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Bongo Basswood Susceptible to Dings?

This is a discussion on Bongo Basswood Susceptible to Dings? within the Music Man Basses forums, part of the Gear Talk category; I am interested in buying a Bongo bass but have one concern. I have heard that basswood is quite soft, ...

  1. #1
    stcheez is offline Registered User Newbie
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    Question Bongo Basswood Susceptible to Dings?

    I am interested in buying a Bongo bass but have one concern. I have heard that basswood is quite soft, and does not take abuse well. I have no issues with the sound or feel of the bass, I just don't want to buy one and before too long have it looking all dented and beat up with normal use.

    Just looking for anyones feedback on how your Bongo has taken abuse. Does it show dings really easy?

    Thanks

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    I've abused my Bongo HH pretty badly and she still looks factory fresh.

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    bovinehost's Avatar
    bovinehost is offline Moderator Lord Bongo
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    Nothing to worry about. The finish (which is what is going to take the most abuse) is very durable.

    Jack

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    Psycho Ward's Avatar
    Psycho Ward is offline Registered User Senior Member
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    Unlike some instrument builders EBMM doesn't charge any extra for dents and scratches.

    Make your own relic.
    Psycho Ward

    King of Lefthanzia

    "I now pronounce you KING of LEFTHANZIA...its official and no one can take it away..." -BP

    4 Bongos
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    2 SR5's
    1 SR4

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    tommyindelaware's Avatar
    tommyindelaware is offline Registered User Senior Member
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    when ya bang a geetar.......99% of the time..........the finish takes the hit. ebmm's finishes are as toughf as ANY..............& toughfer than most.

    basswood is softer.......but the finish is the armor. if the geetar is subject to a hit that will penatrate the armor.......it's not gonna matter if its basswood...or steel......yer still gonna have pretty much the same cosmetic damage.

    armour
    armour
    armour
    Last edited by tommyindelaware; 07-25-2006 at 01:53 PM.
    tommy in delaware
    (renegade redneck hillbilly geetar player )
    life 's what happens while your busy makin plans
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    strummer's Avatar
    strummer is offline Enormous Member Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by tommyindelaware
    when ya bang a geetar.......99% of the time..........the finish takes the hit. ebmm's finishes are as toughf as ANY..............& toughfer than most.

    basswood is softer.......but the finish is the armor. if the geetar is subject to a hit that will penatrate the armor.......it's not gonna matter if its basswood...or steel......yer still gonna have pretty much the same cosmetic damage.

    armour
    armour
    armour
    +1

    The basswood is there for a very good reason: Sound.
    The finish is there for at least two good reasons: To look good and to protect the good sounding wood, be it basswood, alder, ash or rareashellium.
    Now get yerself a bongo!
    bovinehost: Yes, I do agree with that, but if there's nothing wrong then there's nothing wrong.
    Beth: I would compare Bongo to Tommy Lee Jones. Bad a$$ and just hot in a weird way...
    cheezewiz: They should take their lace thongs off and play bass.


    Stingray 5 Classic, coral red
    Bongo 5 H, Dargie Delight, in some cave somewhere...
    Bongo 5 HH, Black w/ rosewood neck
    Heinz The Wonder Bass, going back to Jack...

  7. #7
    roballanson's Avatar
    roballanson is offline Registered User Senior Member
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    Lets not forget that you will own one of the best made precision instruments on the market....you will look after it.
    I regularly slap, beat and thrash the proverbial out of my BongoHS during a set but nothing out of the ordinary, but its still lovingly cared for and still looks brand new.
    do you get what I mean - you dont buy this kinda bass to throw down the stairs for cool scars....but it will stand up to a heck of a lot (just watch the ceiling)
    BASSES:
    the Double D - Dargie Delight SR4 HS matching headstock (E44380 - DOB 19th Mar 2007 – one of 17 and only one in the UK)
    the creammachine - White HS SR5, white pg, maple neck and matching headstock. (E34451 - DOB 1st Mar 2006)

    RIG: Ashdown ABM 500 2x10 and 4x10 cab[/SIZE]


    band: www.jellystonerocks.co.uk
    shop: www.soundsplus.co.uk

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    maddog's Avatar
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    Now I'm all curious. I think I'll head home and take a screwdriver and some bicycle chain to my Bongo to see how well it will stand up.
    -Tom
    Fret more, worry less.

    Bongo only bass in Tom's life.

    Blank-Plank Egyptian Smoke Bongo4H "Nefertiti"

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    roballanson's Avatar
    roballanson is offline Registered User Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by maddog
    Now I'm all curious. I think I'll head home and take a screwdriver and some bicycle chain to my Bongo to see how well it will stand up.
    now thats abuse........but wait til BP hears what you got planned.....
    BASSES:
    the Double D - Dargie Delight SR4 HS matching headstock (E44380 - DOB 19th Mar 2007 – one of 17 and only one in the UK)
    the creammachine - White HS SR5, white pg, maple neck and matching headstock. (E34451 - DOB 1st Mar 2006)

    RIG: Ashdown ABM 500 2x10 and 4x10 cab[/SIZE]


    band: www.jellystonerocks.co.uk
    shop: www.soundsplus.co.uk

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    strummer's Avatar
    strummer is offline Enormous Member Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by maddog
    Now I'm all curious. I think I'll head home and take a screwdriver and some bicycle chain to my Bongo to see how well it will stand up.
    Don't use a hollowpin chain, it'll be damaged
    bovinehost: Yes, I do agree with that, but if there's nothing wrong then there's nothing wrong.
    Beth: I would compare Bongo to Tommy Lee Jones. Bad a$$ and just hot in a weird way...
    cheezewiz: They should take their lace thongs off and play bass.


    Stingray 5 Classic, coral red
    Bongo 5 H, Dargie Delight, in some cave somewhere...
    Bongo 5 HH, Black w/ rosewood neck
    Heinz The Wonder Bass, going back to Jack...

  11. #11
    maddog's Avatar
    maddog is offline Registered User Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by strummer
    Don't use a hollowpin chain, it'll be damaged
    Dang strummer, all I got laying around are SRAM PC99 hollowpins. Alright, maybe just the screwdriver then.

    -Tom
    Fret more, worry less.

    Bongo only bass in Tom's life.

    Blank-Plank Egyptian Smoke Bongo4H "Nefertiti"

  12. #12
    strummer's Avatar
    strummer is offline Enormous Member Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by maddog
    Dang strummer, all I got laying around are SRAM PC99 hollowpins. Alright, maybe just the screwdriver then.

    Hey, if you'äre set on using the chain you can always slip a hain wheel onto the chain and hit the bass with that

    I recently got back into the saddle again, and first real ride I had a PC99 break on me. Twice. Now I'm back to XT chains...
    bovinehost: Yes, I do agree with that, but if there's nothing wrong then there's nothing wrong.
    Beth: I would compare Bongo to Tommy Lee Jones. Bad a$$ and just hot in a weird way...
    cheezewiz: They should take their lace thongs off and play bass.


    Stingray 5 Classic, coral red
    Bongo 5 H, Dargie Delight, in some cave somewhere...
    Bongo 5 HH, Black w/ rosewood neck
    Heinz The Wonder Bass, going back to Jack...

  13. #13
    maddog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by strummer
    I recently got back into the saddle again, and first real ride I had a PC99 break on me. Twice. Now I'm back to XT chains...
    Strange. I weigh 195 and have been running the same PC99 hollowpin on my MTB for about a year, no probs. Although, I'm more of a spinner. Can't stand the shimano chains due to the extra pins you're "supposed" to use every time you break the chain for maintenance.
    -Tom
    Fret more, worry less.

    Bongo only bass in Tom's life.

    Blank-Plank Egyptian Smoke Bongo4H "Nefertiti"

  14. #14
    strummer's Avatar
    strummer is offline Enormous Member Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by maddog
    Can't stand the shimano chains due to the extra pins you're "supposed" to use every time you break the chain for maintenance.
    Lol, I have like 20 of those with me at all times, along with the two extra thick inner tubes (never got the UST to work properly) and the Alien. I'm like the MTB Boy Scout

    I am about the same weight, but I am NOT a spinner. For me it's 100% attack uphill and then rest (well, no pedaling) down hill.

    Do you have a "2% from disaster"-song?
    When I'm about 2% from a painful crash I always find myslef singing the chorus to "Li'l Devil" by the Cult.
    bovinehost: Yes, I do agree with that, but if there's nothing wrong then there's nothing wrong.
    Beth: I would compare Bongo to Tommy Lee Jones. Bad a$$ and just hot in a weird way...
    cheezewiz: They should take their lace thongs off and play bass.


    Stingray 5 Classic, coral red
    Bongo 5 H, Dargie Delight, in some cave somewhere...
    Bongo 5 HH, Black w/ rosewood neck
    Heinz The Wonder Bass, going back to Jack...

  15. #15
    maddog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by strummer
    Lol, I have like 20 of those with me at all times, along with the two extra thick inner tubes (never got the UST to work properly) and the Alien. I'm like the MTB Boy Scout
    $6 for 5 of those suckers gets to be too much after awhile. I like UST alot but I found that it only works well if you use a sealant (like Stan's)

    Quote Originally Posted by strummer
    Do you have a "2% from disaster"-song?
    When I'm about 2% from a painful crash I always find myslef singing the chorus to "Li'l Devil" by the Cult.
    The only time I get songs in my head is when everything is going just right. Legs feel good, heart is in the right zone and groovin' down the trail. Otherwise, I'm in misery.
    -Tom
    Fret more, worry less.

    Bongo only bass in Tom's life.

    Blank-Plank Egyptian Smoke Bongo4H "Nefertiti"

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