Sheq Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 I really like the MM Bongo 4HH, but don't have the £££ for it. Is there a similarly well playing alternative that anyone can think of? Looking to spend around £500. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Save up more and buy a second hand Bongo. If there was an alternative, that would be more popular . Alternatively, any 3 or 4 band active bass with two MM humbuckers will vaguely get you in the ballpark?! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 I agree, save up and buy a 2nd hand model. I really don't think anything sounds quite like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misdee Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 MusicMan Bongo is a unique sounding bass. There really is no alternative. Does the hi-fi active modern bass sound better than just about anything else around, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 (edited) I have a 4HH, it's brilliant. A 2004 model in graphite pearl, the best sounding and playing 4 string i've ever had. Only reason it's not my No. 1 bass is the 5 string HS I have, but doesn't quite play as effortlessly as the 4. That aside, what else can do a Bongo ? Nothing really, the 4 band EQ I see as the crucial part of it's flexibility. A bass that's as versatile but sounds nothing like it would be a G&L L2000 or M2000. Edited July 28, 2017 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheq Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 OK. Looks like I'll just have to wait. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhysyjob Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I've owned a few Bongo's and agree that they are unique toneally. However for double humbucker g&l l2000 are hard to beat and you can pick up the tribute series at a good price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Double humbucker, maybe a spector legend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 [quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1501368562' post='3344343'] Double humbucker, maybe a spector legend? [/quote] Not even close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 There's really nothing that looks, feels or plays like them. In terms of the sound, a lot of it is in those neodymium pickups and the 4 band preamp. You could probably get most of the way there by installing a Bongo preamp into an HH bass... Unfortunately, Bongo owners very rarely swap the electronics and it's nigh-on impossible to buy a second hand preamp. EBMM will not sell you one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Those pickups and that pre-amp are so ridiculously powerful, modern and clear that I've not heard anything like it, ever. It is still Musicman-DNA but very modern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I rarely run mine on full volume. My usual preference is bass/treb in the middle and scoop the low mids and boost the high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 [quote name='Sheq' timestamp='1501228960' post='3343385'] I really like the MM Bongo 4HH, but don't have the £££ for it. Is there a similarly well playing alternative that anyone can think of? Looking to spend around £500. Thanks. [/quote]Ibanez ATK series get a lot of love and are supposed to be very MM like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 M2000 or L2000 G&L gets you reasonably close, but a Bongo is a Bongo and if that is what you are after, save and buy a 2nd hand one as suggested, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1501667855' post='3346348'] Ibanez ATK series get a lot of love and are supposed to be very MM like [/quote] I have an ATK, it's more of a Stingray. In fact it does a better job of the SR tone than my Bongos do (pickup position the reason). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Find the extra dough, trade something One for sale on here right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I'd guess a G&L Tribute M2000 with it's ceramic (but not neo) pickups and 18v 3 (but not 4) band EQ is probably the closest you'll get without spending Bongo money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I know they are both Leo and have big humbuckers but..... Different windings, pre amps, completely different sounds etc. Closest a G&L would get to would be a HH Ray, and even then it's not close I have to agree that a Bongo is a Bongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 (edited) Maybe a bit out of left field - but Cort do a double MM humbucker bass called the C4H (also C5H). They're rather nice, active with 2-band EQ with mid-boost, older versions had Hipshot Ultralites, not 100% certain about more recent ones. Neck is Wenge, Body is Mahogany. Example: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cort-Artisan-C4H-White-Pearl-/381792416268"]http://www.ebay.co.u...l-/381792416268[/url] (new 4-string) There's a 5-string on eBay with a start of £170 - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cort-5-string-bass-guitar-C5H-/282596810408"]http://www.ebay.co.u...H-/282596810408[/url] Only downer on the series is the colour palette is limited: gloss pearl white, or matte (goes shiny a bit easily) black. Edit to add- build quality is very good, fit and finish right up there with basses costing two or three times the price. I loved mine, and don't quite know why I got rid of it. Just can't justify buying another one at the moment. Edited August 3, 2017 by anzoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheq Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Found an L2000 for £300. I think that'll do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 that will be a tribute, good solid bass, baseball bat neck though if you like em thinner. MFD pick ups are very powerful, but have a treble edge to them and are not as refined as some others, but put out a huge sound. The bass won't let you down and it is good bang for the buck, but don't expect a bongo sound or you will be disappointed, just allow it to be what it is and you will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 [quote name='Sheq' timestamp='1501788186' post='3347421'] Found an L2000 for £300. I think that'll do. [/quote] A great choice in my opinion. It is a pro-quality bass that covers all [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1501667855' post='3346348'] Ibanez ATK series get a lot of love and are supposed to be very MM like [/quote] I have an ATK 805 and it is fantastic and my go to bass at the moment but it isn't the same as an MM. It has loads of power and it's own very special sound I have had a couple of Bongos and have to agree nothing else sounds like them. They are fantastic but they are too powerful for my predominantly pick based playing style This post seems to be covering all my favourite basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I've never had the opportunity to play one sadly but I think 'Bongo Alternative' is going to be my new stage name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 OLP MM22 plus a pre-amp change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) OK, its not not HH or 4 string but I'm pretty sure its a Bongo alternative: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-Rbxjm2-John-Myung-Signature"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-Rbxjm2-John-Myung-Signature-/202010643192[/url] Edited August 7, 2017 by No. 8 Wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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