The Bongo Shape Gets a Purple Satin Makeover — and a Price That Makes Sense
The Bongo is one of those basses that stops people in their tracks. That sculpted, asymmetrical body isn't just a style statement — it puts everything exactly where you want it, with deep cutaways that make the upper register feel wide open. Sterling by Music Man has taken that same design and made it genuinely accessible, and in Firemist Purple Satin, this Bongo 5 is hard to ignore.
Five strings, dual ceramic humbuckers, a 2-band active preamp, and a roasted maple neck — the Bongo 5 is set up to cover a lot of sonic ground. Whether you're locking in a punchy low-B groove or pushing into cleaner melodic territory up the neck, the blend control and active EQ give you real flexibility at your fingertips.
If you've been curious about the Bongo platform but couldn't quite justify the Ernie Ball price tag, this is the one worth playing.
A Body Built Around the Player
The Bongo's contoured body shape earns its reputation the moment you strap it on. The deep cutaways ensure exceptional comfort and upper-register access, and the sculpted heel keeps your fretting hand from running into a wall at the upper frets. Its Indonesian mahogany body gives the instrument a grounded, warm character without adding unnecessary weight.
A 6-bolt neck plate and sculpted heel provide ultra-stable support for the 24 frets sprawling the instrument's 34-inch scale and 12-inch radius. That extended fretboard real estate means you're never chasing notes — they're right there waiting for you.
Roasted Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard
A roasted maple neck paired with a rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth, responsive feel. The roasting process stabilizes the wood against humidity shifts, so the neck stays more consistent across seasons and venues. White dot markers keep navigation clean and familiar.
Neck width measures 1.77" at the nut and 2.80" at the last fret, giving five-string players enough room to work across all strings without things feeling cramped. The dual-action truss rod lets you dial in your preferred neck relief with confidence.
Dual Ceramic Humbuckers and Active 2-Band EQ
The Bongo 5 comes equipped with a powerful HH pickup configuration featuring dual ceramic humbuckers designed for clarity and punch. A dedicated pickup blend knob lets you dial in just the right mix between neck and bridge. This isn't a one-trick bass — from thick low-end foundation to a more articulate, defined tone, the two pickups cover a wide spectrum when blended together.
The active two-band EQ adds a wide spectrum of tonal shaping. Boost your lows for that chest-thumping foundation, lift the highs for presence and definition — or find the balance that fits your rig. The Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge anchors your tone with rock-solid intonation and sustain.
Product Features:
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Body: Contoured Indonesian mahogany (Bayur) with Firemist Purple Satin finish and matching headstock
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Neck: Roasted maple, 6-bolt attachment, sculpted heel for upper-fret access
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Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12" radius, white dot markers, 24 frets
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Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
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Nut Width: 1.77" (45 mm)
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Pickups: HH — 2 ceramic humbuckers with pickup blend control
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Electronics: 2-band active preamp
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Bridge: Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge
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Tuners: Open-gear tuning machines
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Strings: Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky
This item is a "B-Stock Bass Guitar" directly from the manufacturer. It is NEW Stock that has never been owned. Pictures are of the actual Bass Guitar you will receive.
We will have our licensed tech go over the Bass Guitar and set it up for you. On this Bass Guitar, Sterling states it is B-Stock due to chip at heel (see pictures). This may not be the only defect that causes it to be a B-Stock, but it is the one Sterling identified.
Brand: Sterling by Music Man
Model: Bongo 5
SKU: ST-BONGO5-FMPS-R2-2ND|D110357
Condition: B-Stock
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
