How to configure one Bongo to rule them all

[roburado]

So, yeah. I normally play those smaller instruments that have the 6 skinny strings. BP tells us that we can have Blue Dawn on any model his people make for 2007 LE. I'm thinking Bongo. Of course, I reserve the right to go Sterling up until the last second. With my being mostly a guitar player and basically a beginner on bass, how would you recommend that I configure my Bongo (assuming I stick to the plan and get a Bongo instead of a Sterling)?

4? 5? H? HH? HS? I probably won't, but should I even bother with P? I say one Bongo "to rule them all," but really it'll probably be my one and only bass for a long time. The key word is versatility. I mean versatility in musical styles, sounds, anything you can imagine. However, I am a little concerned that most bass instruction books seem to teach from a 4-string perspective. Any of you ever learn on a 5 instead of a 4? Is there any "conventional wisdom" that suggests learning first on a 4?

If I choose a Sterling, do you think the Bongo configuration you recommend will be applicable for the Sterling?

At this point, I think I'm going Bongo 4HS. What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Alvabass]

The key word is versatility.

A two-humbucker plus piezo bridge Bongo (HHP) is the best option for this IMO. I have two Bongos with that configuration and they are extremely versatile. Here are some audio clips I recorded just after receiving my fretted Bongo, trying to show the different tonal possibilities that this amazing instrument has to offer.

 

[adouglas]

FWIW:

I have a Bongo5 HHp.

The pee-ay-zoe is IMHO well worth it, but perhaps not for the reason you might expect. It adds a little...zip, zing, grit, Tabasco...je ne sais quoi...to the sound. I keep a bit of it rolled in all the time. Using the piezo only does not result in anything remotely resembling an "acoustic" tone

Regarding the magnetic pickups: I basically never move the blend knob off of dead center. It just sounds best there. I get all the versatility I need out of the EQ, and there's HUGE versatility there.

But that's just me. Your mileage will vary.

For those reasons, and curiosity about this whole "sweet spot" thing, my next Bongo will be a 5Hp.

 

[Alvabass]

For those reasons, and curiosity about this whole "sweet spot" thing, my next Bongo will be a 5Hp.

Maybe I'm wrong, for sure, so please correct me if it's the case: I think I read that MM doesn't offer the piezo option for lefties, single humbuckers and Stealths.

 

[adouglas]

Maybe I'm wrong, for sure, so please correct me if it's the case: I think I read that MM doesn't offer the piezo option for lefties, single humbuckers and Stealths.

Don't know, wrong and right in that order.

Unless something's changed.

The H w/piezo has the same four-band preamp as the dual-pickup models, making it a bit of an odd duck (the H without piezo has a three-band preamp).

 

[roburado]

5HHP? Sounds like that's going to be the most expensive option. Not that it's a surprising answer.

What does the HS configuration give you that the HH doesn't? Or does the HH cover everything that the HS can do?

 

[Alvabass]

What does the HS configuration give you that the HH doesn't? Or does the HH cover everything that the HS can do?

When I first ordered my Bongo I wanted it HS because I was afraid that the neck position humbucker would be a problem for slapping (it isn't for me, fortunately), but Lord Bongo made me change my mind:

The dual humbucker model Bongo will:

- shave your cat while you're asleep.

- if left to its own devices, destroy large Japanese cities and fight giant, flying, fire-breathing turtles.

- insult retired people.

The single coil/humbucker model will:

- style your girlfriend's hair.

- talk large Japanese cities into destroying themselves.

- convince annoying retired people to move to Idaho.

He seems to have changed his mind somewhat recently, but no doubt that those are words of wisdom!

 

[maddog]

as far as I know, piezos are not available on lefties, they are available on singleH models, and are not available on stealth due to the finish being unavailable.

and for versatility I would go SC/H/p for your first one. You know you're gonna get all flavors eventually...

 

[roburado]

Originally Posted by bovinehost
The dual humbucker model Bongo will:

- shave your cat while you're asleep.

- if left to its own devices, destroy large Japanese cities and fight giant, flying, fire-breathing turtles.

- insult retired people.

The single coil/humbucker model will:

- style your girlfriend's hair.

- talk large Japanese cities into destroying themselves.

- convince annoying retired people to move to Idaho.

Hmmm...sounds like HH really is the way to go.

 

[oddjob]

You can't go wrong with any of the configs. I have the HH and H models and love them both (I gravitate towards the H though) and plan on getting a B Dawn HS. They all rule (the new version of the S pup is awesome btw).

Seriously, this has been kicked around many times - if you do a search I am sure you will find all the info you need.

 

[roburado]

Thanks. Alvabass, thanks for your clips. They were very informative.

 

[roburado]

How does the piezo output work? Is there a two-output system like with the EBMM guitars? Or is it just one output jack?

 

[Alvabass]

Thanks. Alvabass, thanks for your clips. They were very informative.

My pleasure, man.

How does the piezo output work? Is there a two-output system like with the EBMM guitars? Or is it just one output jack?

Just one single output jack and a blend knob.

 

[yukon]

After having these exact same questions not long ago and after a lot of communication with Alvabass (thanks again friend), I went with the bongo 5 HHP. I looked around and found a great price on a new one from a popular dealer. I haven't looked back or regretted any of it. You can always ignore the 5th string and play it later. It makes a great thumb rest in the meantime. I just started using the B string after getting an amp that would have a great tone for it (Phil Jones sixpak). Not every amp will sound good with a 5 string. Also, I highly recommend Alva's audio clips. Good stuff.

 

[roburado]

I guess I'll get 5HHP. I think I might regret not getting all available options, especially if I'm buying this as my 2007 LE.

 

[yukon]

I would rather have the options and use them sparingly than to not have them at all. Besides, you might decide later to move to something different and the resale value is better with the options. It's like buying a truck...you need 4wd even if you don't know how to engage it

 

[sandman@midlife]

Like everyone before me has said, you can't go wrong with any of them, but my money is on the 5H with Ernie Ball Flats!