Anyone here play Bongos exclusively?

[OldSchool Noob]

I've owned a whole lot of basses and a whole lot of brands. I've suffered GAS probably more than the next guy. Interestingly enough, last year, I was gifted a Stealth Bongo 5HH and since then, nothing else works as well.

Recently I've been hankering for a new bass "just because" but Bongo is so versatile and the ergonomics are so perfect for me that the only bass I'm really interested in is (you guessed it) another Bongo. Part of me says I ought to go with something a little more "traditional" but I DIG the Bongo shape.

I'm curious if there is anyone here that plays Bongos exclusively.

 

[maddog]

yes.

 

[bovinehost]

I'm curious if there is anyone here that plays Bongos exclusively.

Is there a specific question?

 

[sitonmybass]

As my signature indicates I'm not a Bongo exclusive owner. I have a Sterling 5 single H, a Bongo 5 HH and a Bongo 5 single H. Since you already own a Bongo 5 HH and still want to stay totally a Bongoloid, get a single H. They are the s**t!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

ummm ya? however first define "playing Bongo exclusively" and then try another EBMM instrument such as a 25th Anniversary or a StingRay and then you'll see that the question shouldn't be Do you play Bong exclusively but.... "Do you play Music Man Ernie Ball instruments exclusively" and everyone here would answer "Hell Yeah"

Amen!

 

[koogie2k]

Yep. I only play EBMM guitars and basses. Not to say there aren't other good companies out there...just these are what works for me best and I tend to be loyal....

 

[projectapollo]

I have the stealth bongo 4hh, too. Love it. BUT -- got a 25th ann bass and it is even better, perhaps. So, I keep rounds on the bongo and flats on the 25th for excellent tone diversity. Think about it.....

 

[J0ttem]

Yes, but it's the only bass I have at the moment

I might get a Sterling somewhere in the future though.

 

[markbass99]

Bongo 5's all the way, my other brand basses are antiques and just hang on the wall wishing they were as easy to play as a Bongo.

 

[Eggman]

Yep - and have for a while. Have had Rays and Sterlings - all sold. Like Wazoo said - EBMM exclusively.

I do own a Big Al - it is getting some of my attention - but hasn't been on a gig yet.

 

[TheAntMan]

"Do you play Music Man Ernie Ball instruments exclusively" and everyone here would answer "Hell Yeah"

Amen!

Hell Yeah!!!

I have some other non-EBMM instruments that have not seen the light of day since I got my first EBMM.

--Ant

 

[OldSchool Noob]

ummm ya? however first define "playing Bongo exclusively" and then try another EBMM instrument such as a 25th Anniversary or a StingRay and then you'll see that the question shouldn't be Do you play Bong exclusively but.... "Do you play Music Man Ernie Ball instruments exclusively" and everyone here would answer "Hell Yeah"
Amen!

I get that. It's more or less the law of this forum.

What I was curious about (and some have answered) was if people found the Bongo to be the end-all/be-all bass for them. I'm rapidly approaching that place and am wondering if it's just me or if the Bongo has that effect on others.

 

[shakinbacon]

I get that. It's more or less the law of this forum.

What I was curious about (and some have answered) was if people found the Bongo to be the end-all/be-all bass for them. I'm rapidly approaching that place and am wondering if it's just me or if the Bongo has that effect on others.

I haven't tried (thank God) a 25th anniversary bass.

With that in mind, I have found the Bongo5HHp to be the ultimate bass *guitar* for my needs. My Pbass hasn't seen action since I've gotten it. However I also play electric upright but that's a whole different beast

If I were to get another bass it would probably be a Bongo5 fretless.

 

[adouglas]

Hi, I'm Andrew and I'm a Bongoloid. (Hi, Andrew)

It's been four years and three months since my last bass.

What I was curious about (and some have answered) was if people found the Bongo to be the end-all/be-all bass for them.

Yes. but I'm curious about the Big Al and am waiting to get my hands on a Bigger Al / Big Al 5, or whatever it's going to be called.

I'm rapidly approaching that place and am wondering if it's just me or if the Bongo has that effect on others.

Yes it does.

 

[Big Poppa]

You know my job today is to put the passion in perspective....its ok to play other basses and guitars....Im really happy that you guys choose our stuff and it makes me giddy (did I really use that word?) HOw about chuffed....hahahahaha when people decide that we are good enough to be their sole choice of manufacturer...but there are other basses and I respect them too.

P.S. I play ebmm exclusively.

 

[mammoth]

I'll be honest with you, I love my sterling to bits, but I feel that I only play it so that I appreciate my Bongo more.

The Bongo is just more of everything & less of nothing.

 

[OldSchool Noob]

The Bongo is just more of everything & less of nothing.

I know that's right!

I have another bass that I play primarily as a "Fashion statement" (it has some custom graphics that include my church logo and color scheme. Everyone who sees it loves it and I like to play it at certain church outings and concerts) but I simply don't enjoy playing it as much as my Bongo.

What's really funny is that my Bongo catches the attention of folks who know/care very little about basses at all. I was at choir rehearsal last night and one of the ladies said, "Ooooh, you're playing the BLACK bass tonight -- isn't that the one your wife bought you? I like that one!"

All I could do was shake my head and smile.

(I also believe very strongly that women especially dig Bongos -- but that's a whole 'nother discussion!)

 

[Sheppardslegion]

I've played / owned many brands of basses in the past.

I exclusively play a Bongo now ~~ This is until my new Sterling5 (vintage sunburst maple neck) gets in.

Cheers,

Shepp...

 

[adouglas]

I've played / owned many brands of basses in the past.

Me too. I went through something like 13 basses over the years before discovering the Bongo. I did the whole thing... fancy woods, neck-through, string experimentation, extensive mods (total electronic and pickup replacement), lots of controls, few controls, carbon fiber, etc. etc. etc. in my search for "the one."

Tried a Bongo and...

GAME OVER.

Oddly enough, I never did own a 7*nder.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I get that. It's more or less the law of this forum.

What I was curious about (and some have answered) was if people found the Bongo to be the end-all/be-all bass for them. I'm rapidly approaching that place and am wondering if it's just me or if the Bongo has that effect on others.

Dear OldSchool Noob, don't get me wrong, I'd go to bed with my Bongo, it's that good and I am not a weirdo! The Bongo plays and sounds like no other bass and for someone not to like one, there's got to be something really wrong with them, you plug them in a 5 dollar amp and they'll still sound great. The neck is a marvel to play, but then so is the neck on a Stingray or Sterling, however to say that the Bongo is the "end all/be all" bass, that would be difficult to define and it is really chiselled upon one's preference. I started with a Stingray 5 and I contraddicted myself by thinking that THAT was the ultimate. It has a single H and I could get all the sounds I wanted out of it, then I joined this here forum, and listend to a lot of people ranting and raving about the Bongo, I went to try one in a shop which unfortunately was in a very poor state, dead strings and and mucky neck that your hand would stick to as oppose to glide. I desisted, I played a 4 strings that belonged to a guy who played in a set before me at a gig. I bought one after that (CORRECTION, My Girlfriend bought it for me ouch!), just like shakingbacon a 5 HHP and the piezo has brought a new world of tonal opportunities to an already swiss army knife of a bass. But then... I can go on and tell you my experience trying a 25th Anniversary but I won't, all I'll say is that I bought one of them too and that is on its way to me as we speak, what comes next? Who knows! Maybe another but I am sure of one thing:

My next one will no doubt be an EBMM too, whatever this clever man called Sterling Ball will spawn next from his secret lab.

For the record I too have a couple of non EBMM vintage super expensive basses that are in storage and that will be there for my son's inheritance.