get on the B string,,its on all my strings especially the E string,,,,
is this just a normal feature of a bongo,,or do I need to adjust something???

 

[adouglas]

Forgive what is probably a dumb question, but...

Are you muting the strings you're not playing like you're supposed to?

 

[Bill]

If it's your first 5 string, it'll take a little time to get used to it. It's important to mute the strings you're not playing in order to prevent that unwanted ringing.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Jazzbassman23]

Welcome aboard. I know it's your first post, but we don't print prices on new instruments here. Used, okay. New, not cool. To your question, are you detuned?

 

[Disquieter]

yeah two things.

what's a radiator noise?


thanks
joel D.

 

[Golem]

yeah two things.

what's a radiator noise? thanks joel D.

Mines go "drip drip drip [repeat ad nauseum]". My B5HH does not make that noise.

You got it at GC? I got mine there. Most likely it needs a basic set up.

 

[Freddy-G.]

That Bongo preamp is POWERFUL. It will pick up every vibration of the strings, and new roundwounds are especially noisey. Muting the unplayed strings is a technique that will come with practice.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Alvabass]

I've been playing 5-string basses from 15 years ago and I must say that it took me a while to get used to the Bongo because that thing is so powerful it rings just by looking at it! A great exercise for your muting techniques. Congrats and enjoy your Bongo.

 

[tkarter]

Wouldn't killing the treble help some right along with muting?

tk

 

[Mr Light]

Muting Technique

Hi,

As a four-string player who plays a five-string, I like to anchor my thumb on the low-B string when I'm playng traditional bass, and anchor it on the pickup when I "refer" to the low-B in the course of a performance. To be honest, I naturally started doing that over time, it really didn't occur to me until I started going to music school (in technique class). Also, odds are, it needs to be setup anyway if it came from Guitar Center. I don't even think they hire bass players.

Hope this helps.

 

[0557]

if you got it at GC, it needs a basic setup. All of mine were out of wack.
the fingerboard probably needs a little lemon oil from being dried out from
the HVAC at GC.

 

[Bill]

As a recent 5-string player myself, I've been using a technique similar to Mr. Light's. My thumb generally rests on the pickup when I'm playing the B string. When I play on the E through D strings, my thumb is mostly on the B string unless I'm doing some fast runs on the A & D strings; in that case, I rest my thumb on the E string & I make sure it presses gently against the B string to mute it. When I play on the G string, I also keep my thumb on the E string & pressing lightly on the B. Seems to work pretty well for me.

 

[Moondog]

... my thumb is mostly on the B string unless I'm doing some fast runs on the A & D strings; in that case, I rest my thumb on the E string & I make sure it presses gently against the B string to mute it. When I play on the G string, I also keep my thumb on the E string & pressing lightly on the B. Seems to work pretty well for me.

When I started digging into the SR5, I
would often apply too much pressure on
the B causing it to come into contact with
the poles. POP!! - Not a nice sound . .

I solved that problem by trading it for
your SR4

 

[Bill]

When I started digging into the SR5, I
would often apply too much pressure on
the B causing it to come into contact with
the poles. POP!! - Not a nice sound . .

I solved that problem by trading it for
your SR4

 

[Rayan]

OneMan'zMuzic Iz AnotherMan'zNoize

... (my question) is it normal ... for the sound to have a ... "radiator" noise ???

~
You're probably not getting "radiator" noises; *those* sounds are unique to the BoNGoLC (liquid cooled version) which is only sold in Europe where they use higher voltages

More than likely you were accidently sold an aircooled BoNGoDU (down under version) which is made for Australia
- unless it's retrofitted with "RW" strings (ReverseWinds: required on all basses in countries below the equator to counteract the backwards rotation of Earth) you'll probably be picking up a lot of "WindNoise"

Whatever, don't blame GC since they're probably not familiar with the "LC" and "DU" version BoNGoz

All said, *if* you *do* by chance have a BoNGoR (regular), it may just be that in the Christmas rush over at GC, one of their guitar players forgot to unbolt the suspension clamps
- that's a common guitar player mistake since only basses are shipped with spring blocks
- in which case what your hearing is "RoadieNoise" which eventually goes away if you alwaze "dime" your knobs
~
GoodLuck & Happy New Year,
/R

 

[basserfire17]

Damnit i'm confused. I need to stick to the 4 strings.... and the northern hemisphere