Musicman20

I seem to love all the EBMM tones, 2 band, 3 band, ceramic, alnico, neo, whatever. I can see a place in my collection for all of them

Interesting to hear actual user reviews on these pickups. Most people assume Nordstrand are the pinnacle, which clearly they are not.

Certainly seem to be a lot of love and hate for these basses. Since I first saw one, years ago, they have been slowly creeping up on me. Ill probably do something boring like get another Ray 5.

Certainly seem to be a lot of love and hate for these basses. Since I first saw one, years ago, they have been slowly creeping up on me. Ill probably do something boring like get another Ray 5.

The look is a grower. Just depends if I like how it works....

[quote name='mattbass6' post='973976' date='Oct 1 2010, 01:48 PM']For me, it wasn't modern enough. My mainstay bass, until I got the Dingwall, was a Yamaha TRB6p which has a real "modern" attack to it. When I played them back to back, they were chalk and cheese and I just wasn't expecting that (though I should have known really and probably did!). I bought the Bongo because of John Myung from Dream Theater but of course he runs it through multiple stages to get the sound he achieves. Even though I run through a SansAmp Bass Driver into my Hartke rig, the sound was still fundamentally different and not what I was looking for. The Yamaha in the end became a little too noisy, for me when the treble was boosted and that had to go too hence why I bought a passive Dingwall. I really think if you like that old school tone but want some tonal variation, then maybe the Bongo will be well worth exploring but if you know what you like and I am learning that lesson really quickly, stick with what feels right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! The problem, I find, with trying to find a new bass or just having GAS, is that you never know how it's going to perform / behave in the environment your used to playing in and unfortunately, there are no options to try before you buy, especially when your main environment is live work. If there was, I could have saved myself thousands of pounds and loads of heartache Good luck sir [/quote] Thanks again! I think before I venture down EITHER a Big Al or Bongo route, I need to actually play one. Sterling 5 is a no brainer, I love the sound and the neck is the same as my Ray 5HS.

[quote name='mattbass6' post='973882' date='Oct 1 2010, 01:07 PM']I had a Bongo 6HH and I have to say it was one of the nicest basses I have played. The neck felt lovely and I did love the look of it too. However, I was not a fan of the 4 band EQ and I really didn't like the sound it produced. I laboured for quite a while to get the sound I wanted as I desperately wanted to hang on to it but I realised in the end that to get what I wanted I would have had to change the pups and circuitry which kind of defeated the object of having the Bongo in the first place. I don't know if that helps but give it a try and hopefully it will work for you. Great construction and top of the pops looks too. Good luck and keep us posted P.S. Why not try a Dingwall 5 string if you want to try something a little different. I just bought the AB1 series 6 string version and I have to be honest, it is stunning in every sense - very, very happy!![/quote] Thanks for your input. Was it too modern, too much etc? I must admit I am quite old school in my tone department so Rays/Ps and sometimes a J bass are my main tones. I worried the Bongo will be just far too different for me and too modern. This is why the Sterling HS appeals to me, as its the old Ray 5 elecs in a slimmer body and more 'Ray 4' style pickguard. Plus, I love the sound samples ive heard. My worry is that ill get the Bongo, and the Ray 5/Sterling 5 gets more attention.

[quote name='Conan' post='972842' date='Sep 30 2010, 03:49 PM']Why are they loud? Slightly under-estimating their actual output?[/quote] This, apparently

Oh and search Stingray 5 HS on youtube. There are two demos by the same guy of each position. Thats what sold it for me.

[quote name='longtimefred' post='972851' date='Sep 30 2010, 03:57 PM']I like the sound of the hs! Never had a go of one of them. Will have a look into it. What's the going rate for a second hand one?[/quote] Unfortunately they are quite rare I found, and there tends to be more HH models. The HS allows single coil at bridge, like a normal Ray 5, you lose the series option (which is now different anyway on 2008 onwards single Rays) and you gain the S at the neck and a load of other great positions. I was actually impressed by how different each one is. They are expensive to buy new, but I didnt pay the price below which seems to be the norm and I also got the upgraded Tort guard. Ill get pics up in the Gear Porn soon...it is a beautiful white. [url="http://www.basscentre.com/5-string-bass-guitars/musicman-stingray-v-hs.html"]http://www.basscentre.com/5-string-bass-gu...ngray-v-hs.html[/url] Personally, I think the HS is best multi pickup setup with a Ray.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='972834' date='Sep 30 2010, 03:43 PM']how about selling it and getting a Stingray HH or HS?[/quote] +1 I should have suggested that! The S gives you some AMAZING P bass tones/J neck pup tones. Combine it with other pups and BOOM!

If you want more bite and treble, id opt for a different BF cab or just a different cab all together. Or, add to the cab you have, as suggested on his page the Midget?! I dont care about speaking mixing but apprently you shouldnt usually do it. So maybe not!

I owned a 2001/2 ish American Fender Precision Deluxe. At the same time I had a Ray or two. That humbucker CANNOT get anyhwere near the EBMM tone. Not one bit. In fact, seeing a P bass with more than just the normal controls and pickups just didnt work. Far too much going on and the pre-amp...well... Im in the camp of P bass = split coil, vol, tone, passive. Thats it. My Deluxe was far too heavy, and I really didnt use it. I personally wouldnt change....but thats IMO. I love Stringray 5s.

Ive never been keen on the dirt the MXR creates. It somehow doesnt have that gutsy unique tone the BDDI offers.

Put it this way, I had a 400W SMXGP12, and even with 1 8 ohm cabinet, it never went over half on the volume control. Usually under that. VERY loud amps.

Dont get me wrong, I HATE it when youve just bought a new amp and a new one literally is on the shelves the next day. But, I imagine this one will take at least a year to get out and about if its in the proto stage.

All of these reasons on positions is what made me want to go for a 5 string. I think being able to swap comofortably between 4 and 5 strings is perfect. Its finding the 5 that works for you thats the hard part. I try to give equal attention to both at the moment, and practice more at home with the 5 as I now want more 5 string basses.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='972516' date='Sep 30 2010, 11:37 AM']Yes but Cheap GAS. Im now cured of my P GAS for at least this weekend. Hopefully im now sorted as far as tone goes and not enough funds to get the P now. And thats a good thing. Shame i got the Sadowsky first as ive been trying to find a use for that and i cant. Its just too subtle.[/quote] TBH, im shocked it hasnt/didnt sell quicker. SOO many people like those pedals, im really shocked.

Wow those guys are hot with new products, im impressed.

Haha, cruel GAS!

I wouldnt worry much about the mid control. Your amp can deal with that if necessary. That Schroe cab throws out the mids anyway so youll be fine. The BDDI is, I do believe, their biggest selling bass product because it not only gets the job done, its small and fairly well priced. If I had the choice between BDDI and Para id go BDDI, because the inherent tone of the BDDI is that quite compressed slight mid suck 'SVT being pushed' tone. Turn the gain up and its very tube like....even just a hair is nice. Ive used mine through countless PAs without a backline because of space when touring and because the less we took, the less problems we would run into.

This is getting to be a hard decision! Part of me wants to dare try the Bongo...and even not go for the Big Al...but the Big Al is so different, and has the passive tone control, active/passive swtich and all that jazz!

[quote name='dood' post='972246' date='Sep 30 2010, 12:00 AM']Exactly! - The LM3 is a different beast to the F1 and F500 - and as Danny says, it's a case of what you are needing or wanting to hear that will help sway the arguement - or indeed (not that there is much between them lol) size and weight! The LM3 is said to be thicker and warmer in tone Vs the F1/500. The F series is brighter with an upper mid accentuation (if thats the right word) and a tightness that makes it sound more 'forward'. The bottom on both is deep and enveloping. The F1 and F500 are not cold or sterile sounding. Nor are they 'digital' lol lol. The LM3 isn't woolly. Ok. Confused? heh![/quote] Perfect description. I tried both, and in the end sent the F500 back as for 'me' the LM3 wins for sheer simplicity and warmth.