TSanders
Well-known member
This question pops up pretty often, so I figured since Ive owned each of the three pickup configs, Id give a brief summary. Been meaning to do this for a while, but I just havent had time.
I hope this will be a thread that helps those trying to pick which Bongo pickup config will be best for them, and I hope it will be found when they do a search.
Just for reference, I have used each of the three configs live and in the studio through about 100 different amp/cab configs, with consistent results. Also note that all the Bongos were fretted and did not have the piezo option.
Here goes:
My first Bongo was a Dual H 4 string. Snagged it off eBay before there were many used Bongos on the market. My initial impressions were, wow, this is different. I actually dug the looks early on, so the different Im speaking of is more in terms of tone. I expected it to sound more "StingRay-ish", but was pleased with the different tones it offered. The best way to summarize the Dual H is HUGE. Cities have been destroyed wth an arsenal of only a Dual H Bongo. The Dual humbuckers pickups and 18 volt pre are a very powerful combo. Set flat the Dual H yeilds a throaty tone thats thick in the mids. The low end is very full with the pickup blend centered. The mids are full, and the high end is clear and clean, without being harsh. The 2 band mids are a great feature, and really add to the versatility of the Dual H. As expected panning the pickup blend towards the bridge increased the "burp" of fingerstyle lines. Rolling to only the neck pickup gave me a P Bass like tone, but better, with more low mids. The Dual H never left me looking for more from the pre. That 18 volt pre with those pickups, could be the ultimate in electric bass versatlity.
My second Bongo was a Single H 5 string and my current Bongo is a Single H 4 string. Surprisingly to me, the Single H is my favorite config. Bought it new from Bass Central. It has had a neat life sharing the greatness that is the Single H Bongo. Sold it to Brad Dell (in a moment of temp. insanity), then it went to Jack (Lord Bongo), and now its with Ken (Heavy Duty) where I believe it will stay for a good long while. I miss that Single H more than any other bass Ive parted with. The Single H has a 3 band eq (unless it has piezo, then it has the 4 band). The 3 band on the Single H was great. I was curious to see if I would miss the 4 band on it, and I didnt. The point and shoot simplicity of the Single H Bongo made it a great "Rock" bass. The mids on the Single H were killer, and not quite as scooped as one may expect. As with the Dual H, the highs were very present, and cut in the mix well. The low B on that bass was awesome. Clean and clear all the way down. The Single H to my ears had a tone that barked like a P Bass, but growled more. It had very smooth lows that didnt get muddy. Much more clean unforced low end than one might expect from a Single pickup bass.
My third Bongo was a H/SC 4 string. Strung with rounds it was similar to the Dual H, but a bit more refined, with a smoother tone. Strung with flats this bass flat out killed (no pun intended). Ran a close second to my Single H Bongo. With flats the H/SC still had a very defined tone. Like both above, good lows, and highs, with a slighlty different midrange, that to my ears was a bit less agressive than the Dual H. The midrange on the H/SC was a little smoother and more refined than the HH. I actually preferred the H/SC over the HH in both live and studio environments. When rolling to the front pickup only, I noticed little to no hum. Overall, I prefered the H/SC over the Dual H, for its smoother more refined nature.
All in all, the Bongos are great basses, and I really dont think you can go wrong with any pickup config. Each has its own slightly different nuances, that make each config a powerhouse of its own. The pre, IMO is the key to the Bongos tone. Unlike its cousin the StingRay, who has a trademark tone, the Bongo almost acts as a neutral canvas, for you the artist to create whatever youd like. So while I cant tell you which Bongo you should play, I hope that this will make it easier to pick which Bongo will work best for you.
Just for kicks, here are the Bongos as reviewed.
I hope this will be a thread that helps those trying to pick which Bongo pickup config will be best for them, and I hope it will be found when they do a search.
Just for reference, I have used each of the three configs live and in the studio through about 100 different amp/cab configs, with consistent results. Also note that all the Bongos were fretted and did not have the piezo option.
Here goes:
My first Bongo was a Dual H 4 string. Snagged it off eBay before there were many used Bongos on the market. My initial impressions were, wow, this is different. I actually dug the looks early on, so the different Im speaking of is more in terms of tone. I expected it to sound more "StingRay-ish", but was pleased with the different tones it offered. The best way to summarize the Dual H is HUGE. Cities have been destroyed wth an arsenal of only a Dual H Bongo. The Dual humbuckers pickups and 18 volt pre are a very powerful combo. Set flat the Dual H yeilds a throaty tone thats thick in the mids. The low end is very full with the pickup blend centered. The mids are full, and the high end is clear and clean, without being harsh. The 2 band mids are a great feature, and really add to the versatility of the Dual H. As expected panning the pickup blend towards the bridge increased the "burp" of fingerstyle lines. Rolling to only the neck pickup gave me a P Bass like tone, but better, with more low mids. The Dual H never left me looking for more from the pre. That 18 volt pre with those pickups, could be the ultimate in electric bass versatlity.
My second Bongo was a Single H 5 string and my current Bongo is a Single H 4 string. Surprisingly to me, the Single H is my favorite config. Bought it new from Bass Central. It has had a neat life sharing the greatness that is the Single H Bongo. Sold it to Brad Dell (in a moment of temp. insanity), then it went to Jack (Lord Bongo), and now its with Ken (Heavy Duty) where I believe it will stay for a good long while. I miss that Single H more than any other bass Ive parted with. The Single H has a 3 band eq (unless it has piezo, then it has the 4 band). The 3 band on the Single H was great. I was curious to see if I would miss the 4 band on it, and I didnt. The point and shoot simplicity of the Single H Bongo made it a great "Rock" bass. The mids on the Single H were killer, and not quite as scooped as one may expect. As with the Dual H, the highs were very present, and cut in the mix well. The low B on that bass was awesome. Clean and clear all the way down. The Single H to my ears had a tone that barked like a P Bass, but growled more. It had very smooth lows that didnt get muddy. Much more clean unforced low end than one might expect from a Single pickup bass.
My third Bongo was a H/SC 4 string. Strung with rounds it was similar to the Dual H, but a bit more refined, with a smoother tone. Strung with flats this bass flat out killed (no pun intended). Ran a close second to my Single H Bongo. With flats the H/SC still had a very defined tone. Like both above, good lows, and highs, with a slighlty different midrange, that to my ears was a bit less agressive than the Dual H. The midrange on the H/SC was a little smoother and more refined than the HH. I actually preferred the H/SC over the HH in both live and studio environments. When rolling to the front pickup only, I noticed little to no hum. Overall, I prefered the H/SC over the Dual H, for its smoother more refined nature.
All in all, the Bongos are great basses, and I really dont think you can go wrong with any pickup config. Each has its own slightly different nuances, that make each config a powerhouse of its own. The pre, IMO is the key to the Bongos tone. Unlike its cousin the StingRay, who has a trademark tone, the Bongo almost acts as a neutral canvas, for you the artist to create whatever youd like. So while I cant tell you which Bongo you should play, I hope that this will make it easier to pick which Bongo will work best for you.
Just for kicks, here are the Bongos as reviewed.
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