BONGO in lefty??

[TimSz]

Hey kids,

This may be my first posting in the bass forum (usually I'm over in six string git-bass land) but I had to ask.

I've been surfing around the net a lot trying to find examples of colors on Ernie Ball guitars and basses, and have stumbled upon numerous left handed BONGO basses. also, I have seen that a few of the players in this forum have lefty BONGO basses. Does this mean they are available, or were they a one time thing? They have one at http://www.drumcityguitarland.com right now, and if they're not available anymore, I'll probably jump on this one. I'm curious though as to whether or not lefty is an option on them.

I went to the local music store today, and nowhere was it noted that they are available LH. Also, upon seeing the mahogany BONGO that Dave laRue has; I'd be in heaven for a lefty one of them. Any thoughts?

 

[Colin]

I'd jump on it...

 

[bassmonkeee]

Lefty Bongos are, indeed, available. You can order one in the config and color of your choice from the dealer of your liking. Expect a 4-6 month wait, though (they are more than worth it). If you like the one the store has, there is no reason not to buy it. You can always order a new one, too.

As for a mahogany Bongo like Dave LaRue's, you'll have to wait and see if a Ball Family Reserve ever materializes like it, or not.


Welcome to the forum!

 

[TimSz]

Passing on a Mesa for this bass.

I was at the guitar store today, and I was asking around about a LH BNOGO, and instead of getting an answer, I got nothing. I decided that the money burning a hole in my pocket would definitely have to be spent today. I was about this close (my fingers are really close together, and if you were here you'd get what I mean) to buying a Mesa Triple Rectifier head. I took it out on loan for a few days (the music store is really good to me for things like that) but it's totally not for me. Too much power, too much noise, just too much.

I guess if anyone has cool pictures of their BONGO bass, can you post me some? I am trying to decide what to get. I don't care about the wait time, because I realize how amazing EBMM products are. Quality can't be rushed.

Also, I'm officially crossing my fingers in hopes that the BFR works in my favor. I'll never see a lefty JP6, so a lefty BONGO would be an equal (if not a little better) tradeoff. That and my DD LUKE will slay all that stands in their way!

One other question for you guys... I'm looking to jump onto the fretless train, but think that a lined one would be a safe start. Is it an option for the BONGO? I have forever been in love with the fretless sound, and figure getting one fretless will eventually result in me having to get one fretted. Two BONGOS are better than one! Also, who's got opinions on the pickups configurations? What's the best/safest route to go? I play blues and jazz, if that's of any help...

Does anyone have a picture of one of the LE BONGOs? The black with gold hardware one more specifically... I think that would be intense looking. Is THAT available left handed? I think I'd be willing to go to the music store Monday and order one if the LE was still available. I have until December, correct?

Thanks a million guys.

 

[PocketGroove82]

One other question for you guys... I'm looking to jump onto the fretless train, but think that a lined one would be a safe start. Is it an option for the BONGO? Two BONGOS are better than one! Also, who's got opinions on the pickups configurations? What's the best/safest route to go?

Does anyone have a picture of one of the LE BONGOs? The black with gold hardware one more specifically... I think that would be intense looking. Is THAT available left handed?

Thanks a million guys.

Yeah, lined/unlined are options. But as for pickups, you need to get out and have some right-handed person demo the HH/HS/H/Piezo bongos at a store. That way you can get the differences in your ears.
I remember seeing some LE bongo pics at the Dudepit Forums under EBMM.
He might even have a lefty lying around.

 

[TimSz]

My decision...

I think I'm going to go for a BONGO H in the LE black/gold. It's really classy looking. So, for anyone who can answer this to make my music store guy's life easier, how would I go about ordering it?

Their book has no numbers for lefty BONGO basses, nor do they have the number for ordering a LE version of it. So, if anyone can throw me the ordering number for this, it'd be great:

Single H BONGO Left Handed in LE black/gold with fretless/lined neck.

I don't even care about price anymore. I'm so jonesed.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I think I'm going to go for a BONGO H in the LE black/gold. It's really classy looking. So, for anyone who can answer this to make my music store guy's life easier, how would I go about ordering it?

Their book has no numbers for lefty BONGO basses, nor do they have the number for ordering a LE version of it. So, if anyone can throw me the ordering number for this, it'd be great:

Single H BONGO Left Handed in LE black/gold with fretless/lined neck.

I don't even care about price anymore. I'm so jonesed.

The Bad News: The ordering window for the LE black/gold closed a couple of months ago. The Ltd Eds are set up in a way that means they will all be delivered in the calender year of the Edition. Since they are a 4-6 window for orders, that means they stopped accepting orders for the 2006 Ltd Ed back in August.

The Good News: There is a new 2007 Ltd Ed being announced at the 2007 NAMM in January that is out of this world--Blue Dawn. A nice sparkly finish with a great burst, too.

If sparkly blue isn't your thing, you still have all of the great finishes currently available for the Bongo. Heck, you can still get Black--it just won't have the gold hardware.

I recently got a single H Bongo 4 to add to my Bongo collection, and it's an amazing bass. In any color.

 

[TimSz]

Hmm... black on black...

I think I may just go for a black with black pickguard combination. It's plain , simple and to the point. Although the sparkley blue is pretty keen. I'll debate.

I doubt it's available for the lefties, but what the hell does piezo for a bass do? I know for a guitar, it can make it sound like an acoustic or classical... but for a bass? I'm confused.

 

[maddog]

piezo makes an electric sound like an upright. I am not 100% but I recall that the piezo's are not available on lefties. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Welcome to the bass side and welcome to the Kingdom of Lefthanzia!

Lefty Bongos can be ordered with everything our right handed brothers can get, except for the color Stealth and the piezo option. Also no lefty LE's for 2006.

Here are my lefty Bongos...

 

[TimSz]

4 vs. 5 string.

Hey guys.

I'm just kind of curious about how a 5 string neck is compared to a 4 string BONGO. I can see the benefits of a 5 stringed bass, but I have girlish sized hands, and find that a few other brands of 5 strings I've played have been too cumbersome. Is there a big difference?

 

[tadawson]

Hey guys.

I'm just kind of curious about how a 5 string neck is compared to a 4 string BONGO. I can see the benefits of a 5 stringed bass, but I have girlish sized hands, and find that a few other brands of 5 strings I've played have been too cumbersome. Is there a big difference?

Not too much - the Bongo 5 is a pretty quick, compact neck . . . .

- Tim

 

[Kadavr]

Wanna test one before buying

 

[MingusBASS]

Wanna test one before buying

Good luck!

 

[Ole Man Blues]

You can't go wrong with a Bongo, righty or lefty.......

OMB

 

[Psycho Ward]

Resale seems to be pretty good on lefty Bongos if you didn't like it. I was offered 3 grand for my ButterCream Bongo a while back. I didn't even blink, hell no she’ll never go! I'll be buried with that bass!

I have only one EBMM that I'd ever consider selling, the used Black Sterling and only to buy a new Sterling. I doubt that I’ll let that one go either, it’s got some scratches and I’m more comfortable at rowdy gigs with it.

 

[Kadavr]

Wanna 6 string !!!

 

[Leftybassist]

Bongos are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!