Bongo Questions . . . Paint Wears Off??

**Penguin** · 03-24-2006, 02:04 AM

Hey guys. About 3 weeks ago, I went bass shopping and narrowed my choice down to two. A Warwick Corvette Hot Rod 5 string, and a Bongo.

The Bongo was so freaking awesome it wasn't funny, As soon as I picked it up I had a smile on my face, and when I left the shop I couldn't shut up about how wicked it was. I nearly decided to give up on the other shops I was going to and walk out with the Bongo.

However I went to another shop and found the Hot Rod. This was also an awesome bass, although very different. It came down to these two, and I decided to take the Hot Rod for the sole reason that I can buy a Bongo anytime, however a Hot Rod won't be around forever. Plus I kind of knew I would be getting a Bongo anyway cause I loved it so much.

Anyways, to my questions. One of the shops I was in had a black Bongo with a fair bit of paint off the headstock. The salesman told me it was from the bass hanging from a stand with a plastic cover. The plastic eventually wore away the paint. He told me that it was very common with Bongo's, and that in 4 or so years, there would be no paint left on the neck due to constant wear. He said it was something to do with the type of paint they use. I have never heard of this before, so I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about this? Does the paint really wear out that quick and easily? I was sure there was a clear sealant on it. I don't want to buy a bass that will look 15 years old in 4 years.

The next question is about the pickup configurations. Unfortunately both the shops I went to only had the SC/HB config, which I thought was awesome. One of the guys told me that you can actually get more tone out of these two pickups over the dual HB setup. Is this true? Which config has better tonal variety? And what are the main differences?

Thanks in advance guys. The Hot Rod set me back AU$3400, so I'm a bit broke at the moment, but after another 2 weeks of working, I will have the money to buy a Bongo. I'm fairly stoked about it!

Cheers,

Penguin

**ExLurker** · 03-24-2006, 02:14 AM

Cant help you with the paint question, there are plenty of Bongo owners here who will no doubt chip in, the salesmans comments dont sound very plausible.
On the pick up configurations click in this link, that should help you.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/show...light=single-H

And welcome..!

**Penguin** · 03-24-2006, 02:29 AM

Thanks for the link. It helped me quite a bit.

I'm thinking I'll go for a SC/HB config first (I say first, cause I know I will probably buy 2, possibly 3 of these bad boys).

Next Bongo I get will have the HH and piezo pickups.

I can almost hear it in the background!

Also, my mum is a signwriter, so I'm thinking I'll get her to make up some crazy stickers for the Bongo. I love Jack's (I think that's him, BovineHost) flame Bongo heaps. However rather than flat out copy his, I think I may go for a lightning bolt theme all over the body. More to do with the paint, does anyone know if stickers will ruin the paint on this?

**dlloyd** · 03-24-2006, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by Penguin

Anyways, to my questions. One of the shops I was in had a black Bongo with a fair bit of paint off the headstock. The salesman told me it was from the bass hanging from a stand with a plastic cover. The plastic eventually wore away the paint. He told me that it was very common with Bongo's, and that in 4 or so years, there would be no paint left on the neck due to constant wear. He said it was something to do with the type of paint they use. I have never heard of this before, so I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about this? Does the paint really wear out that quick and easily? I was sure there was a clear sealant on it. I don't want to buy a bass that will look 15 years old in 4 years.

He's paid on commission. Commission does funny things to people's honesty.

The bass has been abused, and he's shifting the blame. He knows you're not going to buy that bass. If he says it's an inherent fault with the bass, you might buy a different bass from him. If he admits the bass has been abused in the store, chances are you won't buy anything from him.

**strummer** · 03-24-2006, 03:13 AM

The only paint that has come off my Bongo is a chip in the head stock, from banging it into something.
I think the paint is some kind of polyester, and that won't wear off easily.

**arrowheadguitar** · 03-24-2006, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by dlloyd

He's paid on commission. Commission does funny things to people's honesty.

The bass has been abused, and he's shifting the blame. He knows you're not going to buy that bass. If he says it's an inherent fault with the bass, you might buy a different bass from him. If he admits the bass has been abused in the store, chances are you won't buy anything from him.

Which would also cover the "the pickup option we have in stock is the best choice there is" remark too, he's not going to try and sell you a bass they'll have to order in, and you'll have to wait for, if he can get shot of the one on the wall.

IMHO, of course.

P.

**ExLurker** · 03-24-2006, 04:06 AM

Stickers (or rather the adhesive) will harm any paint finish.

Stickers on that lovely bass

To each their own I guess

**Psycho Ward** · 03-24-2006, 04:52 AM

Penguin, first welcome to the forum, make yourself at home and have fun.

My Bongos are too new to know about any paint problems, but the finish on all my EBMM's are top notch and I haven't heard around here of any paint problems.

All I can say is that I love my Bongos, I sure you would love them too.

Again, welcome.

**strummer** · 03-24-2006, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by Psycho Ward

All I can say is that I love my Bongos, I sure you would love them too.

Again, welcome.

Even I love your bongos, even though they're backwards

**Psycho Ward** · 03-24-2006, 04:58 AM

They're not backwards, you just have to play them from the other side.

**bassmonkeee** · 03-24-2006, 05:32 AM

The salesman is full of crap. I've had one of my Bongos for well over 2 years, and it still has all of the paint on the neck except for what I knocked off of the headstock banging it into things.

What a putz.

**corrosiontrav** · 03-24-2006, 05:58 AM

That salesman is totally not right.

I have a 2003, I think that's the first year, and the finish on my headstock is fine, it has a few nicks, but that will happen to any bass.

I love bongos! I've tried a lot of basses and I always come back to mine.

**bovinehost** · 03-24-2006, 06:14 AM

One of the shops I was in had a black Bongo with a fair bit of paint off the headstock. The salesman told me it was from the bass hanging from a stand with a plastic cover. The plastic eventually wore away the paint. He told me that it was very common with Bongo's, and that in 4 or so years, there would be no paint left on the neck due to constant wear. He said it was something to do with the type of paint they use. I have never heard of this before,

I like the "very common with Bongos" comment. I suppose he's had hundreds of them!

Clearly, he's smoking something. People are so ODD sometimes.

Add my voice to what the other guys said already.

Jack