Test drove a Bongo ..impressions

[bassmonkeee]

And sometimes it's not just the players themselves you have to convince, but bandmates/leaders (sometimes even the audience) as well.

That's the funny thing--I've gotten more compliments on my Bongo from audience members than ANY of the other basses I've ever used in 20+ years of playing live. And, I've used everything from simple PBasses to 8 string (octave dual course) fretless basses.

Other musicians, too. Granted, one of them owned a Keytar, but the majority of them don't have taste that is suspect and liked the Bongo.

It's really just bass players I've heard make stupid comments.

 

[mynan]

I guess it depends on the person

Exactly...and a musician is the person who is potentially going to buy a Bongo. BP said it:

Im just trying to inch forward an industry that has separation anxiety with 1953

IMO, it's musicians (in general) that are holding things back, not the general public...same way that musicians love bands like Rush and Dream Theater and the GP...not so much.

 

[LoEnd]

Im just trying to inch forward an industry that has separation anxiety with 1953

haha, nice

 

[the unrepentant]

haha, nice

It's true, the market for vintage fenders is HUGE. And personally i don't see why. I'm sure leo fender and the team spent years make little changes to their basses (same as BP and the stingray, and lots of people still think the pre-EB is better) for a reason.

 

[Big Poppa]

First off I have to thank Guitar Center for initially takng a chance and buying Lava Pearl and and Desert Gold and Rolls....in the first place. The buyer at the time loved them and bought one himself. The culture is different and overall they are slow with our basses right now.

To be honest with you I would prefer they didnt stock the bongo because too many times I went in without them knowing who I was and the saleman would diss it and I woudl introduce myself and then demonstrate it and they would usually like it but complain that the shape.....

 

[philthygeezer]

+1 to the Bootsy comment.

Slutted my way through about 10 basses until the HH came along. My first thought was, "Holy smoke - I don't need any of these other ones now...".

 

[kylierider]

I laugh out loud all the time at Jack's posts, especially those with pictures.

Yeah me too..Musicman basses, Martini's and converse gym shoes. It's hard to go wrong there. Personally 3 of my favorite things.

About the Bongo...I think it is still a design thing. Many people "listen with their eyes", kind of like the story of Les Paul and "The Log". And sometimes it's not just the players themselves you have to convince, but bandmates/leaders (sometimes even the audience) as well.

I agree here. Like me, I play in a Johnny Cash traditute band. My 2 main basses when I play electric and not upright are my 92 SR and a 78 P. Hands down the SR sounds better and that is what I usually use at shows with the P as backup. Both are traditional looking basses and I can visually get away with playing either. But the Bongo might be pushing it visually in that setting. Same goes for the drummer who would rather be playing his electronic kit that he is more comfortable on, than his vintage Ludwig set.

If I was single and had all kinds of disposible funds I would have already ordered one unseen, unplayed and unheard just from all the great comments of other fellow MM lovers.

 

[ronnyG]

It's true, the market for vintage fenders is HUGE. And personally i don't see why. I'm sure leo fender and the team spent years make little changes to their basses (same as BP and the stingray, and lots of people still think the pre-EB is better) for a reason.

Personally, I can't take anything away from a vintage Fender. BUT....after futzing around with that Bongo..which it took me about 15 seconds to figure out the tone settings, it was the versatility that sold me. Granted I love the growl of a 70's P-bass...but the Bongo had that as well....and 60 billion other tonal variations on top of it.

I am a firm believer that different songs require different tones..so instead of having to switch basses..having one that can capture the tone I wish to attain for different songs is essential...which to me should be the selling point. But then again I am a lousy salesman. The bass sold itself to me..I had to ask to try it out. Glad I did.

EDIT: I felt it may be appropriate to add this seeing where the direction of this post is headed. My friend was there just to test drive guitars as he is in the market for a new one. Now this is LA and you never know who is who..and my friends and I yell out rock star in this town so I imagine the sales people seeing dollar signs when we walk in.

The sales people were pushing these 3000 dollar relics on him from fender custom shop. We had a pyle of them laid at out for us and they are nice. But next to our heads at eye level are 169 dollar squires..so me being the obnoxious jackass that I am...handed him a 169 dollar squire tele right after he put down a 2800 dollar "relic".

Well not only did that China tele sound almost identical to the relic..the neck was actually smoother and easier to play.

I am not going to get too deep into this as it may be heading off topic....but I think it is proving a point to about what the GC sales people in general are pushing. Do they really care about your tone? or what neck you are most comfortable with?...or how much commision they can make off a sale?.....you tell me.

 

[maddog]

t-bone took Nefertiti to a rehearsal. His bandmates were speechless when he pulled it out of the case. After finding their tongues, one commented that it looked like an automobile company designed it. Hats off to BP and the BMW design team for making a statement. All of them loved the look.

Not sure where the negativity on the design comes from. Everyone I've showed her to has loved the look.

 

[midopa]

bassists think it looks ugly

 

[ronnyG]

bassists think it looks ugly

Well I am definatly a bassist..my mom must of had 4 heavy strings in her uterus. But "ugly" is kind of a subjective term. Personally I classify it as "odd" but completely beautiful in every sense of the word. And that is probably how I would describe myself..and I wave my freak flag proudly.

 

[Big Poppa]

some bassists

 

[Psychicpet]

bassists think it looks ugly

and unfortunately most chicks dig drummers.....


anywho, this discourse has definitely made me glad for all of the shows and what nots that I've done and do with my Bongo... be it a somewhat ba$tardized one it still carries the mark of a champion I do have a pair of basses built by my mentor/teacher that are great basses and do an incredible job at what they do BUT at a recent session guess what, after 2 tunes the producer/studio owner says "where's that orange bass?? that Music man!!??" so of course, even tho it was a typically "rootsy" passive vibed CD/session the Bongo won hands down. now, my 3" thick chambered 6 with a passive Aero is a unique duck BUT!!! I do have an open contract on my left nut and soul for cash for a pair of Bong o 6s

 

[Psychicpet]

Well I am definatly a bassist..my mom must of had 4 heavy strings in her uterus. But "ugly" is kind of a subjective term. Personally I classify it as "odd" but completely beautiful in every sense of the word. And that is probably how I would describe myself..and I wave my freak flag proudly.

yep, as for the shapes out there.... it's the best one.


well.... it'd be hilarious to see a single cut version of the Bongo with a nice AAAAAAAAAA quilt maple top on it and a AAAAAAAAAAAAA birdseye or flame fingerboard but hey, she's already too hot to handle as is

 

[the unrepentant]

personally i thought the bongo looked gorgeous in desert gold!

 

[Eek]

I think it's very ugly ^^

But it's a good thing that there are different shapes and colors, even spacebassthingies

 

[bovinehost]

bassists think it looks ugly

Ditto to what BP said.

There are plenty of 'modern' basses that look horrific to me, but I don't feel the need to insult (all over the internet) an instrument that someone finds pleasing.

If your wife or girlfriend was ugly, I wouldn't mention that, either.

 

[Big Poppa]

Im very happy with the Bongo. Takes a secure man or woman to play it. "Ohhhhh NOoooo its shaped different! I cant play it! I dont care how it sounds people may look at me and see my bass face or notice that I am ugly" " I will never get the chick who is settling on me since the lead guitar ist is better looking....."

OK Guitar center noticed this thread. They have 140 in stock chain wide and would love to sell them to you at a great price. SOme are actually in the distribution center new in boxes....OK they asked me to tell you that. You still can order from the loyal guys like beaver and pete and drumcity and all the rest.

 

[beej]

Non-bassist here ... I love the shape of the Bongo (us 6 stringers are usually pretty lame). Only bass I own

I've started to show up at the odd jam with it (working on my bass chops) - surprises the hell out of people when they hear how great it sounds. Likewise, the bassists I let play it are usually caught off-guard at how much they like the sound!

 

[Eek]

I'm just giving my personal opinion, not trying to bash the bongo.

Thank god not everybody likes the same stuff, man.. that would suck!
So i'm happy that the bongo exists, and happy that there are people who like/love it.

^^