5's

[57RIP]

Ok - so I'm in the market for a 5'er. I'm planning on stringing E to C. My default choice has been Bongo but there is also the Stringray 5 and I think that's it in the Music Man family.

Other than pickup configurations, what are the big differences in a 'ray 5 and Bong' 5 ? I'm thnking from a playability perspective for the most part I guess. Is htere one that jumps out as the better E Through C candidate ?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I don't play 5's so can't really be a lot of help, but the big difference is that the Bongo has 18v electronics.

 

[tkarter]

I have both. SR5 H and Bongo 5H. B string is good on both. I have no experience stringing like you intend to do.

1st difference. Bongo almost 2 pounds lighter on the shoulder for 4 hour gigs.

2nd difference. Neck is a little different profile on the Bongo than the SR5. Not great but enough to make you notice.

3rd. 18v vs 9v. The Bongo always sounds more like a SR5 in series to my ears. It is also capable of losing more growl than the SR5 does imho. It can growl when you want it to though.

4th. You are playing a Bongo nobody mistakes it for a Fender.

I love my SR5 but the Bongo gets all the play time so I love it more.

tk

 

[Ken Baker]

...Stringray 5 and I think that's it in the Music Man family.

I had a snappy answer, but it hinged on my having mis-read the above. <sigh> Such is life for a trouble maker.

Ken...

 

[57RIP]

CATASTROPHE - Award for the cat with the best buns.

and of course a Dis-ass'ed her is when the stew back's into the prop ...

Ken, I worry about folks judging the cat's unmentionables ... actually I worry as I could probably have set up the internet site for those wierdo's and gawd, I'd be rich...

 

[57RIP]

I have both. SR5 H and Bongo 5H. B string is good on both. I have no experience stringing like you intend to do.

tk

Thanks for the advice - I'm really leaning Bongo for a few reasons. 2 Separated shoulders is one of them ;~)

I will say that if you're a doube stop kinda guy. You know you went nutz over Paul Jackson's take on Watermelon Man, Stanley's Lopsy Lou...
the E through C thing has some really interesting possibilities.

I've had a few 5's and never have been comfortable with the B... I spent time on an E through C recently and I'm gaga...

 

[adouglas]

Okay, when you say "playability" I assume you mean everything other than sound and electronics.

The Bongo has the best ergonomics of any bass I've ever picked up. It's very comfortable to play. Something that's not obvious until you actually hold one is how thin it feels...most basses have a slab-like body with a thick edge, and a belly cut and lower bout taper for your arm. The Bongo has a belly cut too, but the entire lower bout has a thin edge so that no matter where you rest your arm, it's nice and thin.

Balances well, too.

The Bongo body is smaller than the SR5's.

Bongo has 24 frets if you want to get creative.

Bongo has a slightly thinner (front to back) neck, but as was mentioned the difference is slight.

Besides, getting a Bongo is the Right Thing To Do.

 

[TSanders]

Howdy Mal.

Based on your preferences that Ive read on other boards, Id say its a Bongo youre after.

 

[mynan]

Or wait and see what the Sterling 5 has to offer...

 

[adouglas]

Or wait and see what the Sterling 5 has to offer...

Good idea.











But you're going to buy a Bongo anyway. It is only a matter of time. You already know this to be true. Search your feelings.

 

[Dr Stankface]

For your tone, a Bongo you must seek.

 

[mynan]

For your tone, a Bongo you must seek.

Wow...I was really expecting to see a pitch for the SR5.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Wow...I was really expecting to see a pitch for the SR5.

I certainly prefer SR5s over Bongos in every aspect but with what he was describing, I think the Bongo is for him.

 

[tkarter]

The Bongo 6 will have the B and the C.

Nice neck on them too.

tk