Sterling or Bongo or BOTH?

[Transverz]

Hi all! First post here...looks like a great forum...

I really need your opinions, being MM accustomed and loving people such as yourselves:

I have a wonderful Sterling that I really like. Fits my style both in playability, size, sound, and look. I've tried lots of basses and I thought I was done with wanting almost any other bass as my main bass, despite cost, aside from buying more for novelty or just to expand the collection.

Now I have a chance to pick up a brand new Black Bongo HH for way less than regular price *edited to comply with forum rules*. Oh the humanity. I never gave them much thought, then I picked one up and played it. Sure, it was just in a store, but the playability was fabulous and it was oh so light! Noticeably lighter than my Sterling. And it's ALL BLACK! Okay, except for the hardware, which would be a dream (they just put a version like that out though, right?), but the standard black one is nice enough for me. Wish my Sterling was an Onyx!

Anyway, here is the tough part:

1) I am not Gates, Trump, nor any other rich guy. If I was smart, I probably should sell my beloved Sterling.

2) I am also not too smart, so now I'm considering owning both basses, with the one I end up playing less being my backup or for giving me different options come recording time versus the main/live use bass.

SO, what I'm asking is:

Can either the Sterling or Bongo emulate each other to a point that it's pointless to have both other than for collecting purposes? Would it just be a waste of funds to own both, in terms of practicality? That much money *edited* seems like it could do a lot for me in another area of bass gear, then again, I feel like I already own most everything I want to own for the time being. So would a Bongo be a wise investment?

Sorry to bother you all, but it seems like such a good deal to pass up on without giving it some thought. What's yours?

Thanks very much!

-Transverz

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hi and welcome

I don't know much about Bongos but "Lord Bongo" (Jack) will no doubt be tuning in soon. There's a lot of guys here with Bongos and Sterlings. I'm a humble 'Ray man

Pretty sure the advice will be to have the best of both worlds

.

 

[SterlingFan]

Well I can only tell you what I would do. If I could own both, heck yes. The bongo is top on my wish list. Sell my Sterling, Never.

 

[element]

I would also go with both, they may be able to emulate each other slightly, I dont know, I've never played either, but they're never gonna give you the variation that owning the both of them will give you.

 

[roballanson]

both

Nothing wrong with owning both.....

but I just have to say its best to go Stingray all the way......

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I'm a pencil-necked bass guy, so as you might expect, the Sterling has been my #1 bass for four years. I own an SR4 and an SR5, but prefer the smaller body and neck combo. I recently took delivery of the exact Bongo of which you speak. It's freakin' amazing. As you said, lighter than the Sterling, but it's the neck which really has me surprised because I thought I was going to have to compromise left hand comfort for the improved sound. No compromises here. In the end, you're hanging in the wrong forum if you want to own only one bass. Sell the wife, pawn the kids, but you've got to get that Bongo. You won't be disappointed. If you're a slapper, the Sterling will always have a role. I'm sure there are guys who can slap up a storm on a two pickup Bongo, but I'm not one of them. So there you go; one of each.

 

[AnthonyD]

Sell your Sterling!?

Pass on the Bongo!?

There's only one solution I see... Buy the Bongo... Keep both!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Ah, the internet. Enabling consumer debt and relationship discord since the beginning.

 

[rulyøngo]

Well I can only tell you what I would do. If I could own both, heck yes. The bongo is top on my wish list. Sell my Sterling, Never.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

Try and get them both!!! Even if you have to eat Ramen soups for the rest of the year!!!

 

[Freddy-G.]

I am finding out that the more basses I acquire, the more I want. So, watch out, this is very addictive.

My advice? You will never be sorry you bought the Bongo.

Welcome!

 

[Moondog]

Selling the Sterling sounds like a mistake.
Have some respect for yourself, even
owning (2) basses is not enough

Keep the Sterling. Buy the Bongo.
That IS the smart thing to do. If
you completely neglect the Sterling
over the next few months, you can
always sell it later (but I doubt it).

 

[Joshua]

Having played both, I don't think they sound similar (at least to my ears).

Also imo, I don't believe any of the MM basses particularly sound like any other (MM bass). It would seem to make little sense to design a bass that sounds like one already available, thusly leading to the many great, but different, alternatives MM offers...

 

[Transverz]

You guys are pure, unquestionable evil...

AND I LOVE IT!

Wow, I never thought I would get so much support for "buy both" but then again, as stated, what did I expect?

Thanks for the advice. I think both would be great too. The Bongo did sound fantastic. And sell the Sterling? What was I thinking?

Hmm... Decisions...

Thanks again

-Transverz

 

[bovinehost]

I don't understand the question.

You have a Sterling.
You want to buy a Bongo.

So far, I get it. But what, there was some kind of question about "one or the other"?

Your strange language frightens me.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Decisions… I hear you. What color? How many strings? How many pickups?

It’s tough, believe me I know!

Chuck

 

[kdsi44]

i have a sterling, and just picked up a single hummer bongo...and wow.....thats pretty much all i can say.....keep the sterling...get the bongo, but then you will want another bongo.....then another....and so on.....scary huh......i think im going buttercream bongo 4 dual HH....

 

[phatduckk]

i went thru this same thought process this weekend. The SF GC has a brand new, black HH Bongo for less than what we forum-folk would sell a used Ray for (see stated price above). so i was standing there thinking ... the price is just rediculous. so i almost pulled the trigger but got distracted some pretty girl asking me for help picking a bass (cuz the people that work there couldnt be bothered).

so anyways ... i have an SR4 and a Sterling and almost got a Bongo. The Sterling is my favorite and I wouldnt give it up ... ever. So my advice would be to bust out a credit card and buy the Bongo and keep the Sterling. you said that you love your Sterling, so I wouldnt be too trigger happy and part with it. Take the Bongo home and put it up against the Sterling for a week or so ... then sell it. Problem is that you'll probably love 'em both and end up with a $800 credit card bill

 

[Transverz]

I don't understand the question.

You have a Sterling.
You want to buy a Bongo.

So far, I get it. But what, there was some kind of question about "one or the other"?

Your strange language frightens me.

Hahaha, yes, I know, the thought does sound strange. Shortage of funds makes you say weird things. Hard to ignore, but I'm trying my best...with NO help from you guys! Did I say how much I love this forum already?

Details:

I had an older (1996 or so?) Sterling that I sold to Figjam who I think is on this forum as well. Was a very awesome Sterl, birdseye maple neck, great condition, played like a DREAM. But for some reason I really, REALLY wanted as close as I could get to getting it all black (if not the Onyx version). Hard to find those for a good price, so I sold my first Sterling to a GREAT guy who gave it a good home. Very glad it went to him. He got it for a good price too. Anyway, really needed the money but kept on a lookout for THAT Sterling. Low and behold, a 2002 or so Black Sterling with black p/g, black headstock (YEAH!), black knobs (WHOA!) in superb condition came up for sale for a great price. I had to have it and so now I do . Been loving it ever since and really killed my thirst for that Modulus I so badly wanted. Still think the Modulus is a great bass, but the Sterling really has me.

Anyway, a short fast forward to now, I see a brand new (end of 2004 most likely) Black Bongo HH (with black headstock AND black neck with rosewood, of course! YAHOO!) on sale at the store for a great discount *edited to comply with forum rules*. This seriously is trouble. While everyone when it first came out really ragged on the looks, I was always indifferent to moderately liking it, but didn't give it much thought because it was way out of my price range (kind of like my Element hehe, virtually same story). But now that it is within a price range I can stand (and I got a couple pay raises inbetween then and now) suddenly I was forced to pass judgement on it.

Looks from afar? Not bad. Picked it up. Light as feather. COOL. Gave it the top view looking down simulating what it would look like to me first person while playing it. Actually pretty cool. And very comfortable. Neck was smoother than my Sterling, could of been a bad thing, but actually, it was just different...not worse or better. Same feeling in neck width though. Yes, it's a SLIGHT bit larger, but really, REALLY hard to notice for me. And I love slim necks, such as on the Sterling. Had girlfriend hold it for a third-person, offstage viewpoint. VERY COOL. Grabbed a Sterling off the stand and compared heights. Bongo is about 2 inches taller. Noticed that the bridge at the Sterling starts as low as possible. The Bongo starts around 2 inches from the bottom edge. The Bongo's neck is mounted about 0.5" higher but the top of the headstock (maybe it's just the headstock?) ends up about 2 inches higher. Holding it really did not feel any different than the Sterling. This was GOOD. Proceeded to find the nearest thing to my Mesa Boogie M-2000 which turned out to be a Walkabout combo (1x12, I'm pretty sure). Plugged it in and said, "WOW". Easy to play, comfortable, felt great, sounded great. The lows, as everyone states, was pretty ridiculous. The word "Slammin" came to mind. The knobs all do great duties, especially the blend and the 2 mids. Treble was good too. The bass? Holy moly. That thing can get STOOPID low and huge. The Sterling can get low. The Bongo got LOWWWWW.

Conclusion of first impression? I put the Bongo on layaway at which I can then make a decision on whether I really want it or not, while it gets put in the back for NO ONE to touch (hopefully). The salesperson invited me to bring in my rig to give it a more realistic whirl and I might do just that. But I think that it will be a great addition to my gear arsenal. And at least it's with a piece that I'm almost sure won't budge too much in resale value, should I want to part with it when times are tough (heaven forbid).

On a totally unrelated note, my backup SRX400 Ibanez, spare Mesa Boogie Road Ready 1x15 w/ horn, a couple of guitar poweramps and preamps, and other misc gear are now officially on sale. Make way, make way...for the Bongo!

I think.

 

[Transverz]

i went thru this same thought process this weekend. The SF GC has a brand new, black HH Bongo for less than what we forum-folk would sell a used Ray for (see stated price above). so i was standing there thinking ... the price is just rediculous. so i almost pulled the trigger but got distracted some pretty girl asking me for help picking a bass (cuz the people that work there couldnt be bothered).

so anyways ... i have an SR4 and a Sterling and almost got a Bongo. The Sterling is my favorite and I wouldnt give it up ... ever. So my advice would be to bust out a credit card and buy the Bongo and keep the Sterling. you said that you love your Sterling, so I wouldnt be too trigger happy and part with it. Take the Bongo home and put it up against the Sterling for a week or so ... then sell it. Problem is that you'll probably love 'em both and end up with a $800 credit card bill

Damn those girls, especially who play bass. Always distracting us at that critical time! I can't say whether that one that distracted you from that Bongo was an angel or demon. You make that call hehe. And what did you "turn her on to"? Bass-wise, I mean. She buy it? Again, THE BASS, I MEAN.

Good advice from all, especially with putting it up against the Sterling and see which one wins the battle for main bass duty. I do have a feeling though that both are going to be kept if this happens.

And damn that all black with black hardware for coming out. That absolutely KILLS ME! Then again, it's always nice to have a dream *sigh*

So uhh, anyone know where to get black tuners & pegs, black bridge, and a black sharpie for the p/u poles?

-T

 

[phatduckk]

And what did you "turn her on to"? Bass-wise, I mean. She buy it? Again, THE BASS, I MEAN.

na, she was just browsing. shed been considering starting playing the bass and wanted to know the differences between all the choices. so i picked an amp and showed (made her hear) her the difference between pup choices (types and active/passive) ... hand her play a few to see neck differences etc. she just had no idea what was going on and nobody that works there would educate someone like that if they're not spending a grand ... i was just keeping my buddy company while he was looking for a new amp, so I figured hangin out with a pretty girl would be more fun than watching my friend play.