Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $2,325
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Bongo 5 is where futuristic design meets powerful performance, offering a uniquely versatile electric bass guitar experience. Crafted by Ernie Ball Music Man, this five-string masterpiece combines sleek aesthetics with the power of dual Neodymium-powered humbuckers, making it a force to be reckoned with on stage or in the studio. Whether you're delving into metal, jazz, or funk, the Bongo 5's active 18-volt onboard preamp equips you with a three-band EQ that allows you to sculpt your sound with precision.
With its smooth, comfortable neck and innovative body design, the Bongo 5 stands out not just for its looks, but also for its playability. The five-way pickup selector enhances its tonal versatility, making it a top choice for bassists who crave flexibility in their sound. Engineered for those who demand more from their instrument, the Bongo 5 is ready to deliver rich, dynamic tones for any genre that requires a commanding low end.
Key Features:
- Five-string design for extended range
- Dual Neodymium-powered humbuckers for powerful sound
- Active 18-volt onboard preamp with three-band EQ
- Five-way pickup selector for versatile tonal options
- Sleek, ergonomic body design for comfort during long performances
Product specs
| Brand | Ernie Ball Music Man |
| Model | Bongo 5 HH |
| Finish | Aqua Sparkle, Black, Blood Orange, Blue Pearl, Cabernet Pearl, Candy Red, Chili Red, Egyptian Smoke, Electric Blue, Firemist Gold, Firemist Purple, Fuschia Sparkle, Graphite Pearl, Harvest Orange, Ice Blue, Mantis Green, Olive Gold, Orange Firemist, Sapphire Black, Silver Sparkle, Sky Blue, Stealth Black, Stealth Charcoal, Stealth Crimson, Stealth Pearl, Sterling Silver, Tangerine Pearl, Titan Gray, True Gold |
| Year | 2003 - 2025 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | 5- and 6-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars |
| Active / Passive Pickups | Active Pickups |
| Active Preamp | Active Preamp |
| Body Material | Basswood |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Gold, Green, Grey, Orange, Purple, Red, Silver, Teal, White |
| Finish Features | Matching Headstock |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony, Maple, Rosewood |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Number of Strings | 5-String |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 34" |
| Wood Top Style | Opaque |
FAQs
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What kind of tonal versatility can I expect from the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 HH?
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The Bongo 5 HH features dual humbucking pickups and an active preamp, offering a wide range of tones from deep, punchy lows to bright, articulate highs, making it suitable for various music genres.
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Is the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 HH suitable for advanced bass players?
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Yes, the Bongo 5 HH is designed with advanced players in mind, featuring a 24-fret neck and a versatile active preamp, providing extensive tonal control and playability.
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What is the neck profile like on the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 HH?
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The Bongo 5 HH features a comfortable and fast neck profile, crafted from maple, which allows for smooth playability across its 24 frets.
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How does the body material of the Bongo 5 HH affect its sound?
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The basswood body of the Bongo 5 HH provides a balanced tone with a strong midrange presence, contributing to its overall versatile sound.
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What is the scale length of the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 HH, and how does it affect playability?
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The Bongo 5 HH has a 34" scale length, which is standard for 5-string basses, offering a familiar feel and tension for most bass players.
Videos
Sweetwater
Music Man Bongo 5 HH Electric Bass Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Music Man Bongo 5 HH Electric Bass Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 Bass: Joe Dart Demos
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 4 Bass
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 Bass
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball Music Man Minute: Bongo 5 Aqua Sparkle (ft. Philip Bynoe)
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5HH - What Does it Sound Like?
Deadbeat Studios
Reviews
PROS
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Thin and narrow neck for fast navigation
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Beautifully contoured body for comfortable play
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Wide tonal range with punchy sound
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Outstanding double humbucking pickups
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Easy tapping and bridge setup
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Strong attack and precise sound
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Highly compatible with Darkglass pedals
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American-made with rich and full tone
CONS
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G string can slip over the edge of the fretboard
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Smaller space for slapping makes popping strings harder
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Design might not appeal to everyone
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Basswood body dings easily
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Complex EQ may be overwhelming for some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Bongo 5.
Setup and maintenance
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Some users report high action making initial setups challenging; neck dive is noted as a concern when playing seated.
Source
Features and functionality
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The on-board 4-band EQ is praised for its flexibility in achieving a wide range of tones.
Source -
The Bongo 5's 4-band EQ allows for a +/- 18dB adjustment, making it highly sensitive; small tweaks can significantly alter the tone.
Source -
The Bongo 5's dual humbucker configuration can be split 50/50 for versatile sound options.
Source
Build quality
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Output jacks may require re-soldering, as multiple users have reported issues with their stability.
Source
Comparisons
User experience
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings
132
Bongo with single humbucker
used with for 2 years, never set in with me. Bass wood is too soft, dings easily, cant keep it on your lap due to funky design. Good fingerboard, too bright eq for my taste. Almost always kept the tone as dark as possible. Hanging on the wall pretty much...
184
Great looks and tone
Owned a few in the past, wanted another Desert Gold (orange) one, so i tracked on down. Plays and sounds fantastic.
Artist usage
Add artist
At 15 seconds in, you can see Myung playing a MusicMan Bongo 5 bass with due humbuckers.
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It appears in the Nero Forte music video, and he can be seen using it in different live shows.
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ricky has a bongo 5 string bass in his collection
David Flinn can be spotted on Music Man Artists page playing a 5-String Bongo. Other link with the same bass: https://www.flickr.com/photos/scenesofmadnessphotography/14644067994
Daniel Oliver is seen using a blue Music Man Bongo 5-string double humbucker bass, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Imgur.
For this live preformance, Dave can be seen using a music man bongo bass
On this pic, Will Turpin can be seen playing a 5 string Bongo with Collective Soul at 2016 MMRBQ, Camden NJ.
In this Twitter post RichaadEB is showing a photo of RichaadEB's new Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 Bass
In this live photo, Toby can be seen playing a Bongo 5.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Bongo 5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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