Thoughts on the Bongo 4 HS?

[RobertB]

What can you past or present Bongo 4 HS owners tell me about how you feel about the HS pickup config? What do you find it offers or lacks as compared to the HH?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Eggman]

Present owner of both - in 4 string models:

I find the HS is a bit mellower in tone and to me gets a more P bass tone off of the neck pickup. I sold an HS once because I thought it was a bit wimpy - but I put Hybrid Slinkys on my current HS and it got beefed up (to my ear). I love it.

The HH is pure power all the way.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Slightly off topic, but you guys may know and it's related, was the BONGO initially developed with the HH configuration in mind first, or did all three version developed at the same time?

 

[maddog]

The HS has a very unique tone that I miss at times. Gives a very clean but deep tone off of that SC neck pickup.

I think the single H was developed first but it was decided to pursue bringing the HH and SC/H configs to market first to give players an EBMM dual pickup option. Better to get it straight from BP or try a search. He's answered this question before but my recollection is fuzzy.

 

[Slamzilla]

I sold mine and have regreted it ever since. Fantastic cutting tone!
I will own one again.
Z

 

[EADG4]

I have a 4 HS with Hybrid Slinkys. Bloody amazing tone. Now I'm one of those guys who has to decide what to do with my 'other' basses. When I was looking for something to replace the G****n the Bongo was on my short list. I finally found one in a store to try. Even better, the rest of my 'list' was there as well. After an hour I left with the Bongo. No contest. Best playing, best sounding bass I've ever had my hands on.

 

[RobertB]

Thanks guys. Looks like there'll be another recon mission to GC tomorrow or Saturday. I'm thinking about PTT on one of the few remaining '07 LE Bongo 4's I can find - bass central has a few, but they have HS only. I love the HH, haven't tried an HS ... and am very curious to try an H, too.

 

[mammoth]

i have to say that although the HS has eluded my grasp, it's one config i'm dying to try. saying that, I love the freedom the single H gives me and you can still dial in a truck load of sounds.

 

[oddjob]

Each config has its own sound and honestly they are all great! As mentioned before the HS is a little more mellow than the HH - in a good way. Th eHH has shear destructive power to it, IMO it has more balls/aggressiveness to it - it gives you a fuller sound but can be a bit harder to tame if you don't know what you are doing. The HS isn't quite as aggressive but has a bit more cut-thru to it. The H is just balls to the wall (very under rated config).

 

[Psycho Ward]

I love them all but the H/S is my favorite, if only only by a rch.

 

[bovinehost]

"rch"?

What the 'r' stand for?

 

[Paul_C]

I've owned a 4HS, a 4HH, a 4HH/p, a 4H, and a 5HS, only got the one now, as I don't need anything else

 

[RobertB]

I've owned a 4HS, a 4HH, a 4HH/p, a 4H, and a 5HS, only got the one now, as I don't need anything else

Hmmm, that makes a strong statement indeed. I'm definitely going to check out a 4HS this weekend. But based on the various great feedback I've gotten in this thread, I have a feeling that the personal tastes factor will compel me toward going with a 4 HH. For me, it has more than enough cut, even with mids cut (which is how I often play - I like a sorta transparent tone), while also having a GREAT, huge, aggressive sound.

What I had been wondering was whether the tones of the HH and HS were similar when the pup blend is at center, but distinctly different only when blended toward the neck pup. But the sense I'm getting is that that's not the case & that the HS sounds less monstrous even at center detent than the HH does. I'll have to let my ear be the judge tomorrow. =)

Thx again for the responses.

 

[AnthonyD]

The HS is a bit more refined, the HH a bit more aggressive...



I be liking my new HH an awful lot!

 

[EADG4]

Translation

r=red..........

 

[RobertB]

oh, I thought maybe it was "real" or "rented".