Help! Dilemma!!

[the unrepentant]

So i played a 4HH bongo in teal pearl at reverb yesterday, and wow. The neck was lovely, so effortless to play, low action, good finish, didn't feel too wide, didn't feel too thin and bunched, slapped well etc. And the tone... Yum, it had that musicman growl, but it was so versatile!

So here's the question i pose to you, do i sell my red SUB (my first musicman), my tobias (my first good bass, but doesn't get played much anymore) and my fender jazz so i can afford it?

HELP!

 

[fly]

sell toby and the jazz...........keep the SUB man.

 

[MingusBASS]

Sell everything and get the Bongo.

 

[Rano Bass]

Sell everything, whatever it takes, you've been bitten by the Bongo bug.

 

[Duarte]

Do it. Buy that bongo what ever it takes!

You have always said that you wanted something better than a SUB (there's nothing wrong with SUBs, but lets face it a bongo is the more desirable bass)

Mexican made jazz? Sell. Tobias? I don't even know what that bass looks like. Sell.

Bongo = win and you knows it. I sold my first good bass which I loved dearly, but you know what...a bongo is better. It is better than anything else I've tried. It has character beyond generic active HH basses. It is heaven.

Listen to me, I'm worse than Jack and my bongo hasn't even arrived yet!

 

[Dr Stankface]

If it's what you want, do what it takes to get it.

 

[Black Lake]

Once the Bongo take hold of you, no other bass will do. Go play the Bongo again, you will soon know the answer to your question of selling or not selling your other basses.

 

[fidooda]

try to find a used bongo and keep some other basses.

 

[Aussie Mark]

try to find a used bongo and keep some other basses.

+1

Used Bongos represent fantastic value, even for Brits who have to pay solid import taxes. Used Bongos sell here, on TB and eBay every day of the week for under $1000 (often in the $800-$950 range), factor in shipping and taxes and you're still way in front compared to buying a new one in the UK.

 

[adouglas]

Once the Bongo take hold of you, no other bass will do.

+1.

Face it... you're doomed.

Once the Mind Control Rays take hold of you, it's not a matter of IF you'll sell those other basses... it's a matter of WHEN.

Rationalize all you want... indulge in nostalgia, thoughts of investment value, the concept of versatility arising from having several basses from which to choose....

It won't make any difference in the end. Now that you've been infected, thoughts of the Bongo will never leave your head.

You will own one.

<vader>Search your feelings. You know this to be true.</vader>

 

[oli@bass]

Whatever you do: Keep the SUB. At least until you can afford to get a StingRay.

There's something about that sound you might want to come back to, even for a Bongo player. Selling the Toby and the MIM Jazz should get you the money for a used Bongo in great shape (there have been a few over at TB!).

 

[the unrepentant]

Hmmm, yeah i was thinking of keeping the SUB, i mean, if i sold that, that's probably THE one i'd miss...
if i sold my tobias and fender... i could probably have about $1000, interesting! The stealth 4HH in the for sale thread is looking good about now!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

my only advice to you is, go for a 5iver, you've now played 4 strings for a while. If you try a 5iver you will appreciate the "new territories" that a low B can open to you, trust me once you get a low B you won't be jumping up and down the neck to get that low note and once it's presence settles in your head, you will be left wondering how have you managed all this time with only 4 strings.

Also I'd like to think that sold separately on eBay or gumtree you could get a bit more than $1000 for the Tobias and the Jazz. Good luck whatever your decision might be.

 

[the unrepentant]

My tobias is a 5 string, and in all honesty, i don't use it much because i find the neck width to be a bit cumbersome. You're right though, i could probably just about manage it....

 

[Duarte]

Whatever you do though, do not buy from the US in the current economic state, it will end up costing a lot more than it did a few months ago and will not be worth the hassle as used ones in the UK go for about that much.

When I have bought basses in the past from the US the exchange rate was about 2$ to £1. Plus tax and shipping it comes to a reasonable cost, but now it would be unreasonable.

Either buy from the UK or wait, but you may be waiting a long time.

 

[the unrepentant]

Whatever you do though, do not buy from the US in the current economic state, it will end up costing a lot more than it did a few months ago and will not be worth the hassle as used ones in the UK go for about that much.

When I have bought basses in the past from the US the exchange rate was about 2$ to £1. Plus tax and shipping it comes to a reasonable cost, but now it would be unreasonable.

Either buy from the UK or wait, but you may be waiting a long time.

I don't mind paying over the odds from the USA to be honest, it will work out about the same i think. Used bongo over here = about £850, and very rare too, used bongo from the states = £550ish (i found a cheap one on talkbass), add say about another £100 for shipping and another £100-£150 for customs, it works out about the same, or a bit less.

 

[MrMusashi]

the tobias used to be good basses, but after they were acquired by one of the big companies they are not the same they used to be.. unless you have serious affection for it you should sell it and get a bass that suits you. as for the fender.. you can always get one later on. they are out there in plenty

once you bongo you will need one more musicman bass

MrM

 

[the unrepentant]

Haha, i will always need "just the one more"

Though the fender is quite rare, it's a reggie hamilton signature, and i've only ever seen one other for sale over here.

 

[the unrepentant]

So i sold my jazz bass today, i'm halfway to getting the bongo!
I just need to remove a screw that i sheared on my tobias and replace the dodgy jack (this weekend hopefully) and i'm gonna try and sell that, and i'll let you guys know what happens!

Oh, and here's the bongo i have my eye on

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[Grand Wazoo]

bye bye Jazz Bass

That is an interesting colour, looks like a metallic emerald green, did you get to play it to see what it sounds like?

Make sure to secure that Bongo with a deposit. Once bitten twice shy

Good luck its gorgeous.