Bongo 5 H vs HS

[stu42]

I know this has been discussed before. I did a search and found some bits and pieces of info on this but would still have some questions about it.

How would you characterize the sound of the Bongo 5 H vs the HS?

I've got a 2005 Buttercream Bongo 5 HS. I love it and it's all great. That said, I keep reading these posts where Big Poppa, and others, sing the praises of the single H Bongo. So, I'm curious about the single H but the stores where I live never seem to stock the single H so I can't actually try one out.

I know the single H pickup is closer to the neck (in the sweet spot ?) compared to the bridge pickup on the HS and HH Bongo. Does this make the Bongo H sound more similar to a Stingray? I've read some people say that the Bongo H is a "great rock bass". If so, why is that? If the single H is a great rock bass what does that say about it's suitability for funk, R&B, gospel, etc?

I would think the single H would have a tighter sound, less bass presence and different mids (??). I've played several Stingrays so I have some conception of how they compare to the HH and HS Bongo. I realize these differences are hard to describe but...please...help me!!

Also....is there a general preference to having the 4-band pre-amp of the HP vs the 3-band of the H?

Thanks.
Stu

 

[maddog]

Out of the 3 pickup options (not counting piezo), it is the closest to a stingray.

 

[oddjob]

Yeah close to a SR but different - the sounds of both are very different (H/HS) - do a forum search this has been hit MANY times

 

[adouglas]

I got to try Mobay45's H for a couple of weeks a while back. It does not have "less bass presence" but it does have a different midrange character.

I think it might have been me you were referring to when you said that people have said it's a "great rock bass." What I meant when I said that is that it sits really nicely in the mix of typical rock songs.

Since you've got a Bongo to play with, you can get kind of close to the H tone (at least to my ear) by boosting your low mids and favoring your bridge pickup (but not completely shutting off your neck pickup).

The 4-band is not a reason to pop for the piezo...the piezo itself is.

IIRC BP likes the H because it's a point-and-shoot instrument. Real easy to get a good tone out of it, with simple controls (remember he doesn't trust musicians with wrenches...simplicity is its own virtue).

BP has also called the Bongo HH the "Swiss Army Knife of basses." Does it all.

I have a Bongo 5HHp, and if it got destroyed and I had to choose a replacement I'd probably go with an HSp based on doing an A/B comparison vs. my HHp at a dealer some months ago. I like the voicing of the neck pickup on the HS.

I really like the H a lot, but I find the two-pickup basses to give you more variation in tone.

I know this has been discussed before. I did a search and found some bits and pieces of info on this but would still have some questions about it.

How would you characterize the sound of the Bongo 5 H vs the HS?

I've got a 2005 Buttercream Bongo 5 HS. I love it and it's all great. That said, I keep reading these posts where Big Poppa, and others, sing the praises of the single H Bongo. So, I'm curious about the single H but the stores where I live never seem to stock the single H so I can't actually try one out.

I know the single H pickup is closer to the neck (in the sweet spot ?) compared to the bridge pickup on the HS and HH Bongo. Does this make the Bongo H sound more similar to a Stingray? I've read some people say that the Bongo H is a "great rock bass". If so, why is that? If the single H is a great rock bass what does that say about it's suitability for funk, R&B, gospel, etc?

I would think the single H would have a tighter sound, less bass presence and different mids (??). I've played several Stingrays so I have some conception of how they compare to the HH and HS Bongo. I realize these differences are hard to describe but...please...help me!!

Also....is there a general preference to having the 4-band pre-amp of the HP vs the 3-band of the H?

Thanks.
Stu

 

[Psycho Ward]

“There is nothing wrong with owning several Bongo’s”

Good luck, surely you’ll find one to try.

 

[robobass13]

the H/S is a killer, I have owned both an H/H and the H/S. I hear tell that the H is the one to have but I haven't had the opportunity to try one out yet.

 

[stu42]

Hey guys...thanks for all of the information. This has been helpful. I'll try those settings you recommended on my H/S and see how it goes just for fun.

I'm really looking forward to trying out a single H Bongo one day. I was really close to just buying a one a while back but I can't justify buying another Bongo at this time. Who knows...maybe someday!