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drTStingray

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Aug 25, 2007
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Kent, United Kingdom
I did a bit of guitar shop tourism in Denmark Street London last week, partially to look at ordering a Classic Collection Ray and partially to help my son find a lefty Tele (Mexican)

In one of the shops, on prominent display, was a second hand Bongo 5HH in teal pearlescent - now I've never got close to a Bongo before, let alone played one but I was so impressed..............and it's also my favourite Bongo colour. The action was superb on the bass and it played like a dream.

Totally different sound from my Stingray 5 but in a very nice way.

It's only the fact that the bass had quite a few decent sized chips in it, and the guy wanted over the odds for it anyway that I didn't have a major dilemma right there and then.

But I do have a dilemma now - I have almost as much GAS for a Bongo 5HH as I have for the Classic Ray 4 string.

Do you guys who know about the Bongo thing reckon I'm permanently afficted ;)

I can only afford one of these for the forseeable future and I really don't know which was to go on this!
 

Grand Wazoo

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Oct 20, 2008
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Planet Remulak :)
I did a bit of guitar shop tourism in Denmark Street London last week, partially to look at ordering a Classic Collection Ray and partially to help my son find a lefty Tele (Mexican)

In one of the shops, on prominent display, was a second hand Bongo 5HH in teal pearlescent - now I've never got close to a Bongo before, let alone played one but I was so impressed..............and it's also my favourite Bongo colour. The action was superb on the bass and it played like a dream.

Totally different sound from my Stingray 5 but in a very nice way.

It's only the fact that the bass had quite a few decent sized chips in it, and the guy wanted over the odds for it anyway that I didn't have a major dilemma right there and then.

But I do have a dilemma now - I have almost as much GAS for a Bongo 5HH as I have for the Classic Ray 4 string.

Do you guys who know about the Bongo thing reckon I'm permanently afficted ;)

I can only afford one of these for the forseeable future and I really don't know which was to go on this!

I saw that Bongo in Denmark St. too and I also found it to be a bit too pricey for the amount of dings it had. To be perfectly frank, you will find better deals on ebay for less and in better conditions. Don't forget that is a commission sale so the shop will need to make a profit on it. And don't forget this forum where people always keep swapping or selling on to buy the flavour of the month.
 
S

sitonmybass

Are you afflicted? The fact that you're questioning if you are means that you are! Join the club; you're in good company (with the likewise afflicted.) Our support group meets here daily. Bovinehost is the resident therapist.

GET A BONGO!
 
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drTStingray

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Aug 25, 2007
Messages
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Location
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Are you afflicted? The fact that you're questioning if you are means that you are! Join the club; you're in good company (with the likewise afflicted.)

It was a rhetorical question I think (but I would like it confirmed by other Bongoloids!) - having got my hands on a Bongo I think I just have to own one - at some stage - I just love the shape and sound and feel. Having just watched the Dave Marks demos I'm even more sold on these.

I saw that Bongo in Denmark St. too and I also found it to be a bit too pricey for the amount of dings it had. To be perfectly frank, you will find better deals on ebay for less and in better conditions. Don't forget that is a commission sale so the shop will need to make a profit on it. And don't forget this forum where people always keep swapping or selling on to buy the flavour of the month.

Yeah I know Fran - they are very few and far between in the UK though :confused:
 

danny-79

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Feb 6, 2009
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England U.K
Hadn't ever considered an Bongo until I played one, then got to play another ... so to say that Ive got GAS for a Bongo ..... Yup :p , Theres one out there with my name on it someware... Its all good :)
Let your quest begin!!
 

drTStingray

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Aug 25, 2007
Messages
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Kent, United Kingdom
Does your fretless Ray have 3.bd? Then you need a classic Ray to know where it all began...

Yeah it does.

Many years ago I bought a pre-EB Ray new (it was a 79, bought in 80 -sold in 86 - very silly decision etc) - I really loved that bass - which is one of the reasons why I want a classic with maple neck :D

You got a nice collection of early ones there.
 

2ndBassGuitar

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Joined
Jul 26, 2007
Messages
483
Location
Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
Hadn't ever considered an Bongo until I played one, then got to play another ... so to say that Ive got GAS for a Bongo ..... Yup :p , Theres one out there with my name on it someware... Its all good :)
Let your quest begin!!

This one may have your name one it!!!! Blue Dawn 4HHP does it get any better than that? You need a Bongo! Unfortunately, now that I have a DDII Bongo 4HHP, the Blue Dawn is probably available.

March01066.jpg
 

shakinbacon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
791
I did a bit of guitar shop tourism in Denmark Street London last week, partially to look at ordering a Classic Collection Ray and partially to help my son find a lefty Tele (Mexican)

In one of the shops, on prominent display, was a second hand Bongo 5HH in teal pearlescent - now I've never got close to a Bongo before, let alone played one but I was so impressed..............and it's also my favourite Bongo colour. The action was superb on the bass and it played like a dream.

Totally different sound from my Stingray 5 but in a very nice way.

It's only the fact that the bass had quite a few decent sized chips in it, and the guy wanted over the odds for it anyway that I didn't have a major dilemma right there and then.

But I do have a dilemma now - I have almost as much GAS for a Bongo 5HH as I have for the Classic Ray 4 string.

Do you guys who know about the Bongo thing reckon I'm permanently afficted ;)

I can only afford one of these for the forseeable future and I really don't know which was to go on this!

Here's my take on it.

If you already have a Ray why not get the Bongo for more variety of tone?

I love Stingrays but since you already have one and the Bongo can get very close to the sound imho, I say get the Bongo.

If you have a change to try the bass again, use the bridge pickup only, boost bass and treble about 50% and that burpy, funky fingerstyle sound is there. You may or may not agree but my point is the tonal versatility of the Bongo is very impressive.
 

keko

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Joined
Jun 10, 2009
Messages
2,702
Location
Zagreb, Croatia, EU
I'm still dreaming about nice blue Bongo HSp 5 hanging in the local store! :rolleyes:

It's not sold yet and I tried it twice, ...ugh... :eek: ...and I could get 25% discount, but it's a little bit recession here, ...no gigs until April! :(
 

Manfloozy

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Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
1,047
Location
Naples, FL
Blue Dawn Bongos give me a funny feeling everytime I see one, kind of like climbing the rope on gym class....

Probably the best combo ever.... Still #1 on my GAS list.
 

Chuck B

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Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
644
Location
passau, bavaria, germany
You got a nice collection of early ones there.

Thank you! There were some others back when the first Rays appeared in my hometown who sold them soon - and could bite their asses now. I'd like to have a Bongo too - to bad there are no maple fingerboards available. The classics are limited, aren't they? So I'd at first go for a classic...;)
 
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