sterling vrs bongo vrs ray

[justbass]

what's the deal with the bongo?


for example,

the stingray's "deal" is that it's a stingray.


this bass or that bass sounds like a stingray, or doesn't--it's the standard.




the sterling:


I'm heard that the sterling's "deal" was that it was a stingray but smaller and that it was also capable of producing more sounds.

so, a smaller, more versatile stingray;by my clock, if all that's true, what could be better?



EB comes out with the bongo, and right when I finally have money so..,


what's the deal, with a bongo?



I like/love the SR sound. I want sterling because I've been lead believe it's smaller and can do what a SR can do and more.

so,

logically,


if I'm in that price range anyways


and the bongo is as small as a sterling, and is even more versatile,

then I would probably go for that.


the question is, is that what the bongo is? or is it all together different instrument, not meant to be the new improved stingray?



I know, go play one, and I will, but I would like to hear the hype in terms I can understand. thanx.

 

[tiffles]

have a go at the search function. youll find a tonne of useful and some useless information! good luck!

and welcome!

 

[SharonG]

Welcome to the......Forum
Tiffles's suggestion makes the most sense - much has been said. I own a Bongo, but just played a Sterling for the first time this weekend. The Sterling was incredibly versatile and very playable, but a bit heavier than the Bongo. The neck feel is very different - so playing them will be key. The biggest difference soundwise is that 18V pre-amp in the Bongo - it kicks a@$! It is the most responsive bass I have ever played - I barely have to think it, and out it comes! I have had it since October, and am still dscovering tones. I just love it!

That being said, that sterling is haunting me.......

 

[Aussie Mark]

The ladies have pretty much covered it. The other major construction difference of note is that the Sterling has a narrower neck at the nut than a Stingray or Bongo (in old terminology, J rather than P). As Sharon pointed out, the Bongo's 18 volt preamp is a vastly different animal to the already monstrous 9 volt Stingray and Sterling preamps. In WW2 tank terms, think of the Stingray and Sterling as a Tiger, and the Bongo as a Panther, ie. an already great tank enhanced with even more firepower, and with a sleeker silhouette (no pun intended).

 

[roballanson]

Mark's tank illustration just about covers it....and yes you gotta try them...

 

[Big Poppa]

Just Bass

welcome

THe Bongo is our evolution. It is intentionally different.. If you are a player that just wants to put th eq wide open and not worry then the Stingray to a lesser degree the Sterling are more for you. If you are interested in exploring a wider palatte of EQ and clarity then the Bongo is for you. THe Bongo's low end is huge and clear and doesnt flood the mix or kick drum

 

[oddjob]

THe Bongo's low end is huge and clear and doesnt flood the mix or kick drum

Amen!!!!

 

[ghunter]

I think there's also a dimension of "vintage vs. modern" in there, but BP alluded to that. The StingRay/Sterling has a lot of that deep warm vintage tone but takes it to a new level. The Bongo sounds like a Bongo and there's no really obvious comparison point from other manufacturers (perhaps some of the highly spec'ed Alembics with their tonal flexiblity, but they're more "woody").

There are different magnets used in the StingRay 4 series, so try that as well. The SR4 has the most punch and growl of all the EBMM basses, and you may really like that if you want the most aggressive tone. The StingRay 5 and Sterling are slightly toned down in comparison.

Finally, the 18V pre on the Bongo is incredible, but be careful when doing a side by side comparison at the unequal volume levels. The Bongo will sound superior right out of the gate simply because of that.

EBMM doesn't have anything less than top-notch basses in their lineup, and there's no better bass for the money at any level. It's really a question of what tone you're after.

 

[tkarter]

The deal is you have money it is time to experience the Bongo.

imho

tk

 

[Musicman Nut]

what's the deal with the bongo?


for example,

the stingray's "deal" is that it's a stingray.


this bass or that bass sounds like a stingray, or doesn't--it's the standard.




the sterling:


I'm heard that the sterling's "deal" was that it was a stingray but smaller and that it was also capable of producing more sounds.

so, a smaller, more versatile stingray;by my clock, if all that's true, what could be better?



EB comes out with the bongo, and right when I finally have money so..,


what's the deal, with a bongo?



I like/love the SR sound. I want sterling because I've been lead believe it's smaller and can do what a SR can do and more.

so,

logically,


if I'm in that price range anyways


and the bongo is as small as a sterling, and is even more versatile,

then I would probably go for that.


the question is, is that what the bongo is? or is it all together different instrument, not meant to be the new improved stingray?



I know, go play one, and I will, but I would like to hear the hype in terms I can understand. thanx.

To My Ears i think it's pretty simple. Music man basses just like fender or what ever, you require a Sound, No other bass on the market sounds like a stringray, sterling or Bongo unless someones trying to copy them and in that case buy the real one, why own someone elses rip off because that's all they know how to do, The real Genuine Music Man instruments are the music man sound.

I get emails day in an out about EB coping the Original Stingray. No, They bought the company, they own the rights to make the instruments and second of all. They fixed all the problems that the 70's Had. So the EB stuff is a Million times better then the Leo era ever was in all subjects of the bass.

like a Carpenter nothing wrong with having a few different hammers for different jobs but the Music man Hammer covers about pretty much everything most guys need, unless you need a 6 or 7 string then all they are, Are pissed off guitar players who figure they'll get more attention as a Bass Player.

So really Once you play a Music man bass, you'll own one of each very soon because it's that SOUND YOU'LL LOVE TO HEAR AT EVERY GIG.
Have a Great day. DJ

 

[Joe Nerve]

I like/love the SR sound. I want sterling because I've been lead believe it's smaller and can do what a SR can do and more.

Here's my take on it all. If you love the Stingray sound, get a Stingray. If you want versatility in your Stingray get an H/H or H/SC. The Bongo is an unique animal. While some people claim it's a Stingray on steroids, I've yet to get that certain something of a sound out of it that a Stingray has. Which is why I'm going to have to buy a Stingray as soon as funds allow. The Sterling has that "Stingray" sound (if we're defining it the same), but IMO is slightly lacking in the bottom end department. Mine cut through the mix like a MFer, but there were times I just wish it had a little more depth - the Bongo gave me that depth and a whole lot more. I think the Bongo is the greatest bass alive, but if you're looking for that certain something that seems to only come out of Stingray, I believe it still only comes out of a Stingray and you're going to be left wanting if you get anything else.

I said Stingray 9 times. 10.

 

[kompressaur]

In WW2 tank terms, think of the Stingray and Sterling as a Tiger, and the Bongo as a Panther, ie. an already great tank enhanced with even more firepower, and with a sleeker silhouette (no pun intended).

isnt the Ray a tiger,the sterling a Panther meaning that the bongo is a king tiger?

 

[Figjam]

The way I see it,

Stingray: The classic tone. IMO mid-cut, slap monster
Sterling: Bit more aggressive than a stingray. Less booty with more mids. Cuts like crazy. Pretty versatile, IMO all you need Also a slap monster.
Bongo: Completely different. Very versatile but cant get the stingray/sterling tone exactly.

 

[LisaIs]

Just Bass

welcome

THe Bongo is our evolution. It is intentionally different.. If you are a player that just wants to put th eq wide open and not worry then the Stingray to a lesser degree the Sterling are more for you. If you are interested in exploring a wider palatte of EQ and clarity then the Bongo is for you. THe Bongo's low end is huge and clear and doesnt flood the mix or kick drum

No wonder I play a Sterling. I usually keep it pretty flat on the EQ knobs. It sounds great to me like that. I make adjustments on the amp.

 

[ghunter]

I'll also add that the StingRay is a pick-monster as well as slap. I fell completely in love with the aggressive StingRay sound after hearing Steve Severin's work with Siouxsie and the Banshees. FWIW, I still haven't warmed up to the Bongo's sound with the pick.

 

[Calaveras]

I'll also add that the StingRay is a pick-monster as well as slap. I fell completely in love with the aggressive StingRay sound after hearing Steve Severin's work with Siouxsie and the Banshees. FWIW, I still haven't warmed up to the Bongo's sound with the pick.

really which songs? I wasnt aware he was playing a ray? Though I guess he kinds sounds like it on "Passenger". Hmmmm I never really thought about it.....

 

[phatduckk]

I'll also add that the StingRay is a pick-monster as well as slap. I fell completely in love with the aggressive StingRay sound after hearing Steve Severin's work with Siouxsie and the Banshees. FWIW, I still haven't warmed up to the Bongo's sound with the pick.

I think (im no psychic) that the stingray's string spacing and neck shape play a huge part into why its a been a great choice for many slappers. And of course the sound is obviously a factor... but for me, when im getting slap happy, i pick up a Stringray more for the feel and how comfortable my hands can get when im using the slap/pop techniques.

Now there's no way in hell you could say the Ray is only good for slapping.... FOR ME its the goto for slap and IMHO its the best bass for that technique BUT the bass can easily do a helluv a lot more than that!!! Just making this clear for lurkers etc that might stumble here and venture into pegging the Stingray as a slap bass ... its A GREAT BASS that does a lot and acheives many, many tones.

Currently, I beleive that the 30th SR4 on flat acheives the best pick tone ive heard... maybe ever. I really, really love it.

Anywho... with all that said. I think the Sterling is a "meaner" bass than the Stingray. Yup, like other's said... its got a bit more mid and the little guy is just kinda angry. Also the 3 way switch is great and all the positions are awesome and provide "flip of a switch" tonal variety which i like ... for me its easier to flip a switch mid-song than mess with knobs. The neck is a HUGE difference.... i find the Sterling neck to be the most comfortable neck ever. Obvioudly we're all different, but for me the neck is what sets the Sterling as my #1.

The Bongo is a badass bass too. (see the theme - theyre all good). The EQ is brilliant and can acheive a bazzilion tones. Obviously it looks different but the secret sauce is in the preamp. Just insanely versetile. And again, a different shaped neck.

They're all great basses. And there is some overlap between what they can all do. They all have a familiar character hint to em but then they all have their own paths they take from there and your favorite of the 3 will probably be determined by which of these "paths" suits your fancy.

Try em all and you'll see. You'll likely end up favoring 1 over the others for some reason or another but you'll definately like them all.

 

[tegzsa]

Tanks and basses! Gotta love this thread.

Stingray=T34

Sterling=JagdPanther

Bongo=M1A1

 

[tkarter]

My Bongo will blow the tracks off your tank


tk

 

[4metta]

The best thing to do is to try all three. They all have their own personality and feel. There is a Musicman "sound" in that they are all "hot" sounding. (Bongo being the hottest) Nothing tame about them, but each bass has it's own uniqueness.