Question Bongo 5 HH or Stingray 5 HH?

[BIGEJ2]

I'm looking for a new bass. Have it narrowed down to either a Stingray 5 HH or a Bongo 5 HH. I've played both and like both equally. My only other EBMM is a Big Al 5 SSS. I'm leaning towards the Bongo but am afraid it sounds a little too close to the Big Al.

All things equal, what would you pick?

 

[epitaph04]

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/2900-usual-questions-search-function.html

 

[Gravesend Black]

You missed the 3rd poll option - buy both) To hard to choose one.

 

[BIGEJ2]

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/2900-usual-questions-search-function.html

Thanks. That was helpful.

 

[Movielife]

Do you want a traditional Stingray H tone? The classic bridge H?

If so, Ray HH.

 

[BIGEJ2]

Thanks Moivelife. I see you have a Big Al SSS and Bongo HH. How would you compare the tone of these two basses? I like the feel of the Bongo a lot but am concerned it will be too similar in tone to my Big Al.

 

[Movielife]

Thanks Moivelife. I see you have a Big Al SSS and Bongo HH. How would you compare the tone of these two basses? I like the feel of the Bongo a lot but am concerned it will be too similar in tone to my Big Al.

Sorry my Bongo isn't here yet, but I'm guessing the two are very different.

 

[laneline]

I have a BA 5 SSS and a Bongo 5 HH and even though I don't have currently have an SR5. I think the SR5 will be closer tonally to a BA than a Bongo just from the switching standpoint. The Bongo's 24 frets and blend knob contribute to a very different tonal palette . To me the Bongo leans more to a modern tone while the BA especially in passive can get more vintage. Have fun and Merry Christmas.

 

[mingsta]

I own a bongo hh and stingray hh, have tried a big al SSS but not enough to get a good feel for it. I thought the big al was closer to the rayhh than the bongo.

I like the rayhh the most as my go to bass that can do a bit of everything. The bongo is more modern sounding and more punchy. I'd say a bongo and a big al would give you more options than a big al and ray.

 

[T28]

Big Al is closer to a Ray. I own both a BONGO HHp and a Big Al 5 SSS and I am in the process of selling my SR5 because I can get tones similar (close but not exactly) with the BigAL. IMHO a Big AL and a Bongo will give you the biggest diversity.

 

[keko]

I'd go for a new Bongo with light weight tuning machines!

I prefer modern Music Man basses!

 

[BIGEJ2]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone!

I'm a little surprised on the Bongo since they share a preamp and pickup materials with the Big Al SSS.

 

[tkarter]

The correct answer is buy a Bongo 5 H and get the best bass ever produced.

imnsho
tk