Bongo History...neck joint

[Big Poppa]

Ok Kids here is a little history...

Ill call it killing two birds with one neck joint



So I bring the initial drawings of the BOngo into MM engineering and explain that this was an exercise on a new approach. I Convince Dudley that we should let our up and coming engineer take the lead with Dudley mentoring...

Things were going pretty good except there was not a great chemistry or mutual respect between said engineer and I. THe guy did some really great things and is a great talent but He really didnt like me or vice versa.

One of the challenges of the BOngo was coming up with a neck socket that was new and fresh. We wanted one that provided unparalled access without compromising structural integrity. We got down to two weeks from the NAMM show and I didnt like what I was seeing and my comments were being ignored. Dudley and said engineer brought the bass with the new neck joint into my office. I played it and it had great access but appeared to be delicate and trendy. I didnt like it at all. I would play and you could bend the neck back and forth. I got arguments from the engineer and stopped talking and casually broke the bass over my knee using very little force but making a powerful statement. Dudley went to work took over and what you see is Dudley's work. THe engineer resigned shortly there after

The look on both of their faces was priceless

 

[TSanders]

What a cool story Pops.

Thanks for sharing that with us. Very cool to hear about the stuff like that from you.

I like the "stopped talking and casually broke the bass over my knee" part. I bet the look on their faces was priceless.

 

[Colin]

great story BP, are there many tests involving trying to break instruments?

 

[bovinehost]

Ah, I know who we're talking about here!

I'd forgotten about breaking the prototype, though. Made me laugh again!

 

[Big Poppa]

not usually Colin..Sometimes you just have to make a point

 

[Dr Stankface]

Your point was well made, sir. Thanks for sharing.

 

[b-unit]

Thats a great storey. I love hearing stuff like this!

 

[Psychicpet]

excellent

and ya, I'd guess that breaking the 'questionable' design is a good way to prove it's questionability

 

[bdgotoh]

Great story! I work with a lot of engineers and I get along best with those who are more focused on robust translation to reality than the original theory.

 

[bovinehost]

My grandfather, who was not what you would call a well-educated man, would bring me back to earth with this phrase:

"That's a nice bale of hay, but you're going to have to get it down where the cows can eat it."

At seven years old, you scratch your head and wonder why old people are so weird.

You get older and it begins to occur to you that common sense was maybe a bit more common than it is today.

Jack

 

[RitchieDarling]

Nice!

Great story, BP!

Engineers are crazy characters. But it's the SURVEYORS who are truly insane!

Ritchie

 

[lorino]

Bongo / Apple Mac

Cool. Reminds me of a Steve Jobs story (or urban legend I adopted as fact) from the Mac Development. Actually, I think this was in Tom Peters first 'In Search of Excellence' book / video - maybe. Apparently all the hot-shot engineers / programmers could not get the scroll bar right - yes the ubiquitous little thing to the right over there.

He blew up at the team (effectively 'breaking the prototype over his knee'), and called on Steve Wozniak (his Dudley) and got it done right.

Sometimes, you just got to go to the wheelhouse and get it done right. Its a difficult thing sometimes when trying to develop talent.

Cool story.

JIM

Ok Kids here is a little history...

Ill call it killing two birds with one neck joint



So I bring the initial drawings of the BOngo into MM engineering and explain that this was an exercise on a new approach. I Convince Dudley that we should let our up and coming engineer take the lead with Dudley mentoring...

Things were going pretty good except there was not a great chemistry or mutual respect between said engineer and I. THe guy did some really great things and is a great talent but He really didnt like me or vice versa.

One of the challenges of the BOngo was coming up with a neck socket that was new and fresh. We wanted one that provided unparalled access without compromising structural integrity. We got down to two weeks from the NAMM show and I didnt like what I was seeing and my comments were being ignored. Dudley and said engineer brought the bass with the new neck joint into my office. I played it and it had great access but appeared to be delicate and trendy. I didnt like it at all. I would play and you could bend the neck back and forth. I got arguments from the engineer and stopped talking and casually broke the bass over my knee using very little force but making a powerful statement. Dudley went to work took over and what you see is Dudley's work. THe engineer resigned shortly there after

The look on both of their faces was priceless

 

[bovinehost]

I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again, but Dudley is our generation's Leo Fender.

And also just one of the finest human beings ever.

Plus, unlike Leo, he can actually HEAR. And PLAY!

Somehow, I don't have a "Big Poppa" pick, but by God, I do have a Dudley Gimpel pick.

JW

 

[KennethB]

Great story again, BP. I hope Jack's saving it all for his upcoming book.

 

[Disquieter]

no pictures no bass....


still have the broken proto?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm surprised you didn't break it over the engineer's head!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Interesting read. Thanks BP.

 

[Kirby]

Thanks BP for the insight. I love these stories into product developement.

 

[EBMM7181]

Great story BP..... Can you tell us some more stories?

 

[SLUGGO]

Dudley is our generation's Leo Fender.

So...whaddaya think....a "Dudley's Delight" special edition in the works???