I turned my collection inside out in less than 30 days..You Can Too!

[timmy5strings]

I don't know, but someone needs to tell the sales staff to act a bit more professional about Bongo's. They still carry 'em, but some staff act like they're radioactive.... and they all say they won't be carrying the Bongo anymore...

I had heard that back before Christmas too

I know the GC in Glen Burnie has tons of Jazz basses. Why ? I believe because Sean their bass guy plays them, Marcus Millers....5 of them, so thats what they order. I don't see them flying off the shelves. Maybe we should all get jobs at GC and "Load the Walls with Balls"

That could be our new campaign slogan!
"Load the Walls with Balls"

 

[oli@bass]

Part of the obsession is based on wanting to sound like our musical heroes

I think that's one key point, especially for the first (several) instruments we choose. When I started out on bass at the age of 14, after a couple of very desasterous years on the classic piano, the only bass that appealed to me was the Fender Precision. Why? Because Roger Waters and Steve Harris played them, and those two were the ones who grabbed my attention for bass guitar in the first place. After two rather crappy P copies, I was able to get me two very high quality, yet low cost, custom made kit basses from a German manufacturer. I ordered them with slimmer satin finished J style necks, matching headstock and hip electronics, and an additional J bridge pickup and no pickguard. One in white, one in pink. And that's what I stuck with for many years (and I still have both of them).

It took me ten years, to finally try something else, and at that time, it was Flea and Tony Levin who finally got me into the StingRay, mostly for the sound, but also because it looked classic yet new. And then there was the bass player of Gotthard, a famous Swiss hard rock band, who played a trans red StingRay (and I think he had an endorsement deal because I remember seeing him with the bass in ads). StingRays were very hard to find, and the rare used one I tried didn't feel too good to me. The neck was too thick, the pickup pole pieces cut into my fingers, and the neck was gloss finished. Then I saw there was this new thing. The Sterling. After playing one, I was immediately won over. It felt slick and fast, and the small gunstock oil finished neck played like a dream. My confidence in getting one also was partly because I've seen a few rock bass players with them, the most famous among them was Michael Anthony, who was was seen in print ads for the 2TEK bridge on a Sterling, partly because it looked almost like the StingRay.

Years went by, and I ventured into five string land, was totally into Lakland (which also are heavily rooted in classic designs), but never got the hang of that extra string.

So I came back to MusicMan, this time new Rays felt superb, the neck was not glossy, the pickups no sharp pole pieces and the overall finishing quality just felt very nice. I came to these forums, and learned a lot about all the different new models which are available, learned about the SUBs, learned about the Bongo. And frankly, they didn't do it for me. To me, they were just plain ugly. But I was aware of them and then....

...came along Colin Edwin playing a Bongo in one of the Porcupine Tree DVDs... and I absolutely positiveliy must have one, sooner or later, exactly this model, a Stealth 4 stringer.

So what's the point? The point is that an instrument manufacturer needs players who are heroes to other player to get interest in their instruments. It sounds silly, but actually that was the whole point of endorsements in the first place, wasn't it?

 

[Big Poppa]

Actually you are all right.....it takes a combination of miracles to make a new concept work in this business.

When GC bass buyer loved the bongo they did well in spite of a horrible sales staff attitude. I defend GC but in this case it was a continual slap in the face by short term dullards who knew more than me. Occasionally I could actually get someone to open their ears and make headway.....

The brick wall we try to crush though with endorsees and dealers makes it hard to get up off the mat sometimes...but thank god for SLinkies and Stingrays they give us the support to try to make the next Bongo....

 

[slow roasted]

Ah, it's been an ongoing sort of uphill battle. I guess the vast majority of sales staff are probably guitarists - someone correct me if I"m wrong, but we generally know WAY more about your instruments than you do about ours - and then there is the unbelievable need amongst our own ilk to cling to a fifty year old design.

I disagree Jack, and I think the original Stingray proves that point...

 

[slow roasted]

What animals of habit we are! But it does seem like some formerly "hostile" tribes have been more accepting lately. I think I've mentioned this lately - I like Bongos. I'm sort of a Bongo Missionary. Maybe you've noticed? Heh.

Yes, I used to be forward thinking. In the '80's. I bought a Steinberger and a Kramer and..... Then the '90's and all things retro. Tone. SRV. etc. I used to subscribe to the "if it's not nitro finished and lightweight ash and the pickup isn't wound this way".

Bull****.

And the Bongo proves it.

 

[oli@bass]

Actually you are all right.....it takes a combination of miracles to make a new concept work in this business.

I guess so.
Maybe just a weird idea, but maybe it works.... you love and push MarkBass where you can, and while the US market is not even seeing some of the current amp models, the MarkBass line is pretty well known in Europe.

How about... doing a Bass Pak together with MarkBass?

Combo + Bongo?
Both yellow/black (Desert Gold Bongo with stealth hardware)

Some would buy it because it's unique. Some would buy it because it's a great introductory offer. And some would buy it because they both just kill. And it would get the Bongo a s###load of exposure in music stores.

 

[slow roasted]

Hello all,

Just rolled in the door with Bongo #3, a 2007 Sapphire black w/abalone. Pix will have to wait till manana, but it is obviously a twin to the first one I picked up. The clearance is even better this week, this bass was $697 and mint! I NEVER thought I'd ever say these words:

I love Guitar Center!

But I love EBBM more! Thanks for another winner folks!

 

[bovinehost]

Completely nutzoid prices! I can't wait to see how the collection ends up.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

THis is hot and sour soup .....sweet and sour....pain and pleasure....GC is killing the market but a few lucky ones are benefitting.

how do I look with a spear in my back?

I am being very candid. They let the inventory get so far out of whack ,damaged and beat to death...The manageer doesnt acknowledge the damage because that affects his stores margin which is how he gets paid. So a damaged bass sits for months at full GC price and doesnt sell. The beat to poop instruments pile up and then they tell you your sell through is down. UUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! Now it will just repeat and two years from now there will be another roro rooter sale.

 

[slow roasted]

THis is hot and sour soup .....sweet and sour....pain and pleasure....GC is killing the market but a few lucky ones are benefitting.

how do I look with a spear in my back?

I am being very candid. They let the inventory get so far out of whack ,damaged and beat to death...The manageer doesnt acknowledge the damage because that affects his stores margin which is how he gets paid. So a damaged bass sits for months at full GC price and doesnt sell. The beat to poop instruments pile up and then they tell you your sell through is down. UUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! Now it will just repeat and two years from now there will be another roro rooter sale.

I know this has got to be difficult and exciting for you at the same time BP. But it is for me as well. I may be lucky ( because this latest Bongo is a recent one that isn't beat), but I'm busting my ass to get these while they are available so I can have at least a few that shake out well because some are indeed "beat". I drove an hour and a half one way to get this one, and between the round trip and the GC computers crashing I was out for a total of five hours. My wife is no longer amused, and my collection ( which is supposed to be shrinking...) is growing again. I wouldn't change any of it BTW.

The days of dealing with nice mom and pop's has come and gone. I can only imagine what it's like to have a large customer like GC, buy so many instruments from you and your crew, and then treat them like they are a sweater or a pair of jeans at the Gap.

 

[silverburst]

If you are looking for other stuff I suggest asking your friendly GC salesman. I couldn't believe the prices on some of the SR5's.

 

[sloshep]

THis is hot and sour soup .....sweet and sour....pain and pleasure....GC is killing the market but a few lucky ones are benefitting.

how do I look with a spear in my back?

I am being very candid. They let the inventory get so far out of whack ,damaged and beat to death...The manageer doesnt acknowledge the damage because that affects his stores margin which is how he gets paid. So a damaged bass sits for months at full GC price and doesnt sell. The beat to poop instruments pile up and then they tell you your sell through is down. UUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! Now it will just repeat and two years from now there will be another roro rooter sale.

The Fresno GC has a Bongo HH Graphite w/ abalone in very good shape for $969 no case. Then sitting on the shelf is a Sterling maple/ natural HS with a very dirty neck - grimy pawed to the max. It is sad it has to be this way.

I am really disturbed by this whole Bongo thing. The Bongo is an amazing instrument - its fast and comfortable and has so many tones. With that design and that four band eq. Maybe, its just to much for a dullard to handle. Part of me is kind of wishing I had gotten a Bongo instead of a 30th Stingray. Just to make a point. But the tone of the 30th just sucked me in.

 

[slow roasted]

As promised, and just as great as the first..