Dire Bongo Question: HHP or HH?

[AnswerTheWookie]

First, I'd like to give a big hello to the Music Man forum for basses here at Ernie Ball. This is my first post.

Up to this point, I've been a pretty cement user of Fender basses. I have a Fender Jazz Bass V that I've had since the start of my playing, that had its old pickups replaced for Seymour Duncan passives with active electronics last year.

But I played a Stingray.

And then I played a Bongo.

So now I'm stuck in that awful place where I have to decide on which electronic options to go for on the Bongo (as if color wasn't enough.)

Anyone have any thoughts, or concerns associated between the Bongo 5 string HH, and the Bongo 5 string HHP? I've found the color I want in the HHP 5, but I'm not sure if piezos are what I want. I've never played with any I've been too impressed with, but have never played with any on a Music Man either.

For note, my strings of choice are Elixir Nanowebs, so I'm also curious whether that thin tubing will render my piezos to be something undesired.

Thanks.
The Wookie

 

[Psycho Ward]

Hey welcome to the forum, make yourself at home and have fun.

I can’t help you with the HHP, they don’t come in a lefty, but as for the HH and H/S both sound KILLER! Also the single H is very popular now, I got one on order, but all Bongos sound great, you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

I’m sure others will post in with their recommendations, but right now for me I’m favoring the H/S, I just love that single coil sound.

Again welcome aboard.

 

[maddog]

If you got the cash and you are looking to make the bass as versatile as possible, go with the HHP. You can always pan off the piezo. Not sure on the elixirs. I recall seeing something about coated strings not working too well on the EBMM. A search may be beneficial.

 

[Big Poppa]

welcome wookie

First off elixer strings will cause the frets to tarnish weaken your battery life and cut your output by 30%, not do mention some lower bowel issues. JUST KIDDING!!!!! (shamelessly pushing slinky"s)

Here's is my take on the piezo, but it is just my opinion. It is a must for fretless, I also really like the piezo with the hs option too. A HSP FRetless is really a fabulous combo. I think practically with a fretted you would find the piezo as a neat spice for recording and probably use it less on stage. If you are considering the Bongo H you may consider the piezo as you get the four band preamp with that option

 

[adouglas]

+1 on the piezo and Slinkys (at least give the stock strings a good, honest try before you automatically swap them...they really do complement the bass's sound wonderfully).

I've got a 5HHp and leave the piezo on all the time. I like the added dimension it gives. The usual setting for me is about 75% magnetic pickups, 25% piezo.

 

[ExLurker]

Welcome!

I've got a Bongo 5HHP, a recent aquisition (1 month), my MIA Fender 2004 Deluxe 5 is now my back up bass, 'nuff said. I actually ordered my Bongo without Piezo and because of some late delivery issues caused by damage the UK distributer supplied me a 5HHP by way of compensation. I'm a lucky SOB, because the Piezo really adds something, especially recorded. The 4 band pre amp is incredibly versatile as well, if you can, go for the piezo, I think you'll get one of the most versatile basses on the planet.
As for Elixer strings, I've been advised not to use coated strings with a Piezo bridge, also use non tapered strings. I use DR Low Riders, never really liked slinkies, but each to their own.

 

[Alvabass]

Just after I got my first Bongo (a 5-string HHP) I recorded some clips with different techniques and pickup blends. Here's a link for downloading a .zip file with the recordings:

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=F755771401D9AFBC

Please notice that the link will be active for the next four or five days only. Let me know if it still works, so I can send a fresh one if needed. Also notice that I recorded the clips the same day I got my Bongo and it needed a setup, so that's why fret buzz is so noticeable.

BTW, I'm a BIG piezo fan. As BP said, it is extremely great for a fretless, but I also love it on my fretted. Nothing special for regular fingerstyle lines, but I feel that the slap tone becomes even more aggressive with the piezo. It also adds a beautiful color to solo tapping performances.

Just my opinion, of course. Hope this helps.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I've owned both SCHP, and HHP Bongos with frets, and I currently own an HHP fretted, and a SCHP fretless.

Like BP said, the piezos are a must for fretless. Period.

As for fretted basses, I think the piezos work great, but I don't like them with roundwounds on frets. But, the Bongo HHp with flats is a great sound.

 

[smallequestrian]

If you can afford the extra cost go for the Piezo. Not a must for a band setting, but a nice thing to have available recording. However, I am not sure how strings like Elixirs will interact with the piezo bridge saddles. I would see if the company that makes them have any advice.

 

[bassmonkeee]

However, I am not sure how strings like Elixirs will interact with the piezo bridge saddles. I would see if the company that makes them have any advice.

I forgot about that part. When I tried black tapewound strings on my fretted Bongo, they didn't work with the piezos.

I know I tried some Elixirs a while back when they were doing a product test, but I can't remember which bass I tried them on.

 

[oddjob]

welcome wookie

First off elixer strings will cause the frets to tarnish weaken your battery life and cut your output by 30%, not do mention some lower bowel issues. JUST KIDDING!!!!! (shamelessly pushing slinky"s)

Here's is my take on the piezo, but it is just my opinion. It is a must for fretless, I also really like the piezo with the hs option too. A HSP FRetless is really a fabulous combo. I think practically with a fretted you would find the piezo as a neat spice for recording and probably use it less on stage. If you are considering the Bongo H you may consider the piezo as you get the four band preamp with that option

Don't know much about the HHP or HSP options but I have played a HP and loved it... but take a word from the master he was right on with his opinions on the Single H so I am guess he is right on again with his HSP words.

 

[AnswerTheWookie]

Thanks for the bolstering input on the HHP everyone. I think I'm pretty much set on that now.

Do any of you have specific string recommendations for the Bongo that aren't slinkies? I don't like the feel of slinkies. And I'm really sad to be leaving the nanowebs behind, because I hate the finger shriek.

And now I really want my Bongo.

 

[Mobay45]

Thanks for the bolstering input on the HHP everyone. I think I'm pretty much set on that now.

Do any of you have specific string recommendations for the Bongo that aren't slinkies? I don't like the feel of slinkies. And I'm really sad to be leaving the nanowebs behind, because I hate the finger shriek.

And now I really want my Bongo.

Since this is the EB forum, any string recommendations other than EBs should be by PMs. I will suggest that you try the EB flats. That will certainly get rid of the "finger shriek".

 

[tegzsa]

I have had my HHP5 for about a year now and I'm still digging new sounds out of it. The weird thing is that it sounds 'normal' with the piezo and everything flat, and scooped with the piezo out of the mix. I raised the action a bit (bad technique) because the piezo WILL pick up any clicks or fret rattle, so you have to be careful if you are recording.

Don't know about the nanowebs, but slinky's work ok (but I'm not a fan of nickel), stainless DR Fatbeams sound huge though.

 

[strummer]

I've found the color I want in the HHP 5, but I'm not sure if piezos are what I want.

Hey Wookie
Congratulations; you have found the bass for you!


Here is a tech tip: The HHP has two balance knobs, and by turning one of them fully in one of the available directions you can completely turn the piezo off. Sorry I cannot be more specific, but I have yet to encounter a HHP in real life.
Alvabass has some amazing playing going on with the piezo and magetic all turned up full, do i guess you might like it too.

had I known about the piezo when getting my first bongo I think I'd have gotten that option too. Did I mention you can turn it off?

Good luck and welcome to the brotherhood of Bongoloids

 

[strummer]

...and if you don't like squeaks, get flats!