Question ...for Bongoloids, considering fretless Bongo?

[keko]

Hi Bongoloid guys!

Well, I'm seriously considering about one more versatile bass instrument, but this time for another purpose.
It smiles to me cooperation with one small club jazz-rock-fusion band (trio) and I will need top woody Fretless 5 string bass tone! Just for small club jamming without PA support!
So for crowded and loud weddings and other pop/rock party stuff I have my excellent Sterling 5 HS, and that Bongo should be just for club jazzy jamming!

I'm very interested in Bongo 5 HSp, or maybe just single 5 Hp (if exist) both Fretless, and have a few questions:

What kind of wood is that Pau Ferro?

If order without inlaid fret lines, does it comes with small dots in my view from upper side of fretboard?

Does exist single H Bongo with piezo?

Is that H pickup wired in series or parallel mode?

What is advantage of Neodymium magnets of Bongo instead for example mine ceramic on Sterling?

Thanks in advance, other information I've found online, and already tried only HSp fretted Bongo 5! Honestly I was delighted wit that one!

 

[mynan]

Pau Ferro...aka Iron Wood. Looks a lot like Rosewood, but it's much more durable.

I'm not sure about the dots on the edge of the fretboard with an unlined fretless.

Yes, you can get a single-H Bongo with a piezo. The benefit of adding a piezo to the single-H Bongo is that you also get a 4-band eq instead of a 3-band.

Neodymium magnets are much stronger than ceramics...not sure exactly how that affects the tone, but I love my Bongo

 

[syciprider]

Oh man, if you posted this one month ago when I was in Split and Neum I could've traveled to Zagreb with my Bongo 4 HP for you to try out

A fretless Bongo with piezo has a very beautiful voice. The headroom available from the 18V preamp pumps out a very robust full range piezo output.

 

[five7]

The unlined neck has dots where the frets would be on the 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17 and 19 positions. It works well but not as easy as having fret lines.

 

[maddog]

 

[keko]

Thanks a lot guys, I'm collecting information from You and thinking...

For now I'm much more close to single Hp, of course 4 band EQ absolutely, maybe in dark club space is better visibility with fret lines, well lines could not disturb the sound at all anyway, right?

For Fretless tone is better choice just single H and in combination with piezo can't miss the point of bridge tone streaming, well I think so?

Talking about neo-magnetic H pickup, only compare with Neodymium magnet what comes on my mind is compare with speaker magnets, ...so, Neos are lighter in weight that's for sure, but don't know how affect to the sound?

Until now I only played my brothers fretless basses (Ibanez and Hohnner), both without fret lines, but have tried one of my friend (Steinberger) with fret lines!
All with dots by side!

Edit: syciprider, You're very kind, thanks for the offer, but it's almost 350 kilometers from Zagreb to Split, anyway if You'll be arround again send a PM, I'll come near You!
I must visit my local dealer around Christmas to see if there's any Fretless Bongo in the store!

 

[T Alan]

Hopefully, I'll be able to give you 1st-hand info soon.

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

Oh man, if you posted this one month ago when I was in Split and Neum I could've traveled to Zagreb with my Bongo 4 HP for you to try out

A fretless Bongo with piezo has a very beautiful voice. The headroom available from the 18V preamp pumps out a very robust full range piezo output.

Oh man, I have coveted The Small Equestrian Bongo for years. I put dibs on it when ADouglas owned it... I only deleted that pm this week... and at that time he had no intention of selling it lol

Cheers

Andy

 

[ekb16b]

go stealth, ebony board!!

 

[keko]

go stealth, ebony board!!

That's exactly I was thinking about, but does exist stealth Hp with ebony fretless board?

I'm not so sure, maybe only over custom order, if it's possible?

 

[Duarte]

No, you can't get Stealth with Piezo.

I would go HS for fretless anyway...

...something to think about?

 

[syciprider]

You also can't get a fretless ebony Stealth.

 

[Duarte]

It's not officially an option, but I believe Brandt said if you order a fretless ebony stealth, that is what you will get.

I believe. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[rizzo9247]

Oh Yeah...

 

[keko]

Ohh, mama mia, rizzo9247, now we're talkin'!

Is that an ebony FB?

If I see well from this perspective it's HHp 5, right? (Edit: now I see in Your signature, sorry)

Cool man, ugh, I'm missing some air I allmost can hear it streaming "play me, play me, please" ...

So what now, I very much prefer Ebony FB instead Pao Ferro?
But I really don't need this neck H pickup, OK stealth is not priority, I was thinking even about White-Silver with one of perloid PG
Can I get that combination with Ebony and single Hp?

 

[dmarotta]

I strongly suggest you order your fretless with a lined fingerboard. I have played fretless for many years in many different musical situations and could not imagine having the ability to visualize the exact location of the note.To me an unlined fretboard would be like flying blind.A lined fingerboard gives you a huge advantage for playing in tune.

 

[Eggman]

I strongly suggest you order your fretless with a lined fingerboard. I have played fretless for many years in many different musical situations and could not imagine having the ability to visualize the exact location of the note.To me an unlined fretboard would be like flying blind.A lined fingerboard gives you a huge advantage for playing in tune.

I agree with Dave^^. The lines really add confidence and help with playing in tune.

 

[ekb16b]

Lines would help but blank plank looks so much more badass.

 

[oli@bass]

If you can, try both types - lined and unlined - and decide for yourself what is more comfortable. I thought I'd heavily need a lined board but found out that I was playing more freely and musically on the blank plank -- because I was listening instead of looking!

 

[maddog]

because i was listening instead of looking!

+9000