What's with the Stingray 5?

[Anakin Skywalker]

I may have upped my budget even more to get a Music Man Stingray. However, my quest for a 5-string still stands.

But I don't like the enlarged pickguard. Why is this just on the 5 string, and not on the 4? Is there a place to get the 5-string with the oval pickguard?

Thanks.

[Radiobass81]

Just to have a cosmetic difference between the four. And no 5-string 'Ray will have an oval pickguard, sorry.

[Anakin Skywalker]

Bah alright. I might just have to settle for the big 'guard then. Thanks for the help.

Maybe I'll look into a Bongo, too.

[bottlerocket]

Bongo > Stingray

...if you can get over the looks. It started to grow on me, actually, but I know a lot of people who love the Bongo's looks.

-Gav

[Radiobass81]

I think you could save some money if you make a Warmoth 'Ray, perhaps.

Gav: We're tied for the lead in the AL. Yikes.

[Anakin Skywalker]

Do you know what advantages the Bongo has over the Ray, besides the extra humbucker?

[Radiobass81]

The body is basswood, so it's lighter. The neck is slimmer, is glossed (personal preference both of them), and has a 24-fret neck.

The pickup magnets use different metals, so the tone will be (slightly) different as well. The preamp is different as well, and colors the tone different,

[Anakin Skywalker]

Thanks a lot for the help.

I've never played one, but I played a S.U.B., and that had this incredibly sharp, clean, punchy tone that I fell in love with. I can't imagine how good the Stingray and Bongo are.

And one of my fav bassists, Dave LaRue, uses a Bongo.

Gahh, this is such a tough decision. My only worry about the Bongo is that it'll start to seem really ugly after a while.

[Esp Griffyn]

The Bongo is a better bass, but those Stringray 5s sure do look nice :D

[Akira]

I think Bongos are hot. And although I wouldn't want to play a bass I found ugly, you really do not sell the bass from an angle where you just it's appearance when you are playing.

[Chris K]

but I know a lot of people who love the Bongo's looks.

-Gav

I'm one of them. The people who say they ahte the Bongo's looks should wait until they see it strapped on, it looks a lot different when it's bring played.

[wicked_child]

And one of my fav bassists, Dave LaRue, uses a Bongo.



yep, his work with petrucci is awesome.

[Chris K]

yep, his work with petrucci is awesome.

he was on fire at G3 Tokyo. I'll be seeing LaRue soon with Satch, and Eric Johnson is in support. Yay!

Then it's off to see Level 42 in October!

[bottlerocket]

I'm one of them. The people who say they ahte the Bongo's looks should wait until they see it strapped on, it looks a lot different when it's bring played.

On that note, I've noticed a lot of people who like the looks of Bongos tend to like the looks of Kubickis.

-Gav

[Chris K]

Must be those who see Technology and development as the way forward!

On a forum where everyone is a associated with their instrument, I'm glad to be using Kubicki and Trace Elliot stuff. Stuart Hamm meets Mark King and Jonas Hellborg-I'll take it!

[The Forgotten Bassist]

yep, his work with petrucci is awesome.

Damn right, shame he didn't seem to be that in it at at G3.

didn't he also do work with Jordan Rudess? Amazing solo album

[Chris K]

I thought his album with Rudess was pretty cool stuff, although he was cetainl in it at G3. He was amazing during the jam, it's probably the best G3 jam there has ever been!

[Anakin Skywalker]

Okay, I think I'm gonna go for the Bongo, thanks guys!

And Dave LaRue is the man, I got turned onto him because he's Joe Satriani's bassist. I saw Satch a few weeks ago, and Dave kept looking over at me and smiling and nodding. He plays a sweet blue sparkle bongo.

[nicatterberry]

I thought Satch had Stu Hamm as his bassist?

[Low_End_Communications]

The Bongo looks 100 times better when it's strapped on.

Personally, I'd get the Bongo 5. But an SR5 and Bongo 5 are on my wishlist before I die. Too bad the Bongo doesn't come in ash with natural finishes :(

[Akira]

A natural Bongo seems like it might be weird. The body shape is too, unnatural?
If they made a 6 string Bongo I would be so happy.

[thelowsoundofbass]

Ever notice that it is only bassist that say that bongos are ugly?

lowsound

[Akira]

Ever notice that it is only bassist that say that bongos are ugly?

lowsound
I have never talked to any non-bassists about the Bongo besides one friend. He liked it. So do I.

[darrell]

I dislike the looks of the Bongo... I will admit it looks better live then on pictures of the bass alone. I like the pickguard on the SR5 with certain finishes. I think a natural finish with a black pickguard is teh secks.

[The_Red_Death]

Bongo > Stingray

...if you can get over the looks. It started to grow on me, actually, but I know a lot of people who love the Bongo's looks.

-Gav

:wave: I'm one of those people.

Bongo = secks.

[thelowsoundofbass]

I have never talked to any non-bassists about the Bongo besides one friend. He liked it. So do I.

I have heard many non bassist say that they look good. I have only ever heard bassist say they don't like the looks.

lowsound

[Polyamarous]

Bongos have a higher quality of magnets (neodymium). Also they have a 4 band EQ, stingrays only 3.