Bongo 5 Neck Heavy???????

[bluesquidd]

I tried a Bongo 5 at GC today. Sounds awesome. Then I tried it with a strap an it seemed moderately neck heavy. I tried the 4 string and that wasn't . Sometimes putting on a set of Dunlap Strap locks helps this because it extends the strap out about 2". It fixed the problem with my Ken Smith. I don't want to buy one either and have to drill a hole one the bottom closer to the top of the bass because that helps too.

Is that the case with Bongo 5s? First is the sound then the feel on the instrument. And I don't want to be buying a bass that I'll be fighting to play.

 

[TNT]

Bluesquidd,

You hit a valid point, but not one normally raised. My observation is that many different guitars and basses may have a tendency for the neck to drop toward the ground when you have it on via a strap, and you let go of it.

A couple of ways to remedy this is pretty much what you said: Strap locks (extends), and or relocate top neck strap button (not that big of a deal but I can understand not wanting to do this), use a non-slip material for a strap, and last resort, lean to the right during the gig (LOL).

 

[nicjimbass]

The one small "complaint" (if you can even call it that) with my Bongo is that it's a tad neck heavy. I've gotten used to it for the most part, unless I play my SR5, which is balanced perfectly, then it becomes more apparent. I've considered getting a set of Hipshot Ultralites to replace the tuners. I did that with my SR5 for a while, but the HS seemed a bit tighter when tuning them. The stock tuners are much more smooth.

 

[sandman@midlife]

I never really noticed it.

 

[the unrepentant]

I used to have a very neck heavy bass, whenever you let go the neck would drop straight to the floor. From what you're saying it doesn't sound that bad to me, and at the end of the day it seems worth it to me to compromise such a little thing for the badass tone and looks of the bongo

and as you said you can always fit straplocks (with a bass like that it would be stupid not to), or just move the straplocks a bit, as i said before, small sacrifice to make a bass like that just that bit more playable.

 

[timmy5strings]

Not enough that it is a problem, in fact I have to think about it hard. It is not even close to diving at all, so no fighting it. I have a good strap that doesn't slip too. I don't even think of it as a diver at all, it just has a different balance point.

 

[bovinehost]

Not an issue - and I've had enough Bongos to know!

 

[MingusBASS]

I'll have to agree with Mr. bovinehost on this one.

 

[Raimond S]

Well if bluesquidd felt it, then he has technique that is sensitive to bass balance. If it's an issue for him, it IS an issue, for him. No need to sweep it under the rug guys. Some "rockers" never feel the need for a perfectly balanced bass and that's fine. That's probably not bluesquidds category.

bluesquidd, if you're wanting a Bongo, I'd try the other advices here, like wider strap. Later you can add straplock, if you buy it. IMO, I'd advice anyone to not buy a bass thinking "I'll get used to that" or "It's still a great deal I can't pass it up" etc. Those things can come back to haunt you later.

Other than that, good luck!

 

[adouglas]

I've never noticed any neck-heaviness at all on either of my Bongo 5s (one HHp fretted, one Hp fretless).

If I want to reposition the bass to a more horizontal attitude, I have to consciously put it there. In other words, if I have the neck raised up and let the bass go, it does not move. If I have the neck horizontal and let the bass go, it does not move.

One of my basses has Dunlops, the other has stock strap buttons.

I use wide Levy's straps, smooth on both sides. Don't know if this makes any difference at all, but it probably does.

I find the Bongo to have the best ergonomics of any bass I've ever owned or played.

This is NOT an issue.

(And Mingus, don't even think of bringing up "issues" or I'll give you SUCH a pinch! )

 

[buzzbass]

mine doesn't have that issue

 

[mynan]

I had the "neck dive" arguement with a buddy of mine when I had my Cirrus. He bought a different Peavey...same preamp/pickups as the Cirrus, but with a graphite neck and said he passed on the Cirrus because of "neck dive". So we A/B compared the basses and yes, the neck on my Cirrus was easier to "pull down" than on his bass. The conclusion that I came to was that I don't depend on the neck to hold my left arm up when I play, so it didn't make a difference to me. We both agreed that with both hands off the bass, we could move around freely without "neck dive".

The same thing applies to my SR5 and I'm sure the Bongo5. If I pull on the neck, it's going to move down. And because gravity is a factor, it's easier to pull the neck down than it is to push the neck up. But if I move around with my hands off the bass, it doesn't move.

 

[Raimond S]

The conclusion that I came to was that I don't depend on the neck to hold my left arm up when I play, so it didn't make a difference to me.

No neck can hold your arm up for you, so what you're saying is beside this discussion, if I understand you correctly. In this case, all basses would have neckdives hehe

We both agreed that with both hands off the bass, we could move around freely without "neck dive".

Right on! This is what, atleast, I mean. If you take your fretting hand off the neck, or move it along the neck with no pressure, the neck should be in the same spot when you decide to fret a note again. I don't know whether this applies to the Bongo, but I'm just trying to understand what people mean here.

 

[mynan]

No neck can hold your arm up for you, so what you're saying is beside this discussion, if I understand you correctly. In this case, all basses would have neckdives hehe.

I was exaggerating slightly to make a point...that being if you pull on the neck when you play, it's going to drop. It doesn' mean that there is a neck dive problem. I've played a couple Bongo5s...they don't have a neck dive problem.

 

[Big Poppa]

Raimond

Please review the original post before accusing people who answer the question of sweeping the issue under the rug. The poster asked if this was an issue for anyone and people have replied from their experience. I really appreciate your participation but please let us moderate. We already know that Bluesquidd has an issue...nobody is sweeping that under the rug please dont sweep dissenting opinions under the rug.

 

[Raimond S]

Ah, the boomerang effect!
I just wanted to help the OP here. Seems I felt that some presented their own non-issue as a fact to end the discussion, while they probably were really just stating their experience. My apologies.

 

[Oldtoe]

With fewer question marks, the bass should balance right out.

 

[SquidLizard]

I have a Bongo five that I haven't had a problem with. I would describe myself as overly sensitive to neck dive -- I had a bass that was wonderful except for that and it's GONE.

My fiver is slightly heavy for me, though, but using a Neotech strap has solved that. This is a wide strap that's made from neoprene. Surf technology!! The one I use is what they call the "Super Bass Strap" and what Musician's Friend calls the "Mega Bass Strap." It's wide, it stays put, and it magically helps distribute the weight so a heavier bass is suddenly much more workable. It is entirely possible that this sort of "stay put" strap has made any possible neck dive completely un-noticeable for me, I don't know. Since it works for me, I haven't looked into it further.

If you're sold on the Bongo 5, why not invest $30 and get one of these straps, then go back to the store and play it for a while. I honestly doubt you'll be unhappy with the strap, whichever bass you end up with, and it might just take the edge off.

 

[bovinehost]

There you go. That's a Bongo 5. I have no hands on the bass. It is not leaping towards the stage. We were standing around telling lies and whatnot....probably went on for five minutes or so (we're big liars) and the bass just hung there.

 

[Big Poppa]

yeah but you wear the bass so high you need to0 disclose that it is glued to your nipples