Sterling by Music Man Bongo 5 5-String Bass Guitar
The Bongo features a roasted maple neck, sleekly contoured body, and deep cutaways, ensuring exceptional comfort and upper-register access.
0% Interest
Payment Plan
Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn points on eligible purchases with AMS Rewards and turn them into savings on future orders, no credit card required. You can apply points at checkout once they’re available.
OR
h m s
Compare
Compare! Here are all the serial numbers of this model we have in stock. Compare them all and select your favorite!
Opt in for Notifications on this product for the price drops, stock changes and promotions
Did you know AMS is the only music distributor with four distribution centers? And that means we can offer super-fast shipping on all your music products. Whether you don’t want the spark of inspiration to fade or you really need that replacement speaker before the next show, we have you covered anywhere in the U.S. And even better, it’s FREE!
Sometimes the gear on the computer screen seems like a better fit than when you actually get your hands on it. We understand, and that’s why AMS offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with an item, you have a full month and a half to send it back! We don’t want to just sell you gear. We want to sell you the RIGHT gear — even if it takes a few tries.
Canadian Shipping Information
Welcome Canadian musicians! Buying your gear from AMS is as easy as going to a local music store, with more selection and more than competitive prices!
Items with this logo are eligible to ship to Canada. Please note that you will be responsible for payment of brokerage fees, duties and other import taxes applicable to your order.
NOTE: Free shipping offers do not apply to Canadian orders. Please be aware of custom fees - such as taxes and duties - when your order arrives. Since these fees vary from location to location, CUSTOMS FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN SHIPPING CHARGES. Please check with your local customs office for more information on the fees in your areas. Refusal to pay these fees will result in an undeliverable order. If returned, we do not refund shipping charges and may assess restocking fees to cover return shipping expenses.
0% Interest
Payment Plan
Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
The Bongo 5 has joined the Sterling by Music Man lineup, offering one of the most unique and modern bass designs at an accessible price. Known for its bold and divisive aesthetics (we’re fans), this bass isn’t just about looks — it’s a thoughtfully designed instrument built for comfort and performance.
With its premium roasted maple neck and versatile tonal range — from bold growls to rich, warm tones — the Sterling Bongo 5 is the dependable bass you didn’t know you needed.
Unmatched Tone, Seamless Control
The Bongo is known for its versatility, and Sterling has stayed true to that legacy. With two high-output ceramic humbuckers and an active preamp, it produces a clear, punchy tone that cuts through even the densest mix.
Dual Ceramic Humbuckers: These aren't your grandpa's vintage pickups. The dual ceramic humbuckers provide a modern, aggressive edge with plenty of output. They’re tight, focused, and responsive, ensuring your low B-string remains defined rather than turning into a muddy rumble.
2-Band Active Preamp: Simplicity is key when you're on stage. The onboard 2-band active EQ gives you control over your treble and bass frequencies right at your fingertips. Whether you need to scoop the mids for slap or boost the lows for a reggae feel, you can shape your sound instantly without fiddling with your amp.
Pickup Blend Control: Instead of a clunky toggle switch, the blend knob allows for seamless transitions between the neck and bridge pickups. You can dial in the perfect balance — 100% bridge for that biting, Jaco-esque midrange, or favor the neck for a warm, pillowy foundation.
Ergonomics That Make Sense
The Bongo's body shape might look like it was designed in a wind tunnel, and that's because it emphasizes balance and comfort above all else. It defies tradition to serve the player. The deep cutaways and contoured basswood body mean the instrument hugs you back, making those four-hour marathon gigs feel like a breeze.
Roasted Maple Neck: This is a feature usually reserved for boutique instruments. Roasting the maple removes moisture and impurities, resulting in a neck that is incredibly stable and resistant to humidity changes. Plus, it just looks and feels fantastic.
Rosewood Fingerboard: Sitting atop that rock-solid neck is a rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius. It offers a classic, warm attack and a smooth, fast playing surface that feels broken in from day one.
24-Fret Access: Thanks to the Bongo's unique geometry and deep cutaways, reaching the 24th fret isn't a struggle — it's a guarantee. You have full command of two octaves per string, allowing for melodic runs and chords that are often out of reach on traditional basses.
Form Meets Function
Let’s be honest: you don’t buy a Bongo to blend into the background. Whether you choose the stealthy black or the shimmering Firemist finish, this bass demands attention. But beyond the flash, it’s built with the reliability that gigging musicians demand.
Secure 5-Bolt Neck Joint: The neck is secured to the body with a heavy-duty 5-bolt pattern. This ensures maximum surface contact between the neck and body, translating to better sustain, resonance, and tuning stability.
Sterling-Designed Bridge: A high-mass bridge anchors your tone, providing excellent vibration transfer from the strings to the mahogany body. It’s fully adjustable, so you can dial in your intonation and action with precision.
Matching Headstock: To complete the streamlined look, the headstock is finished to match the body. It’s a small detail that adds a touch of class and cohesiveness to the instrument’s modern vibe.
A Modern Classic for the Modern Player
The Sterling by Music Man Bongo 5 proves that you don't have to sacrifice comfort for tone, or style for substance. This bass is designed for pioneers — musicians ready to explore new sonic horizons without being held back by their instrument.
Sterling by Music Man Bongo 5 Features:
Indonesian Mahogany Body: deeply contoured for maximum comfort and balance.
Roasted Maple Neck: offers superior stability and a premium feel.
Dual Ceramic Humbuckers: deliver high-output, punchy, and articulate tone.
2-Band Active Preamp: allows for precise boosting and cutting of treble and bass frequencies.
24 Frets: two full octaves of playing range with easy upper-register access.
12" Fingerboard Radius: flat enough for fast playing, round enough for comfortable chording.
6-Bolt Neck Attachment: ensures superior stability and sustain.
Pickup Blend Knob: provides seamless mixing of neck and bridge pickup tones.
Ernie Ball Strings: comes factory-equipped with the industry standard for tone.