Should I buy this used Bongo5

[Moose308]

Hello guys,

I am brand new to this forum. I thought I would drop by and ask a question about a Bongo bass.

I am currently seriously considering getting a 5-string bass. Currently I play a 4-string Fender Precision Bass Special (P-Bass body, J-Bass maple neck, PJ pickups). But there are times, certain songs, that call for 5 strings. Hence my desire to buy another bass. After looking around, the Bongo is calling to me.

I was in the music store (I hate going in there. I get GAS attacks.) I checked out an HH Bongo5. It seems quite nice, and the tones you can tweak from it are very diverse. It's not 35", and there is no maple fretboard, but you can't have everything I suppose. I am cheap, so the $(edit) cdn price tag isn't agreeing with me.

Now, as luck would have it, a salesperson saw me playing with the Bongo, and told me to get a look at this. He pulled out a used Bongo5. It is Desert Gold, HH, with Piezo. It comes with a hardcase, and of course, to make my life difficult, priced at a mere $(edited $700 less) cdn. Now I am not fond of the Desert Gold, I suppose it's not SO bad. I would prefer Black or Green, but I am thinking about the $(edit $700) I would save. Looking at the Bongo, it looks mint. Not a scratch on it. The previous user obviously treated it right. The sales guy mentioned he was a music student that didn't use it very long.

So, since I have never bought a used music instrument, what sort of things should I look for to see if it is a good buy or not? The price is good. The paint looks flawless without dings or scratches. Heck, it looks better than the new Bongo that was hanging on the wall. Obviously I can't do anything about the color :-) or the lack of a maple fretboard :-) but beyond that, is there anything obvious to be concerned about?

Thanks.

[smallequestrian]

You already said the finish is in good shape, so as long as you like the way it plays and the neck is in decent condition, not really many problems you are gonna run into outside of personal preference. Also, I don't know if you want the maple board for looks or for tone, but the Bongo is plenty bright enough, no need for a maple board there.

[adouglas]

First of all, it's against forum rules to post prices. Please edit to delete that.

However, since I have seen the figure, I can say that it's a good deal because it's got the piezo. IMHO that's too much for a straight Bongo5HH.

Note however that a similar bass in graphite failed to sell for a hundred bucks US less than that on ebay about a week and a half ago.

Who's the dealer?

[maddog]

New prices = bad.

Used prices = OK.

And yes, buy it.

[Moose308]

First of all, it's against forum rules to post prices. Please edit to delete that.

Sorry about the prices. Edited out.

I don't want to name the dealer, along the same reasoning as editing the prices. However, I can say it is "a major musical instrument chain store spanning across Canada with locations in most every province". That should narrow it down. :-)

[adouglas]

Sorry about the prices. Edited out.

I don't want to name the dealer, along the same reasoning as editing the prices. However, I can say it is "a major musical instrument chain store spanning across Canada with locations in most every province". That should narrow it down. :-)

Darn. I was hoping you'd give it up so I could swipe it out from under you. It's identical to my bass and I wouldn't mind getting another to replace my cheap-o-crap-o Chinese jazz beater practice bass (and for backup).

[Mobay45]

Darn. I was hoping you'd give it up so I could swipe it out from under you. It's identical to my bass and I wouldn't mind getting another to replace my cheap-o-crap-o Chinese jazz beater practice bass (and for backup).

You do know that my DG Bongo is available, don't you?

[adouglas]

You do know that my DG Bongo is available, don't you?

No, I didn't.

Does it have a pee-ay-zoe? What pickups?

[tkarter]

I doubt the bongo will ever have a maple board. If it speaks to you there is no better 5 string to have. IMHO.

Another IMHO is that EB 5 strings play with ease a very good many others don't have.

If you need a 5 then a Bongo will get the job done nicely and that is a nice price from what I can tell.

tk

[oddjob]

No, I didn't.

Does it have a pee-ay-zoe? What pickups?

Mine is out there too... no P but is an HH5

[roballanson]

YOu dont need to ask the question really - buy it and you won't be sorry....

[Hutton]

Rob is right. You have practically talked yourself into the purchase. Good bass. Good used condition. Good price. You like it. GO FOR IT! Once you buy it we demand pics at the earliest opportunity.