Dialing in tone confusion

[Goofball Jones]

I've heard great things about the Bongo, and I've heard the Bongo and it sounds great.

I see videos of people talking about how you can dial in different tones, take down the treble, boost the bass a little....BAM, you get a different tone.

When I read or see things about the Stingray, it's just "yeah, it sounds like a Stingray" or "if you get a stingray, you'll always have that stingray tone" or whatever. But can't you also dial in the same tone type things with the Stingray? I mean, it has a 3-band EQ. It's not some blunt instrument is it? No way is it going to sound like a "Stingray" when you've got coil's 1&4 only going and the treble taken down.

Can't the Stingray HH be just as an effective tone monster as the Bongo? Not the same, but just as effective? It can't be just for balls-out hard rocking and slapping?

Sorry for such a newb question, but it seems to me that the Stingray, for as much praise as it gets, also seems to be pigeon-holed into something. It's just my impression.

 

[syciprider]

People who have never even played a Stingray look at the bass, see the single pup and draw their misinformed conclusions from what they see. I guess some folks do not know that simply playing elsewhere but above the pup on ANY bass will give you a different sound.

Strangely enough, nobody ever accuses the passive P Bass of being a one trick pony.

 

[timmy5strings]

The Stingray HH is the master of tone. You can dial it, switch it, pluck it, and pick it. You can get sounds that haven't even been heard of yet, but once they do, everyone will try to copy it. The HH's all kick ass!

 

[Ole Man Blues]

There is nothing wrong with a Stingray. I owned 2 of them. If it works for you and fills the needs of what you are playing, great. Why go any further? Some are happy with a J Bass or P Bass or whatever.

But if you're searching for a more veratile bass, with 18Volts of active electronics, the tone is hugh in comparison to a Stingray or your current bass? Well......

Ole Man (Bongo) Blues

 

[n!k]

I agree with the thread starter, there is something special about the Bongo and I don't know what it is, although there are many factors. I sat down and A/B'd the Bongo against every other 2 pickup Musicman bass and the Bongo stood alone in how flexible it was. I got gobs and gobs more bass from the bongo and a pinch more treble. Between the two instruments there are a few major differences:

1: Bongo body is made of basswood / Stingray body is made of maple
2. Bongo has 18V preamp / Stingray has 9V preamp
3. Bongo has 4 band EQ / Stingray has 3 band EQ
4. Bongo has a blend knob / Stingray has a pickup switch

As just chief examples besides the multitude of others. The HH Rays and Sterlings didn't sound bad by any means to me, but when it comes to tone shaping I've never played a bass more flexible than the Bongo. For whatever reason.

 

[KennethB]

Stingray bodies are made of ash, mostly. Not maple.

 

[cdb]

Ok... distinctive, iconic basses have certain signature tonal qualities as a base tone(yes a base). You can wring tonal variation out of a J and a P bass, sure enough, but there is an underlying character to that tonal palette. The same goes for Stingrays and Bongos. You can eq til you die, use different strings, amps and effects-- you will never get a pbass to sound like a EBMM. And within that range of tones are certain factors-- the growl, the top end clarity, the attack, the low mids-- whatever it is that sets the base tones apart.

For the record, I play my SR5 up near the neck, never, ever over the pup... too twangy for me.

 

[SquidLizard]

Tonight at band practice the Stealth Bongo HS got another compliment -- "Hey, Lisa, that bass makes you look like you have huge...TONE!" To general guffaws and peals of laughter. It's the only bass that has consistently gotten positive comments from the band. And the more I play it the more attached to it I become.

Thanks once again, Ben (who probably won't see this because he's waking up somewhere in Europe right about now).

I honestly don't know from a Stingray, but the 18v preamp on the Bongo kills. And it's true -- it only takes a little adjustment to get a big change in sound. From my experience with other instruments I think the 18v pre is a big difference from other basses.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

Tonight at band practice the Stealth Bongo HS got another compliment -- "Hey, Lisa, that bass makes you look like you have huge...TONE!" To general guffaws and peals of laughter. It's the only bass that has consistently gotten positive comments from the band. And the more I play it the more attached to it I become.

Thanks once again, Ben (who probably won't see this because he's waking up somewhere in Europe right about now).

I honestly don't know from a Stingray, but the 18v preamp on the Bongo kills. And it's true -- it only takes a little adjustment to get a big change in sound. From my experience with other instruments I think the 18v pre is a big difference from other basses.

It has 18v Preamp tone that will fill any venue or stadium.........

I listen to Kenny Chesney and his Bass Player Steve Marshall has perfect tone, another Bongo player.........