bongo question

[Delliplaine]

I have had my bongo HH for about six months now. Lately I've noticed that the neck pickups is not as loud as the bridge pickup...like it's really noticeable. So is that normal with the bongo basses? I haven't really noticed it before so I'm wondering if something is wrong with it.

Thanks
Kevin

P.S. I have not messed with the height of the pickup or anything like that, I also change both of the batteries at the same time so I don't think that it's the batteries themselves.

 

[Kristopher]

Welcome to the forum!

Did you buy the Bongo used?

You can either take the bass to have a professional setup and talk to the setup guy/girl about what your preferences are (which is your best choice IMO), or you can do the following:

First thing is to set your pickup height to EB factory specs, listed here:
http://www.ernieball.com/faq_content.php?subjectcode=mm_basses

Assuming the rest of your setup is good (neck relief, intonation, string height), check the sound. If it's still not to your liking, you can either raise the neck pickup or lower the bridge pickup (or do a combination of both). It's been said that since the Bongo has such powerful electronics, it's not the best idea to get the pickups too close to the strings like you might do with a passive or otherwise less manly bass.

Hope this helps!

Oh, by the way, no pics no bass.

 

[adouglas]

Just a little additional note to Kristopher's good advice:

Make sure you don't get the pickups too close to the strings or you'll kill your output and tone. The Bongo has neodymium magnets that are really powerful and setting them too high will dampen the vibration of the strings.

How powerful? When I change strings, once they're loose they slap right down onto the pickups and stick. I've never had a bass that did that.

I think it's because they've got quantum black holes embedded in the polepieces........

As noted above, set 'em to factory height specs.

FWIW, on my HHp there isn't much if any difference in output between the two pickups.

 

[Frankie5Angels]

It sounds like a setup issue. Pickup height, string height and bridge adjustment all conspire to make your life hell if not set correctly. Take it to a good tech and have it set up. It'll be worth the money (providing they don't charge you what they charge here in NY. $60 for a setup -- sheesh).

P.S. Welcome to the family. And don't forget -- Bongos rule!

 

[LoEnd]

And don't forget -- Bongos rule!

You hit that nail right on the head sir

 

[bovinehost]

My neck pickup is a little louder. I never considered it an issue, and it's easily controlled with the blend knob.