Help! HH Bongo 4 or HH Stingray 4

[Ansarum]

I'm new to the thread and I'm lloking for some assistance,

I'm trying to decide whether I should buy a Bongo or a Stingray. I originally wanted to buy a Stingray, but after researching it for a while, I'm kind of stuck between the Bongo or the Stinger. Can anyone help me decide?

 

[syciprider]

Do you like blend or coil selection?

 

[cellkirk74]

Try both at a local shop if possible. They both sound great, but not alike.

 

[oli@bass]

Do you like blend or coil selection?

I recently elaborated a bit on this topic on a related thread: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/47956-hs-stringray-vs-hs-bongo.html

A coil switching system (StingRay, Sterling, Big Al, Reflex) will allow you to access multiple different PU coil configurations, which all yield a (fundamentally) different base sound. A pickup blend will allow you to mix the two pickups however you want, but you don't have different coil settings avaialble. It's actually two base sounds that can be mixed.

I prefer (and this is really a matter of taste!) the coil switching for several reasons:

• you get (at least) 5 different base sounds, which have a fundamentally different character as if you picked up a different instrument
• the sounds are available at the flick of a switch and thus can be accessed in fractions of a second, in the middle of a song if necessary
• switching (in contrast to mixing) will always provide an identic base sound, without any guessing whether the mix pot is really at the proper position (that was something that really drove me away from mixing PUs)

I did a short example of the different sounds of a StingRay 4 HH in my http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/42214-stingray-sound-examples.html


I hope this helps a bit.

 

[adouglas]

The SR is a terrific instrument. When you think of what makes a MusicMan bass distinctive… that MM "vibe," you are by definition thinking of the Stingray because that's where it really came from.

The Bongo, on the other hand, levels cities.

Both sound great. They are different. It's truly a matter of personal preference. If I were you I'd choose Bongo every time… neodymium pickups, 18-volt preamp, 4-band EQ, incredible versatility, killer tone. But I'm not you.

One way to choose is to ask yourself what kind of person you are.

If you prefer to fit in and often find yourself going with the crowd when choosing everything from clothing to the car you drive to your beverage of choice… if you're a person who wants a black bass with a black pickguard and a maple neck… then the SR is an excellent and reliable choice. You will never get grief from anyone for playing a Stingray.

If, on the other hand, you revel in being way off on one end of the bell curve, truly enjoy being different and don't mind standing out in a crowd, it doesn't get much more out there than the Bongo. And unlike playing a black/black/maple Stingray, random people might come up to you and actually notice your bass.

 

[Bass Control]

Throwing a wrench in the wheel here.

You want a Reflex HH. Series/Parallel switching, Active/Passive switching, Bongo's 4-Band EQ, top binding, and the mahogany tone block. Classy and extremely versatile instrument.

 

[drTStingray]

you really should try them. As has been said they are very different and both are tone monsters. I played a gig on new years eve and alternated between my SR4HH and bongo 5HHp. Both did a great job but the SR has killer crisp MM slap and pop tone. A couple of musos in the audience commented on just how crisp the SR sounded both prefering and lusting after it. The bongo has a different sound but still with the MM vibe. It is killer for finger style playing and that low mid eq can really help to cut through with definition.

 

[Movielife]

Im half tempted to add another H to my Single H order....make it a HH obviously. I cant decide whether I should or not!

 

[Movielife]

Oh, and it might have been mentioned, but the Ray has the H in the traditional spot for the classic Stingray H sound, whereas on the Bongo HH the neck H is closer to the bridge. This will result it a slightly tighter tone, but a little less warmth (although not that noticeable).

 

[danny-79]

You wont be disappointed with either, try as many as you can in as many different configurations as possible to see whats what, its a decision that cant be made for you.
I'm personally looking for a HH Bongo to go with my single H Ray's but.................
Now did somebody just mention a HH Reflex !!!

 

[Ansarum]

I've tried the SR before, and I really liked it, but I've never tried a Bongo. Mostly because I haven't found one in my area.

I'm really heavy into Slap, Jazz, and Rock and it seems like the SR would be a better choice for what I want to do.

however, I'm still undecided because I've never tried the Bongo and I really don't know what it can do.

 

[strummer]

however, I'm still undecided because I've never tried the Bongo and I really don't know what it can do.

It can't really do anything.

The question is: What can YOU do with the Bongo?

Get one, find out, never turn back

 

[danny-79]

I've tried the SR before, and I really liked it, but I've never tried a Bongo. Mostly because I haven't found one in my area.

Bongos are not that common on <----- that side of the pond for some strange reason ?

 

[Ansarum]

Bongos are not that common on <----- that side of the pond for some strange reason ?

I'm not sure, I just can't find one here.

 

[strummer]

I'm not sure, I just can't find one here.

Where exactly is "here"?

 

[Ansarum]

Where exactly is "here"?

Pittsburgh

 

[strummer]

Pittsburgh

Why not start a thread yelling for Pittsburg Bongo owners? I'm sure you'll find some and most Bongoloids are proud to spread the gospel;-)

 

[Ansarum]

Thanks guys, I've pretty much decided that I'm going to hop on the bongo bandwagon.
I'll post some pics when I get it!

 

[Duarte]

You've made the right decision ..,,, bongos are the bomb.

EVIL basses!

 

[adouglas]

Muhahaha, and all that.

eeeexxxcellent.