Help! Keep my Bongo or trade for a SR?

[Jornan]

I bought a Bongo 4HH around Christmas and I love it, but when I bought it, I really wanted a StingRay, but because I got a good deal on a Bongo, I choose to buy it instead. Anyway, I still want a SR4, but I can't decide what to do. Keep the Bongo or trade it for a SR?

How does they sound different? I got a Bongo 4 with two humbuckers now, but I am not sure if I should try to trade it for a SR with one or two humbuckers if I choose to trade. I want it for slapping, and I find it OK to slap on the Bongo, but it could have been more space between the neck humbucker and the neck. Is it more space on the SR since it has fewer frets? I find the sound with both humbuckers very good on the Bongo, and therefore I am afraid that I will "lose" some sound if I choose to trade for a SR with one humbucker.

I know that the Bongo got a 4 band EQ and the SR has "only" a 3 band EQ, but I mostly change bass and treble, so I don't need two mid EQs. Anyone got a video or recording with the different sounds of a Bongo and SR?

 

[oli@bass]

Keep the Bongo and add the StingRay. I prefer the HH version because it has additional sounds that the single H cannot offer. The single H StingRay is a classic, and you can't go wrong with that either. I rarely slap, but I've found the neck pickup of the HH not being in the way when slapping. (is that proper English?!)

 

[bovinehost]

I rarely slap, but I've found the neck pickup of the HH not being in the way when slapping. (is that proper English?!)

I am always always always amazed at well you guys over there speak English.

I salute you!

 

[oli@bass]

Thank you Mylord Bongo!

Writing in English works quite well, because I can think about the proper choice of words. It gets a lot worse when I try to talk (which isn't really a strenght of mine anyway, even in my native language).


FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK... WE SALUTE YOU!
(which BTW, was played on a single H 'Ray)

 

[Jornan]

I'd love to keep the Bongo and buy a 'Ray too, but I've just bought a car and got my drivers license, and the gas prices in Norway is quite horrible ... I'm going to work as much as I can, but I'm afraid that I still have to choose between a Bongo and a SR unless someone decides to give me a lot of money

Is the bridge pickup placed at the same place on the HH version as on the single H?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

half of me would tell you to keep the Bongo and the other half would say, "Boy you don't know what you're missing" get yourself a pre 1990 StingRay with an Alnico pickup and prepare to feel that tone buttering your taste buds.

Sorry bro but you'd have to get yourself a loan, and have both. There's no substitute for either.

 

[Big Poppa]

Why pre 90? did we run out of moondust in 90? Most understand that the stuff has gotten better not worse. These arbitrary legends sometimes become fact...we did nothing different on dec 31 1990 than we did on Jan 1, 1991. The only thing I can tell you is that you had a better chance of getting birdseye which is purely cosmetic.

Now to the posters question.....This isnt a tattoo...no painful laser surgery if you decide you should have kept your Bongo...Try the Ray and you can always go back.

 

[TheAntMan]

Being someone who never gets rid of a bass, my recommendation is to save up to add the Ray to your collection. When I get a bass, it is cause I was grooving on the tone(s) I get from THAT bass. The Bongo and the Stingray generate different vibes and having both give you flexibility. That is why I am excited about the Big ALL and the 25th Anniv. basses, more options!

All that being said. It is up to what you are looking for to achieve your musical expressions. If the Ray is the one and only then go for it. If you think you need to have some Bongo tones to get your message out then keep it or have both.

Anyway, just my $0.02

-- Ant

 

[oli@bass]

Sorry bro but you'd have to get yourself a loan, and have both. There's no substitute for either.

There's a missing.

I think it is really bad advise to get a loan for a bass!!!

 

[Jornan]

I think I'll have to try a SR tomorrow and see if I like it better than the Bongo. I have the money to buy a SR, but I need to have some money in case of unexpected expenses.

But I hope someone can answer my question? Is the bridge pickup on the HH model placed at the same place as on the single H model?

 

[MrMusashi]

on the bongo or on the sr?

btw if you live in tromsø youre more than welcome to come try my basses

MrM

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Why pre 90? did we run out of moondust in 90? Most understand that the stuff has gotten better not worse. These arbitrary legends sometimes become fact...we did nothing different on dec 31 1990 than we did on Jan 1, 1991. The only thing I can tell you is that you had a better chance of getting birdseye which is purely cosmetic.

Now to the posters question.....This isnt a tattoo...no painful laser surgery if you decide you should have kept your Bongo...Try the Ray and you can always go back.

nothing to do with moondust Sir, I am referring to the alnico pickup which was changed with the ceramic one, a personal preference, is all.

Which puts me wrong again because I know understand that the newer 08 onwards SR5 once again have the alnico pu's in them which is GRAND!!

but yeah back on subject both basses must be owned to be appreciated. end of my opinion

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I think I'll have to try a SR tomorrow and see if I like it better than the Bongo. I have the money to buy a SR, but I need to have some money in case of unexpected expenses.

But I hope someone can answer my question? Is the bridge pickup on the HH model placed at the same place as on the single H model?

I believe I've read it somewhere that the bridge pick is in the same spot and it's only on the bongo hh that they moved it to allow for the 24 frets.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I am referring to the alnico pickup which was changed with the ceramic one, a personal preference, is all.

The pickups change back then was only done to the SR5....the SR4 (which is what the OP is asking about) has always and still only comes with the alnico pole pieces.

 

[Big Poppa]

Thanks Mike........you saved me a post

 

[oli@bass]

Why pre 90? did we run out of moondust in 90?

IMO, you found a whole new supply of stardust around 2006. I love those newer models!

But I hope someone can answer my question? Is the bridge pickup on the HH model placed at the same place as on the single H model?

On the StingRay 4 (and I mentioned the model specifically because I have those), the bridge humbucker of the single H and HH are at the same position. And to my ears, the bridge H sounds exactly the same regardless whether you have a H, HS or HH. The other sounds of the HS and HH are different, and I generally prefer the HH, but the HS isn't bad either.

Because of that, if I could only have one StingRay, I'd prefer to have a HH instead of sinlge H.

BTW, while on the Bongo you can blend the pickups, on the StingRay there's a 5 position switch to select coils. I like this concept, because I can get a different sound by the flick of a switch.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

The pickups change back then was only done to the SR5....the SR4 (which is what the OP is asking about) has always and still only comes with the alnico pole pieces.

Thanks Caca good thing too, cause I am not a fan of ceramic

 

[Jornan]

Thanks for all the answers. No doubt my SR will be a HH. Unfortunately, I only have the chance to try a single H, so I won't be able to compare the sound with my Bongo. Anyone with both HH Bongo and HH SR who would take the effort and make a recording of both?

MrMusashi: I'd love to try your basses, but Tromsø is quite far away from me, I live in Porsgrunn

The best would of course be to keep the Bongo and buy a SR4, and I really can't decide between them, so maybe I'll just work 24/7 and buy one

Btw, is it possible to get the 2009 limited edition with HH humbuckers?

 

[MrMusashi]

there is only the 25th anniversary this year so no 2009le for the other models. im looking forward to hearing the production line name for it

as for pickup combinations im also a sucker for the hh models. flick a switch and you got a different sound.

if youre not sure sell the bongo and use the money to get a sr. they are different but you still feel the origin they both came from!

MrM

 

[Jornan]

There is a LE 2009 model, and she is beautiful!
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...ew-photos-limited-edition-st4-lee-2009-a.html

I want it with HH and piezo!