Bongo love :)

[TheAntMan]

I have been just loving my new Bongo all week...the honeymoon goes on

I am getting use to the width of the neck...I've played a Fender Jazz Bass since I could aford to buy my own bass. The Bongo is such a fun and exciting instrument. I am in love with the look and feel. I can't even remember what it was like to think that it looked funny!!!.

I can't wait to get a fretless!!!!...Well, I guess I'll have to wait 3 months no matter when I order it

 

[Neuroscoot]

Did you get a Bongo 4 or 5?

I recently put my red SUB 4 aside to start playing my NEW lava pearl Bongo 5 and I'm not sure which is harder to get used to; the extra string or the change in neck width.

I'm loving the Bongo though. I am amazed at the difference in the quality of the sound between the SUB and the Bongo. Plus I went all out and got the HHP version.

 

[tiffles]

eek neck width...as in change from 4 to 5? im looking at a bongo, but i have little hands...i already have a five string...will it make too much difference.
is it still easy to play? i want low action and speed.

 

[Aussie Mark]

eek neck width...as in change from 4 to 5? im looking at a bongo, but i have little hands...i already have a five string...will it make too much difference.
is it still easy to play? i want low action and speed.

Antman was referring to the fact that a Bongo neck is more like a Stingray/Precision than a Sterling/Jazz. If you can already handle a fiver I'm sure you can deal with a Bongo neck.

 

[TheAntMan]

Antman was referring to the fact that a Bongo neck is more like a Stingray/Precision than a Sterling/Jazz. If you can already handle a fiver I'm sure you can deal with a Bongo neck.

Exactly right Mark

I am already getting use to it. I also notice that the radius is flatter than the jazz. Nice feel. A bit of buzz but I think it is the string gauge, I will change them this weekend and see.

Also, Congrats to you Mark on your new Bongo

 

[Psychicpet]

eek neck width...as in change from 4 to 5? im looking at a bongo, but i have little hands...i already have a five string...will it make too much difference.
is it still easy to play? i want low action and speed.

hey Tiffles, never let the "my hands are too small" hold you back.I've talked to too many girls AND guys that think that and it just isn't entierely relevant. Anthony Jackson (session Jedi and the father of the 6 string contrabass) doesn't really have huge hands but yet he flies all over that neck, it's all about what you put your hnads to! and yes the Bongo5 neck is a bit bigger than the SR5 neck but you really do get used to it.


ps.My action is low and I just switched from .45-.130 strings to .40-.125...... HOLY CRAP! It's nice and quick.

 

[oldbluebassman]

ps.My action is low and I just switched from .45-.130 strings to .40-.125.

As soon as I got mine I put a set of 40-125s on but I cannot get the action anyway as low as my SR5s. It is just so bad that I've just taken in to renowned local luthier to have it completely re-setup. There is something really strange with the neck. Set the truss rod as per the EB FAQ and I get fret buzz or vibration above the 12th fret. raise the bridge to eliminate it and the action goes way high. One very strange neck. Unfortunately I can't just send it back to the factory as it would be far too expensive to ship.

 

[jongitarz]

If you are getting string buzz above the 12th fret , tighten the truss rod and raise the saddles.

 

[oldbluebassman]

Jon, I tried that and it just made the action ever higher.

 

[jongitarz]

What I meant was to get the neck as straight as possible...almost no relief at all. This would bring the strings and neck closer together, then raise the saddles to compensate. Is that how you did it?

 

[oldbluebassman]

Jon, I put a capo on 2nd fret, fretted the E at the12th fret and set the truss rod for business card thickness all the way from 3 to 11. Took off the capo and set bridge saddle to give a string height at the 12th as per the FAQ, and it buzzes.

Raise the bridge saddles to clear the buzz and the string height is way too high. I can't get the action to be the same as my SR5s. Joe White, the Luthier, reckons that the strings are fouling the upper most frets which seems to indicate that the neck is not straight. I'll let you know the result of his work. I know it's still under warranty but getting it fixed by EB could be expensive, in terms of shipping, and time-consuming., so this seemed the easy way out. Methinks that this particular Bongo is turning out to be jinxed.

 

[tiffles]

hey Tiffles, never let the "my hands are too small" hold you back.I've talked to too many girls AND guys that think that and it just isn't entierely relevant. Anthony Jackson (session Jedi and the father of the 6 string contrabass) doesn't really have huge hands but yet he flies all over that neck, it's all about what you put your hnads to! and yes the Bongo5 neck is a bit bigger than the SR5 neck but you really do get used to it.


ps.My action is low and I just switched from .45-.130 strings to .40-.125...... HOLY CRAP! It's nice and quick.

sweet thanks mate. appreciate the encouragement.....anthony jackson here i come!!! haa haa