Question Bongo fretless tips? advice, anyone?

[funkychicken]

Hey! first forum post!
so here's the deal. I've decided to go with a bongo 5 fretless. it will be my first fretless model and my first musicman (I finally have enough saved up for one ). I'm just looking for tips on fretboard care, string suggestions, and also, what pickup configuration. I'm currently thinking something with a piezo, but I'm not sure yet. Are there any noticeable differences between configurations? I appreciate any advice. thanks in advance.

 

[maddog]

I like the singleH 3 band myself.

Currently liking regular slinkys on her.

probably going to try some power slinkys on the next string change.

As for as fingerboard care, just like a fretted. Wipe it down with some good lemon oil conditioner stuff when looking thirsty.

 

[adouglas]

Mine is an Hp and it's flippin' awesome.

Definitely go for the piezo.

I use the stock Slinkys on it.

 

[oli@bass]

Can't comment on the Bongo, 'cause I'm playing 'Rays, but on the string choice: I've been playing roundwound strings for over twenty years, and especially like Super Slinky nickel roundwounds. But on the fretless I started to really like the EBMM Group III flats. They produce good "growl" and "mwah" and have lots of sustain but produce much less string and fretting noise. Also, the Group III flats are similar to Slinkys regarding tension. On top of that, flats don't produce any marks on the fretboard and can be set to have even lower action than rounds.

I suggest you try both. The flats may feel odd at first but give them a couple of days playtime until they're broken in and feel more smooth.

 

[MrMusashi]

no.. rounds for fretless basses!

a fretless bongo on the other hand would leave me in biig problems.. hehe

MrM

 

[Duarte]

I love the idea of an HSp Bongo. I have an HS and sometimes just wish it was fretless, the pickups are prefect for it. Of course, the Piezo is widely recommended for fretless basses - but I don't particularly see the need.

 

[rizzo9247]

Yes! Another excuse to post this:

5HHp with rounds (slinkies). Had it a couple of months before I sold it. It was amazing but needed the cash at the time.

+1 on the Piezo for fretless...

 

[projectapollo]

I'd go with either Group III or IVs flats. I have the TI Flats on my Sterling fretless and they are a joy to play, very expressive. I understand the EB Group IVs are quite similar to the TI flats for much less cost. There is a seller on Amazon at the moment selling the Groou IVs for $22. I think you'll be playing the fretless for nuance and fell rather than power and punch. That's what second Bongo would be set-up for!!

 

[funkychicken]

thanks for all the tips guys. do they offer HSP? that seems like it would give the most tonal variety. and how bad are the roundwounds on the fretboard? 'cause i think i may want to go roundwound. also, lined or unlined? I like the unlined look, but being my first fretless, it might be trickier to master.
and rizzo and maddog, nice pic's

 

[maddog]

I went unlined on my first fretless and have no regrets.

if you're staring at the fingerboard while playing, you're doing something wrong.

they come from the factory with super slinkys so you'll get to try roundwounds at the start.

My fingerboard shows wear from them but still plays fine.

 

[oli@bass]

if you're staring at the fingerboard while playing, you're doing something wrong.

Damn!

 

[maddog]

don't take it the wrong way.

just gets down to fretting a note versus thinking the note.

it was eye opening and enlightening when my low brass instructor took my horn away and made me play a passage with just the mouthpiece.

I started thinking the music instead of playing it.

 

[funkychicken]

i see your point maddog. i usually look at the board while pracicing, but at gigs i just stare into the crowd. my main concern is higher up on the neck, where the notes are spaced closer together. but the side dot inlays should be fine.

 

[AnthonyD]

Side markers give you most of what you need...

HSp is "the" pick-up combo for a fretless Bongo.

 

[maddog]

HSp is "the" pick-up combo for a fretless Bongo.

I beg to differ.

I don't think there is any "one" pickup configuration for everyone. All depends on taste.

 

[AnthonyD]

Tom, Baby... Agreed - it's all a matter of opinion.



But I was referring to a very particular opinion relative to the Bongo fretless config... An opinion of one which weighs heavier than most in this arena.

 

[dmarotta]

I don't think you can go wrong with any pickup configuration. The Bongo EQ is very powerful so you should be able to find the sound you are looking for. As for strings, I use the Group IV flats. I like the warmer tone.I have not tried the piezo but many of the players on the forum think it is a wise choice for the fretless.
The most important suggestion I can make is to get a lined fretboard. I 've talked about this before and can only say it will give you a huge advantage in your quest for proper intonation.

 

[funkychicken]

you all have excellent points. I think i will go HSP, but how much extra does that cost (USD)? I can't find a price online because most online retailers removed the fretless bongo from their catalogues. And i guess i will just have to experiment with the strings. I'm just stuck between lined and un-lined. unlined looks so much better, but the lines help a lot with intonation. I guess lined is the way to go, being my first fretless...
an also, anthony, dude, i really dig the hobbs profile thingy. great comic strip.

 

[AnthonyD]

...also, anthony, dude, i really dig the hobbs profile thingy. great comic strip.

Thanks... Hobbes and me go w-a-a-a-y back...

 

[oli@bass]

don't take it the wrong way.

just gets down to fretting a note versus thinking the note.

I didn't. I just never get myself totally secure not looking at the fretboard. I can generally manage if I stay in a certain position or in a well known (to my muscle-memory) scale (like E minor ), but I always have to check visually when doing shifts or jumps on the fretboard.
And on the fretless, if I'm just noodling around and not watching the fretboard, I tend to "rise", i.e. over time I end up higher than I started. Does not happen when I play to music.

[...] but the lines help a lot with intonation [...]

Does it? I mean, does it for you? I totally respect dmarotta's opinion (he really knows what he's talking about!), but there's also a personal aspect to it. The lined fretless made me watch instead of listen to what I play. And I found that depending on the angle I looked at the fretboard, although it looked that I was fretting properly my intonation was actually off. If you can, try both and check what feels more natural to you.