Tom F
Well-known member
Tonight was the first time I was able to get out and take my newish HH Bongo 4 to a jam. What a little hot rod!
The music was questionable at times (we were all just happy to get out of the house) but the Bongo was the MVP of the night. I was playing through the backline provided by the rehearsal space, which was an old skool GK 400RB with no name 4X10 and 1X15 cabs. I was driving both the amp and the speakers to the point of breaking up, which was an amazing tone that I totally didn't expect (I would compare it most closly to what Geddy Lee would have sounded like on Exit...Stage Left if he had been playing a MM instead of whatever he was playing). Very punchy with a little or a lot of grind, depending on my attack. I was surprised that even going full neck pickup with a bass boost remained articulate, but not surprised that I could cop a good 'Ray tone by going full bridge pickup, with a little EQ tweaking. That said, I left the thing flat most of the night and just dug in. That was my personal "happy place". Overall, I was thrilled with the versatility of the bass, but even happier that it retained the MM "thing" no matter what the controls were set at.
At home under mellower circumstances, and through my EA setup, the Bongo is clean and clear, with a full bottom end. I don't prefer one or the other, but it's good to know the bass works in both situations.
I could ramble on and on, but I'll summarize by saying that my Bongo is awesome, Big Poppa and company make a great bass, and both Jack and Steve are powerful temptresses. Now when do I get my HS SR5?
The music was questionable at times (we were all just happy to get out of the house) but the Bongo was the MVP of the night. I was playing through the backline provided by the rehearsal space, which was an old skool GK 400RB with no name 4X10 and 1X15 cabs. I was driving both the amp and the speakers to the point of breaking up, which was an amazing tone that I totally didn't expect (I would compare it most closly to what Geddy Lee would have sounded like on Exit...Stage Left if he had been playing a MM instead of whatever he was playing). Very punchy with a little or a lot of grind, depending on my attack. I was surprised that even going full neck pickup with a bass boost remained articulate, but not surprised that I could cop a good 'Ray tone by going full bridge pickup, with a little EQ tweaking. That said, I left the thing flat most of the night and just dug in. That was my personal "happy place". Overall, I was thrilled with the versatility of the bass, but even happier that it retained the MM "thing" no matter what the controls were set at.
At home under mellower circumstances, and through my EA setup, the Bongo is clean and clear, with a full bottom end. I don't prefer one or the other, but it's good to know the bass works in both situations.
I could ramble on and on, but I'll summarize by saying that my Bongo is awesome, Big Poppa and company make a great bass, and both Jack and Steve are powerful temptresses. Now when do I get my HS SR5?
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