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StingRay 2026 Collection

Bingo, Bango, BONGO!

AnthonyD

AnthonyD

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Joined
Mar 23, 2005
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Location
New Jersey
It's done...

Deposit down today...

A 2005 Limited Edition Buttercream Bongo HSp Fretless is officially in the queue!

Christmas comes a few months early this year!!! :D
 
I opted for an unlined neck after all...

I realized that fingers go "between the lines" with frets and "on the lines" without frets - this could get ugly!

I also considered that I'd be more likely to pay attention to the side markers than the lines anyway, and...

I prefer the clean look of the neck without the lines...

No lines for me! :D
 
MingusBASS said:
...actually your fingers are to lay on the front side of the fret for proper fretting technique. It's where the true tone of the note resides.
Click to expand...
I'm gonna need help with this... :confused:

I understood the tone of the note to come from the point of the string breaking over the fret to the point where the string breaks over the saddle at the bridge. That permits the entire space between the frets to be used to anchor the string.

I assume the "frontside" of the fret means the headstock side - and agree that pressing the string at that point would provide the "truest" tone by minimizing/eliminating other factors (e.g. stretch), but for me, I've never made a conscious effort to fret the note so close upon the fret.

There's always something to learn! :)
 
Something that I've had some fun with since I got the Dean Pace is leaving my Boss pedal in the tuning position, fretting the string and then looking at the tuner to see how close I'm getting to the right position. It helps me to get the intonation closer than I was getting it. Next step: fretless double humbucker Stingray!
 
The Buttercream Bongo is gorgeous, but I like the brown tweed case even more than the bass. I bow down to anyone who can play an unlined fretless. Congrats!
 
Firstly congrats!! BONGO!!

Someone asked me recently what I DIDN'T like about the Bongo... I honestly couldn't give them an answer.

If I were to win the lotto this week I'd still be playing the Bongo next week.

Like someone posted above, anyone who can play fretless without the lines is incredible. I'm sure that once I get there (errrr IF I ever get there) I'll think that there's something else that is incredible. But for now WOW, "look Ma, no lines!"

My next bass will be fretless, but you can be sure it will have lines.

Kev
 
muggsy said:
The Buttercream Bongo is gorgeous, but I like the brown tweed case even more than the bass. I bow down to anyone who can play an unlined fretless. Congrats!
Click to expand...
I agree - the case is also fabulous. I was hooked on the complete package! And no need to "bow down" (not to me anyway)... I am equally impressed by fretless players - and I am not one of them! :eek:

Well, not one of them yet! ;) I've always loved the expressive sounds of a fretless and it's high time I get my hands on one!


KEVL said:
Like someone posted above, anyone who can play fretless without the lines is incredible. I'm sure that once I get there (errrr IF I ever get there) I'll think that there's something else that is incredible. But for now WOW, "look Ma, no lines!"

My next bass will be fretless, but you can be sure it will have lines.
Click to expand...
You sound just like me a few weeks back! I spent a few hours at a local GC (over a few days) noodling with a few fretless models and found that the side marker dots were enough of a guide for me.

It's gonna be a l-o-n-g- 3~4 months... But SO worth the wait! :)
 
Congrats!!

You'll do fine on the unlined fretless. In less time than you think, you get your ear tuned in, your hands tuned in, and you'll be in good shape. Should sound awesome with the piezos...
 
I actually like the looks of the lines...but I know I'm in the minority. I don't "need" the lines...but I decided to get them. I agree though, I've played on basses with fret markers and without...and there wasn't much a difference for me.

Andrew
 
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