Bongo Came Today !!!!!!!!!!!

[EZ9R]

I got my Bongo HH 4 string today from MF. One thing good about Musicians Friend is their 45 Day return policy. Sorry to all salesmen. But, what sounds good in a store can not cut it in a band context.
Any way, I sold my Stingray 5 last year which I'm still kicking myself. This Bongo plays itself. One of the most easiest basses I've every played. I have it set on the bridge pickup, ala Jaco stacato sound. Still messing with the eq. Right out of the box it was close to my liking set up wise. I just had to give it a 1/4 truss rod turn.
Question: What is the pickup height for optimum sound? I like my pickups close to the strings, but since being neodymium, I don't want to set the too close causing magnet pull. And sorry if this was asked before, but are the pickups parallel or series.
So far, so good. It's a comfortable bass. The true test is how it cuts through the band. I know my Stingray 5 sounded killer in single coil mode and really cut through.

 

[Big Poppa]

stick to the factory setting with the magnets it is an 18v systerm coupled with the neodynium it will mess with the sound and magnetic orbit of the strings

 

[Powman]

Congrats EZ9R! New bass day is so exciting! Pics please!

 

[Manfloozy]

A few things:

1) +1 on the pics... we love 'em!
2) Pickups are Parallel
3a) DON'T mess with the pickup heights, its not necessary, and will do more harm then good to your setup. If you come from the 7ender world, this baby is a completely different animal (in a good way). The pickup(s) do(es) NOT need to be right up on the strings (nor should it be.
3b) BTW, that was the owner of the company who replied to you first..... pretty cool huh? He's a really smart guy and a hell of a player. He gives really good advice, as does everyone around these parts.
4) The EQ is extremely powerful, try small changes from set flat while you are getting used to it. A LOT can be accomplished by the pan knob alone.
5) Welcome and Enjoy!!! Great choice in bass and we're glad you're here!

 

[adouglas]

stick to the factory setting with the magnets it is an 18v systerm coupled with the neodynium it will mess with the sound and magnetic orbit of the strings

String orbit?

The Bongo can knock whole planets askew.

It's a little known fact, but the asteroid belt was accidentally formed when a Bongoloid with a Really Big Amplifier whacked the low B string with all the knobs dimed.

True story. Must be. You just read it on the Internet™.

 

[EZ9R]

No........ I'm not adjusting the pickups. I knew before getting the bass those pickups are powerful. I've even read where the Steve Morse model guitar pickups are set low for ultimate sound for his pu s.
Very comfortable bass. And yes, coming from 7ender World. I am switching to EB light strings like what I have on all my basses. I know Dave LaRue uses 40-95.
True test is with a band, but I was playing along with my iPod, and it's a punchy bass. Maybe this might be my Holy Grail? I'll get back to all on that. Pics coming soon.

 

[five7]

String orbit?

The Bongo can knock whole planets askew.

It's a little known fact, but the asteroid belt was accidentally formed when a Bongoloid with a Really Big Amplifier whacked the low B string with all the knobs dimed.

True story. Must be. You just read it on the Internet™.

Sorry about that.

 

[EZ9R]

A few things:

5) Welcome and Enjoy!!! Great choice in bass and we're glad you're here!

I reluctantly sold my '06 Stingray 5 last year. It was a toss up of a Sterling 5 H or the Bongo HH. So far, glad I got the Bongo. Probably the most comfortable bass I've played and I've owned Alembics, Tobias (Pre Gibson), 7ender Jazz, Ken Smith, Lakland, Warwick, etc. Every 7ender I get, I swap out pickups. The other brands I mentioned had it's plus and minus'. One would record great, but not cut it live and visa verse, However, the Stingray 5 did both. I know tone comes from your hands, but I'm looking for the Holy Grail of bass. We'll see after a few gigs and recording sessions with the Bongo. So far, I stoked.

I'll post some pics and some recordings soon.

 

[bovinehost]

Have I mentioned that I am sort of a fan of the Bongo?

Nice choice. I've been waffling back and forth between the Bongo and the Big Al these last few months, but if I had to choose just one....well, I'd knock myself in the head, really.

 

[mmbassplayer]

Maybe this might be my Holy Grail?

You are correct Sir... welcome. JOSH

 

[keko]

Congrats!

I still want a Bongo..., maybe some day...

 

[jlepre]

From the words of the famous Freddie "BOOM BOOM" Washington,

WELCOME BACK!

 

[Big Poppa]

jack if you decide to knock yourself in the head there maybe volunteers...but only after they bonk mine

 

[Mabongohogany]

The true test is how it cuts through the band.

Well, if that's the TRUE test, it's the equivalent of now my Subaru WRX Sportwagon performed on it's CA Emissions Certificate Requirement yesterday...

It ACED it!

Seriously, I have lots of fine bass guitars, including (1) Bongo, and cutting through the mix in a band situation-that's a given.
The electronics of the Bongo are powerful AND balanced; it's TOO fun playing with them, because once you have a great tone dialed in, the slightest motion
of the wrist takes it to another pleasing tonal spectrum! Very kewl, almost too much fun; like, well S-E-* after the 8th or 9th time in one evening,,,,
Errr..

Anyway, yes, the Bongo cuts through.

 

[JohnnyBoy]

No need to adjust the Bongo hadware- my Bongos have been just fine. I only adjust the tones settings to get the sounds required.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Adjusting a Bongo would be like moving Cindy Crawford's Mole...

It's perfect right where it is...

 

[EZ9R]

The true test is how it cuts through the band.

Well, if that's the TRUE test, it's the equivalent of now my Subaru WRX Sportwagon performed on it's CA Emissions Certificate Requirement yesterday...

It ACED it!



Anyway, yes, the Bongo cuts through.

Like I said, some basses sound good in the store when you're jamming out on it. But, when you're in a band context, what sounds good solo, doesn't cut through cymbals, guitars, keys...etc. I play in a jazz/rock band (ex. Dregs/SMB) and I take a few solos. My Ken Smith was kind of muddy. My Stingray 5, you could hear every note. My style is Jaco, Jeff Berlin, Gary Willis, Dave LaRue.

 

[strummer]

Welcome to Bongolia

 

[Mabongohogany]

My style is Jaco, Jeff Berlin, Gary Willis, Dave LaRue.

Interesting style.

I have some basses that are "known" for "cutting through the mix", some due to the pups, others due to the woods, others a combination thereof.

The Bongo- Now THERE's a package for ya- (That's what she said...)

Music-store noodling rarely tells anything about how a bass will sound in a live situation, but it can and does at least for me tell me how it feels.

There's a lot of factors in the sound chain in cutting through the mix of course-Including your amp, speakers, bass, fingers and brain.

Bongo is a no-brainer as far as cutting through.
If one doesn't lay right in the mix...it's not the instrument----- --

 

[Manfloozy]

Welcome to Bongolia

Is that anywhere near Bongoladesh?