Bongo Love

[hankSRay]

So bongos have been out for quite some time now, but I have yet to sit down and really give one a good test drive, until today. I was at GC and spotted a nice 4HH bongo on the wall. My drummer was over on the drum side buying some stuff so I decided to sit down and plug in. I never should have. Instant GAS upon the first note i hit, I think it was an A, maybe a G, anyway it was amazing. I loved everything, the weight, balance, tone, looks, you name it, that bongo had me. Even with the poor setup (strings were super high) it still performed beautifully.

So now I need to buy one. Think about getting a pearl blue 4HH, but maybe I'll order one in blue Dawn. Only thing is I dont want to have to wait. Ah the GAS. That is all for now, I'll report back when i have one in my posession to fondle.

 

[mynan]

That's why I haven't dared to touch one...1st kid is on the way and I'm afraid that GAS might make me do something unwise.

 

[Ryan L.]

I am hoping to make a Bongo 5 string HH my next purchase, but I am afraid it'll be awhile before it happens. At least, that is what the wife tells me.

 

[Alvabass]

Welcome to Bongoland! This is one of the finest basses ever made, and it made me realize that no need to sell the house to get a top class instrument. Many years ago, I was convinced that Alembics were the Rolls Royces of the bass world and had the impossible dream of getting one. After the Bongo, that idea is gone and I can tell that it's the first instrument for which budget restrictions were not the main criteria to buy it. I'm a REALLY happy owner. Besides, I haven't found the first person where I live that find it ugly, as many people perceive it (fortunately the controversy has cooled down). Only one told me that didn't like it, but not because of the toilet seat thing, but simply because he's very traditional and conservative. Let us know when you get yours!

 

[hankSRay]

I know exactly what you mean Alvabass. The Bongo wasnt the only bass I tried at GC yesterday. I tested out some other basses with fancy wood tops, multi laminate necks, hefty price tags, etc. but the Bongo destroyed them all. There was just so many usable tones no matter how i set the EQ or the pickup blend.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I do love me some Bongo. I was at GC yesterday and picked up a $4k Elrick with the fancy wood top and everything then I picked up a Bongo and it absolutely tore it apart.

 

[saxnbass]

I want to try a Bongo. Don't dig the looks that much, but could get over that if it sounds good enough.
Fretless Bongo HH in Blue Dawn perhaps?

 

[Bartmanpdx]

I want to try a Bongo. Don't dig the looks that much, but could get over that if it sounds good enough.
Fretless Bongo HH in Blue Dawn perhaps?

The looks grow on you.

The sound captivates you from the start.

 

[Big Poppa]

The Bongo war is won one player at a time

 

[Baird]

I played with a new band tonight and with the band's normal setup and what kind of tunes they were playing, I figured I would pull out my old Warwick to start...... CRAP! Look for it on eBay tomorrow as there was no bottom end AT ALL.

My Fender Geddy sounded great thank god but the Bongo 5 just kicked it.

Seriously..... IMO a Bongo can't be appreciated unless it is played in a live setting or very loud in a band setting.

An OLP or other cheap crap may sound great at a music store.... but the Bongo (and SRs) sound so damn good live.

Just my $0.02

 

[saxnbass]

What's the thing behind the name? Bongo

 

[adouglas]

What's the thing behind the name? Bongo

IIRC it was the internal code-name for the project. The name just wound up sticking.

More history is here:

ernie ball musicman bongo history information page

 

[adouglas]

The Bongo war is won one player at a time

Hey, Boss? I've run out of pods. Can you send me another shipment?

Thanks.

adouglas
Subversion Coordinator, Sector C
Northeast Bongo Assimilation Collective

 

[kompressaur]

without exaggeration the Bongo has THE plugged in bass tones I always wanted.

Komp