far0n Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Tried a friend of mine's Musicman Sub the other day and woah! Does that thing have some balls. So I thought I'd buy a Musicman, thing is I can't decide which to buy. I'm intrigued by the Bongo and Sterling but wondered if anyone had preferences/thoughts on the matter. Are they all variations on a theme ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 bongos are ugly!!!!!! go for a stingray, i'd say. (but i've never played a sterling) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 (edited) What a difficult question! Especially so given that there are (now) so many variants; Stingray- H, H/S, H/H Stingray V- H, H/S, H/H Sterling Bongo- H/S, H/H Bongo V- H/S, H/H (Not to mention used SUBS, [i]That[/i] Bongo VI prototype, Piezo bridge options, Pre/post EBs, 2 or 3 band EQ ('Ray IV), Graphite necks (Cutlass), Aftermarket Graphite necks (Status), Sabres... the list goes on!) Personally, I own a 1990 'Ray V Fretless. It's a great instrument. I've liked every Sterling that I've played. I'm fond of the coil switching options present in both this model and the Stingray V But... Don't close the door on; Warwick $$ (Corvette or Streamer) IV and V strings Modulus "Flea" Signature Various G&Ls, especially my favourite, the ASAT Bass... Sorry. That didn't really help much, did it?! Edited November 7, 2007 by Lfalex v1.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Bongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Sterling. They each feel a bit different and have slightly different tonal qualities so you should try all three and find the one that suits you best. Failing that, just buy a Sterling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Sterling single H! its the best bass MusicMan do,believe me Bongo sounds stellar but for me other things like the ergomics and styling of the bass bothered me when I owned one. you cant go wrong with a stingray and of the three they're more likely to hold thir value better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Depends on what your looking for: Looks: Classical of course goes to the Sterling and 'Ray Sound: The bongo is EXTREMELY VERSATILE and personally, I like the design. The 'Ray and the Sterling have that classical feel and sound, that low end that alot of us look for in a bass. It all depends on what your in the field for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Having had a Stingray and a Sterling, the differences I noted between the two are :- STERLING More variation of tone available (3 way switch etc) Slimmer jazz style neck Bit lighter weight STINGRAY (3 eq) Overall bit louder and more punch (slight) Wider precision style neck Better resale value maybe? Looks just that bit cooler!!! Both are fantastic basses, you wont go far wrong with either IMHO. Good luck! Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_MaN Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 I have a Stingray 3 band and love it. The Bongo's have amazing tone variety and feel but...the looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeh Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 [quote name='E_MaN' post='86633' date='Nov 10 2007, 08:28 PM']The Bongo's have amazing tone variety and feel but...the looks[/quote] I have to agree, I've just aquired a Bongo 4HH through a trade and have to admit they're one of the fugliest basses around. but they sound SO good!!! The neck is very good and pretty damn fast. And at least you wouldnt have to look at it while you're playing it. At least thats what I've been telling myself. I played the Bongo live for the first time last night at a gig, and it cut through the mix like a knife through butter, easlily the best sounding bass I've owned. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionbassist1 Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Bongo's DOOO look like toilet seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I'm GASsing right now for a Bongo HS, I just love the look of that particular model, and the playability of the model itself is extremely comfortable. +1 on whoever recommended the Flea Bass too though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I wonder when someone will put the Bongo pickups / EQ into a Stingray... now that sounds like an idea ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theosd Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 But then no one would buy the bongo =] I like the bongo's looks, but I can understand why people wouldn't. My next bass WILL be a bongo 6 (in god knows how ever many years it takes to save for one, being only in my second year of uni and having just bought a 2002 Stingray 5 H 3 band eq (which I wholeheartedly vouch for, the weight and tone ooze quality, a bass for life)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammie17 Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 [quote name='far0n' post='84957' date='Nov 7 2007, 03:31 PM']Tried a friend of mine's Musicman Sub the other day and woah! Does that thing have some balls. So I thought I'd buy a Musicman, thing is I can't decide which to buy. I'm intrigued by the Bongo and Sterling but wondered if anyone had preferences/thoughts on the matter. Are they all variations on a theme ??[/quote] Stingrays have been known for a weak "G" string output. It's been said the "voicing" of the pre amp does this. I have owned many and did experience this phenomenon..I also owned a couple Bongos. Single pup and duel pup. If you can get past the Bongos looks, (toilet seat) etc, I highly suggest you get a used one...or new. It was an interesting bass and I preferred it over the Stingray. It's a newer, more modern design and takes some getting used too, but I loved the playability of mine. I have a Spector Euro LX now, and am completely happy with quality, playability, and tone, but to each his/her own. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshbasscana Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Well well - If it's just the best tone you're after then its definately the bongo. Very sweet sounding and versatility beyond comprehension. I cannot stress how good the bass is! However, if you want a musicman for both looks and tone, dont get a Bongo haha! Definately get a Sterling. JBC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Sterling does it for me. I tried one recently and it almost played itself, soo comfortable. And I prefer the sound to the Stingray. Never played a Bongo though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshbasscana Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 The thing that does it for me with the Bongo HH is the blend knob between the pickups. It is just amazing. You get all the clarity from the bridge pickup and then just roll in some of the neck pickup and you'll be crying. The 18V preamp is out of this world - but its still an ugly mother! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmouseman Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I've heard good things about the bongo's but i'm not sure about the looks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbass Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I've only had the Sterling and the Stingray, primarily because I could never hold my head up if I told the guitarists I'd bought something called a 'Bongo'. It looks naff and heavy too (IMO). Of the other two its personal taste. Sterling: + If you are slightly smaller in stature then the smaller body shape will suit you better + jazz(ish) feel neck is faster than the 'Ray + (slightly) more versatile preamp is handy for tonal variations, particularly if you are playing covers Stingray: + Fuller tone, due to body size I guess + Its a Stingray for christ's sake - that makes it soooo cool + Better resale value I'd think. Anyone want to discuss the merits of the Sabre/Cutlass ?? In my experience, its always the Stingray that I'd reach for on a one-bass gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkypenguin Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Bongo. The sound is out of this world and its something other than the classic shape alot of builders use. Specially a 6 string H/H. first real GAS ive had in quite a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Ive come around to loving the look of bongos but still yet to find one to play. I prefer sterlings over stingrays by FAR! Which is amusing as im a P bass player :S In saying that i may not be the best person to ask as i prefer MIM p basses over MIA lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 I have a Sterling and it's a great bass, I sold it and then it returned and I'm made up by that. Light, small and sooo playable. With a Nordstrand Pickup I'd say it's got the balls of a Ray too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevthebass Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Pre Ernie Ball, 2 band Stingray with a maple neck - No competition - If you find a good one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny dissident Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 HEAR HEAR HEAR YOU JUST CANNOT HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT MUSICMAN BASSES WITHOUT GIVING PRE EB STINGRAYS A DROOLING MENTION. DESIGN ICON .10 POUNDERS WITH A THICK SLAB BODY, ONE PUP ,THE SIMPLICITY ,TONE TO DIE FOR ,PLAYABILITY, COOLEST LOOKS. MY OPINION ANYWAY. GUESS WHAT I'VE GOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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