Bongo 4 versus Bongo 6 sound

[uOpt]

I am not happy with my Bongo 4HH sound. It is technically perfect with every note up and down the fretboard ringing like a bell, not to mention I intuitively just like this bass. But it just sounds a bit too cold for me. I think there are 3 possible reasons for it:

- lack of mass between the small body, the 24 frets and the basswood
- neodymium pickups
- bridge pickup in the "wrong" position (forced by the 24 fret design)

Now, I need a 6-string bass for a specific project anyway. I haven't decided what style of bass that should be. I wonder whether the extra wood, especially on the neck, would maybe fix the issue?

Anybody tried both and can give an impression?

On the other hand, once I am 6-stringed I cannot get any alnico pickups anymore, not even ceramic ones, and there is no single H bongo for 6-string. Is that right?

 

[melvin7822]

What you are describing is the inherent response of neodymium pickups. They are very clear. I've not had my hands on a 6, but I've had my hands on a 4 and a 5. And I can tell you the difference in sound with added weight is not a huge difference.

Also, the Bongo 6 is available in a single H model. Here's a video of a Bongo 5 H to give you it pretty close idea as to what it would sound like. Paul's Bass Matters MusicMan Bongo 5 Bassampler - YouTube

 

[Ray Salamon]

The Bongo 6 is available as single-H combination.
One other thing I would say to consider is a piezo one - though sadly, that's not available on the Bongo 6s (I asked just last month on a custom order I placed with a PDN - still no go!). That made me pretty sad.

For the 6 v 4 tonal differences - I had a 4 HH a 5 HH and a 6 HH, and to me they all sounded basically identical. Maybe some very, very small differences, probably more due to the strings than anything. Right now I have a 6 HS and a 5 HS on order - I personally feel the HS pickup combination is the best, but I have yet to try a single H in person.

 

[uOpt]

The Bongo 6 is available as single-H combination.
One other thing I would say to consider is a piezo one - though sadly, that's not available on the Bongo 6s (I asked just last month on a custom order I placed with a PDN - still no go!). That made me pretty sad.

For the 6 v 4 tonal differences - I had a 4 HH a 5 HH and a 6 HH, and to me they all sounded basically identical. Maybe some very, very small differences, probably more due to the strings than anything. Right now I have a 6 HS and a 5 HS on order - I personally feel the HS pickup combination is the best, but I have yet to try a single H in person.

The HS Bongo still has the humbucker in the Bongo, not the Stingray, position, right?

 

[bovinehost]

I am not happy with my Bongo 4HH sound. It is technically perfect with every note up and down the fretboard ringing like a bell, not to mention I intuitively just like this bass.

That must be horrible.

 

[Ray Salamon]

Correct. The only one with it in the 'Ray position is the single H variants. There's a 6 H for sale on TB right now too that I wish I had the funds for, though I expect I'd flip it quickly. Hoping a local store gets one in so I just try and compare it to my HS.

I don't know if they do H+piezo, but I bet that'd be a pretty killer combination if they do! I really, really wish EBMM did piezo on the 6ers... I can see initially not doing it, but after these years you'd think that they would have it. Maybe someday :-/

 

[uOpt]

Correct. The only one with it in the 'Ray position is the single H variants. There's a 6 H for sale on TB right now too that I wish I had the funds for, though I expect I'd flip it quickly. Hoping a local store gets one in so I just try and compare it to my HS.

I don't know if they do H+piezo, but I bet that'd be a pretty killer combination if they do! I really, really wish EBMM did piezo on the 6ers... I can see initially not doing it, but after these years you'd think that they would have it. Maybe someday :-/

The guy holding the sky blue HH6 also just dropped his price by mega percent. If he had a reasonable price in the first place he would have had a sale Now I temporarily parked the funds elsewhere.

The person with the black 6H has a crappy ad, trying to avoid. And I don't quite like black, if I take black I want the ebony fretboard.

Maybe I should petition to the rulers to make a special run like this:
- Bongo 6H, maybe + piezo
- unpaited or clear gloss neck, or maybe a rosewood neck
- warm colors such as sunburst. Yeah I don't care that basswood looks boring

Imagine how special the run would be if you had only one customer

But from my observation people here go crazy when they see more natural/warm color schemes on Bongos, maybe it would sell. And isn't Music Man all about the raw neck finishes? Why hide all the bongo necks?

 

[uOpt]

That must be horrible.

I think what I should do is slam in some alnico pickup for a test.

My hunch is that the pickup isn't alone at fault, though. Making bodies both small and from light wood has implications.

 

[Ray Salamon]

The guy holding the sky blue HH6 also just dropped his price by mega percent. If he had a reasonable price in the first place he would have had a sale Now I temporarily parked the funds elsewhere.

Yeah. I'm actually half thinking of contacting him now. That's a pretty dang unbelievable price on a 6er. But, not much has been selling at TB lately, so it might even be stuck at that price. I picked up my 6 HS for $1100.

Maybe I should petition to the rulers to make a special run like this:
- Bongo 6H, maybe + piezo

If they announce Bongo 6s with piezo, I'll be on the phone with Jimmy at ThePerfectBass within hours ordering one. The sole reason my present order with them is a 5 is only because the 6 does not have a piezo option. I really hope they change that fact... was kind of hoping to hear it at NAMM, but no dice . I'd probably do Hp or HHp.

 

[uOpt]

Are the piezos integrated into the bridge and they don't make the 6-string bridge with them or what is the problem with that, anyway?

I would pounce on the sky blue even without proper funds at $1300 if it was single H. I don't think it's unreasonably low, they are not *that* expensive new and they all lack the paint on the tip of the headstock once they are a couple months old

That's the problem with being very specific about everything. Oh well. Overall MM should at least offer one color that isn't cold or flashy.

 

[Ray Salamon]

Are the piezos integrated into the bridge and they don't make the 6-string bridge with them or what is the problem with that, anyway?

Bolded part = bingo. I'm sure it'd be no small task on EBMM to get a 6 string piezo bridge, and coupled with I'm betting the relatively small amount of orders they get for Piezos in 4 and 5 basically makes it not make business sense to put R&D time and money into it.

I would pounce on the sky blue even without proper funds at $1300 if it was single H. I don't think it's unreasonably low, they are not *that* expensive new and they all lack the paint on the tip of the headstock once they are a couple months old

PM'd the seller... that 6HH might be coming my way. We're trying to work out a deal on it now... it's not unreasonably low, but 30% off, so about what I expect for most used basses in good shape. I could probably haggle, especially since it's been there that long, but that seems like an OK price to me.

There's the Dargie Bongo 5 H on eBay for $1200 that I've been keeping my eye.

 

[Golem]

`

The piezos are NOT integrated into the bridge. They're
integrated into the saddles, which usually come from a
separate supplier than the rest of the hardware. What
EBMM would still need to add to their variables is: slots
in the bridge for the wires, a rout in the backside for
the piezo connections, and the a 6-string version of the
piezo connection sub-board with its 7 trim pots etc.

But since the OP expresses dissatisfaction with Boingo
tone in general, rather than wishing EBMM could be
All Things to All Players [a claim BP has never made ...]
perhaps this is an instance where the solution will not
come from SLO. OR ..... you can get an SR5 piezo and
string it in 5ths [5-string bass cello] to cover the range
of a 6-string bass. I bleeb NSD offers such a string set,
since they make a 34" 5-string electric bass cello.

OMNI Bass by NS Design (CR Series) - Compact Electric Upright Bass, 4/5 string at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

 

[uOpt]

PM'd the seller... that 6HH might be coming my way. We're trying to work out a deal on it now... it's not unreasonably low, but 30% off, so about what I expect for most used basses in good shape. I could probably haggle, especially since it's been there that long, but that seems like an OK price to me.

There's the Dargie Bongo 5 H on eBay for $1200 that I've been keeping my eye.

Did you get the Dargie?

 

[Ray Salamon]

Did you get the Dargie?

No, and the TB seller ended up selling the 6HH to someone else while I was waiting for their paypal info. Lost out on both, but, that's OK. Another 6HH will pop up eventually. It's not like I want one badly enough to buy a new one. Pretty sure the wife would likely end me as well if I did that (rightfully so, as well). If I can find a 6 HH for ~$1200, I'll be in big trouble. Heck, even a 5 HH would be cool to have in the stable... I kind of want a green or dark blue bass...

 

[ubnomnar]

Did you get the Dargie?

I know a guy, who knows a guy who currently has two Bongo's and may have picked up a DDII 5H

I've previously owned a Bongo 5HHp and two different Bongo 5HH. I've been watching for single H models and this year I feel like I've struck Bongo GOLD

About two years ago I bought an interesting Bongo 5H pickguard from a member here... and considered using it as a template to route one of my HH's for a single H. I never went through with the idea. However, I still have the pickguard and I'm thinking it's going to look pretty sweet on the DDII.

 

[Ray Salamon]

I know a guy, who knows a guy who currently has two Bongo's and may have picked up a DDII 5H

I've previously owned a Bongo 5HHp and two different Bongo 5HH. I've been watching for single H models and this year I feel like I've struck Bongo GOLD

About two years ago I bought an interesting Bongo 5H pickguard from a member here... and considered using it as a template to route one of my HH's for a single H. I never went through with the idea. However, I still have the pickguard and I'm thinking it's going to look pretty sweet on the DDII.

Sweet! I was hoping that someone here or on TB at the very least picked that one up.

 

[keko]

Get a single H 6 string Bongo, ...I tried one, ...whatta splendid bass!!!

P.S. ...I own single H Bongo in a 5 string version, ...the best axe ever!!!

 

[uOpt]

I know a guy, who knows a guy who currently has two Bongo's and may have picked up a DDII 5H

I've previously owned a Bongo 5HHp and two different Bongo 5HH. I've been watching for single H models and this year I feel like I've struck Bongo GOLD

About two years ago I bought an interesting Bongo 5H pickguard from a member here... and considered using it as a template to route one of my HH's for a single H. I never went through with the idea. However, I still have the pickguard and I'm thinking it's going to look pretty sweet on the DDII.

Let us know what you think about the single hum.

 

[ubnomnar]

Let us know what you think about the single hum.

My Bongo 4Hp and 4H are my favorites of my eight basses. I previously owned a Bongo 4HH, two 5HH and a 5HHp so I'm expecting the 5H to also be a favorite.

I'd like to try a Bongo HS at some point to see what I think. Having owned 4 Big Al SSS models I've got some idea of what a neo-single coil neck pickup should sound like.

The single H Bongo, both with and without the piezo seems to really hit the "sound in my head" spot for me.