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Average Price: $1,900

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H, an electric bass that marries modern design with powerful performance. This five-string wonder is a testament to innovation, boasting a single humbucker armed with screaming hot Neodymium magnets. Whether you're slapping the funk or laying down deep grooves, this bass delivers punch and clarity with every note. Its ergonomic body ensures comfort during extended sessions, while the five-point bolt-on neck construction provides rock-solid stability, making it a trusted ally for both studio sessions and live gigs.

Crafted with the discerning musician in mind, the Bongo 5 H is more than just a bass—it's a statement. Its sleek design not only looks striking but enhances playability, letting you focus on your performance without distraction. From the stage to the studio, this bass is favored by legendary players like John Myung, Dave LaRue, and Tony Levin, and it's easy to see why. The Bongo 5 H is designed to stand out in any mix, offering a sound that's as bold as it is balanced, ensuring your presence is always felt.

Key Features:

  • 5-string electric bass guitar
  • Single humbucker with Neodymium magnets
  • Ergonomic body design
  • Five-point bolt-on neck construction
  • Favored by professional musicians for its powerful sound and playability

Product specs

Brand Ernie Ball Music Man
Model Bongo 5 H
Year 2003 - 2019
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, White
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony, Rosewood
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 5-String
Nut Width 1.75"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration H
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 34"
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H's pickup?

The Bongo 5 H features a single humbucking pickup that delivers a powerful, punchy tone with excellent clarity and depth, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles from rock to jazz.

Is the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Bongo 5 H is well-suited for live performances thanks to its active preamp, which provides a robust and versatile sound that cuts through the mix, and its comfortable design, which enhances playability on stage.

How does the neck profile of the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H affect playability?

The Bongo 5 H features a slim, fast neck profile that enhances playability, making it easier to navigate across the 24 frets and ideal for players who favor quick, fluid playing styles.

What materials are used in the construction of the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H?

The Bongo 5 H is constructed with a basswood body, maple neck, and either an ebony or rosewood fretboard, offering a balanced tonal response and a comfortable playing experience.

Is the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H a good choice for beginner bassists?

While the Bongo 5 H offers high-quality construction and versatile sound, its advanced features and price point may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players rather than beginners.

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 Bass

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 Bass by Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 Bass

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 H.

Features and functionality

  • The Bongo's EQ allows for up to +/- 18dB adjustments, making it sensitive and requiring careful, small input changes to fine-tune the tone.

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  • The Bongo 5 H has a unique 18V preamp with a 4-band EQ, offering a powerful boost and diverse tonal range with concentric high/low mid control.

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Mods and upgrades

  • A D-tuner installation is praised for adding value and functionality, particularly enhancing the low-end performance for styles requiring deep bass notes.

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Comparisons

  • The Bongo's versatility is highlighted as it handles various styles well but doesn't have a unique signature tone like a Rickenbacker.

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  • Bongo's neck is thinner than the Stingray, requiring more frequent truss rod adjustments but offering a smoother playability.

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  • The Bongo's tonal capacity surpasses that of a Stingray, with more versatile EQ controls while maintaining Music Man's characteristic sound profile.

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Value and pricing

  • The Lava Pearl finish is highly sought after but difficult to find, making it a desirable option for collectors.

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  • The Bongo is considered highly desirable but often out of reach due to high costs, exacerbated by currency exchange rates and import fees in some regions.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Bongo's flat EQ setting is favored for its powerful midrange, making it suitable for genres requiring pronounced mids, such as metal.

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  • Owners note the Bongo's midrange clarity excels in metal genres, especially with overdrive, but struggles with fast tremolo picking sections.

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  • Bongo can achieve a close-to-Stingray sound with more bottom, and also mimic P-bass, Jazz bass, and even a Wal punch, making it highly versatile.

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Build quality

  • Despite its large body, the Bongo is surprisingly light, with smooth contours enhancing comfort during play, both seated and standing.

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  • The pots on the Bongo are praised for their precision, likened to finely machined dials, enhancing the overall tactile experience.

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User experience

  • The Bongo 5 H's neck combines P and J bass attributes, offering a stable, smooth feel with its painted satin finish, changing perceptions of painted necks.

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  • Owners recommend cutting bass slightly and boosting low mids modestly for a tighter tone, highlighting the Bongo's nuanced EQ capabilities.

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  • Despite its unconventional appearance, the Bongo transforms visually when played, enhancing its appeal to many users once in use.

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  • Owners note a distinct acoustic resonance, potentially due to the compensated nut and balanced string/truss rod tension.

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