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Bongo 2026 Collection

Single H vs. HH--your opinions?

shastaband

shastaband

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
97
Location
Redding, CA
Hi All!

I now have 4 Stingrays--two SR4 H models, one SR5 H and one SR5 HH. While the HH model with the five position selector switch does have more varied tone possibilities, I find I prefer playing the single H models. The sound seems much more focused, direct, and punchy to me. The HH seems a bit more diffused, somehow not quite as concentrated and intense as the single H sound, so that I usually end up playing with the bridge pickup only, at least onstage. (I confess I haven't had the opportunity to record with the HH yet.) As a result, I just ordered my 20th Anniversary SR5 with just one pickup (and the rosewood fingerboard and matching headstock).

Anyone else feel this way about the difference in sound between the single H and HH?
 
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I have the exact same feeling about the single H. I have an SR4HH and almost always play it in the single H mode. I do enjoy the variety of the HH, but always wind up back to my favorite position. My 30th SR4 is amazing sounding, I feel it is unfair to compare it to other SR4's!!! So, when I ordered a DD SR5, I got the single H. (By the way, where the hell is that thing anyways??)
 
That's why I want an SR5 H and a fretless Bongo HH. Cause with fretless, I prefer variety, and don't really need/want punch. :)

^^ To go with my Sterling, of course. :D
 
I have personally found that the SR5 HH sounds exactly how I need it too. I have owned at least 4 SR5 H basses on and off over the last few years, however I always sold or traded them off for some type of j-bass. I needed the bottom end that IMO only a neck pick-up can supply so the HH flat out nails it for me. I like the versatility that the SR5 HH provides, however I keep it on setting 3 all the time. When I had the SR5 H basses I kept them on the parallel setting all the time. I find that both coils full out on the SR5 HH is the ultimate combination of punch, articulation and bottom end. Fine tuning the 3 band eq can make the bass either blend right in with the mix or punch through it like a sledge hammer. At rehearsal today it sliced through a ten piece band with ease. In short, it was heard as well as felt. I have always loved the feel, build quality and vibe from EBMM basses, they are second to none as far as I am concerned. No matter how many times I stray, I alway come back to the SR5. Now with the HH, this bass is a force to reckoned with. Can anyone tell me the B-Day of this bass? Serial #E52994 - thx.

Cheers,
Paul Theriault
Bassjones
SoundClick artist: Bassjones - Subversive Smooth Jazz/Funk

SR5HHyep.jpg
 
^What is that color called? (for my collection of bass pics).
 
I just ordered my 20th Anniversary SR5 with just one pickup (and the rosewood fingerboard and matching headstock).
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I ordered, too.

Must be something to this single H theory, eh?
 
Mmmm. Makes a difference, doesn't it? lol
If I can, I like to name them (the file name) by model, pickup configuration, color (with MusicMan basses at least). :)
 
looks like lava pearl to me...

I play a single H, but kinda prefer the HH, I like a warm bassy tone... but that is just me...
 
personally when it comes to sr4s im an HH guy. to me position 1 on the HH and the single H sound exactly the same. so to me the HH is just "more bass". i use the switch a lot. I like it for immediate tone changes and find that all the positions on the HH w/ the eq on flat are awesome.

now when it comes to sterlings its not as clear cut cuz the H has switching positions for both series and parallel whereas the HS and HH sterling do not have a position for parallel.

so as far as SR4s go, to me, there's no doubt that the HH is what i want. never played an HS SR4 tho so i cant comment on those
 
saxnbass said:
^What is that color called? (for my collection of bass pics).
Click to expand...

Yep, it's lava pearl. Sorry but the camera is a P.O.S. In person however the bass has the most elegant copper glow that I have ever seen. The matching headstock just makes the whole appearance breath taking. Wow, at least I'm not too smitten with Stingrays 'eh? LOL:D

Cheers,
Paul Theriault
Bassjones
SoundClick artist: Bassjones - Subversive Smooth Jazz/Funk

IM001618.jpg
 
As much as i like my SR5 HH i know a single H is where it's at.
On SR 4's i'm shure an HS would be perfect but i haven't tried one yet.
 
HH was nice for a recent restaurant gig with a Latin duo... guitarist has a bit wonky tone and the options to 'switch' up my sound was a god-send ..... 20th Anni. is reeeeeeally getting to me and although I dig the look of a single H SR5, I still need a bass to be a player to me so I might be going the HH route, that is to say if I go that route at all.... dammmit... I feel an email to KScoles comin' on :p
 
Lets hear from Stanky on this one. he has one of each SR5 pickup combo.
 
The single H is my security blanket. On my SR5 HH, the first thing I try is just the bridge pickup....but then someone wants to play "Lucy In The Sky" and I want this fuzzy, Beatles-y kind of tone....flick the switch, baby, flick the switch.
 
My HH SR5 gets played in position 1 (bridge humbucker) 90% of the time. Just has that perfect sound to me. Having said that, my Bongo 4HH with pickup pan set at center detent is still my number one baby. I do like having the tonal options on my Dargie, though.
 
I'm talking Sterlings here, mind you, but on my H I leave the switch in the bridge position almost exclusively (always forget whether that's series or parallel). On the HH I tend to go with position 3, both pu's on most of the time. However, I find all five positions useful.
 
I love to sound of my HH Bongo5 but the 2 H pickups prevent me from being able to slap effectively.

If you don't need to slap, it is the was to go IMO.
 
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