Help! Bongo Options for a Future Bongoloid (Long Post)

[globogim]

Hello, you dont know me, but im a newbie on a forum so I must be important

Anyway, I am trying to get myself a Bongo 5 for my birthday (approx. 4 months away, should get here around then) and I was hoping for some assistance concerning my options. It is going to be for my 16th B-Day and im not really doing anything else so it is somewhat justified. (its a bongo, of course its justified, correct? )

ANYWAY, to begin, I want a seriously unique colour combo and despite being the flagship model, I havent seen many Orange Firemist + Orange Swirl Bongo pics floating around. So far I have had my heart set on that setup, but its open for discussion as I know so many bongos are eye diabetes embodied (SWEEEET) Any suggestions on awesome looking, unique combos? Also, does the Firemist have a sparkle to it or is it just gloss?

Also, it is not coming out of my own pocket, but id feel pretty piss poor if I put my family through financial turmoil by getting the incorrect setup and overspending. I enjoy slapop quite a bit, and I have tried the HH Bongo previously. I enjoyed its sound but I could tell popping would take some getting used to. Its not as if I play slap funk constantly, but I enjoy it. Would you recommend a single H model for a part time slapper, or would the loss of versatility not justify the slight inconvenience of the HH?

Finally, I have previously considered an acoustic bass and I like the concept but not the price tag of another bass. I have also considered using the Bongo Piezo to work as some kind of an Acoustic/Electric for occasional use. I dont know if I would really use it all that much though, I havent gotten a chance to use it. Also I have heard the piezo does not go particularly well with the Bongo from another site For the $400 addition, does the Piezo add enough versatility to justify the price? Could it be used as a small substitute for acoustic bass? Does the piezo work well with the Bongo in your opinion?

Wow that was long and annoying, sorry for making you go through that, I like to be sure of my purchases.

In advance, thank you for putting up with me and my stupidity

 

[bassmonkey]

Can't go wrong with any pickup combination on the Bongo(see my sig).

HH is my favourite. You will easily adapt your slap tecnique. Don't let that put you off.

 

[CFA]

I play slap occasionally as well, and have a HH Bongo. I have no trouble slapping it, and I haven't since day one. I think most people who come here will tell you that, for the most part, its just practicing it a little extra and you should get it down no problem.

 

[globogim]

Thats all good, I really didnt wanna lose that 4 band I had previously tried. Its a world away from my P-Bass (woo 2 knobs), but I learned slap on that and am most comfortable with it (weird, I know) so I think I can get away with anything at this point.

1 down, 4 questions to go. Thanks for the help so far

 

[Eggman]

I also prefer the HH and I have piezo on both my HS Bongos. The piezo is a good feature but not totally necessary, IMO.

 

[Alvabass]

Slapping on my HH Bongo has never been a problem for me. About the piezo bridge, I must say that to my ears it adds a nice growl to slapped/popped notes and a beautiful color to solo tapping pieces, but not a remarkable difference for standard fingerstyle lines in a band context. In that area, the piezo bridge works much better on a fretless.

Eye diabetes embodied Bongos? Maybe you are talking about my pair:

 

[globogim]

Beautiful basses, bravo. Side note, what is the PG called on the Orange? Its not listed on the site or anything, but it looks interesting as an alternative to orange swirl.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Anyway, I am trying to get myself a Bongo 5 for my birthday (approx. 4 months away, should get here around then)

ANYWAY, to begin, I want a seriously unique colour combo

Any suggestions on awesome looking, unique combos?

Dargie MkII - doesn't come any more awesome than color switching greens.

 

[globogim]

Dargie MkII - doesn't come any more awesome than color switching greens.

Ive seen the DargieII and I love it, any idea when its going to be offered and if it will be more expensive than the common colours? Sorry if this is easily found in other posts but im feeling quite lazy

Anyway the most important issue ATM is the Piezo, any more input from experienced bongolians? Is it REALLY worth the extra $400? It it worth it to utilize every ounce of the Bongo's versatility?

 

[Duarte]

If you get s Single H Bongo+piezo you get the 4 band EQ (same number of knobs as an HH or HS) and all the awesome tone of the single H. Seriously, H is where it's at, or HS. I'm not a fan of the HH personally and I loooove to slap! Plus the HS single coil is a lot less intrusive than the HH's neck H.

 

[GreyDad]

Start with an H, then expand from there.

You will need at least 3 or 4 Bongo's anyway so start basic and grow into it

 

[bassmonkeee]

If you get s Single H Bongo+piezo you get the 4 band EQ (same number of knobs as an HH or HS) and all the awesome tone of the single H. Seriously, H is where it's at, or HS. I'm not a fan of the HH personally and I loooove to slap! Plus the HS single coil is a lot less intrusive than the HH's neck H.

Actually, the top of the single coil is in the same place as the top of the humbucker in relation to the end of the fretboard. So, there is no more room for slapping on the SH than there is on the HH. Unless, of course, you plan on doing it between pickups.

 

[Duarte]

Actually, the top of the single coil is in the same place as the top of the humbucker in relation to the end of the fretboard. So, there is no more room for slapping on the SH than there is on the HH. Unless, of course, you plan on doing it between pickups.

Huh, never knew that. Maybe it's just the sheer size of the neck bucker which makes it more awkwatd for hand placement than the Single. I mean, I can slap fine on it and it is comfortable, but the HS seems more natural to me.

As for the Piezo, I refer you to this thread: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/36706-sterling-five-knobs.html

It's not a Bongo, but you get the idea (scroll to the bottom of the page and there isa youtube video)

 

[adouglas]

Finally, I have previously considered an acoustic bass and I like the concept but not the price tag of another bass. I have also considered using the Bongo Piezo to work as some kind of an Acoustic/Electric for occasional use. I dont know if I would really use it all that much though, I havent gotten a chance to use it. Also I have heard the piezo does not go particularly well with the Bongo from another site For the $400 addition, does the Piezo add enough versatility to justify the price? Could it be used as a small substitute for acoustic bass? Does the piezo work well with the Bongo in your opinion?

The other site is wrong. That's must my opinion, though, and you need to decide for yourself.

Whether it's worth the price really depends on your needs and preferences. My last band was built around a 12-string acoustic guitar, and my HHp was excellent in that setting. My current band is R&B/Motown/Soul/Funk with powerful singers, loud guitars and keyboard... a lot going on... and I don't feel enough of a need for the piezo to warrant it for most of the songs. The subtlety and distinctiveness of its tone would be lost most of the time.

For the few quiet, acoustic songs we play (e.g. At Last, Killing Me Softly, Natural Woman) where it would make a difference, I switch to my Hp fretless anyway.

One thing you should be aware of is that a piezo bridge does not an acoustic-electric make. It's really cool to be sure, but you are not going to cop a real acoustic tone out of it. True acoustic tone comes from the ACOUSTIC part, not the electric part. Personally I'm not a big fan of acoustic-electric basses. They're huge for one thing, and I haven't really felt the need for what they have to offer.

Fitting in with acoustic instruments is first and foremost about how you approach playing the bass, and only secondarily about the electronics you use IMHO. You need to experiment with where you pluck the string... anywhere from way, way up the fretboard (like, say, the 15th fret) to way back near the bridge... you'll get all kinds of variation that way. Also, how you pluck is important. Using more of the pad of your finger gives it a softer, rounder attack.

If you're the kind of player who absolutely must anchor the thumb of your plucking hand in a specific spot on the bass, this will be more difficult for you.

 

[Manfloozy]

In my personal experience (wasn't on a Bongo) but a Piezo bridge isn't really an adaquate substitute for an accoustic (upright)... But that's just my opinion... With that said, my next Bongo WILL have a Piezo. Are you going fretted or fretless? A Piezo is more "useful" on a fretless.

 

[UniTap]

HH is a safe choice IMO. I've tried the HS and it's just not my thing. The single H is great also.

 

[Alvabass]

Anyway the most important issue ATM is the Piezo, any more input from experienced bongolians? Is it REALLY worth the extra $400? It it worth it to utilize every ounce of the Bongo's versatility?

Just after receiving my fretted Bongo back in 2005 I recorded several audio clips trying to show the differences between different PU combinations and EQ (including piezos, of course). I can send them to your e-mail for you to judge if you are interested.

 

[Manfloozy]

HH is a safe choice IMO. I've tried the HS and it's just not my thing. The single H is great also.

I didn't want to hijack the thread but I am morbidly curious about everyones opinions on the H vs S neck pickup on the Bongo. I've never played an HH and wander how the difference would be described. I prefer my neck PUP to be smooth, full and round... Not really aggressive. I liked the S, but don't have a direct comparison to pull from.

 

[ZiggyDude]

I have the HH and find that I usually set the pickup pan dead center for both pickups. This is the first bass where the bridge pickup is really usable and in some ways sonically better than the neck (mattering what you are looking for of course). Most 2 pickup basses I often ignore the bridge pickup altogether - or just pan a tweak of it at best.

As far as being "In the Way" - I am actually using the neck pickup as the thumb rest. I would hate to lose it.

I don't slap much - mostly aggressive finger bass and some pick. I am a rocker or new waver

Different strokes for different folks.........

 

[globogim]

Once again, thanks for all the help, very quick help I must add. I think im gonna stick with the HH as I enjoyed the pup placement when I played it fingerstyle. I am still loving my P-Bass to be honest, and the split pup seems to be the best place for me to put my thumb, as opposed to swapping strings while moving up and down them. I found the neck humbucker to be quite comfortable and I would think I would use it as a thumb rest, while still appreciating the tone given from it. Slapping will be fine for me in time im sure.

Concerning the piezo, its the only big 16th birthday present i'll ever receive (no real party, you only get one 16th), and beyond sounding like a selfish little kid I think I would like the money spent on it to utilize every little bit of its versatility, even if its quite a bit more $$$. I know its a good deal of money extra, but I like the tone and I love experimenting with stuff. Plus, im getting a little discount that could cover a good bit of the piezo anyway so I figure, why not utilize it? What can I say, im a leech, but I know im gonna love me some super-bongo with all the extras.