Calling all experts . . .

[Datta]

I am a die-hard Sterling user (last 7 years) who has recently fallen in love with a 2 Hummer + Peizo Bongo. Better weight balance, more even volume in the upper-mid to high range, more tonal eveness throught- all you Bongo players know exactly what I'm talking about. I will never get rid of my Sterling - on certain things it sounds better than anything I've ever heard - and it's an inccredibly beautiful one-of-a-kind bass.

My problem: I live halfway between Portland and SF, so it is very hard for me to try out different instruments. I have not been able to try out any of the new 2-pickup Sterlings. Even in Portland, nobody seems to have them.

My question: Are the two-pickup Sterlings worth trying out (keeping in mind I would have to drive 5 hours down to San Fran to do so)? I am a serious working bass player, and really want to get the best bass match. My inclination is to go with the Bongo (keeping my Sterling), but I wanted to know what you other MM fanatics thought about my perceptions.


Thanks.

 

[slucas]

I'd opt for the Bongo. An HH w/piezo for that. Datta is a really nice price I tink.

 

[Katana6506]

Datta, that's a good price, but you should probably remove it from your post. The guys upstairs don't allow users to post new dealer prices on the forums.

 

[Musicman Nut]

I am a die-hard Sterling user (last 7 years) who has recently fallen in love with a 2 Hummer + Peizo Bongo. Better weight balance, more even volume in the upper-mid to high range, more tonal eveness throught- all you Bongo players know exactly what I'm talking about. I will never get rid of my Sterling - on certain things it sounds better than anything I've ever heard - and it's an inccredibly beautiful one-of-a-kind bass.

My problem: I live halfway between Portland and SF, so it is very hard for me to try out different instruments. I have not been able to try out any of the new 2-pickup Sterlings. Even in Portland, nobody seems to have them.

My question: Are the two-pickup Sterlings worth trying out (keeping in mind I would have to drive 5 hours down to San Fran to do so)? I am a serious working bass player, and really want to get the best bass match. My inclination is to go with the Bongo (keeping my Sterling), but I wanted to know what you other MM fanatics thought about my perceptions.


Thanks.

I Have a Bongo 2 Pickup and Love it to death and when I find a Candy Apple Red One l'll get another, Second I also love Sterlings, I have like 16 of them and 2 days ago got my first 2 Pickup Sterling and it Kicks Some Serious Butt, l'll be buying more of these for sure. Just my take on them. DJ

 

[Datta]

So what I hear you saying is that you must have both the Sterling and the Bongo. Or is your new 2-pickup Sterling a replacement for your Bongo?

 

[Dr Stankface]

If it's EB and it's 4 strings.... he has about 5 or 6 of them at least.

 

[Musicman Nut]

So what I hear you saying is that you must have both the Sterling and the Bongo. Or is your new 2-pickup Sterling a replacement for your Bongo?

No not a replacement at all, I highly recommend Having a few of each if you can. The Bongo EQ is Simply incredible and has an awesome Neck too.

SO the bottom Line, Get a few of every model you can't go wrong.DJ

 

[oddjob]

The 2 pup Sterlings kick serious @ss!!! But they are different creatures from the Bongos. With the Sterling the bridge pup is what it has always been... then add the neck pup and you have one MEAN bass. The Bongo pup placement/electronics package is different and gives off a different vibe... it is hard to explain (even harder if you throw the single H model in which has a different pup placement) but it is very different.

If you REALLY like your Sterling and want "it" with more options go with the Sterling... If you are looking for something a bit different tonaly, and looks-wise I would go Bongo (I would go Bongo anyway - BassCentral has a real good deal on a RollsBurg 4HP )

 

[oddjob]

SO the bottom Line, Get a few of every model you can't go wrong.DJ

LOL... so what is the "official" count up to now???

He is right though... you can't go wrong with a few of each

 

[Datta]

Mean is good, no doubt about it. Not having the unlimited funds some of you guys seem to have, though, I've got to make sure I still have enough funds at the end of the month to be able to have a place to keep all my basses .

What I like about getting a Bongo is that by adding that mare to my stable, I will be able to increase my versatility right away. Then later, when I can afford it, I may get a 4HH or 4HS Sterling.

Thanks.

 

[oddjob]

What I like about getting a Bongo is that by adding that mare to my stable, I will be able to increase my versatility right away. Then later, when I can afford it, I may get a 4HH or 4HS Sterling.

Thanks.

That is a great plan. Don't forget about those single H Bongo's then

 

[Datta]

Hmm. Does a Single Bongo offer anything that a HH Bongo with one pickup turned off couldn't?

Or are you just being funny?

 

[tkarter]

The single H Bongo has the pup located right in the sweet spot. The HH model the rear pup is located in a different spot. So there is a difference in the sound if you just run the back pup on the HH.

The single H is a sweetheart too. Play one if you get the chance at all you will see.

tk

 

[oddjob]

Not being funny at all. Like TK said, the pups are in very different spots. Some of us love the single H's (me being one of them). Some like the HH models (I bleb Dargin falls in there) and some the HS models (no one popping to mind but I know Jack has been spending a lot of time with his 5HS lately). Each one has its own, VERY different personality. I like the single H for the simplicity (3 band instead of 4 - don't be fooled the 3 band is VERY powerful) and it has a bit of growl to it. To me it the pup is positioned just right (and I do own an HH too). But hey, I'm biased.

There have been MANY threads detailing the "H" or "HH" or "HS" (using "or" instead of "vs" for BP ). Do a search and you should turn them up.

 

[Datta]

Thanks for that information (to you and TK). I will check one out (next time I'm in a state where they actually sell them).

I assume that the growl that you are talking about might be somewhat similar to what my Sterling 4H puts out - and that is enough to give you goosebumps!

I am also fine with the 3-band eq - it gives me enough of what I want.

 

[Paul_C]

having just taken possession of a Bongo HH to go with an HS and an H, I can say that the bridge pickup on the HH and HS sound pretty much the same, but apart from that you have three very different basses, no idea which is "best" but they all sound great

with the flexibility that the preamp adds to the mix you can get pretty much any tone you want, from a brightness enough to take the enamel off your teeth, to a bassiness that could cause pictures to fall off the wall

not much help in the end, I guess, the only way you'll know is to try them for yourself..


P.

 

[tkarter]

The 18v pre is what makes the single H bongo the beast. Check out the BP Bongo at open house clips.

click here to see
tk

 

[Datta]

Interesting. Does that mean the HH Bongo has only a 9v pre?

 

[Mobay45]

All Bongos are 18V.

I have two HHs and one H. The single H is the one that gets the most playing time nowdays.

 

[Datta]

That's good info. I am very impressed with the versitality of tone from the Bongo 4HH with the peizo- way more variety than I can get from my Sterling 4H (though don't get me wrong, I totally love that bass- we've been though a lot together). I am going to start with that one (Bongo 4HH with the peizo), and who knows what I may do futher down the road.

I will definitely try out all the configs!