Had a feeling this was going to happen...

[dobs1981]

So, a few months ago I was presented with an opportunity to get my first musicman.
A bass I had always wanted, and when presented with the right price grabed it.

Only problem, It was a 4 string and i have always had 5's.

But it was black sparkle, and a musicman. "i'll be right" I thought

Last night I broke a string on the MM and was forced to use my G&L 5, it felt like home have my friend the "b" there.
I have now realised I cant undo 12 years of playing 5 string basses.

The musicman must go!

So now my only problem is getting the right bass again (EB of course), but in a 5.

there is a bongo at the bass centre in melbourne I was thinking of getting, Ive never played a bongo and the shape is pretty out there. But it's a 5, it's an EB and I figure it's one play from being my new baby.

Is the neck any different?

For me, and I guess for all players, that's going to be the make or break.

I'm really disappointed my voyage into 4 string territory didn't pay off , but oh well.

Live and learn

 

[BobKos]

IMHO, my SR4 is much different than my Bongo 4. I really like the Bongo 4 playablity much better. I'll add that the SR4 is a 30th and I think it sounds better. For me, they're both keepers. I think you'll like the Bongo unless you don't like 24 fret necks. I also think tone wise you'll like the Bongo. The visual is a polarizing topic and I'll say that I probably wouldn't play a Bongo live because of it's unconventional appearance. I've not received favorable comments on the looks of it.

 

[Ken Baker]

As a multi-G&L owner and a Bongo owner, my recommendation is to get the Bongo. You will then have two of the most versatile basses on the planet. You will also be able to cover just about any sound you can imagine, from the thunder of the Bongo to the chainsaw cut of the G&L.

The nut width and string spacing on the Bongo is the same as the L-2500 or L-1500. The Bongo's neck is a little bit thinner front to back as you work closer to the body.

Ken...

 

[dobs1981]

this is the bongo I was thinking of getting

maybe change the pic guard though, funk it up a bit

 

[Ken Baker]

Something like this?

Ken...

 

[bovinehost]

The visual is a polarizing topic and I'll say that I probably wouldn't play a Bongo live because of it's unconventional appearance. I've not received favorable comments on the looks of it.

The looks aren't all that polarizing around here! We're over it. We were over it years ago. It's okay. You can play your Bongo here. We don't mind and won't continue to make the same teenage, brain-dead jokes about the pickguard. Really!

For the last few years, I've played with throwbacks. The front guy plays a Tele and uses a Fender amp he's had since dinosaurs ruled the earth. The other guitarist plays a Gretsch through an AC-30. We know Hank Williams songs. And they've learned that my Bongos are what I play. In fact, they don't like it when I DON'T play one.

And it's funny - all the 'unfavorable' comments I've heard have come from other bassists. I've had positive comments from the strangest sources! My wife, who can't tell you a stack-knob Jazz from a Fodera, knows her Bongos. My six year old can readily pick out Bongos in catalogs.

Waitresses. Bartenders. Audience members - at a BLUES CLUB.

Positive comments. "That is the coolest bass I've ever seen."

Bob, screw those other bassists. Play your Bongo. Be proud. Be fearless. And of course, you're bullet-proof around these parts.


Sometimes, I even wear a cowboy hat when I play my Bongo.

How about that?

Jack

 

[Kristopher]

The visual is a polarizing topic and I'll say that I probably wouldn't play a Bongo live because of it's unconventional appearance. I've not received favorable comments on the looks of it.

For what it's worth, I've received nothing but positive comments on mine, from both musicians and non-musicians alike. People usually say my "space bass" looks awesome. I'm sure everyone's going to have a different experience, but I wouldn't assume it will always be a negative one for everyone.

 

[ekb16b]

i gotta get me a bongo too..

 

[bovinehost]

A Senior Member and no Bongo?

Yes, yes, you do.

 

[PzoLover]

looking and seeing

Hey Bob,

your reservations remind me of a story ... there was sum guy who would say ...
" I once had a girlfriend who had three breasts ... she was pretty weird to look at, but, Boy, was she fun to dance with" go for the BONGO !!! tone is a great thing to have when yer a bass player, and, the "looks" will become "stares of approval" the cracky remarks willl soon stop and you'll have a very cool and handsome new trademark
personally, I'm a diehard SR5 player who's itchin' for my new BONGO5,
All The Bass,
/PL

 

[RitchieDarling]

Sacrifice tone for conventional looks?

No way!

Get your Bongo and play!

Ritchie

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I've gone through many basses over the years as have many of you, but my Bongo is a different animal all together. Not only in looks..thats obvious, but it's the TONE that makes her different........

The palette of tones is unreal....

Go ahead and touch taste each control and listen as the Bongo changes it's mood, and then once you've found what you're listening for boost the volume and unleash it's power, which not only makes you smile, but turns heads and makes them take notice that your Bass has authority and demands their listening attention.

BONGO, there's not substitute........

OMB

 

[dobs1981]

spot on Ken

love your work.

Something like this?

Ken...

 

[Aussie Mark]

Don't forget the Bongo neck is painted, so that might surprise you if you're used to satin or unfinished necks. Otherwise, I'd say go for it. And on that black Bongo, a tort guard would go nicely too.

 

[oli@bass]

The musicman must go!

There are currently two very nice SR5 up for sale in the For Sale thread. And there are plenty others on eBay. If you liked the feel of the SR4, I'd try the SR5 before a Bongo. However, the Stealth Bongo is the coolest kid on the block, and you can't go wrong with that (lookswise).

 

[dobs1981]

Crap! Just missed out on the bongo

I've always had an eye on the tans teal SR5, I think I'll go have a play on that see how it feels

Thanks for all your comments guys

I really appreciate it

 

[bigvissch]

Hi Dobs, Bongos are great but I must admit I am a huge Stingray 5 fan. Maybe one day I'll have both. But if you're moving from a Stingray 4 banger, a Stingray 5 will be closer to the feel you're used to.
One just went up on the for sale page:
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/19780-music-man-basses-sale-3.html#post504495

Great deal if you can get it shipped! I've done some research on that so give me a P.M. if you want some hints.

Rolls Burgundy is a classic colour.

'94 was good year for Stingray 5's. Mine was born then.

 

[jaylegroove]

I'll second what Oli said : if Dobs loved his Ray but wants 5 strings, the SR5 is a no-brainer (though, as we all know, they are a bit different in tone).

 

[tkarter]

I had been playing the SR5 for a year. Got the Bongo 5 H in take it to band practices. Guitards don't notice I drug out a new bass so i stand behind my amp and start thumping on the bongo.

Heads swing around guitar 1 says don't change that tone that is the best you ever sounded.

Then what the hell is that bass? I say Bongo. He says well that is the best sounding bass I have ever heard. Never called it ugly once. I said no comments on the look? He says it looks different and it sounds great. All good basses will look like that from now on when I am playing in a band.

I ordered a Bongo 6 and announced I was getting a new bass. I thought that guitar player was going to shoot me on the spot.

And you know what even if they hadn't liked it I would have kept playing it any way

tk

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I had been playing the SR5 for a year. Got the Bongo 5 H in take it to band practices. Guitards don't notice I drug out a new bass so i stand behind my amp and start thumping on the bongo.

Heads swing around guitar 1 says don't change that tone that is the best you ever sounded.

Then what the hell is that bass? I say Bongo. He says well that is the best sounding bass I have ever heard. Never called it ugly once. I said no comments on the look? He says it looks different and it sounds great. All good basses will look like that from now on when I am playing in a band.

I ordered a Bongo 6 and announced I was getting a new bass. I thought that guitar player was going to shoot me on the spot.

And you know what even if they hadn't liked it I would have kept playing it any way

tk

Great story my friend..... This is exactly how I feel about the Bongo. Even if you don't like it I'm gonna play it anyway........

OMB