Thinking of buying a MM...need help

[bagels88]

Don't really know much about MM basses. Been playing Warwicks for a couple of years. Looking to get a bass that cuts through the rest of the band. Been playing bass for 20 years. Main axe is a warwick thumb neck-through with a bolt-on back-up. Would like to find more midrange. I think MM's have that? Looking for a 5 string. Playing through an Ampeg SVP Pro pre-amp and a Crown powerbase 2 amp into an Eden 2X10 with a 1x15 bottom cab.

Any suggestions? I don't know which model is better. Vintage vs. new. 2 pick-up's as opposed to 1. any input greatly apprieciated. Main style of music is classic rock and blues.

 

[strummer]

No surprises here, I'll say Bongo 5 for sure. HH or Hs, maybe with piezos if you like. But beware, a MM is like the opposite to a Warwick, so just as i feel totally alien trying to play a Warwick I think you probably need to adjust some
And yeah, a Bongo 5 cuts through, no eq anywhere needed in my case.

 

[Jodizzle]

Bongos definitely cut it!!
Welcome bagels ,, do you have a MM dealer nearby where you could take a spin on a few basses?

 

[tkarter]

Bongo 5 H to be exact. Plain and simple play and be heard. Lots of any sound you need.
IMHO.

Welcome to the board here.

We are a nice bunch after a proper initiation. You know? We gotta dump your shorts full of smelly cheese and make fun of ya for awhile. Then we call you knucklehead.

Seriously any Musicman 5 string will play and be heard under any band.

The bongo does it with quite the grace though.

imho

tk

 

[TNT]

Bagel,

Just have a nice guitar holder handy for your Warwick after you check out the Bongo 5, because that baby will become your main axe!!

Enjoy!!

 

[boristhespider7]

These are all Bongo fanatics, but the Stingray 5 is still where it's at (if you want a 5). If you want a four string, get a Sterling which has the most comfortable neck in the world. It will make your Warwicks feel like logs on which you have to stretch your arm 6 feet to play at the first fret (I used to have a Thumb 5). If you have time to wait, there will be a Sterling 5 coming out which will surely be the best 5 string ever.

As far as two pickups vs. one, think about where you normally rest your thumb on your current bass. I rest mine on the neck pickup and it is really uncomfortable for me to rest and play on the bridge pickup. I sold a single pickup Sterling for that reason and bought an HS (humbucker bridge and single coil neck) so I could rest my thumb and play comfortably on the neck PU. For the Stingray, having a neck humbucker is ok (aka HH) and doesn't interfere with popping because there's still enough room between the neck PU and the neck. On the Sterling, there is less room (one more fret) and an HH can interfere with popping. Thererfore, on the Sterling (only available in 4 string right now), if you want a neck PU, think about a single coil (J bass style) neck pickup (aka HS). You may want to consider an HS for a Stingray also (4 or 5 string). Try them out. Just consider if it's more comfortable for you to play on the neck PU for a long period of time such as a long gig or practice. It may make all the difference.

PS: IMHO the Bongo is not as easy to play or comfortable for shorter people with a smaller "wingspan." You can't beat the Sterling for playability and fatigue reduction.

 

[tkarter]

Did you get the smelly cheese down the shorts treatment yet Boris?

I like ya.

tk

 

[boristhespider7]

Did you get the smelly cheese down the shorts treatment yet Boris?

I like ya.

tk

The problem is that smelly cheese down my shorts is no punishment for me.

 

[tkarter]

I reckon we both naturally stink then

tk

 

[TNT]

Not sure where that smell is originating from, because it certainly isn't your playing!!


LOL

 

[AnthonyD]

New...

Or at least not too old if you're considering a used model.

Any changes I've seen made to EBMM basses have been to make them better playing instruments - as opposed to making them cheaper to manufacture instruments.

You are on the right track!

 

[Frankie5Angels]

Yes, the Bongo 5 is the one you want. You'll have no problem cutting through the mix with it. A 5HH will let you handle anything the band can throw at you. If you're looking for more of a "traditional" MM sound (the Bongo is a bit more "modern" sounding) look into an SR5.

 

[stretch80]

I'll weigh in in favor of the Stingray 5s as well -- Bongos are great too -- you should play both and see what appeals to you.

In all cases, you'll get great midrange. On the SR5, you could go for either a single or multiple pickup version -- in all of them, the bridge humbucking pickup is in the same spot, and that pickup really delivers the midrange goods.

If it was me, I'd grab an SR5 with a single-coil plus humbucker. OR if you've got the funds, check out the 20th anniversary SR5. It's beautiful.

The new basses are great, so no big advantage to the older ones, IMHO.

 

[Psychicpet]

Hi Bagels,
Ya, I'd say be sure to try out a single H StingRay 5 but also be sure to try out a Bongo or two, you might just be more inclined for one of those.

all in all you can't go wrong with a Music Man, your band/engineers will love ya