Bongo beauty

[TheAntMan]

I was showing someone a picture of the Bongo from a website as an example of my sweet Bass. They had this look of "What is that?!?" on their face and did not comment either positively or negatively on it. That was when it dawned on me that I was so used to the look of the Bongo that I see it as beautiful

I thought back to how I felt when I first saw a Bongo and remember finding it a strange looking entity. My wife also thought it was "Weird" looking. But it only took plugging it in and playing it at a local shop for my wife and I to say - WOW!! - OH, MY!!

The rest is history. Amazing how we judge things until we give it a chance.
Like everything, not all will agree on its beauty but, it will be seen as "not so strange". I notice a lot of Bongos showing up in the performing world (the one that got me was the bass player for Celine Dion playing a "GREEN" or White Bongo 5 string in her Vegas show and other venues) and I think it will soon become an "oh, I've seen that one before" instrument.

Just had to share the love

--Ant

 

[ivbenaplayin]

beauty is in the eye of the Bongo-holder!

 

[Yerf Dog]

Well it seems to me that 90% of basses are very similar in looks.

And it's just another reason I like my Bongo.

 

[Redblade]

I've found the only people that have a problem with the Bongo's "looks" are other bass players. The ones I'm referring to probably like the "coffee table" basses, so who cares what they think.

Other people, including my wife and other none bassists think its pretty darn neat looking. I would have to agree. I'll admit when I first saw a picture of a Bongo I thought it was odd. But the more I looked the more I liked, until I finally bought one, then another. Also, I don't think pictures do it justice, it always looks cool in person.

 

[Mabongohogany]

Yeah, all that, and Bongos are like me in a sense...

In reality and in person, they are amazingly attractive, works of great beauty-
But sometimes they just don't photograph well; meaning they have to be shown ON the beholder, not just in a "flat" pic--

Here; here's a photo of my Bongo; sure it looks OK, but in person: WOWZA!

Now here's a pic of ME:

Yeah, I know, but in person.....

 

[bob atherton]

Now I've never been a fan of the looks of the Bongo but that photo has made me think again. Great looking bass and great photograph as well.

 

[TheAntMan]

beauty is in the eye of the Bongo-holder!

Bingo!!!

Once you try one you are pretty much in love.

--Ant

 

[TheAntMan]

Here; here's a photo of my Bongo; sure it looks OK, but in person: WOWZA!

DARN IT!!!...now I have to wipe up all this darn drool...better get the mop.

Now here's a pic of ME:

Yeah, I know, but in person.....

hmmmm.....ah, yeah.....um, ah....what a lovely day it is outside!

--Ant

 

[syciprider]

The only question I get when lay folks see my Bongo is what brand is it or who makes it?

Most of the time when I say "MusicMan" their eyes glaze over but saying "Ernie Ball" normally elicits a knowing nod.

And yes most folks who have a problem with the Bongo are the same folks who go gaga over really freaky looking basses like Ritter or the latest fancy Jazz bass rip off.

 

[nashman]

Many years ago, when Ford introduced the Taurus, many thought the design was "space age" - before it became one of the best selling cars (in NA anyway). It wasn't long before the design was accepted and it didn't seem so strange any more. I know there are other examples with different results - just sayin'.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

Bingo!!!

Once you try one you are pretty much in love.

--Ant

and I think you actually have to WEAR it to believe it... IMHO, the Bongo is the most well-balanced and ergonomically comfortable bass I've ever tried... that, and it sounds really good too...

 

[TheAntMan]

and I think you actually have to WEAR it to believe it... IMHO, the Bongo is the most well-balanced and ergonomically comfortable bass I've ever tried... that, and it sounds really good too...

+1

It is extremely comfortable and the feel of that neck is the best IMHO.

--Ant

 

[OldManMusic]

When I bought my first Stingray in 1978, everyone thought it looked weird. The tuners, pickguard, pickups and muted bridges all got comments and not all were flattering.

Not so weird anymore... I expect the same will happen in years to come with my Bongos.

 

[Big Poppa]

The Stingray was the original toilet seat bass That was before the interweb..before Al Gore changed everything

 

[syciprider]

Al Gore changed the climate too BP.

 

[stu42]

The only question I get when lay folks see my Bongo is what brand is it or who makes it?

Most of the time when I say "MusicMan" their eyes glaze over but saying "Ernie Ball" normally elicits a knowing nod.

And yes most folks who have a problem with the Bongo are the same folks who go gaga over really freaky looking basses like Ritter or the latest fancy Jazz bass rip off.

Exactly!! There are a lot of unusual looking boutique/custom basses out there so I fail to see why a lot of bass players would say the Bongo looks weird or whatever.

The first time I saw a picture of a Bongo was when it first came out - it was a big picture on the cover of some magazine and in Desert Gold. My first reaction was..."that looks so kick a$$". I thought it looked kind of muscular or powerful with the angular lines on the cutaways and headstock. I though it kind of blended the retro with the modern.

I know people who have seen me play it many times and they still don't really care for it - other guitar players. However, the best reaction I got was one time at my gig where this really pretty blonde singer was there. She was standing in front of me and she turned around and happened to look at my bass. She did a total double-take and said with enthusiasm "Wow, That looks COOL". She said it looks "retro" and others have said that as well. Of course, it could be the Buttercream colour that adds to the retro look but...anyway...it's still one of my favorite-looking instruments.

Then again, I also think the Big Al bass is awesome looking as well.

 

[tkarter]

I shall refrain from my Al Gore opinion.

I first seen the bongo in musicians friend catalog and said I want to try one.


Then I played an SR5 for a long time and thought it was the living end.

Then Jack sold me a bongo 5.

Done deal for me. Bongo is bass everything else is wannabe.

tk

 

[Deaj]

Bongo is bass everything else is wannabe.

tk

Word.

 

[adouglas]

Wait, I thought Al Gore invented the Bongo....

 

[stu42]

Wait, I thought Al Gore invented the Bongo....

Well...I was reading an interview with old Al and he admitted the internet was a hard act to follow but he had a magical inspiration and...voila, the Bongo was born.