Bongo or Sting Ray?

[cellkirk74]

Definitely a dual pickup for me.

The only prob is where i come from, it's impossible to try both. The market for MM's aren't big here. I've only managed to try the stingray, and loved the tone. But is it true the Bongo could get the same tone as the stingray and more?

where are you?

 

[Duarte]

But is it true the Bongo could get the same tone as the stingray and more?

It can get close. Verry close. The thing with the Bongo is that there is so much EQ and tweaking possibilities that you will be able to get a vast vaiety of sounds. But, as the pickups, body wood, preamp and pickup placement are different it will always have that caraaazy Bongo edge.

That said, the single H Bongo has its pickup in the same old classic Ray position, and it sounds wonderful too. I think it sounds like a Stingray, but 10 times more.

Problem is, single H Bongos are hard to find to try out.

 

[Old_Guy]

Again, what are your tone goals?
To be "overly simplistic," if you're doing rock, consider the Stingray. If you like the Stingray, but want something a "little lighter" consider the Sterling.
If you do finger funk, soul, R&B, consider tha Bongo.
I realize that's overly simplistic and I'll possibly get flamed as all these instruments do all styles, but I think most folks would agree that the Bongo has more in the low and low mids, while the Stingrays cut though better.
Of course the best thing to do is try all, or at least watch BP & friends in this video here:

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/40863-big-poppa-roundtable-bpl-10-24-09-a-4.html

 

[Powman]

You may have been following my thread about the Bongo. But for me, the combination of Sterling and Bongo makes the most sense as these are two very different sounding basses.

Bongo has incredible low end. Sterling has a cool aggressive rock sound. Sting ray in between the two. But do try them all!!!

 

[Toetruck]

I am pretty new to bass so I don't know the exact tone I am going for. I am playing rock/pop punk if that helps at all. Thanks for the responses!

Also, what exactly is a Piezo?

http://www.music-man.com/techinfo/controls/cfd_bongo_hp_4eq.jpg

I tried out a Sterling and a Stingray yesterday at guitar center. I liked the Ray over the Sterling. But I am yet to try out a Bongo. Ive been looking at the Bongo H online, but I'll have to try them all out somehow.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I am pretty new...

Also, what exactly is a Piezo?

A piezo is a piezo electric microphone, which in the case of the EBMM basses and guitars consists of small transducers fitted in the bridge saddles, each saddle has it's own, then the bass will have a panning potentiometer what allows you to blend the piezo output with the standard magnetic pickups for a cooool sound, check it out

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rNKuYuex1I"]YouTube- 2001 Sterling H with piezo bridge[/ame]

 

[keko]

A piezo is a piezo electric microphone, which in the case of the EBMM basses and guitars consists of small transducers fitted in the bridge saddles, each saddle has it's own, then the bass will have a panning potentiometer what allows you to blend the piezo output with the standard magnetic pickups for a cooool sound, check it out

Sorry my friend, but this bolded is not correct! What comes after is true!

Piezo is closer to the pickup than microphone, but however it's not magnetic, it's not electrodynamic like microphones, ...etc.

Piezo is basically small silicone plate which picks up micro-vibrations from a string saddle and in that little movement happen the micro voltage difference between grounded side of piezo (bridge or whatever) and other side wired to the preamp unit!
This fragile AC voltage is signal which is processed in preamp and can be added (blended) with pan-pot, or I should say mixed with magnetic pickup, or muted, or full added!

(sorry, for complicated English, but I'm still learning )

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Big deal!

My only wrong word was microphone when it should have been transducer, and for that you went all peacock tailed on me? Haha! ouuuuuuuuuuuuuu, check you!

Are we helping the guy who asked the question with this? No.

Gee relax

 

[keko]

Big deal!

My only wrong word was microphone when it should have been transducer, and for that you went all peacock tailed on me? Haha! ouuuuuuuuuuuuuu, check you!

Are we helping the guy who asked the question with this? No.

Gee relax

Sorry my friend, no hard feeling please, I'm just a kind of a person who try to reach perfection, aren't we all here, playing Music Man basses?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Don't worry no offense taken

 

[bovinehost]

Im looking for a good 4 string bass to play in my band. I like the looks and feel of the Bongo but the Sting Ray is widely used in almost ALL of the bands I listen to.
What do you guys think?
Bongo or Sting Ray?
Give me your two cents worth.

While the techno-knucks argue about the true meaning of piezo, I'll go ahead and weigh in on your question, but keep in mind that this is only one person's opinion.

I like Stingrays and would never actually try to talk anyone out of buying a Stingray....unless the other option was a Bongo. (As has been mentioned, it's going to be hard to make a bad decision, given these variables.)

The Bongo is bad-ass. When you strap it on, bartenders and bouncers and people who NEVER notice the bass player will say, "My goodness, sir, what the devil sort of instrument is THAT? I daresay that I have never seen such an interesting and glorious design." (Words to that effect.)

In my case, people in my band said other things. "You can't be serious." "It looks like a Klingon warship." "Don't you still have a Stingray?" And then I plugged it in and while there were still questions about whether it "fit" into our schtick, those questions rather quickly faded away. They now get nervous if I'm playing anything but a Bongo. And we wear cowboy hats and stuff.

If you aren't put off by the wicked cool design, get a Bongo.

I did. I really, really like Bongos.

Jack

 

[Bill]

Bongo or Sting Ray?

Yes.

 

[mixmastered]

where are you?

Singapore. And no it's is NOT a state in china. It's an South-east Asian Country. And honestly, the dealer here ain't helping MM players or future MM players at all. Priced highly, service is a pain. And stocks no more than 2 basses at any one time. Very limited choice. Well my loss than. ):

I play in a rock band. But as i serve in church, I do need a smooth and warm tone. What do you guys suggest?
I thought a bongo would cut through better as compared to a Stingray.

Basically what I'm looking for is something that has a wide tonal spectrum that can play many styles easily.

Cheers!

 

[Duarte]

In that case, I would definitely recommend the Bongo. It seems to fit what you want.

Smooth tone...check

Huge humbuckers perfect for rock...check

Cut through...check

Wide tonal spectrum...check

Wickedbad...check

 

[ivbenaplayin]

...And we wear cowboy hats and stuff.



nothing wrong with stingrays or cowboy hats if you're askin' me!

and anyone who thinks a stingray neck isn't fast... well...
(gotta' love professional photographers @ your gigs!)

 

[oli@bass]

Given that their all hard to get in Singapore and you eventually will have to special order your bass... how about waiting a bit for the upcoming Reflex that is based on the 25th? It's definitely not for everyone but the tonal options are silly. Plus it does have the classic StingRay sound available.

That said, I still rather play a 'Ray live because I prefer the beefier neck and overall sturdy feeling and simplicity.

 

[RobertB]

What do you guys think?
Bongo or Sting Ray?

Yes.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

I think this is conversation is going on in 2 threads!

 

[Duarte]

I think this is conversation is going on in 2 threads!

Okay, so now we must end this thread.

Bongo.

 

[mixmastered]

Yes Bongo!

Got a friend to order mine. Can't wait for it.