Ernie Ball/Music Man Bongo 6 String Bass

[WpA09]

i want one just because Myung uses them. they are a bit too pricey though :/

[bassist99909]

It looks gray to me, but in an Egyptian smokey way.

[Deenowze]

Its too great!!!And too much fucking expensive....

[ErictheACKACKTOR]

YEAH! found your channel, because I just purchased a new six string bass and I was doing some looking around for tips ect. pls keep posting you tube nothin beats it.

[lieandi]

really want this bass.... yummy.... but.. to expensive for me.. yaiks.. so sad :(

[jordanobass]

Show bass!

[legatotechniques]

awesome

[FightOrFlight75]

I want one.

[Charlie665bass]

You're back, great!

Any chance to watch the jackson js series review?

[BassGuitarMag]

@Charlie665bass - I still answer questions, but right now, no videos in the works. My Jackson review will appear in the pages of Bass Player magazine, but no video. Sorry.

[mixedfunkiez]

it sounds not right to me. no sound of wood...i'd say hmmmm

[PigeonFwaBorgon]

Hello Ed,

Thank you for your response. I was curious as to how the slapping/plucking is on this bass? I have heard some comments that there isn't much room with the pick-ups.

Thanks

[BassGuitarMag]

@PigeonFwaBorgon - It's a little tight, but I could do it no problem.

[Basstard22]

Hello Ed!

I was just wondering something : Now that I see you play all these basses, what kind of basses do you love to play? And of course I'm interested in the amount of strings :-P (P.s. sorry if I asked this already in a other video, posted too much to remember :-P)

[BassGuitarMag]

@Basstard22 - I love 4, 5, and 6 string. I play them all depending on the gig. I have a lot of Fenders (4 string), A couple of MusicMans (4 &5), two Mike Lulls (5), a Ken Smith (6), a couple of Eastwoods (4), a Lakland (4).

[Basstard22]

@BassGuitarMag Wow! Sounds like a very nice collection! Do you have any kind of signature bass or a customised one?

[BassGuitarMag]

@Basstard22 - No, just stock instruments.

[PigeonFwaBorgon]

Hello Ed,

I am torn between the Musicman Bongo HH 4 string and the Stingray HH 4 string. What do you feel would be the best? Thanks for the awesome videos

[BassGuitarMag]

@PigeonFwaBorgon - Besides the looks, one big difference is the Bongo has 24 frets. Do you want/need the extra notes? If so, get the Bongo. They both sound like MusicMan basses... both are built very well, it's your call. I can't tell you what to buy.

[Ozkharth]

ED SR5006e prestige Ibanez o bongo 6 musicman?

[BassGuitarMag]

@Ozkharth - Different pickups, different string spacing, different style. If you prefer narrower string spacing, get the Ibanez, if you like wider spacing... MM. If you like the sound of Music Man, get that, if you like the sound of Ibanez, get that. They are both really nice instruments.

[cursedswordsman]

These videos are so helpful!!! Thanks Ed.

[Rampensau99]

my subwoofer is almost at the end with those frequences...

[theanalogkid7]

Ed, how does the neck feel in comparison to a c-shaped Fender Jazz bass? I haven't had the chance to play a Bongo yet as my local Guitar Center doesn't seem to have them...ever. I've got smaller hands and worry about the thickness of the neck. It should be pointed out that I'd be getting a 5 string instead of this 6 string monster

[XaviOrtega1]

HI ed I really trust you... please I have a question, I've been working my ass off in my job, so i can buy a nice bass... so

There's an Ibanez SR 506 about 600$ or that Bongo in 1500$ my question is Does that bongo worth that money?

that Ibanez has a really cool tone too, but what does that price different mean?

What is your advice?

[BassGuitarMag]

@XaviOrtega1 - Well, they are two completely different instruments, so it's not a fair comparison. But the Bongo is US made, as opposed to whatever part of Asia Ibanez makes that model. That's important to some people. The Bongo is a higher level instrument, but the most important thing is which one you prefer tone and feel-wise. Play both, and decide for yourself.

[PurpleSlimes]

@XaviOrtega1 a 506 for $600, that's waaaaay too much. I paid $250 for one in the 90s, and the 2000's are about $450 tops. Wish you could try mine, as I'm trying to get rid of it.... hate the small string spacing.

[nmepig]

what is the bass line at 4:08 from

[123andrelevy]

did you know that you have one of the best jobs ever????

[MonkeyManBlues]

Anybody know how this compares to the Ibanez SR506?

[A7XGroupie767]

@The000Roy Ok man. :) More power to ya

[JeroB666]

Hey Ed, how come there is no piezo option for B6's?

Thanks!

[BassGuitarMag]

@JeroB666 - Don't know, ask Musicman!

[sweetmelodymusicman5]

i love the bongo slap tone

[avada0]

Layman question:

If you'd nix one of the pick-ups and add frets wouldn't you be able to play a bunch of higher notes?

[crappyattitude100]

@avada0 Yes, but it would alter the sound.

[A7XGroupie767]

why does a bassist need 6 strings? 5 ill give but not 6

[BassGuitarMag]

@A7XGroupie767 - If they want to play melodies or chords.

[A7XGroupie767]

@BassGuitarMag I can do that with a 5. x)

[Mrsfatblackchick]

@A7XGroupie767 why not four or seven,

[XaviOrtega1]

To have an extensive range for improvising mainly, for jazz melodies, for making nice solos, for tapping easily, to play full chords, for playing nice proggresive rock songs, for slapping, for play classical songs that requires more notes, and I'm just getting started, Certainly you most be those that underrate bass...

[Basstard22]

@A7XGroupie767 i shouldn't ask John Patitucci or John Myung if i were you, they would kill you XD

[DillingerEP]

@A7XGroupie767 Some bassists want to do more than just hold down the low end. There's a different tone to the higher-pitched strings on a bass than a guitar can manage, plus they often sound great when you're tapping out arpeggios on them and going through a bass chorus effect

[lucadepu]

what's the jazz tune you were playing in the end of the video?

[BassGuitarMag]

@lucadepu - There Will Never Be Another You

[lucadepu]

@BassGuitarMag delicious



[XanaduMyHome]

Over all, was this a good bass? I'm looking into a 6 string bass and I really like how this one is and most reviews for it are great, I'm deciding between this, a fender 6 string jazz and a ibanez sdgr 6 string, I just find the Ibanez really trebly, any suggestions?

[BassGuitarMag]

@XanaduMyHome - It's a very good bass. Out of the three mentioned, I'd pick this one.

[Sodavillejett]

I've been using a Bongo 5 HS for several years, and have had 2 problems with with it. The neck pickup vibrates up on the 'B' side, and the B string sounds dead from the low E on down. Any suggestions?

[BassGuitarMag]

@Sodavillejett - I can't diagnose this online - it could be any number of things. Take it to a good luthier, I'm sure they could figure it out.

[S4cch1n1]

How's the tension of the strings ? Do you find this bass has more or less tension than other six strings basses ? (I like light and floppy strings) . Thanks in advance

[BassGuitarMag]

@S4cch1n1 - This bass was average. You can put any string you like on this to get your preferred feel.

[DylanBStringer91]

Watch His Eyes When He Plays!!! LOL XD

[BassGuitarMag]

@DylanBStringer91 - Wow, like, he's totally like, psycho out there.....

[6Mega6Man6]

This or ESP LTD TA-600 with $900 left over?

[BassGuitarMag]

@6Mega6Man6 -Me personally? I'll take the Bongo.

[6Mega6Man6]

@BassGuitarMag thanks.

[Equipe3v]

I got my stealth a couple of weeks ago. They are crazy basses, they get awesome tones out of them!

[ripman333]

Yeah I love Ed and I love the Bongo. Any suggestions on a similar tone for a cheaper price?

[raybassp]

Ed! thanks to you, I just got this music man bongo 6. Thanks for your vids and advices! Regards from Venezuela!

[batuvan]

yo ed! just want to write that i'm very happy with my bongo 5 thanks for your vids they are really helping lot when it comes to decide

[cd31247]

This guy is fucking good as hell.

[TheApplepie131]

that was some tremendous playing, especially the slap!

[tylerwylie]

What strings are you using on this? I see black silk wraps at the end...

[BassGuitarMag]

@tylerwylie - Probably LaBella HRS.

[RonnyOnBass]

I've got to say that out of all your videos I have watched on you... I think you PLAY and SOUND the absolute BEST on this bass!!

[BassGuitarMag]

@RonnyOnBass - Well, thanks. It is a nice bass! Fun to play.

[jtheman0]

haha a...smokey, Egyptian way

[MightyGoldenBoy]

Why don't they do these ones for left handed people? aww I'm wheepin' inside :'/

[gkbassn4]

his jazz playing at the end reminds me of the music in books a million lol

[miiiiiiikatos]

@claptonisgod12 Please shut up and leave the forum. Some people are just too uncouth to be allowed online. How can you just jump out of nowhere and insult and veteran bass player. You give youtube a bad name

[Aruikai]

Check out that B string.

[thecrashinghighways]

hey ed, just wondering, when your playing on the couch what kind of bass is behind you. Bongo sounds great by the way, is it easy to swithc between the pickups?

[escapethisfate15]

when i first played 1 i was like na im getting a stingray now i wana go back and get this 1 to haha

[LACRIOSWI]

la semaine dernière je suis allé au centre, et jái demandé par el prix d'un bass Bongo avec cinq strings...et... ô déception :( Ça coute (en pesos) $37,600. En dollars ca coute comme 4000 dollars. Ils bien disent que les choses les mieux sont pour la gent avec beaucoup d'argent :(

[jordanobass]

the best

the best

The best!

show

[XaviOrtega1]

I'm crazy about this bass.. his sound really got me... it's a shame that i live in a aweful country and i really will have to work a lot to buy it...! it's like an utopy

[scrEMOhoLic044]

"there's a phone call, hey i know a guy" hahaha

[nephilymbass1]

wished they'd make a stingray 6, I had a bongo 5, I sold a bongo 5

[margerabam123]

those are so ugly

[XaviOrtega1]

ok nice bass, excelent sound, good looking but the most important:

The PRICE??? daaaa

[BassGuitarMag]

@XaviOrtega1 - Try Google.

[thecrashinghighways]

@XaviOrtega1 if you go to guitar center than its 1,855

[LACRIOSWI]

@XaviOrtega1 la semaine dernière je suis allé au centre, et jái demandé par el prix d'un bass Bongo avec cinq strings...et... ô déception :( Ça coute (en pesos) $37,600. En dollars ca coute comme 4000 dollars. Ils bien disent que les choses les mieux sont pour la gent avec beaucoup d'argent :(

[VanishingDigital]

first 30 seconds i hear bong and joint. damn lol

[BassGuitarMag]

@VanishingDigital - Well, you hear what you want to hear. :0

[VanishingDigital]

@BassGuitarMag

hahaha nah i don't like drugs. thats a really really nice bass though. i want it!

[jordanobass]

top top;

the best...

[VenousPlatypus]

is the difference between the HH and the HS just a more clean/punchy neck S instead of the deep/muddyish neck H?

[BassGuitarMag]

@VenousPlatypus - Essentially yes.

[VenousPlatypus]

@BassGuitarMag cool! that just decided which setup i get for my bongo! thanks again Ed!

[TheApplepie131]

someone ate thier wheaties that morning

[yeeaahBUDDY]

Now if I could get that sound but with the looks of a warwick or ibanez I'd have already bought it. The thing sounds amazing but just looks stupid.

[Dimetamenofinil]

Quero um desses...

[AttitudeCastle]

How would you generalise the tone of the HS and the HH versions in words? The nearest Musicman stockist to me is 120 miles away and they don't even have any Bongos in stock =(

I'm going to buy a Bongo 6 blind as it were (Played and loved the 5 string version HS) But i also love Neck Humbuckers so i'm trying to find a Balance. (Sorry if that sounds confusing!) Any help from anyone is appreciated! :) (Ed? Thanks man!)

[BassGuitarMag]

@AttitudeCastle - Hard to describe, but you can try to compare the sound between this and the Sterling 5 HH demo I did. The HH gets a bit thicker when all coils are combined, the front H is a bit deeper tone than the S.... that's the best I can do with words, listen for yourself. Hopefully you can get a sense of the sound that way.

[AttitudeCastle]

@BassGuitarMag

Thanks Ed! After an hour od listening carefully (through head phones and all :) )

I have decided the HS is more my thing, Your description in words was veyr true!

Thanks for being a swell guy and helping out our bass playing community! All the best, AC

[BassGuitarMag]

@AttitudeCastle - Great, glad to be of help.

[BassistGab91]

I tried it, it sounds good and plays fucking great... but too expensive for me and no comment on the look... i bought that orange Ibanez BTB776 instead. less expensive, still great, and it looks good.

[ions1324]

the bridge slap tone literaly made me orgasm

[JustusFriedolin]

i hate how that thing looks. i like musicman basses tho

[nachospole1]

how dose the wood affect the tone of an electric bass i can understand how it would work on acoustic instraments but not electric

[BassGuitarMag]

@nachospole1 - Every wood vibrates differently. That changes the tone. Alder sounds different than Mahogany - different density, different tone.

[tylerwylie]

My Bongo 6 HH is shipping tomorrow. 

[NubeSlayer507]

i'm going to buy a musicman but i'm confused if i should get a stingray or a bongo. which is better for slapping? does the basswood feel cheaper that the stingray's ash wood? can you get a stingray tone out of the bongo? which has a bigger string spacing?

thanks!

[BassGuitarMag]

@NubeSlayer507 - Either bass is great for slapping. The basswood does not feel cheap to me... the bass sounds fine. It is similar to a Stingray tone... definitely a MM bass, but there are subtle differences. String spacing is the same.

[ilovemysr505]

What were your EQ on the bass at the jazz bass solo at the last part of the video? It was awesome! Was it recorded via the camera only?

[BassGuitarMag]

@ilovemysr505 - Sorry I don't remember, it was over two years ago.

[ilovemysr505]

@BassGuitarMag Alright! I asked because I bought an HH Stealth Black version of this and I'm still trying to find my tone. Thank you for the review! I watched this video many times before I bought mine.

[k0dek71x]

Thank you very much for the video! I might get it. I'm through with 5-string!

[Bowyerma]

That bass looks like a jellyfish that took too much viagra

[lebanonify1]

@Bowyerma i think all guitars look like that... just saying

[Warriorboss14]

doesn't john myung use that bass?

[olflatop]

I'm sure it's a fine bass, but when describing the looks, cool is not the first word that comes to my mind. If I were to describe it's looks in a word, I would call it "klutzy".

[xFaroharx]

I'm not one for 6-string basses, but this was cool to watch!

[Ozbassman]

nice bass nice sound nice playing

[Ozbassman]

nice bass nice sound nice playing

[AustinTeretto]

Beautiful bass. I Really wish i had the cash to buy one this. I'm saving though. I'll get there. =D

[mikedg18]

Laughed at 2:30

Anyway, thanks for the review.

[elpactodejohnson1]

How much distance is recommended between the strings and neo magnets pickup?? or how much was setted in that bass? they are so much powerfull than the normal/average doesnt it?

[BassGuitarMag]

@elpactodejohnson1 - I don't know if there is a set distance. It depends on the sound you want. Closer to the string is obviously hotter, further away... the opposite. I try to get the pickups as close as I can without hearing the magnetic pull on the string, and risking hitting a pole piece when slapping.

[elpactodejohnson1]

@BassGuitarMag i want the close as possible without losing sustain from the magnetic pull. I recently buy a pair of neos for a jazz bass and the pull is real high but i dont know if its affecting string vibration or not, some notes seems to be ok, others more dead, but maybe i have dead spots all over my jazz or my action dont allow much more than that, dont know.. just curious how you set yours. thanx!

[inglewoodcompton]

Basswood is underrated. When I hear people say bad things about basswood, just because it's cheap it speaks bad of their musical qualities. I enjoy basswood for ample sustain.

[MrFallout396]

what kind of wood is she made out of?

[BassGuitarMag]

@MrFallout396 - Basswood.

[Equipe3v]

Hey Ed, just wanted to ask, what's the string spacing like in comparison with the 4-string?

[BassGuitarMag]

@Equipe3v - It's narrower than the 4, I believe it's 18mm.

[Equipe3v]

@BassGuitarMag Thanks, just wanted an idea of how the slap would feel with the 6 string. I take it its useful for precise playing like the sterling?

[BassGuitarMag]

@Equipe3v - Yes, it's very different from the Sterling tone, but it's a great bass with a unique voice.

[TolerancEJ]

I love the Bongo

[wavepsychic]

That's the exact bass I wanted to get! I saw it on E-bay.

[RJiminez51]

looks like a toilet seat cover.

[hate420breed]

@RJiminez51 ya that thing is fuck ugly

[davidarkzero]

@RJiminez51 EPIC dude!!

[Sartori]

@RJiminez51

You must have a weird toilet. I think it looks awesome.

[jedynyiprawdziwyGomo]

@RJiminez51 And sounds like god's farts!! F***ing Epic shit!!

[alex620620620]

@RJiminez51

If your toilet seat looks like that then you must have one hell of a sore ass when you're done using it.

[iunnox666]

@RJiminez51 I played a 4 string one a few days ago, its actually a lot nicer looking in real life and it's got a surprisingly thin body, it's about half as thick as I thought it would be.

[FlesjesMetWater]

@RJiminez51 that made my day.

[dragonsword343]

@RJiminez51 it might, but that bass is the shit

[dropless2002]

this bass rules. I always thought Ernie Ball had the best sounding low B string

[rockyeagle92]

i don't like the look of that bass i have a warwick corvette

[MrContrabasso]

Which amplifer is the best for this bass?

[DuxJerome]

I like the sound but I think its butt ugly.

Just an opinion, not a fact.

[boilingpoint3]

I like bongos.

So funny.

[okicu]

no offense but I'm not a bongo guy at all. but i think this guy can make any bass sound good.

[N8NFlynn09]

The Basses... They won't stop whispering!!!

[itachi456789]

Compensating nut?

[BassGuitarMag]

@itachi456789 - No, I'm not compensating for anything!  lol

Okay, seriously.... yes it has a compensating nut.

[itachi456789]

@BassGuitarMag What does it do >_>

[BassGuitarMag]

@itachi456789 - improves intonation.

[spctator63]

I wonder why they called it Bongo

[faisalfarissi]

basswood?people says that basswood is a poor qualitty wood and crumbly?

[BassGuitarMag]

@faisalfarissi - I've never heard of it being crumbly. It is a less expensive wood, but they prototyped the Bongo in several different types of wood, and their beta testers picked basswood for the tone. Bottom line - it's a great sounding bass.

[ypagexxxx]

ohhhhh i get it

cuz most of the time i sit down with my bass and play for hours.....literally hours

but for 37 years wooow thts amazing

[ypagexxxx]

WHAO 37 woooow amazing

how many years will it take to become pro on the bass?

[BassGuitarMag]

@ypagexxxx - If by "pro" you mean getting a gig and making money - that can happen very quickly. The demand for bass players puts a lot of folks to work very quickly, usually too quickly. But to me, "pro" means having your skills together - reading, grooving, knowing all styles, being able to improvise, getting a good sound, knowing how to play appropriately for any situation.... that takes years. Of course the amount of practice you put in, and your inherent talent level might shorten that.

[keauxgeigh]

Just to nitpick, John Myung's last name is one syllable, pronounced meeyung . . . but as one quick syllable.

[BassGuitarMag]

@keauxgeigh - I guess so. I never asked him how to pronounce it when he was my bass student at Berklee in 1985.

[keauxgeigh]

@BassGuitarMag Wow, cool *bows before the Bass Whisperer*!! (and just to note, I have several of your books)

[BassGuitarMag]

@keauxgeigh - Bowing is not necessary, just send cash. ;)

[JIexa963]

@BassGuitarMag

Just can't imagin you are out of cash and in need to offense the real impressed guy! Why? You are a talented person, the guy tells you appreciation words, your reaction is strange, mister Talented!

[BassGuitarMag]

@JIexa963 - I have a feeling that you missed the joke... relax.

[JIexa963]

@BassGuitarMag

I missed the joke - you missed the money...

[stonedparyah]

@JIexa963 lol woah man chill

[GotSoul92]

@BassGuitarMag I've been searching for ways to compare the Stingray to the Bongo apples to apples because Bongos are mysteriously hard to come by in my area... I crave the aggressive Stingray sound, but I'm really hesitant to go from a 24-fret neck to 21 or 22, for whatever reason. How does the Bongo match up to that trademark Stingray sound, for both fingerstyle and slapping? Would I be better off going with the single H model Bongo to achieve it?

[jmattbassplaya90]

@GotSoul92 The Bongo can definitely be an aggressive bass, but I`d say it`s slightly more refined and "friendly" overall. It can also do a fairly convincing StingRay tone, but it`s not spot on. That said, it`s definitely an EBMM tone. Confused yet? I know I would be :P

The thing is, while all MusicMan basses are similar and have a fairly consistent fundamental tone, they all are quite different and the Bongo is no exception to that rule. GC has a 30(?) day return policy. Just order one :)

[ypagexxxx]

Btw how long have u been playing bass?

[BassGuitarMag]

@ypagexxxx - 37 years

[wesman2232]

How much does it cost (estimate maybe?)

[leifericson923]

@wesman2232 i'd say at least 1000 dollars

[wesman2232]

@leifericson923 wow thats actually pretty cheap, if I could find this I would buy it :)

[leifericson923]

@wesman2232 i'm just saying that's the minimum, i really can't give you an accurate price, but be prepared to fork over some money for this. i've seen 5 strings in the 1.6k range

[jmattbassplaya90]

@wesman2232 $1,600+ depending on the model.

[wesman2232]

Ha edged weapon lol and most states let KISS have pretty much a axe for a bass.

[ypagexxxx]

What does Mid do?

@ypagexxxx - &