Bongo case

[giddy4geddy]

Does SKB make an ATA style case for the BONGO? Looking on buying one but hauling it to Japan with me (worried about shipping it straight to Japan from factory, with factory case). Either the Bass Safe or regular ATA case would be fine.

 

[giddy4geddy]

correction

I guess I should say are there ANY cases (ATA) out there molded to the BONGO? Anyone have some suggestions as to buying one and getting it to Japan? I don't want to buy it there because it's WAAAYY expensive over there.

I really like the BassSafe. Will a BONGO fit in there? Will it be.....safe?? (Derek)

Thanks

 

[Derek]

Giddy,

As of now there is no factory case for the Bongo.
The only company that I know that is making a case for the Bongo is G&G cases. Bass Central in Florida has G&G cases for sale for the Bongo. If you are planning on flying with the Bongo you may want to consider something more durable.

Bass Central (800)545-8813
Anvil (800)359-2684
Calzone Case (800)243-5152

Derek

 

[easelkillya]

Are you saying the Bongo doesn't come with a case right now? I've been considering ordering one, but that troubles me. If that's the 'case', when will the Bongo have a case. What are they shipped in? Thanks.

 

[Derek]

Bongos are shipped in a Form fitted foam carton
that fits tightly in a cardboard box. This is the same shipping method that we use to ship the SUBs.
After 6 months of shipping all over the world we have encountered no problems. As of now we have no plans for a bongo case.

Thanks

Derek

 

[bovinehost]

Bass Central apparently ordered some Bongo-specific cases from G&G and they fit perfectly.

Derek, if the Bongos continue to gain in popularity, you guys REALLY SERIOUSLY need to add cases to the inventory.

 

[bovinehost]

Well, a bit of an update on the G&G Bongo cases, although remember that this is only MY experience.

I've been dragging the Bongo around with me everywhere. It goes out to play at least two and sometimes three times a week. It has performed flawlessly and I can't wait to add a four string Bongo to the arsenal.

The case, however, is another story. First, it has a little storage area in which one might reasonably fit perhaps a pack of cigarettes and a writing utensil. Seriously, it is TINY. There is a lot of wasted room inside that case. I can fit a regular instrument cable OR a strap in the storage compartment, but not both. And of course you don't want your strap rattling around loose, especially with straploks on it.

The real problem is that it's now sort of tilted off-center and the latches don't like to line up. I mean, they WILL, but it's an effort, especially with something in the storage compartment. And this case is only a few weeks old and I certainly haven't abused it in any way at all. I'm careful with my stuff, but it's a CASE and it does go in and out of the car, leaned up against a wall at bars, etc.

It is not a very good case is what I'm saying. It would be wonderful if EBMM would get the Bongo owners the same quality case that comes with the Stingrays and Sterlings. As it is, I'm sure that within 6 months, I'm going to have to find a flight case or something - big bucks - and cut out my own inserts.

In my opinion, don't pay the extra 100 dollars for the case. Save it and apply it towards the purchase of a flight case.

 

[Psychicpet]

just my two-bits....
I'm currently using a Levy's gig bag for my SR5 and an SKB Bass Safe for the road. It seems to work well and might be another alternative for the Bongos. Although I must say I'm a little surprised that they haven't done a run of hardshells for the Bongos especially considering their price range.... oh well, NAMM is coming and maybe well see some there.
Anywho, continually jealous of the Bongofied I'm soooooo tempted to drive to Seattle and trade my SR5 for an HH Bongo... if it wasn't for the fact that I love my SR5 so much... and the fact my wife would have my.. er... umm... head, ya, she'd have my head!

 

[bovinehost]

I wonder if there's any way to be sure the Bongo would fit into that Bass Safe. If so, I'd go ahead and order one. What does the inside of that thing look like? Got a digital camera?

thanks for the idea!

Jack

 

[Psychicpet]

sorry, no camera. But the inside is just hollow. It's got a bit of foam at the top and at the bottom. But the two halves (top and bottom) come apart and it's like a big hollow chocolate Santa inside that your gig bag goes into. It doesn't open like normal cases that are split down the middle. Its a bit of a tight fit length wise with my SR5 but so far its worked great on the airlines with a couple of fly dates.
SKB might have detailed photos. But a gig bag is about $50 CDN. and the BassSafe is around $160 CDN. so at $210, its not a bad option.

 

[giddy4geddy]

Hey, thanks for taking-off on this thread guys! I have looked (not in person) at the bass safe and I'm just not sure. I guess it's time to get out the measuring tape...

What's the inside dimensions of that bass safe??

Knowing that the 4HH is 46" long, will that fit inside? I see that the SR5 is 45-3/4" long (according to EB). Can that case accomodate an extra 1/4"? 1/2"? 1"?

It's starting to look like the bass safe is going to be my only (current) option. Might be taking delivery of a Bongo 4HH by say February.

I've been playing with a P.O.S. Peavey Foundation for too long. Time to step up!

 

[Psychicpet]

not sure if the Safe will accomodate an extra 1" plus the gig bag, best to try it out at a local shop after you get the Bongo.
but be sure soldiers, we will get operation Bag a Bongo won!

 

[bovinehost]

I think I'm going to have to find time to go down to the local guitar store and check out their cases to see what will fit the Bongo.

 

[easelkillya]

Hey Bovine... Do you think you could do me a favor and post a couple pics of the case Bass Central is selling with the Bongos? I ordered one with mine, and I'm interested to see what I'm getting.

 

[TimCole]

FWIW, I was ble to get my bongo to fit nicely in an SKB/Musicman Stingray 5 case. Just had to push in the inner foam padding some, after you get it there, it will stay. 2 minutes work, pretty nice fit.

 

[bovinehost]

Another update and some info to consider.

Tim says the Bongo 4 will fit in the case he mentioned. Mine also fits in a nicely padded Tobias gig bag. Cool.

But for the Bongo 5, be warned - that sucker is LONG. I noticed the other day that the Bongo case was some 3 or 4 inches longer than the case for my Lakland, which is a 35" scale bass. Hmm. Filed that away as 'interesting info' and forgot about it.

So I decided a few days later to take the Bongo 5 out to play, but I'm fed up with the effin' case which doesn't close properly. A Bongo is a Bongo, right? So I try to slide it into the Tobias gig bag which fits the Bongo 4.

No way. Not even close. Headstock protrudes nicely.

Hmm. Alright, I DO have a couple of Reverend gig bags, and those are built for the 35" scale Reverend basses, so a 34" bass should fit, are you with me, brothers?

It does not. Still an inch of headstock poking out.

So be aware. To lug your Bongo 5 around, you're going to either have to buy one of those G&G cases or go naked. I'm still looking for something else that will work. Again, those Bongo5 cases have NO ROOM for anything else and my center latch is now refusing to line up.

Just FYI.

 

[Psychicpet]

definitely a pain in the arse but good to see that EBMM has put extra length after the nut to give the Bongo a nice B and good sounding across the neck as well, 35" does provide a slightly different timbre so it's good to see 34" scaleinstruments getting tweaked to add some mojo to it!

 

[easelkillya]

So... Who wants to post a pic of the G&G case Bass Central is selling with their Bongos?