Bongo 5 Neck Heavy???????

[bovinehost]

I only use the glue during shows.

In that photo, which was an early sound check, I cheated with double-sided tape.

 

[rhythmCity944]

My first bass was an Ibanez Soundgear and it was super light and everything...when I got my first stingray and straped it up for the first time, the neck fell to the floor. I wasn't used to a bass this heavy in the body and neck at the time but over time I got used to it and never noticed a neck dive problem again either because my left arm strengthened or whatever. I think for me it was the shock of the difference in weights between the Ibanez and Musicman basses for me.

 

[bluesquidd]

The picture with bovinehost is how the Bongo would lay when I played it standing up. One way to remedy this might to take the bottom strap botton and move to where the B string is as opposed to the center where the A string is. If you understand what I mean.

I had to do that with my 5 string Fender Jazz when I put a Moses Graphite neck on it. The neck was heavier than the body.

I've gone through some of High End Basses (Alembic, Tobias(USA), Ken Smith) and I always go back to my Stingray 5H. I love the sound of the Bongo, but the neck dive is an issue for me. When I stand up with my Stingray5, the headstock points to 2 o'clock. The Bongo 5 was at 3 o'clock.

So, I'm going to pass on the Bongo 5 and probably get a Sterling 5H. I bet putting Dunlop strap locks and moving the bottom strap button up a few inches will help.

 

[tkarter]

The only time the neck on my bongo dived was the first time I played it. I got so excited.

tk

 

[mynan]

The picture with bovinehost is how the Bongo would lay when I played it standing up. One way to remedy this might to take the bottom strap botton and move to where the B string is as opposed to the center where the A string is. If you understand what I mean.

Now I understand what you mean...and that our definition of neck dive is not the same. That's not neck dive.

 

[nicjimbass]

I think that's what my Bongo does as well. Like the OP, my SR5 hangs at about 2:00, and the Bongo a bit lower. When you're used to one, the other feels like neck dive. Like I said though, I've gotten used to it, so OP, don't let it discourage you from buying one of the best sounding basses I've ever played!!

 

[the unrepentant]

Now I understand what you mean...and that our definition of neck dive is not the same. That's not neck dive.

Yeah i wouldn't call that neck dive, i'd call that perfectly balanced to be honest. By neck dive I think most people mean the headstock diving towards the floor rather than being perfectly straight which it appears to be. Just hold it up with your arm like most people do.

 

[bovinehost]

I pushed the neck down to level in that photo because I was drinking water and it was in my way. If I'd had it further up in playing position, it would have stayed there, too.

Just clearing that up.

 

[oli@bass]

Just another idea, in case of real neck dive: Does it especially happen on lighter instruments, i.e. does a light Bongo (or SR) rather be prone to neck dive than a heavy one? I would suspect so, because the main contributing weight will be the body, and the ligther the body, the less counter weight to the neck...

One more reason to like my basses rather heavy...

 

[oddjob]

Oli it happens for a variety of factors, and body weight is only one small piece to the puzzle, scale, body size, body size with respect to bridge location, tuner weight, horn size, button placement, etc all have an impact

 

[phat5]

I use a wide Tango leather strap, with a suede backing...stays put, no concern here.

 

[bluesquidd]

Now I understand what you mean...and that our definition of neck dive is not the same. That's not neck dive.

Neck dive, Neck heavy, what ever you want to call it. The bass would hang at a 3 o'clock position and as I was moving, the body came up higher. To me, that's a weird angle for my wrist.
I'm pretty bumbed about it because I would have walked out that day with that bass because it sounded great. It didn't sound like my Stingray 5.
Another thing, I'm not a fan of GC, but they're 3 of them very close to me and they say they going to stop carry the Bongo because of poor sales. However, you can order them from their site.
If I bought a Bongo, I would want to use it for stage and studio and I stand on stage, not like Anthony Jackson

 

[oli@bass]

Oli it happens for a variety of factors, and body weight is only one small piece to the puzzle, scale, body size, body size with respect to bridge location, tuner weight, horn size, button placement, etc all have an impact

I understand that, and my question was not a general one, but regarding neck-heaviness differences of different basses but the same model, i.e. Bongo 5 compared to Bongo 5. Because I'd suggest the OP, if he liked the Bongo, to look for a heavier specimen which then would be balanced better.

 

[mynan]

Neck dive, Neck heavy, what ever you want to call it. The bass would hang at a 3 o'clock position and as I was moving, the body came up higher. To me, that's a weird angle for my wrist.
I'm pretty bumbed about it because I would have walked out that day with that bass because it sounded great. It didn't sound like my Stingray 5.
Another thing, I'm not a fan of GC, but they're 3 of them very close to me and they say they going to stop carry the Bongo because of poor sales. However, you can order them from their site.
If I bought a Bongo, I would want to use it for stage and studio and I stand on stage, not like Anthony Jackson

Yeah, maybe I'm not as sensitive as you are, but with every Bongo or Stingray that I've ever played my hands on the bass were enough to keep it where I wanted it without any effort. Granted, it's easier to pull the neck down than it is to push it up, but with a decent strap the neck doesn't move.

 

[shakinbacon]

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.

I'm know I'm resserecting an old thread but couldn't resist. As the new owner of nicjimbass' Bongo I can confirm that it indeed is slightly neck heavy. Not enough to immediately drop to the floor, but enough for me to notice that my arm had to hold it up compared to my SR5.

Am I calling the other Bongo users liars? Yes (couldn't resist )
No, I completely believe it is possible with the variation in wood densities that most of the Bongos are perfectly balanced.

 

[tkarter]

You sir are full of carp.

tk

 

[Big Poppa]

Jeez why do people ressurect crazy threads.....