Bongo

[Miqueas92]

Hey,

I´m a skinny stringer, but we need to buy a new bass for our church.

I have been so very impressed with my ASS that I thought that an EBMM bass would be of the same quality.

Now, that bongo bass is just over the top. but...

I don´t have a clue as to how to judge them, so here I am fellow knucle heads, looking for help - advice on the Bongo bass.

What do you think¿¿¿¿¿


Mick

 

[bovinehost]

What sort of questions do you have?




Disclaimer: Photo no longer accurate. Will update soonest.

 

[five7]

Show off!

 

[mammoth]

The bongo, ok.. my tuppence

1. Great sound, no matter where you dial it in
2. So much variety of tone, even on the single H
3. THE best upper neck ergonomics of ANY bass in the whole world
4. Beautiful neck, lacquered, not too thin not too thick
5. Balanced, poised & comfortable
6. LOTS OF BEEF, fattest signal ever
7. Makes you feel like Zeus

Now, you'll get alot more than that list but these are the real reasons I think about why I love mine. I often think, ok... I get 1, 2, 4 (without the lacquer), & 5 out of my Sterling.. but I jusr don't feel like Zeus when I play... oh wait, you're Christian & that might be a bonus.

 

[Old_Guy]

Over the top in what way?
You think they're funny looking? We think they're lovely, and definitely "form follows function." Easy to adjust, incredible on-board electronics, extraordinarily well balanced, light...
I'm sure Jack would say the same thing, but I've played all sorts of gigs - seedy bars to the FBI Academy in Quantico, and never had anyone say "What a wierd looking bass?!" .. except here and in "that other forum."

 

[danny-79]

Santa was good to you that year Lord BONGO!!
Very.. Very.. Very.. Very.. Very.. Very.. GOOD!!!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Here's what a PRO says about the Bongo

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLyV5JLvxM0&feature=PlayList&p=8B2CC812430C5AEA&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2"]YouTube- Ernie Ball - Stan Sargeant Plays A Bongo[/ame]

 

[Duarte]

I´m a skinny stringer, but we need to buy a new bass for our church.

Buy a Bongo, and spread the Bongo love.

You can't go wrong with any Bongo, the number of strings and pickup configurations all sound consistently epic.

Just don't put all controls up full. The consequences could be DIRE.

 

[Manfloozy]

We love the Bongo, if you think you might want one, you do. Seriously, the ONLY complaint I have ever seen or heard has been about it's looks... so if that is already not a problem do it. Every review I've read about the Bongo is positive, and it has a five star rating on the online retailer sites... That's better than the average rating of other large makers very common basses.

That is why I say, if you are considering it, do it. You will be happy.

 

[OldSchool Noob]

Not quite sure what you mean by "Over the top" but I'll say this. My (only) gig is as the bass player at my church. I split duties with an another gentleman who has been playing bass for over 30 years.

Ever single person who has ever noticed my bass has commented very positively about the look (and my church is pretty danged conservative) of the bass -- some folks are totally in love with it. The other bass player thinks is one of the best sounding basses he's ever heard.

Regarding the sound, I cannot imagine a more versatile bass! I have played all kinds of basses from many manufacturers and I can tell you that my Bongo is the most flexible bass I've ever had.

To give you some more perspective, let me share this. In addition to playing at our home church, we also visit a lot of different churches. When we perform, we generally have ...

* An Organiist (Usually on a Hammond B3)
* A Pianist (Playing whatever is available but a Yamaha grand at "home")
* A Keyboardist (Playing a Korg whateveritis)
* A Guitarist
* A Drummer
* A percussionist
... AND a 50 voice choir.

That, my friends, is a seriously dense mix. And the sound system is always a crapshoot. Sometimes it's the house, sometimes it's what we bring -- and the venues themselves range from great to really, really bad.

Having said that, no matter what venue, no matter what sound system, no matter what material (we range from hymns to contemporary), my Bongo has NEVER failed to deliver -- in a BIG way.

I really think that it's all about the the 4-band, 18V preamp in this bass. I can EQ this thing to get just about any tone I want/need.

Need some pillowy bottom? Cool.
Need some in-your-face-thump? Got it.
Need some cut-through-the-mix mids? No problem.

I like to refer to the Bongo a a "Nuclear Cruise Missile of Tone"

I'm really trying here to temper the hyperbole with some objective discussion on the bass. But I have never heard of anyone owning a Bongo and then getting rid of it because it wasn't working for them. To my way of thinking, it's a really low-risk purchase.

The bass is just that good.

 

[adouglas]

Just find one and play it.

All will become clear to you once you have.

Bongo... the stuff of which "a-ha!" moments are made.

 

[Miqueas92]

Over the top = Really good looks !!!

I was just wondering about how it sounds.

Thanks, Mick

 

[adouglas]

Any questions?

 

[sitonmybass]

I think the original name for the Bongo was supposed to be No-Brainer but the name wouldn't fit on the headstock!

 

[Manfloozy]

Sound = Amazing

I have NEVER heard anyone complain about the tone (options)... Ever.

I have also never heard anyone who bought and/or played one regret it (except maybe the addiction that follows).

Even those who are stuck in 1962 as far as the looks still generally admit that the sound is potent! This is just what I have observed.

 

[Jimmyb]

Hey,

I´m a skinny stringer, but we need to buy a new bass for our church.

I have been so very impressed with my ASS that I thought that an EBMM bass would be of the same quality.

Now, that bongo bass is just over the top. but...

I don´t have a clue as to how to judge them, so here I am fellow knucle heads, looking for help - advice on the Bongo bass.

What do you think¿¿¿¿¿


Mick

I'm mainly a skinny stringer as well.

I bought a Bongo.

You should too.

Next question?

 

[Mogee]

I loved the Bongos I have owned, but I eventually went back to the Sterling. I love the growl.

 

[tkarter]

I shall simplify it for you. Single H Bongo. Every guitar players dream to hear behind him.

tk

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Each pickup configuration has it's own character...which around here turns into a kind of "Ginger or Mary-Ann" type of conversation. All very pleasant.

"Over the top, it really looks good" Yup..feels good too. Once you strap it on, color and looks kind of go away...unless you're looking down toward your belly for the whole gig!

Get one. I just did.