Bongo Neck

[Iritan]

Okay, so here's the deal. I recently bought a used Bongo 4HH and it is a wonderful bass. However, there is one huge problem that is really getting me down. It seems as if at some point, either with the previous owner, or in shipping, that the neck was screwed up.

See, for some reason the E string has really bad fret bass and like no sustain, as if the neck is bening bent backwards to much or something, but it is only the E string, the others are all normal.

I took it to the local luthier and said he could try a fret dress but didn't think that would solve the problem. He gave me the name of a luthier in Nashville who had a PLEK system and my luthier thought a PLEK job would solve the problem.

Is this something anyone has ever come across before, if that really my only option, or is there a better option?

 

[strummer]

is there a better option?

Yes there is
Call EBMM Customer Service, they are top notch!

 

[Hellboy]

You´ve got a PM, sir.

//J

 

[Iritan]

Would they really be able to help, being that it was bought used with no warranty?

 

[maddog]

A.) It never hurts to ask.

B.) They built it. No one else knows an EBMM better than EBMM. They may not be able to warranty it but they'd be able to figure out what the problem is and get you an estimate for fixing it.

C.) Did you try a new E string, checking out the windings, the placement on the nut and the placement on the saddle?

D.) Check the pickup height on the E string?

 

[strummer]

Would they really be able to help, being that it was bought used with no warranty?

You wouldn't believe how cool they are, and like Maddog says they know your bass inside out

 

[bovinehost]

I don't like internet advice, but here's what I'd do before anything else.

+ change the strings
+ adjust the neck to accomodate new strings
+ see if "problem" is gone

Jack

 

[adouglas]

I'd modify that just a tiny bit.

It may be necessary to do more than simply adjust the neck. Uninformed owners often assume they need to screw around with bridge saddles and pickups, when they're JUST FINE from the factory. So the whole setup may have gotten frakked up by the previous owner.

As BP has said, musicians should not be trusted with wrenches.

The only reason to adjust anything other than the trussrod is if you change string gauges/types. If you use the factory standard strings, then the factory setup should stay fine forever. I've got three Bongos, use only the factory-default strings and have never had to do anything other than tweak the trussrod to adjust to weather changes.

So... change the strings and do a proper, full setup (which has been covered here in detail... do a search), then decide. Pay attention to the factory specs for pickup height, string height, etc., all of which are in the MM FAQ (see the MM website). Get it back to the way it was when it came out of SLO.

 

[Eggman]

Is this the same bass you have for sale on TB? The one you say plays great?

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

Snap!

 

[rizzo9247]

The interweb strikes again!

 

[five7]

Is this the same bass you have for sale on TB? The one you say plays great?

Ouch!

 

[bovinehost]

I know the person who sold this bass to the OP. In fact, a long-time member of the forum....so the OP can PM me if he wants this thread re-opened. Otherwise, stick a fork in it.