Powman
Well-known member
I am with you brother...I loved the Bongo from the get go.
- Thread starter Grand Wazoo
- Start date
I am with you brother...I loved the Bongo from the get go.
jlepre
Well-known member
Hmmmm maybe Bongo is the way for me to jump back in to the fray...
drTStingray
Well-known member
I really like the Bongo shape and everything about it - Leo gave the P Bass a major upgrade and re-design with state of the art tech after 25 yrs (1976) to produce the beloved StingRay bass (some may say the 3 bolt neck was not good but it was state of the art in 76)
I believe Sterling Ball and EBMM did the same with the Stingray to achieve the Bongo - it's certainly got distinct lineage and design cues back to the Ray but with state of the art electronics etc - I've played a couple of them and they feel very homely to a long time StingRay player - so it gets my vote big time.
IMO it's good to hear opposing views - the Bongo certainly produces some of them (some of them are crassly stupid however) and takes a while to grow on some people (often non bass players) - we had a very famous and often outspoken, but highly successful football manager in the UK called Brian Clough (RIP) - when asked in a TV interview how he dealt with dissenters he said 'we have a chat for about half an hour then we agree I was right all along
'
In this instance Sterling Ball is definitely right.
I believe Sterling Ball and EBMM did the same with the Stingray to achieve the Bongo - it's certainly got distinct lineage and design cues back to the Ray but with state of the art electronics etc - I've played a couple of them and they feel very homely to a long time StingRay player - so it gets my vote big time.
IMO it's good to hear opposing views - the Bongo certainly produces some of them (some of them are crassly stupid however) and takes a while to grow on some people (often non bass players) - we had a very famous and often outspoken, but highly successful football manager in the UK called Brian Clough (RIP) - when asked in a TV interview how he dealt with dissenters he said 'we have a chat for about half an hour then we agree I was right all along
'In this instance Sterling Ball is definitely right.
syciprider
Well-known member
I'm a Stingray guy through and through but I grudgingly admit that my Bongo sounds better than any of my Rays.
I never thought anything could make me not play my SR5. I wanted a bongo since I seen the first one in Musician's Friend catalog. Well I got one and my SR5 hasn't really been gigged since.
Some of that has to do with handing down a perfectly unscratched bass to my grandson whom BP so graciously signed it over to.
But the Bongo single H has got me more gigs than any bass I could own. Some were arguing with folks that didn't like the looks of it. LOL I am a one way old tough guy.
A fender never sounded right again to those who complained about the bongo 5 h.
LOL
BP found a world dominator. Every other bass in the EB line should just go and let the bongo really shine.
imho
tk
Some of that has to do with handing down a perfectly unscratched bass to my grandson whom BP so graciously signed it over to.
But the Bongo single H has got me more gigs than any bass I could own. Some were arguing with folks that didn't like the looks of it. LOL I am a one way old tough guy.
A fender never sounded right again to those who complained about the bongo 5 h.
LOL
BP found a world dominator. Every other bass in the EB line should just go and let the bongo really shine.
imho
tk
rizzo9247
Well-known member
After going through 26 basses in a 4 year period, I can honestly say the Bongo is hands down the best bass I've played on Earth.
cellkirk74
Well-known member
You know, I was thinking if BP would let a youngster with a power sander loose on them and re-brand them as "Vintage" he probably not be able to make enough of 'em.
Unfortunately they are pretty rare here in Germany. I have only physically touched one in my life and it was a 6 string
It took a while for the looks of the Bongo to grow on me but I love the sound of them! Same thing happend with the Big Al... First one I have seen was a DDII. I was holding a 25th in my hands when the sales rep showed it to me and as you can imagine my brain did not handle the extreme shift very well... Now I have serious GAS for a Big Al. Sometimes it takes a while for the brain to comprehend something new.
Maybe we could arrange a testride? I have a Bongo 5 and a Big Al. And I have not played a 25th yet.
I'm going to have to try one.
After playing passive Fenders and clones for many years, I recently re-discovered my Ray and can't put it down.
There is such a passion for the Bongo (both here and on TB) that there is clearly something very special going on.
Can anyone put into words the differences in tone between a Ray and Bongo?
Disreguard if this is an unreasonable request; realize that a personal test is the only good way to know but always interested in hearing different viewpoints.
After playing passive Fenders and clones for many years, I recently re-discovered my Ray and can't put it down.
There is such a passion for the Bongo (both here and on TB) that there is clearly something very special going on.
Can anyone put into words the differences in tone between a Ray and Bongo?
Disreguard if this is an unreasonable request; realize that a personal test is the only good way to know but always interested in hearing different viewpoints.
jlepre
Well-known member
I'm sure there will be as many explanations as there are sets of ears, but I would call it, "Stringray on Steriods!"
adouglas
Well-known member
Bongo tastes great.
StingRay is less filling.
StingRay is less filling.
philthygeezer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2004
- Messages
- 389
I've collected and sold over 20 basses, and the Bongo 4H is the best one of all. It's the most ergonomic and the best-sounding.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
I used to think that too, until I tried a Big Al.
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
All I know is that I truly enjoy playing both my Big Al and my Bongos live. The ergonomics are great on both. They really know what they are doing.
Lycanthrope
Member
Despite the tectonic tone, fabulous neck and emo looks, I perhaps love my Bongo most for the body ergonomy. I never realised how good it was until I played it standing - the right hand falls so naturally and I'm able to play for long periods of time without fatigue.
Fabulous bass, and first gig with it tomorrow evening
I'm gonna sound awesome and look cool as hell
Fabulous bass, and first gig with it tomorrow evening
I'm gonna sound awesome and look cool as hell
adouglas
Well-known member
You know the rule... no pics, no gig!
Despite the tectonic tone, fabulous neck and emo looks, I perhaps love my Bongo most for the body ergonomy. I never realised how good it was until I played it standing - the right hand falls so naturally and I'm able to play for long periods of time without fatigue.
Fabulous bass, and first gig with it tomorrow evening
I'm gonna sound awesome and look cool as hell
in a nutshell.
tk
