Your adaptations to Bongo high output

[Mu5icM@n]

Ok, we all know the Bongo can have a really high output. It's part of the bass, and one that I happen to like. However, it can cause some issues:

I have a Bongo 5 HS. I keep the preamp knobs set sanely--I hardly ever boost anything more than 20%. The pickups are at a good height--the neck pickup is almost on the deck, the bridge pickup is down a corresponding amount to balance out the tone between the two. BUT--I'm running through a digital wireless, and even with the input attenuator on the transmitter set at -20 db, it STILL can induce digital clipping if I play hard on the B or E strings.

Digital clipping sounds AWFUL, especially through a big sound system, so I want to avoid it at all costs. My "adaptation" has actually turned out to be a good thing: I just roll back the master volume when I pan the pickup blend to center or towards the neck; if I blend towards the bridge I can pull up the master volume, which helps because my bridge pickup is a little thinner-sounding than the neck pickup and that helps me stay in the mix when playing the bridge pu.

So what do you guys do? Is this a typical thing to do with Bongo's? Is there some hidden gain trim knob on the preamp? I like that I can stay in the mix with this technique, but it is a little awkward to pull off the two-knob twist quickly on stage--so if there's another way I'd like to hear it.

Thanks!

Tom

Tom

 

[OldManMusic]

I use a Line 6 G50 with a gaggle of Bongos and have never had a problem. There's no difference between my wireless and a cable. If your wireless sounds worse than a cable with all the Bongo tone and volume settings the same, I'd say you can stop wondering if your Bongo is the cause.

 

[uOpt]

My solution will be to put alnico pickups into my bongo.

Some preamps have trimmers so that you can regulate them. That should allow you to fix the wireless problem.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

If the batteries in the wireless transmitter are weak, it will clip at a lower input level. Be sure they're really in good shape.

If you'll post the make/model of the transmitter, I'll search for further info; it may be possible to trim down the transmitter's input.

 

[Mu5icM@n]

It's a Sony DWZ B30GB. It too sounds just like a cable. With all my other basses it's fine, including a 1994 Stingray and a 2000 SR5. It's only the bongo that can clip it. It has a switch to attenuate up to 30 db--even at -30 db it can still clip it. I'm not pointing fingers at the Bongo--it's my main axe and I love it.

Good to hear the g50 holds up.


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[OldManMusic]

I should mention that I don't have my Bongo turned up all the way on the bass. I probably keep it at about 80%. But that's the same with the cable or wireless.

 

[73jbass]

Leave the eq on the bass alone. Set your tone at the amp,and use the onboard eq for small tweaks. 80% on the bass knob is way too much.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I read the manual for the wireless unit. It describes a few variations of transmitter and receiver, so not all of these items may apply.

1. If the receiver's output is set to "line" that'll overload the input of the amp.

2. If the receiver's EQ isn't set to flat, same result.

3. The transmitter may have a battery-selection setting. Be sure it matches your battery type. (Though this appears to only affect the battery-level indication.)

And the advice about boosting bass on the instrument is spot-on. I think the tone controls in active mode are +-15dB, which is a lot. At 80% you might be getting 10dB or more boost---that's huge.

 

[OldManMusic]

Leave the eq on the bass alone. Set your tone at the amp,and use the onboard eq for small tweaks. 80% on the bass knob is way too much.

I should clarify - the overall volume is 80%, not the bass EQ. I keep most of my Bongo EQs at or very near the center detent.

 

[JayDawg]

I use a Shure wireless for my Bongo's and I have never had an issue. I usually run my Bongos at 50% across the board on the eq's and set the volume wherever I need it to be. Sometimes I max it out though and let the sound person control the sound.

 

[stu42]

I have my Bongo setup almost exactly at factory specs in terms of...well, everything...including pickup height (distance from the strings). To control the volume I just turn down the master volume to about 50%. I adjust the tone controls how I like them but even BP says you don't need to run the master volume at 100% and definitely shouldn't if you're overloading the input on your other equipment.

 

[CAW]

With my Bongos, I engage the -12db pad on my wireless transmitter bodypack. Never had a problem overloading inputs since.

 

[ZiggyDude]

I am also using a Line 6 wireless and it is all but impossible to overload it. My volume is usually on 10. I run my blend just off detente to the neck, bass EQ at about 7 or 8, low mid slightly less than detente (4+), mid treble about 9, and treble about 9. If I use a pick I back the treble off some. However, I don't play hard on the B string with that low boost - just a little less oomph than the other stings. I never get any overloads on the wireless - the Line 6 is actually built to have a lot of headroom. There is an indicator of input signal strength and I am nowhere at the limit.

There are amp EQ settings also - but that is more generic to adjust for the room since I play several basses a night.

 

[Ray Salamon]

I haven't had any issues with this at all on cabled or wireless gigs, into various pres. Is there an output level on the receiver end? How are you determining where the clipping is happening?

 

[strummer]

I know the bongo has more output than a lot of other basses, but it's not uncommonly hot. I never take any special care volumewise when playing a bongo, and it sounds like a real crap (faulty?) wireless unit that can't handle the bass output.

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[Rick Auricchio]

We seem to have lost the original poster...

He hasn't said if he has the problem with a wired connection to the amplifier. He hasn't checked output level on the wireless receiver.

Did he wander away?

 

[ZiggyDude]

Or if it was the battery. I change mine every year.

 

[Ray Salamon]

Funny that you mention batteries. I changed them in my 6HS last gig. I normally make it a point to change them yearly at worst. We rehearse for 3 hours a week. I practice at home quite a bit, but half the time unplugged. Gig quite frequently yadda yadda.
I always make it a note to put a piece of masking tape on the bottom of the battery, and write in dark marker (think Sharpie) the date I put it in. If I ever have question, I just pop open the box and look - 2 seconds to tell.
Those batteries were in there since 10/2011! I got a full two years out of them. Metered them and they had 5.8 and 6.1v. Crazy. I use them in other things now and have fresh ones in the Bongo .

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Those batteries were in there since 10/2011! I got a full two years out of them. Metered them and they had 5.8 and 6.1v.

Testing with a voltmeter isn't accurate, because it doesn't place a load on the battery. The voltmeter may show a higher voltage than the battery can provide under load.

I have one of these battery testers; it puts a pulsed load on the battery under test. ZTS Mini '9R' Multi-Battery Tester™ (MINI-MBT9R)

I use it often in the theatre to test AA batteries from wireless-mic body packs, and of course for my 9v batteries.

 

[Ray Salamon]

Yeah, it was just a quick and dirty test to get a ballpark guess at what was left. I'm sure they were closer to dead, but I was surprised they had enough oomph to drive the pre. I wasn't getting distortion at all from it.