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John Myung Bongo 4

Bongo Vs. Stingray

E

engage757

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
157
Location
Denver, Colorado
Hey guys, so I have a bunch of Stingrays, and I just got this Bongo 4H PDN Tobacco Burst a bit ago. I'm having a REALLY hard time getting used to it. Has anyone else had this Issue? I think I might sell it, but don't know what to ask for it, any thoughts? It's basically new. I guess I really wanted to love it but years on a Stingray have me programmed and I can't seem to break it!
 
I own both a Stingrsy and Bongos. They are different but give it some time. I would say at least 6 months of playing both equally. If you still don't like the Bongo then hit me up about taking it off your hands. I love mine.
 
I'll get some taken this week! Try to get something better than just the usual cell shots for ya! I decided I think it is the body shape. Going to still keep trying it for awhile, but I think I might be perpetually stuck in Stingray mode. Hopefully not though! Really want to expand my horizons some!
 
How long have you had it? It took me a good while to get used to the difference of where my right hand ended up on a Bongo vs a Stingray. Finally I just accepted that my Bongo is more suited for songs that have wanky lines while my Ray is more suited for slappy ones.
 
syciprider said:
How long have you had it? It took me a good while to get used to the difference of where my right hand ended up on a Bongo vs a Stingray. Finally I just accepted that my Bongo is more suited for songs that have wanky lines while my Ray is more suited for slappy ones.
Click to expand...

I guess like 1-2 months maybe? Probably a little longer, but I doubt I have 4-5 solid hours on it. I'm not even a slap guy, I play pick/fingerstyle. I guess I just have to get over myself is the only answer.
 
It can go the other way, too. Play the Bongo long enough and exclusively, and the SR might start feeling foreign. Muscle memory and all that business.
 
I had been a long-time Stingray player (like, 20 years) before I got my first Bongo. When I got it, I was like, "WTF is this?" It didn't sound right to me, it didn't feel right, it just was weird.

What I came to understand was that the Bongo really does sound different. When I first got mine, I just naturally dialed up the EQ knobs like I do on my Stingrays--but the Bongo was different and required different EQ than I was used to. The geometry is also different--it's shifted a little to the left, which at first felt weird but then I realized it totally facilitates playing the higher frets. Since the Bongo has 24 of them, the shift really is important.

Bottom line is that the Bongo is just a different beast. I happen to really love it, and I still love my Stingrays too--it's just a different feel and a different sound. Try Cobalts on that Bongo--they really compliment that basses sound, IMHO.

Tom
 
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