Bongo advice for a skinny-stringer

[beej]

I've got a Bongo5 HHp that I love, it's my only bass (got too many of the skinny stringers and need at least one bass to keep 'em scared). I'm in the "everyone should own a Bongo" camp.

Here's the thing- I never use the low B or the piezo. Like ever. So I'm thinking of looking for a non-p 4 to keep things simpler. It's one less control and less weight. Maybe even an H rather than an HH. (I never really gig with it, it's really for recording and practicing.)

So the question is ... is it easy to get used to the string spacing of a 4? I know the neck is a tad narrower (which is good, I'm used to guitar sized necks) and wondering how easy it is to jump down to a 4, given that the strings are probably further apart and so forth. Not that I'm good or anything ... someone with as little bass technique as me shouldn't probably have any issues switching to the sousaphone.

So I could use some advice ... thanks in advance, Bonogloids (and other 'loids).

 

[Grand Wazoo]

from a guitarist point of view a 4 strings is both good and bad, good because 4 strings are easier to learn less strings and the notes on the neck are easy to come to terms with, however the spacing on a 4 is larger and that can prove difficult, but anything with practice becomes 2nd nature. I'd stick with the one you have.

 

[DaddyFlip]

You should hook up with Deaj and trade for his white Bongo 4HH; he is wanting a 5HHp! That said, I would like to ask how long you have had your Bongo? If you are a short-timer, and since you are a skinny with all those axes, you might like the versatility down the road. I'm a beginner and I bought a 5'er. I didn't touch the low-B at all for a year and decided I was going to go 4. Then I learned a song in the key of A starting on the B instead of the E string. It was awesome and easier to play, so now I'm just about off the short-term 4 kick. Good luck figuring out what to do.

 

[Powman]

The distance between the frets will of course be the same. The distance between the strings will be a bit more on a 4 string.

I have not done any measurements of string spacing on the 4 string models, but I do know that the Sterling has the smallest neck (I love it for that). The Sting Ray feels the biggest (which is why I don't own one) and the Bongo is in between (which is now on order).

 

[sitonmybass]

Recording and practicing only? Stick with the 5-string. If you switch to just 4-string there's going to be SOME future situation where you might need it and regret no longer having it. Don't do it!
You can do anything on a 5-string that you can do on a 4-string but not vice versa. Given time, that low B string will become your friend.

 

[Powman]

I have seen some 5 stringers view their bass as basically starting at the 5th fret. So now you have EADGC which is practically the same as a 4 string. So I can't see how you wouldn't use the low B string if you have a 5 string. If you ever play a E, don't play open string E but 5th fret of the B string...

 

[Jimmyb]

Hey J!

Like you I'm a skinny stringer with a Bongo, but unlike you, I'm crap at both!

My advice is to keep the 5, but to use the low B as somewhere to hold your thumb when you're not playing the other strings.

As for the piezo, think of it like a flanger. You may not need it now, but it's handy tob have around just in case....

Bear in mind, my advice is worth next to nothing really....

 

[Deaj]

Should you decide to move your 5HHp for a 4HH Bongo I have a White one I'm currently looking to trade for a 5HH or 5HHp.

 

[MrMusashi]

id love a bongo 4hp with "full" rosewood neck and white body!

i can smell that untreated rosewood neck already!

ps: for the op: for studio work stay with what gives you most flexibility.. a bongo5 hhp can never be wrong!

MrM

 

[sitonmybass]

Since I play 5-string bass exclusively, I wouldn't PERSONALLY recommend using the low B string as a thumb-rest. This can become a hard to break habit. When playing 5-string you want to interpret the low B as part of the equation but you'll never comfortably integrate it if you use it as a thumb-rest.

 

[beej]

Okay, that's all great advice guys. I'll sit tight with my 5'er. Next time I get a chance I will spend some time with a 4, just to see.)

Deaj- solid offer- thanks! Just looked at your Bongo ... I can't believe you haven't been taken up on it yet ... it's sexy as hell.

 

[Deaj]

Okay, that's all great advice guys. I'll sit tight with my 5'er. Next time I get a chance I will spend some time with a 4, just to see.)

Deaj- solid offer- thanks! Just looked at your Bongo ... I can't believe you haven't been taken up on it yet ... it's sexy as hell.

Thanks! I may well end up purchasing a 5'er and keep the white 4HH. Every day that passes makes it that much more difficult to let it go. I knew this would be the case and was sort of hoping for a quick offer for something as unique and appealing as the white one.