I think a EBMM Bongo 5HH may be my next bass! (Bongo Owners Chime in!)

[tunaman4u2]

I''ll let you know Madbassplaya

The deal is back on so its the HHp. Now its flats or rounds? HA!

 

[Freddels]

I have owned two Bongo 4HH's and I've played an H. I prefer the H. Point and shoot is better for me. The preamp on these is very powerful and too much knob twiddling gets me in trouble. With the single H, the pickup is in the sweet spot too.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Freddels: What type of music are you playing & what are you aiming for? If you needed more WARMTH would you go H or HH?

 

[madbassplaya]

I''ll let you know Madbassplaya

The deal is back on so its the HHp. Now its flats or rounds? HA!

Awesome man!

I really don't understand putting flats on an active bass. I've used flats before, but usually on passive instruments. I tried flats on my SR5 once and hated the tone and the B broke my nut.

I have owned two Bongo 4HH's and I've played an H. I prefer the H. Point and shoot is better for me. The preamp on these is very powerful and too much knob twiddling gets me in trouble. With the single H, the pickup is in the sweet spot too.

I think I would be happy with either one and plan to probably get both. With playing in church I do like having a two pickup option!

 

[Freddels]

Freddels: What type of music are you playing & what are you aiming for? If you needed more WARMTH would you go H or HH?

I play jazz, blues, classic rock, etc. More warmth? Not sure I can quantify that. I have certain tones in my head that I try to achieve. Many times, a different set of strings works more for me. I really prefer more simple than complex. It's just me and I don't like to have to fiddle too much. Once I get the tone that I'm after, you could remove the knobs and lock the settings as they are and I'd be happy.

There's some video of BP playing with Steve Morse and Luke where he's playing a single H Bongo. Check it out and hear for yourself. Here's a link:

Sound is HUGE.

 

[stu42]

Just my opinion again but...my main gig is playing in a Church band as well and the Single H Bongo definitely fits in well. Personally, I love the sound of the Single H but just as importantly is the fact that the sound guy really loves the way it fits in the mix and prefers it to the sound of the HS I had previously. The HS (and HH) can produce a deeper bass sound but I found that it got lost in the mix more - although it does sound really cool in person.

Anyway...your mileage may vary etc, etc as with all these types of things. I just wanted to make sure you're not getting the idea that it's a one trick pony and only good for rock. Yes, it is great for rock too but it's suitability for different settings probably comes down more to your playing than the instrument itself. For instance, I was watching a concert of Michael Buble playing at Madison Square Gardens and the bass player was playing a SR5 H - which is probably not the type of bass you'd expect to see in that setting but it sounded perfect in the mix. So, you can't really pigeon hole these instruments.

 

[madbassplaya]

Just my opinion again but...my main gig is playing in a Church band as well and the Single H Bongo definitely fits in well. Personally, I love the sound of the Single H but just as importantly is the fact that the sound guy really loves the way it fits in the mix and prefers it to the sound of the HS I had previously. The HS (and HH) can produce a deeper bass sound but I found that it got lost in the mix more - although it does sound really cool in person.

Anyway...your mileage may vary etc, etc as with all these types of things. I just wanted to make sure you're not getting the idea that it's a one trick pony and only good for rock. Yes, it is great for rock too but it's suitability for different settings probably comes down more to your playing than the instrument itself. For instance, I was watching a concert of Michael Buble playing at Madison Square Gardens and the bass player was playing a SR5 H - which is probably not the type of bass you'd expect to see in that setting but it sounded perfect in the mix. So, you can't really pigeon hole these instruments.

I get what you're saying man. That's why I regret selling my SR5's. I had them and everyone would talk about how much of a one trick pony they were until I believed it myself. Playing style and the active pre with the selector switch can change the tone drastically!

I just need to get both!

 

[OldManMusic]

With the single H, I feel like I get more useable tones out of my Bongo than the HHs I've had in the past. I get a wide variety of tones from simply moving my right hand. If I thump from the neck area, it's thick tubby tones. Move my fingers to the front of the PU, warm richness oozes. Then to the back of the PU toward the bridge, it cuts like a knife. Grab a pick (gasp) and it's a ripper. I never have to flip a switch to change tones at gigs, I just move my right hand. Single H Bongos rule my world... But like Stu42 said, you mileage may vary.

 

[madbassplaya]

With the single H, I feel like I get more useable tones out of my Bongo than the HHs I've had in the past. I get a wide variety of tones from simply moving my right hand. If I thump from the neck area, it's thick tubby tones. Move my fingers to the front of the PU, warm richness oozes. Then to the back of the PU toward the bridge, it cuts like a knife. Grab a pick (gasp) and it's a ripper. I never have to flip a switch to change tones at gigs, I just move my right hand. Single H Bongos rule my world... But like Stu42 said, you mileage may vary.

Geez! You guys are really making me think twice... :/

 

[stu42]

I feel your pain!! I've been there!!!

WWSD....what would Sterling do?

 

[madbassplaya]

I feel your pain!! I've been there!!!

WWSD....what would Sterling do?

I'm new here, but I've been told he prefers the single H.

 

[tunaman4u2]

I personally wouldn't buy a Bongo H... because I have a Sterling HH! I had a Sterling H & spent a good amount of time comparing them & the HH could do the H very well plus many more tones
I know the craze is the Bongo but I don't think a Bongo would replace a Stingray\Sterling in my arsenal. The Bongo would go long before the Sterling HH. If I want that trademark aggressive EBMM sound its the Sterling baby! (17.5mm spacing for me!)
The 5 way pickup selector vs the blend may help the Sterling\Stingray HH be more aggressive than the Bongo HH?

 

[adouglas]

IMHO I think you'll find that the Bongo can be way more aggressive. Neodymium pickups and 18 volt electronics….

Don't go crazy trying to decide… I have an H and an HHp an they're both great, great basses.

Actually, since you've got a Sterling HH (which has the bridge pickup in the "sweet spot") you may want to do the HHp*, especially if it's a good deal. Try the techniques mentioned with your Sterling and I think you'll find that technique makes a huge difference even if you're not playing a Bongo H.

*I should say HHp "first" because these things are like potato chips. Or rather, bean-flavored potato chips. You can't have just one and they give you wicked GAS.

 

[Freddels]

I think I may have talked myself into ordering a Bongo H.

 

[Freddels]

I feel your pain!! I've been there!!!

WWSD....what would Sterling do?

He'd probably tell you to get the one that works for you.

 

[tunaman4u2]

73jbass is selling me his Bongo HHp Cabernet 5.

So the bridge p\u is in the sweet spot for the Sterling HH but not the Bongo HH? Interesting.

If I were advising Madbassplaya I'd be telling him to get a Sterling HH for the sweet spot & the variety... why would you recommend he get the Bongo over the Sterling\Stingray?

 

[madbassplaya]

73jbass is selling me his Bongo HHp Cabernet 5.

So the bridge p\u is in the sweet spot for the Sterling HH but not the Bongo HH? Interesting.

If I were advising Madbassplaya I'd be telling him to get a Sterling HH for the sweet spot & the variety... why would you recommend he get the Bongo over the Sterling\Stingray?

The Sterling doesn't interest me as much right now because of the smaller body and the ceramic pickups. Although there is nothing wrong with the pickups/pre with a sterling, they are different than a Bongo. I like how both a Stingray and Bongo look and sound, so if I didn't go with a Bongo, I'd go with a Ray before I went with the Sterling.

 

[tunaman4u2]

I'm actually glad you wrote that... different is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Ceramic, alinco, neo pickups? A little variety
My stable will be a Bongo 5 HHp, Sterling HH, Fender P MIA standard. The next bass will most likely be a MIA Deluxe Jazz or a Big Al 4.
I like different

 

[drTStingray]

I have a Bongo 5HHp - it's a very versatile bass - the piezo adds a little extra magic but if you ever record with the bass, you'll find the piezo changes the character of the sound quite a lot. It adds an extra dimension. I usually bring out the Bongo for pub rock type gigs (songs range from All Right Now by Free through Doobie Brothers to old school R and B like Hard to Handle) - the EQ is awesome and it covers all styles very well.

I'm actually glad you wrote that... different is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Ceramic, alinco, neo pickups? A little variety
My stable will be a Bongo 5 HHp, Sterling HH, Fender P MIA standard. The next bass will most likely be a MIA Deluxe Jazz or a Big Al 4.
I like different

You mean you don't have a Stingray - I read what you said about your
SR5s seriously it ain't a one trick pony - I'd recommend you try a Classic 4 or 5 string - beautiful looking and feeling basses and the 2 band EQ is really great - the comments in this thread about the Bongo H's versatility based on moving hand position covers the Ray also - changes the whole character or the tone but fundamentally the Classic is a great bass. I tend to use mine as my go to bass.

 

[madbassplaya]

You mean you don't have a Stingray - I read what you said about your
SR5s seriously it ain't a one trick pony - I'd recommend you try a Classic 4 or 5 string - beautiful looking and feeling basses and the 2 band EQ is really great - the comments in this thread about the Bongo H's versatility based on moving hand position covers the Ray also - changes the whole character or the tone but fundamentally the Classic is a great bass. I tend to use mine as my go to bass.

I know right?

I love the classy look of a Stingray 5. It's really a toss up for me between a SR and a Bongo. Ultimately, I want both, but for right now, I'm leaning towards the Bongo.