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StingRay 2026 Collection

Bongo Question

strummer said:
I'd say you're looking at three very different basses, and that I would personally choose a Bongo 5HH. It's an amzingly versatile bass, comfy as hell to play and you also get to hear hilarious comments about the looks of your bass. Sound wise it can devastate whole city blocks given ample amplification, but it can also be very smooth and will sit perfectly in any mix.
Imho F**de*r built one decent 5-string (the Roscoe Beck V), and those elites don't do it for me...
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I went for the Bongo 5HH strummer!.......I have just got to wait till November to receive it.......:(
 
Here is a tip for those who don't like the polyutherane finish of the Bongos necks. Mr. Frudua, an italian luthier, explains how to smoothen out a pu finished neck.

I do this on all my basses with pu-finished necks. There is no damage done, as I did this several times to basses that are 20 years and longer in my collection.

Btw, the best finish is and will be the wax/gunstock oil finish of my Stingrays. I have two Bongo 5 HH, one with all rosewood neck, one VTB PDN with all maple neck.

 
I'll tell you the truth here: one of the reasons I love Bongos so much is that painted neck. I know, I know, sounds crazy but it's true.
 
I am currently waiting to gather enough funds for my bongo purchase, and I am praying that the guitar center and musicians friends bongo's with the roasted necks are still there in a couple months. I am weary of the painted neck as well, but this would solve all my problems. Also the dark purple with black hardware is just gorgeous.
 
The neck finish on my EBMM Bongo 5 HS 2005 Buttercream Limited Edition self-destructed. Why? Not sure, could have been the finish, could have been the case, could have been the previous owner. Over time it just kept getting worse and worse. I "solved" the problem by gently removing the neck finish, nut to neck plate, and sealing it with oil and wax. Sure, this destroyed the "collector" value I suppose, but it feels fantastic.
 
strummer said:
Well worth the wait!
Did you go for the Stealth?
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Yes strummer I opted for the Stealth and they have chucked in a free white pickguard because I had recently bought a Classic Stingray from them.One other thing when I bought my Stingray about a month after delivery I received a small toolkit through the post from Ernie Ball. Is this the norm and will the same thing happen after I have received my Bongo?
 
Karl said:
Is this the norm and will the same thing happen after I have received my Bongo?
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No I don't think it's the norm, more like they do take care of all of us in an amazing way:) Also, it could be your importer , they're an awesome bunch too:)
 
Karl said:
Yes strummer I opted for the Stealth and they have chucked in a free white pickguard because I had recently bought a Classic Stingray from them.One other thing when I bought my Stingray about a month after delivery I received a small toolkit through the post from Ernie Ball. Is this the norm and will the same thing happen after I have received my Bongo?
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I bought a Starry Night Stingray end of last year. Did not receive anything but an awesome bass!
 
Edmang said:
I bought a Starry Night Stingray end of last year. Did not receive anything but an awesome bass!
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Mmmm.......That's strange! So I would guess that it was the dealer that must have sent it which is a result as they are going for around £47.00 sterling on the internet.
 
Late to the game... but wanted to weigh in on something that hasn't yet been mentioned. I own all the basses being discussed, and have owned several active Fenders. I've owned lots and lots of other basses too. One thing I notice about Musicman basses that sets them apart from other active basses is the variety of tones you get. As I've said on other forums, it's like the tone controls on my other basses go from 1-6, but on the MMs they go from 1-15. In others I can boost and cut the bass, treble and mids, but the basic tone remains relatively the same. With my Bongo and other MMs I'm able to really re-sculpt the tone.

Another thing I'll add re the Bongo. I played a Bongo exclusively for many years when I was playing and touring with several original bands. I then got into doing a lot of cover gigs, and a Zep tribute convinced me I had to get myself a Jazz. After getting used to the Jazz the Bongo started to freak me out a little. It's a truly powerful mofo. I hung it up for a bit, but then stumbled upon something I've been doing ever since. Instead of using the center detents for a "flat" setting, I started considering about a third of the way up on all four tone controls to be flat. And I adjust from there. It has made an incredible difference for me, tames the beast, and given me much more control over my tone.

Das all. I didn't come to this forum to comment on Bongos :). Came to welcome myself back, which I'll do in another thread I'm about to start now.
 
Joe Nerve said:
It's a truly powerful mofo. I hung it up for a bit, but then stumbled upon something I've been doing ever since. Instead of using the center detents for a "flat" setting, I started considering about a third of the way up on all four tone controls to be flat. And I adjust from there. It has made an incredible difference for me, tames the beast, and given me much more control over my tone.
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Thanks for the tip Joe!......I will put that into practice when I get my Bongo.
 
Joe Nerve said:
Late to the game... but wanted to weigh in on something that hasn't yet been mentioned.........

.......Instead of using the center detents for a "flat" setting, I started considering about a third of the way up on all four tone controls to be flat. And I adjust from there. It has made an incredible difference for me, tames the beast, and given me much more control over my tone. .......
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Very interesting!! Thanks for passing that on.

Yeah...I'll kind of echo that point to some extent...I also tend to cut the treble and mids on my 5H about 1/3 of the way. So...just the point being...don't be afraid to dial the controls below the center point as it can do great things.
 
that works nicely, I use this kind of EQing for my Bongos all the time. The treble stays up around center or even a bit boosted, the rest are dialed back evenly. Sound great with both PUs on full. If I play with the bridge humbucker only, I boost treble and bass considerably and dial in just enough low mids for the bass to sound full and punchy.
 
So i have owned a ray 5H and currently own 2x Bongo 6s. They will pry my bongo 6HH from my cold.dead fingers because, as has been said in this thread already, it is the most comfortable bass to play ive ever picked up. Sound wise the bomgos are very versatile especially if you can control your tone with your fingers, e.g. play close to the bridge for more growl, etc. I have played the fender elites and theyre not bad for a fender i would go with the bongo or a ray any day for versatility, playability, and looks.
 
I own a gloss black Bongo HH 6 and a Baralo HH 5 (metalflake purple with a roasted figured neck with ebony FB). I have and still own basses from a lot of manufacturers and the Bongo electronics are better than any other electronics I have tried...and I have tried most of them.

I honestly am still not crazy about the way the Bongo looks...but the ergonomics are wonderful.

I have tried to bond with the Stingray and Sterling basses but failed. To each his own. I've owned perhaps a dozen of them and sold them all.

Finances may force me to let one of my Bongos go but I would rather keep them. They are killer basses.
 
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