NBD: Sterling Silver Bongo 6 HS!

[J Romano]

Hey Ray, ...I just tried Bongo 6 H Stealth at my dealer's store about a few hours ago, ...I just bought small lightweight bass combo stage monitor amp and while testing asked my dealer to give me something of EBMM basses for a test, ..he gives me that Bongo 6...and WOW... , love at first sight!
It's more versatile than I've ever expected!!!

Those Bongo 6 bangers are really killer basses!

One day I'll afford myself one too!

It didn't follow you home???? Did you keep looking in your rear view mirror???????

 

[ubnomnar]

Very crappy shot of the family... I'll take a better one when I have actual lighting to work with:

That's a beautiful family. Does your "cat" leave any claw marks on your fretboard?

 

[Codasound.net]

Very nice how are you liking the playability? Like your 5 going to your 6er is it much different?

 

[keko]

It didn't follow you home???? Did you keep looking in your rear view mirror???????

Very funny ...but not far away from the truth!

Guys, ...when You try Bongo 6 You will have a nightmares like I do!

 

[TherealAC]

I had a tough time deciding between Sterling Silver and Stealth Black on my 6'er because they both look so good!
Amazing basses, thats all I can say!

 

[Ray Salamon]

Ok, so initial impressions. To note, so far I haven't played it plugged in yet. But I also have only been able to barely put it down.
The neck on this thing is tremendous. Like I said before, I've owned a couple of other 6ers, and played countless others, but this thing is just *wow*. Bigger than I was expecting. But, it's extremely comfortable too. I feel like I could play just about anything on it. The neck is of course very smooth and fast feeling. Understandably it's not something that I can compare to any of my other EBMMs. Setup needs a slight tweak, and I don't like the DR strings that are on it, so I'll be swapping those out for some Slinkies in the near future.
Overall, it's also a tad heavy, but that comes with the territory too. I don't have an accurate scale, but I want to say it's near 11lbs. Pick up one of my Sterlings (9lb and 9.1lbs), then pick this up, and it's noticeable for sure.
Unplugged tone is very nice, as I was expecting. It's very responsive to different styles of playing. I can't slap for the life of me, but finger and pick style both sound great acoustically.
I even have my girlfriend playing it. She never picked up an electric bass before two nights ago, and she has small hands, but even for her it plays and sounds *great*. (She's no stranger to music and stringed instruments. She's a very good violin player, cello, piano and keyboard, harp, and the list goes on). Some chording is difficult due to her smaller hands, but once she gets the muscle memory built, she'll be a better bassist than me.

Melvin... I'll have to get back to you on tonality of HS versus HH probably this coming weekend.

I'm having to head out of town the next few days, so it'll go on the wall hanger to take a break. Still didn't even put that "Bongo headstock" nick in it yet surprisingly. More to come later...

 

[Holdsg]

that's one massive bridge. congrats.

 

[Rano Bass]

Nice family shot, congrats.

 

[melvin7822]

Melvin... I'll have to get back to you on tonality of HS versus HH probably this coming weekend.

Hey Ray,
Any update on the comparison? I noticed a few posts where you seem to prefer the HS. I'm just curious to know your thoughts between the HH and HS.

 

[epitaph04]

Did you happen to get that Bongo from Talkbass? I believe I was looking at that same bongo a few weeks ago before I decided for a sapphire black bongo 6!

 

[Ray Salamon]

Hey Ray,
Any update on the comparison? I noticed a few posts where you seem to prefer the HS. I'm just curious to know your thoughts between the HH and HS.

It's kind of interesting. The HS tone, when blend is set dead center (both pups even), is a lot more appealing to my ears. I'm not even sure I can put my finger on exactly what it is. I've played both now in my practice space at home, and with the band a fair number of times. I'm in a pretty unique metal band (in that we're operatic, symphonic, and have a total cast of over 50 people - www.heavymetalopera.com) and so I get to deal with the downfalls over stupid-loud practices. Usually, the Bongo (HH) does a good job finding it's spot in the mix and sitting there. No complaints what so ever. The HS though just seems to have more presence. I'm able to hear myself a good deal better.
When playing at home with both, EQ's centered on the Bongos and very small settings on my RPM, the HS is just "clearer". It almost makes it feels as if the HH is somewhat wooly - like a blanket over the speakers. This is easily adjusted for via EQ'ing of course, but as close to A versus B as I can get that is the difference I'm hearing. Also, when the front pup is solo'd, the HS just sounds punchier and more "P" like. Hm, I wonder why .
I still really do enjoy my HH very much. I'm half heartily posting to trade the 5HH for a 5HS, but I'm not really going out to great lengths to make that happen. In fact, I'd rather just be patient and buy a 5HS down the line. Though, honestly, the BFR's neck never did quite agree with me - I just don't really get along well with the glossy types of necks.
Hope that gives you a bit of what you want. I'm not very good at explaining tones... I feel like I'm trying to explain the color blue to a blind person.

 

[Ray Salamon]

Did you happen to get that Bongo from Talkbass? I believe I was looking at that same bongo a few weeks ago before I decided for a sapphire black bongo 6!

Yeah, got it from TalkBass. Seller was an awesome guy to work with. He actually even shipped it before the payment got through to him. Sapphire Black is OK, but I much prefer the Sterling Silver Next Bongo I get is going to be some sort of red.

 

[Chuck B]

Congrats on that beast!

 

[melvin7822]

It's kind of interesting. The HS tone, when blend is set dead center (both pups even), is a lot more appealing to my ears. I'm not even sure I can put my finger on exactly what it is. I've played both now in my practice space at home, and with the band a fair number of times. I'm in a pretty unique metal band (in that we're operatic, symphonic, and have a total cast of over 50 people - Ara'Kus Productions, Aeterno Elementum) and so I get to deal with the downfalls over stupid-loud practices. Usually, the Bongo (HH) does a good job finding it's spot in the mix and sitting there. No complaints what so ever. The HS though just seems to have more presence. I'm able to hear myself a good deal better.
When playing at home with both, EQ's centered on the Bongos and very small settings on my RPM, the HS is just "clearer". It almost makes it feels as if the HH is somewhat wooly - like a blanket over the speakers. This is easily adjusted for via EQ'ing of course, but as close to A versus B as I can get that is the difference I'm hearing. Also, when the front pup is solo'd, the HS just sounds punchier and more "P" like. Hm, I wonder why .
I still really do enjoy my HH very much. I'm half heartily posting to trade the 5HH for a 5HS, but I'm not really going out to great lengths to make that happen. In fact, I'd rather just be patient and buy a 5HS down the line. Though, honestly, the BFR's neck never did quite agree with me - I just don't really get along well with the glossy types of necks.
Hope that gives you a bit of what you want. I'm not very good at explaining tones... I feel like I'm trying to explain the color blue to a blind person.

Ray,
I understand what you're saying perfectly. Typically a single coil (albeit stacked) will sound more focused than a humbucker. So naturally, I would expect a bit more clarity. And it's not like the HH is unfocused, but rather it's bigger and more aggressive.

 

[epitaph04]

Yeah, got it from TalkBass. Seller was an awesome guy to work with. He actually even shipped it before the payment got through to him. Sapphire Black is OK, but I much prefer the Sterling Silver Next Bongo I get is going to be some sort of red.

Yeah I actually got the Sapphire Black because it was cheaper! I've always wanted a Sterling Silver Bongo...maybe next year....

Either way, congrats with the beautiful bass!