Bongo Fret finishing

**xring** · 09-01-2005, 11:30 AM

A search did not provide a clue...
On my Bongo, the first 5-6 fret wire's outer edge is angled at a much sharper angle in comparison to all the others. So there is actually a little less area to cleanly fret a note. This puts the G string very, very close to the edge of the finished side of the fret. The string occasionally "pulls off" the neck when I get fast / aggressive, and the resulting sound is disgusting to say the least. I know that I have to adjust my technique to avoid this, but when checking my other basses, there seems to be plenty of extra space for some movement of the string towards the edge of the neck. Would you Bongo owners tell me if your frets in this area are finished the same? I was going to try a heavier gauge string to stiffen the tension. Any ideas?
Thanks, Randy

**Psychicpet** · 09-01-2005, 12:07 PM

Hi Randy,
as to the crown of the fret I'm not sure but the "closeness" to the edge of the fingerboard has come up in discussion before. That's just the way the string is on the neck, you definitely have to pay more attention to your hand posture but that's not such a bad thing

keep on enjoying your Bongo! and feel free to keep diggin' in, but let it do some of the work for ya

**Big Poppa** · 09-01-2005, 12:13 PM

Hey Randy
the way to handle your problem is to firsst contact customer service and then if not satisified with the results post a frowny face and complain. We will take care of the problem if in fact we messed up. did you buy it used? let Customer service know all of the good info

thanks

big poppa

**xring** · 09-01-2005, 12:18 PM

OK - Frowny face removed... but I did not feel that I was complaining so much as inquiring if other's frets were finished the same. If they were, the ball is in my park, and I would have to deal with it. I'm not a luthier and thought that there might possibly be a valid reason for the fret work. I got this 5 brand new. Thanks for the CS tip. Randy