Torn!

[theosd]

Ok, here's my situation: I own a BEAUTIFUL Stingray 5H, and have the opportunity of swapping it for a not-quite-so-beautiful Bongo 5HH. Beauty really isn't the issue, my sound is what's solely important to me but this 'Ray seems like a once in a lifetime find, what with the colour scheme and matching headstock (and the price I got it for!)

It's one or the other people; help me choose!!

You can see my Stingray in action on my other thread.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer!

 

[Duarte]

There are many bongoloids here, who will tell you there is nothing better than a bongo. They have a point, the bongo has an UNBELIEVABLE sound. However, if you have found a bass you love, you will regret it forever if you get rid of it.

Bongo good, SR5 also good - sorry cant help you!

 

[theosd]

There are many bongoloids here, who will tell you there is nothing better than a bongo. They have a point, the bongo has an UNBELIEVABLE sound. However, if you have found a bass you love, you will regret it forever if you get rid of it.

Bongo good, SR5 also good - sorry cant help you!

Hehe, I assumed that I'd be met with ambiguity. The main pull of the bongo is that it's HH, as opposed to my single H stingray. With the bongo's revered flexibility would it be able to cover much of the same ground as my 'Ray?

 

[silverburst]

You can sell a 5H Stingray for more than a 5HH Bongo, condition being equal. You would get the short end of the stick, IMO.

You would be better off selling the SR5 and buying a used Bongo in nicer condition.

 

[Kristopher]

The Stingray 5 you have in your sig has options that are all still available today, so you can replace it down the line if you like.

Bongos are tone monsters. They will cut through the mix like nobodies business. With the two pickups and 4-band eq, you'll have a few more tonal options available than your current bass.

Have you played this Bongo? What kind of music do you play?

 

[oli@bass]

Do you actually need more tonal options? I mean, really?!

 

[Big Poppa]

oli sounds like a non bongo owner...bongoloids waiting patiently in the bushes waiting to pounce

 

[Dr Stankface]

I thought about doing that once. I just ended up getting a Bongo and keeping my SR5. Shortly thereafter the Bongo left and the StingRay 5's multiplied.

It may be the right decision for you but if you love the SR5 tone, I would say no.

 

[oli@bass]

oli sounds like a non bongo owner...bongoloids waiting patiently in the bushes waiting to pounce

LOL!

 

[bovinehost]

That's a tough one, even for the Lord of the Bongos. Given the condition of the Bongo, I'm going to side with Silverburst and say you're getting the short end on the deal.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with owning a SR5 and a Bongo.

If owning a SR5 and a Bongo is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Jack

 

[DTG]

I have been using my bongo since i got and the SR5 has been staying at home.untill last weekend,i started a gig with my sr5 and kept it on for the night the bongo didn't make it off the stand.

I had forgot why i feel in love with my sr5,its the reason i feel in love with tone.

dont do it !! keep you eyes open and you will find a bongo at some stage,but never sell the SR5.

 

[tegzsa]

oli sounds like a non bongo owner...bongoloids waiting patiently in the bushes waiting to pounce

I'd like to pounce, I really would...but I'm going to resist. Keep the 'Ray, at least until you can find an irresistable Bongo. It's not like they're going to stop making them anytime soon.

 

[sandman@midlife]

Jack Williams may show up at my door and beat me with a stick, but I'm gonna say it anyway. Had a Bongo, loved it. Got a SR5, sent the Bongo packing. The SR5 is as unique as anything the Bongo would like to be. If you dig the sound, you may be disappointed with anything else. The Bongo, while a great bass, is not an SR5




.......running away to hide.

 

[carpedebass]

If it's made by EBMM, it MUST be top notch! Tough choice. Glad I'm not the one to decide!

 

[oddjob]

Silverburst has it right on this one. I'm not big on Rays, but you would be having it put to ya on this one.

 

[rhythmCity944]

you'll be losing the SR5's classic looks!!! how bout this...listen to Gil Moore of the band TRIUMPH..."Follow Your Heart"

 

[Spectre]

... but this 'Ray seems like a once in a lifetime find, what with the colour scheme and matching headstock (and the price I got it for!)

It's one or the other people; help me choose!!

I believe you answered your own question. Your Ray is 'liftetime find, colour scheme, headstock and price'

Keep the Ray, put the Bongo on your wish list, and start building the theosd Bongo fund. Then you will have both.
Not sure if it is in the immediacy, you can only have one bass, or philosophically, you only want one bass. It's nice to have choices. I found each of my basses have their own sound and action. Depending upon my mood or the type of music/songs I will be playing, I will choose a different bass.

My humble opinion, you will be happier in the long run, if you keep the Ray. It will be worth the wait to have both.
Good luck on your decision.

 

[theosd]

Thanks for the advice people! The music I play can be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/aliquotflow if that helps people to direct their advice a little better. Seems most people would suggest I keep the SR5, which on reading your posts I now feel more inclined to do... Oh the bains of material goods!!

 

[rhythmCity944]

I once had to make a decision between another porsche 944 that needed lots of work and selling one of my basses to afford to work on the car or keep the bass and forget about the 944...well, i have 4 of those porsche cars that need work in some way or another (racecars always need work!!!) in the garage and driveway so i have my plate full anyways...well that 944 i wanted was sitting in a field in the middle of no where, hasn't been run in 4 years, and the guy who owns the car is just sitting on the car and has been for 7 years, i doubt he'll lose the car anytime soon so when the time comes to be able to get that car, it'll be there kind of like another bass will be when you are ready and you will not have to give up the bass you have already

 

[bigvissch]

Thanks for the advice people! The music I play can be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/aliquotflow if that helps people to direct their advice a little better. Seems most people would suggest I keep the SR5, which on reading your posts I now feel more inclined to do... Oh the bains of material goods!!

Sounds like the right chioce to me!!