Bongo 5 Clicking Issue..... Help!!!!

[Baird]

Hopefully some of you will be able to help me with this.....

I bought a Bongo 5 HH a couple of months ago and found the action too high (it was strung B-G). I took it back to the retailer and they completely set up the bass and it seemed to play fine. The next day, I decided I wanted to try stringing the bass E-C and it also seemed fine.

Fast forward a few days and now my Bongo suddenly sounds like crap. I think the intonation or the action or something else is off. The clicking noises are driving me nuts (mainly when playing open E and A) and it isn't fun to play. NOTHING has been adjusted by me and it has only been lightly played recently as I have not had a gig.

My question is.... a) Am I a moron and changing how the Bongo was strung without expecting to make adjustments is just dumb? b) Is it likely settling from truss rod adjustments made a few days earlier? c) Something else?

Help!!!!!!

 

[Eggman]

Call customer service. Sounds odd that is would go wacky for no reason.

 

[Tom F]

Sounds like a setup issue from changing strings, but it's worth a call to customer service to be sure.

 

[bovinehost]

a) Am I a moron and changing how the Bongo was strung without expecting to make adjustments is just dumb?

Okay, first it's strung normally, B-C and the tension on the neck is at a certain level and the setup is okay.

Next, you set it up E-C, which takes a fair amount of tension OFF the neck and WITHOUT readjusting the truss rod to compensate for the change of tension.

The first thing you need to do is realize that there is less string tension on the neck. That means the truss rod is now working against forces which are much less than they were when it was strung B-C.

So back off the truss rod 1/4 turn and let it settle in for a while. Check it in a couple of hours and see if it improves. If it does and it needs further improvements, back off the truss (counterclockwise) another 1/4 turn and wait a few hours again.

I'm betting that's what it is.

Another possibility is that the saddles are too low on the strings next to the clicking strings and it's actually a finger strike against an adjoining string that is simply too close to the fretboard.

Without looking at it, it's hard to say and besides, my therapist says I shouldn't really get involved in set-up issues on the internet.

Hope that helps, though.

Jack

 

[jongitarz]

Jack, your therapist is going to be angry with you!


Jack is right though, I would back off on the truss rod a bit and see what happens. Also make sure the pickups aren't too close to the strings. They are very strong, and can pull the string down toward the pole pieces. But as it was said before, if all else fails call customer service.

 

[Baird]

Much appreciated! Thanks.

Okay, first it's strung normally, B-C and the tension on the neck is at a certain level and the setup is okay.

Next, you set it up E-C, which takes a fair amount of tension OFF the neck and WITHOUT readjusting the truss rod to compensate for the change of tension.

The first thing you need to do is realize that there is less string tension on the neck. That means the truss rod is now working against forces which are much less than they were when it was strung B-C.

So back off the truss rod 1/4 turn and let it settle in for a while. Check it in a couple of hours and see if it improves. If it does and it needs further improvements, back off the truss (counterclockwise) another 1/4 turn and wait a few hours again.

I'm betting that's what it is.

Another possibility is that the saddles are too low on the strings next to the clicking strings and it's actually a finger strike against an adjoining string that is simply too close to the fretboard.

Without looking at it, it's hard to say and besides, my therapist says I shouldn't really get involved in set-up issues on the internet.

Hope that helps, though.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

actually "if all else fails call customer service is wrong. Please contact customer service first

 

[Baird]

actually "if all else fails call customer service is wrong. Please contact customer service first

I thought I was just supposed to PM you with my problem and then ship the Bongo directly to your house to be fixed!?!?

Thanks again for such quick response and help. I really can't see the F@#%er company being even remotely interested in helping me solve this type of problem when I played their basses!

Yet another reason to play MM.

 

[PocketGroove82]

Watch It Buster!

I I really can't see the F@#%er company being even remotely interested in helping me solve this type of problem when I played their basses!

NOW WAIT A COTTON PICKIN' MINUTE!
You can bad mouth Fender all you want, but I've actually been to their production line in Mexico and I must tell you that those seven year old girls work hard for their 12cents an hour.
So what if they have no fingers, or torsos...they offer the best quality control and customer service (en espanol) of any over the border, child slave labor camp in Guadalajara.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Actually, changing to an E-C setup from B-G will INCREASE tension on the neck since a high C tuned to pitch has more tension than a low B tuned to pitch.

But, I'm sure it's still a setup issue.

 

[Baird]

Fixed!

A bit of relief on the truss rod and my Bongo went from unplayable to perfect.

Thanks Cust Service.

 

[bovinehost]

a high C tuned to pitch has more tension than a low B tuned to pitch.

Goes to show what I know about high C on a bass!

Glad to hear the problem is resolved.

That will be four dollars.

Jack

 

[Baird]

Goes to show what I know about high C on a bass!

Glad to hear the problem is resolved.

That will be four dollars.

Jack

I love the high C! Makes it easier to play EVH's Eruption on bass.

Maybe I should tune it to a high B and play through a Marshall stack.

 

[bovinehost]

Call me when the drugs wear off.

 

[francric]

I thought high C was a drink.....................

 

[Baird]

I thought high C was a drink.....................

No.... but the sound of a low B makes me want to drink.

 

[strummer]

No.... but the sound of a low B makes me want to drink.

??? Then you need some serious amplification enhancements, bro The low B should give you bowel movements of the 5:th degree

 

[tkarter]

When my bongo clicks I move closer to the high hat.

tk

 

[adouglas]

The sound of my low B makes the guitarist's wife want to sit on my cabinet.

Which is really awkward, because I'm married, she's beautiful and she and the guitarist are my best friends.