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Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience

Need Bongo Advice

B

BigStrings

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2004
Messages
77
Location
Binghamton, New York
Don't believe this belongs here but got zero responses in the string section for about 2 weeks. Since this is where all the Bongo action is regarding info I thought I would try to sneak it in. Any responses are appreciated. Thanks

Have got my Bongo adjusted pretty well and still have just a hint of fret buzz, so I'm going to try some heavier gauge strings. I've seen where others have used them and have cured the problem. Actually, some have said that they were able to lower the action even more than before using them. Anyway, I'm zeroing in on D'Addario EXL 230's (.110, .090, .075, .055), Ernie Ball Power Slinkys (same gauge as the D'Addario's) and GHS H3045"s (.115, .090, .070, .050). I've seen a lot of good reviews for the GHS H3045's. Some guys are saying that they can down tune the E to a D or even a C without any fret buzz which has got me kind of excited. Anybody have any experience with any of these strings on a Bongo? Any recommendations?
 
I dont have bongo experience , but i will say that a heavier string gauge should help. Thicker strings have a smaller range of motion, which, with a proper setup, can help limit fret buzz.
 
Figjam said:
I dont have bongo experience , but i will say that a heavier string gauge should help. Thicker strings have a smaller range of motion, which, with a proper setup, can help limit fret buzz.
Click to expand...


Now, I did not know that....see what can be learned here...thanks Fig.
 
I found the 115s hard to play in normal tuning. Also, in normal tuning it's quite a load for the neck. I suspect these are made specifically for down tuning.

I'd also be wary of accumulated 'common knowledge' that heavier strings tend to cure fret buzz. There are plenty of players who know nothing of set ups. You put heavier strings on, though, and the buzz goes away? Probably cuz they got more relief from the higher tension cuz they don't ever bother to set up.
 
Golem said:
I found the 115s hard to play in normal tuning. Also, in normal tuning it's quite a load for the neck. I suspect these are made specifically for down tuning.

I'd also be wary of accumulated 'common knowledge' that heavier strings tend to cure fret buzz. There are plenty of players who know nothing of set ups. You put heavier strings on, though, and the buzz goes away? Probably cuz they got more relief from the higher tension cuz they don't ever bother to set up.
Click to expand...
A very good point. Im sure that accounts for most of the cases, they just get lucky that heavier strings can be known to achieve lower buzz free action for other reasons as well.

I like a medium gauge on my sterling. (.045 - .105). Im debating whether to put a slightly heavier gauge on my HH SR5 when it comes, to get a better B string. Although , the B string will probably be fine with a medium gauge (.125), right?
 
I've got an HH4 and HH5 and I set both up to allow a mere hint of buzz. I value the Bongo for its insistent ability, at almost any EQ, to produce "that ol'tyme classic electric bass tone". Therefore the minor 'tone destruction' from a hint of buzz suits me just fine. I don't hear any buzz thru the amp, just acoustically, but I assume it robs a bit of tone.

This is occuring at ridiculously low action. At about 2.5mm under the 'E' at the octave, buzz goes away. I've got only slight neck relief. Point is, the Bongo is so easy to play, I could go up to 'low-ish normal' action to get zero buzz and still have a very easy-playing ax. Just how low are you trying to go?

Also, my seat of the pants observation [hurts my neck if I'm wearing them at the time...] is that roundwounds are less likely to buzz at low action, but once you cross the threshhold and get them to buzz, it's more noticeable. IOW, at the initial threshold where it occurs, RW buzz is more annoying than flatwound buzz, although flatwound buzz starts in a little sooner as you adjust your action down gradually. I find the most manageable strings in this sense are D'Addario half rounds: The whispery effect of flats when buzzing does occur, plus the threshold for the provocation of buzzing is at a lower action than with real flats [cuz really they are roundwound].

I like their "pure nickel" alloy [70 series] over the plated "nickel wound" [170 series]. I like it for its less jangley voice. But maybe being softer metal, its first hint of buzz may be less intrusive than first hint of buzz from a harder winding like stainless steel or plated steel. Just guessing on that point.

Playing is so much fun. Setting up to optimize play is not. Strike a decent balance.
 
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I set up my sterling with very little relief, (so i get a little ratttle at first position when digging in) and low action, about 2 mm under the E string at the 12th fret.

I play with a medium touch, and love my tone. If i ffeel like playing with a light touch when alone, i can get no/very little buzz, and with a band when im digging in, the buzz isnt audible anyway.
 
I just put Ernie Ball Super Slinks on mine. 100, 80, 65, 45.....adjusted neck...tiny buzz on g string...plays great.
 
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