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Help! Bongo Vs Stingray Special

TrueComposer

TrueComposer

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2023
Messages
6
Location
London
Hello folks,

I’ve been a Bongo (2004) owner for 2 years.
I record at home only.
Since day 1 the 18v has been too hot. Yes, turning the vol down is possible but I love using full power when recording to FEEL the preamp.

Now, I am dreaming of owning a Stingray Special that also has a 18v preamp But only since 2017.

My question. In these 13 years has the 18v power supply changed at all? I know they’re different basses. I own a 9v Stingray that never pumps out too much signal when maxed…

Apologies for the vagueness.
Has anyone here tried both a Bongo and Special?
Thank you.

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I’d look into getting a pre-2017. Iirc the output was huge and the 18v was required because of the neodymium pickups being so hot, or the preamp on the bongo being super complicated or both?
 
TrueComposer said:
Hello sir. I own a pre 2017 version from before 2004 but would be lovely to own a Special with new tech and sounds.
Click to expand...
ah! i was talking about a double h pre 2017, the double humbuckers didnt come out till 2006 or so! those had 9v preamps iirc. if you're looking for a single h then i wouldnt know!
 
I have both a Bongo HH and some SR Specials. My interface has no issues with either of the basses with the volume on fully. Are you also maxing out all of the eq knobs? That I could see causing issues.
 
I have a Bongo 5H and used to have a 5HS, a Big Al 5 SSS, which also has an 18v preamp (and a Sterling 5H with the 9v preamp). Only the Bongo 5H has that extremely high output level. So...that high output level seems to be unique to the Bongo H and not necessarily a feature of all the EBMM 18v preamps.
 
All my Bongos (H &HH) are hot compared to my 9v stingrays (H & HH also)
I never dime the volume on anything though. If all you are going to to is leave the volume set to full permanently and work everything around that why have a volume pot in the first place
 
How hot is often how much you have turned up the tone. If the tone is flat, volume is probably close to a passive bass.
 
Also check your pick up heights. Too close to the string and it might be too loud.
 
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