- Thread starter david2435
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keko
Well-known member
I don't believe that's possible on Bongo's neodymium Humbackers, but not 100% sure?
Bongos are parallel by default!
Bongos are parallel by default!
stu42
Well-known member
I'm curious....have you played a Bongo 4H before? Is this a situation where you've got a Bongo 4H but you want more (something) out of the sound and you think series mode might help or is this more of a hypothetical question out of curiosity or maybe because you think you wouldn't be happy with the default parallel sound?
I have not played a Bongo 4H. I would like to try one, but I can't find one in my area (Washington D.C.). I believe I would prefer the tone from serial wiring. This is based on my experience with basses I currently own:
- Fender Precision with s1 switch - I prefer serial
- Fender Jazz with s1 switch - I prefer serial
- Sterling 4H (the "real" Sterling) - I prefer serial
- Warwick Streamer Standard - I prefer serial
keko
Well-known member
But of course not, not at all,
...my point was focused on Bongo neodymium Humbacker pickup which is parallel wired by default, so I don't believe that wiring in series is possible without "brutal" disassembling of whole pickup, ...which could cause malfunction or damage!That was my point, ...but I repeat, ...I'm not 100% sure that rewiring is impossible, ...I mean I never opened any Bongo Humbacker, ...so I don't know exactly what's under the hood!
The Bongo 4H is very much its own animal, and you really ought to play one and experiment with the 4-band EQ. It has a very "out front" tone and exhibits none of the scoopy sound (not that there's anything wrong with that) that other parallel-wired bass pickups can have.
Doesn't the 4H Bongo has a 3-band EQ, not 4-band? You're right, I might like the stock tone options - but I'd also like to know how involved a mod to add a serial option would be.
From what I've been told on here, the Bongo's pickups are internally wired - it might just be easier to get an aftermarket pickup that has this option available. The question that comes to my mind - do you want to be able to switch between series/parallel/(or even single coil!), or always have series with no switching? The first option would require a switch of some kind, and you'd have to carefully plan where you wanted that on the Bongo.
laneline
Well-known member
Yup 3 band, maybe being an 18 volt as opposed to 9 might help also. Did you call C.S. 866 823 2255 ?
stu42
Well-known member
The Bongo H is 3-band EQ. The Bongo Hp (single Humbucker + piezo) is 4-band EQ.
I'd echo what Oldtoe said...the Bongo H doesn't have a scooped or twangy sound like a lot of parallel-wired basses have (including the Stingray and Sterling). It seems to be unique in that it has quite a full, warm sound that is VERY punchy and crazy powerful. The only bass I've personally ever played that had a similar kind of punch, power and volume to it is the Big Al SSS with all buttons up - which has the bridge and middle pickups wired in series. Mind you, in that configuration, the Big Al has a bit more dense sounding midrange and slightly rounder bottom end compared to the Bongo H but the Bongo H is definitely not scooped.
I definitely would not recommend replacing the pickup because then you may as well just buy a different bass and I would question why you really want a Bongo to begin with....unless you just love the look of it and and are determined to have that body style.
Maybe try a Big Al H as it has series and parallel settings on it and I understand that it sounds quite huge. Or, try a Big Al SSS with all buttons in the up position to see if that floats your boat.
Or...just take a chance on the Bongo H. Speaking from experience, I was really reluctant to buy a Bongo H because I really wanted to try one first but that proved impossible because there just weren't any around that I could try. I wondered and wondered about it for 3 years before finally giving it a shot and....after getting it I realized that was just 3 wasted years because I could have been enjoying the Bongo H all that time.
Just do it!! Others will agree. I'd be willing to bet that, once you hear it, you'll forget all about that series option.
I'd echo what Oldtoe said...the Bongo H doesn't have a scooped or twangy sound like a lot of parallel-wired basses have (including the Stingray and Sterling). It seems to be unique in that it has quite a full, warm sound that is VERY punchy and crazy powerful. The only bass I've personally ever played that had a similar kind of punch, power and volume to it is the Big Al SSS with all buttons up - which has the bridge and middle pickups wired in series. Mind you, in that configuration, the Big Al has a bit more dense sounding midrange and slightly rounder bottom end compared to the Bongo H but the Bongo H is definitely not scooped.
I definitely would not recommend replacing the pickup because then you may as well just buy a different bass and I would question why you really want a Bongo to begin with....unless you just love the look of it and and are determined to have that body style.
Maybe try a Big Al H as it has series and parallel settings on it and I understand that it sounds quite huge. Or, try a Big Al SSS with all buttons in the up position to see if that floats your boat.
Or...just take a chance on the Bongo H. Speaking from experience, I was really reluctant to buy a Bongo H because I really wanted to try one first but that proved impossible because there just weren't any around that I could try. I wondered and wondered about it for 3 years before finally giving it a shot and....after getting it I realized that was just 3 wasted years because I could have been enjoying the Bongo H all that time.
Just do it!! Others will agree.
I'd be willing to bet that, once you hear it, you'll forget all about that series option.My single-H Bongo has a piezo bridge, and my other two Bongos are HH models. I sometimes forget about the 3-bander. Oops.
I would also strongly advise against trying to modify the electronics on any Bongo. I don't think anyone has ever done so without either ruining the bass (and then being unable to purchase a new preamp/pickup from the factory,) or going immediately back to the stock setup. This is really one of those times when you can believe "they got it right." If you absolutely have to tweak it, you should try to find an old one that has been abused that you can get for cheap.
In my experience, if there's a tone that you're looking for that you can't get with a MusicMan bass, the instrument isn't the problem. Cheers.
I would also strongly advise against trying to modify the electronics on any Bongo. I don't think anyone has ever done so without either ruining the bass (and then being unable to purchase a new preamp/pickup from the factory,) or going immediately back to the stock setup. This is really one of those times when you can believe "they got it right." If you absolutely have to tweak it, you should try to find an old one that has been abused that you can get for cheap.
In my experience, if there's a tone that you're looking for that you can't get with a MusicMan bass, the instrument isn't the problem.
Cheers.
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tbonesullivan
Well-known member
Just because you like series wiring on one bass guitar doesn't mean you'll like it on another. I would leave it as is, rather than risk mucking it up.
JayDawg
Well-known member
I have a Bongo 4 H, 4 HH and a 4 Hp and a 4 HHp being built. So far my two favorites from a tonal perspective are the 4 H and the 4 Hp. I can't imagine why anyone would want to re-wire any Bongo whatsoever as it is my favorite Music Man bass made.
David, on the Bongo 4 H, what kind of a tone are you looking for sound wise? All of my Bongo's are versatile so I can get almost any tone needed out of them. Maybe I can help you out with what you are looking for. If you look in my sig, it will tell you the other Music Man basses that I own so I am pretty familair with the similarities and differences between the Bongo's and other models.
David, on the Bongo 4 H, what kind of a tone are you looking for sound wise? All of my Bongo's are versatile so I can get almost any tone needed out of them. Maybe I can help you out with what you are looking for. If you look in my sig, it will tell you the other Music Man basses that I own so I am pretty familair with the similarities and differences between the Bongo's and other models.
Disco Batman
Well-known member
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Laneline gave you the right answer two days ago. Just call Ernie Ball Customer support they will be more than happy to answer your question.
tbonesullivan
Well-known member
This is a DISCUSSION forum, so if you don't want discussion, you should have called customer service, as was suggested about three days ago in this thread.
You also did get the answer, that the pickups were internally wired parallel, that you were asking for. It isn't possible without taking the pickup itself apart and rewiring it.
bovinehost
Administrator
You know - nah, never mind, question asked and answered and that's that.
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