bassmonkeee
Well-known member
Lots of big pics ahead...
As some of you know, I have modified both of my Bongos with Dunlop recessed straplocks. After a couple of weeks use, I am very glad that I did the deed. They work great, bring the Bongo just a little closer to my body, and go with the lines of the bass better than the ones that stick out.
What you don't know is that I've had something else in the works for the past couple of weeks, too....
I had the opportunity to pick up a Moody 4" leather strap for cheap online, and it had a blue suede back and blue thread. I thought it would look cool on the Black Sapphire Bongo with a blue pearl pickguard. So, I went to www.pickguards.us and ordered one. Here's how it looks:
With the strap:
And, without strap:
Full shot with annoying sun action!
Art shot:
And, lastly, a link to a close up of the strap and pickguard--click if you dare!
http://www.mindspring.com/~jshew2/Bongos/blacksapphire_Bongo_front_giant.jpg
I have been interested in a gold acrylic pickguard material for a while that I found at the aforementioned website. When I called to order the blue, I asked if he'd send a sample of the gold acrylic since I didn't want to spend the money based a sample circle on a website. The guy I talked to ws very helpful, and told me all about the material. Turns out it's an antique piece of swirl acrylic. It basically looks like a bowling bowl, or melting lava. Before he got to my order, I called and told him to skip the sample, and go ahead and send the pickguard. Heh...
Here's a new sample he recently added to the website:
I think I made a wise choice.
You have no idea how hard it is to photograph a white bass...
A high contrast picture to highlight more of the swirly pattern in the pickguard--it's like the Bongo is a small sun....
Here's a giant pic:
http://www.mindspring.com/~jshew2/Bongos/white_Bongo_ghost_lava_giant.jpg
And, a giant pic of the pickguard--unfortunately, clouds were going overhead at the time and I was rapidly losing light to work with.
http://www.mindspring.com/~jshew2/Bongos/white_Bongo_ghost_lava_close.jpg
Unfortunately, there is a small row of bubbles in the gold swirl (visible above the single coil on the giant pickguard picture). Since it had an opaque film on it, there isn't any way they could have known about it. I'm going to call them on Monday, but it doesn't bother me enough to send it back and get a new one. I am pretty sure I can get some ultra fine 1200 grit sandpaper and smooth it down some.
I'm so very pleased with both of these basses, it's amazing. I played the Black Sapphire fretted at practice today, and the thing is a confirmed monster into my Mesa Walkabout/Schroeder 1210 rig. And, with the Sadowsky flats, it sounds better than it's ever sounded. I can't believe I found a flatwound that I like more than TI Flats. It almost feels strange typing that...
Anyway, thanks for looking, and reading. Would you believe I have something else on the way for the Black Sapphire Bongo?!? Look for an update next week...
As some of you know, I have modified both of my Bongos with Dunlop recessed straplocks. After a couple of weeks use, I am very glad that I did the deed. They work great, bring the Bongo just a little closer to my body, and go with the lines of the bass better than the ones that stick out.
What you don't know is that I've had something else in the works for the past couple of weeks, too....
I had the opportunity to pick up a Moody 4" leather strap for cheap online, and it had a blue suede back and blue thread. I thought it would look cool on the Black Sapphire Bongo with a blue pearl pickguard. So, I went to www.pickguards.us and ordered one. Here's how it looks:
With the strap:
And, without strap:
Full shot with annoying sun action!
Art shot:
And, lastly, a link to a close up of the strap and pickguard--click if you dare!
http://www.mindspring.com/~jshew2/Bongos/blacksapphire_Bongo_front_giant.jpg
I have been interested in a gold acrylic pickguard material for a while that I found at the aforementioned website. When I called to order the blue, I asked if he'd send a sample of the gold acrylic since I didn't want to spend the money based a sample circle on a website. The guy I talked to ws very helpful, and told me all about the material. Turns out it's an antique piece of swirl acrylic. It basically looks like a bowling bowl, or melting lava. Before he got to my order, I called and told him to skip the sample, and go ahead and send the pickguard. Heh...
Here's a new sample he recently added to the website:
I think I made a wise choice.
You have no idea how hard it is to photograph a white bass...
A high contrast picture to highlight more of the swirly pattern in the pickguard--it's like the Bongo is a small sun....
Here's a giant pic:
http://www.mindspring.com/~jshew2/Bongos/white_Bongo_ghost_lava_giant.jpg
And, a giant pic of the pickguard--unfortunately, clouds were going overhead at the time and I was rapidly losing light to work with.
http://www.mindspring.com/~jshew2/Bongos/white_Bongo_ghost_lava_close.jpg
Unfortunately, there is a small row of bubbles in the gold swirl (visible above the single coil on the giant pickguard picture). Since it had an opaque film on it, there isn't any way they could have known about it. I'm going to call them on Monday, but it doesn't bother me enough to send it back and get a new one. I am pretty sure I can get some ultra fine 1200 grit sandpaper and smooth it down some.
I'm so very pleased with both of these basses, it's amazing. I played the Black Sapphire fretted at practice today, and the thing is a confirmed monster into my Mesa Walkabout/Schroeder 1210 rig. And, with the Sadowsky flats, it sounds better than it's ever sounded. I can't believe I found a flatwound that I like more than TI Flats. It almost feels strange typing that...
Anyway, thanks for looking, and reading. Would you believe I have something else on the way for the Black Sapphire Bongo?!? Look for an update next week...
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