Bongoloid thread - You like your Bongo because...?

[ZiggyDude]

Being a newbie to the EBMM world I may have some perspectives from the outside that would help. Overall - MM basses are respected, but they have a couple of attributes that turn many people off. One is the close string spacing on the 5s. I doubt that I will find many believers here (please prove me wrong) but on some of the other places bass players of all types reside like TBL (that is not TalkBass) the string spacing is an issue.

I had once contacted EBMM, and nicely, about the possibility of getting a slightly wider neck. I was shot down HARD by the person. It was like I was asking him to build a forbidden grotesque monster.

I realize that some folks like the closer spacing. Different strokes for different folks. I realize that with assembly line building of stuff - this would require some cost to the purchaser. But like every problem - you solve it. Bongos come in 4, 5, 6 string versions so there is room to twiddle.

Just my two cents.

For the requested picture - I just got the bass so not many pics yet. This was from last weeks gig - smaller room so I used the SVT.

After an edit:
Hmm - that did not work I think - unless blocked locally. I used the image button and this URL. Ideas?
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/members/ziggydude/albums/bongo-friends-360/

 

[adouglas]

I had once contacted EBMM, and nicely, about the possibility of getting a slightly wider neck. I was shot down HARD by the person. It was like I was asking him to build a forbidden grotesque monster.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/members/ziggydude/albums/bongo-friends-360/

Hmmmm.....


Just how do you think Fender would react if you asked them to make you an instrument with a nonstandard neck width?

Seems like a non-starter to me, regardless of who the manufacturer is.

Name me one company that would do what you wanted done. (Seriously, I'd like to know... maybe there is one, but I can't think of any manufacturer that would do such a thing.)

Custom stuff is what luthiers are for, right?

 

[ZiggyDude]

I may not have wrote that right.

I was not so much expecting them to make the wider neck - just asking. After all - you don't know if you don't ask. Perhaps it was a common request, maybe geared up for other artist, I was just asking. As far as what companies would do it - don't know - many have custom shops along with their assembly line stuff. People who are wiser with the industry (or frequent NAMM shows) may know that.

The main point of the post was that an offering with EBMM of a bass with a wider neck could very well get traction. How much wider? Dunno know - I could probably measure out what some of my necks are. If it mattered. I suspect it is as much or more critical at the nut - but would need check.

A Bongo 5W

Eh - maybe not.

 

[Alvabass]

I agree that the Bongo 5 neck leans towards the narrow side and that's not what I like on a bass, but I find its width as the absolute minimum I can accept on an instrument. Haven't had any problems getting used to the 17.5 mm. string spacing at the bridge. I don't know how wide was the neck of a Washburn XS-5 I used to own, but it was really narrow. Nine years playing that bass and always had problems trying to pop the D string. But again, while I prefer a wide string spacing, the Bongo is the happy medium to me.

 

[bovinehost]

Probably not in our lifetimes, I'd say.

There are a few features that just say "Music Man" to the bass-playing public. One of those features is spacing. When you pick up a Sterling or a Stingray or a Stingray 5 or a Bongo or whatever EBMM bass, you know what you're getting in terms of string spacing.

The fivers are compact. Most of us, I'd say, like the spacing a lot.

And sure, I read other forums and know that there are people who prefer wider spacing. There are basses for them, too. I say, "Hooray for choice!"

I also suspect that IF EBMM went to the trouble of gearing up the production facility to make a wider spaced production bass, they'd sell maybe 10 or 20 a year. So you have to look at it from an economics standpoint, too.

Jack

 

[Alvabass]

Hey Jack, what's up! Hope everything is going really well for you and your family.

This neck width discussion takes me back to late 2004, when I sent an e-mail to EBMM's customer service department, just for the sake of curiosity:

Hi.

I love StingRay basses and it's my dream to have one some day, but the
only thing I dislike is that I always look for a bass with a 24 fret
neck, and StingRays don't have it. Is it possible to get a StingRay 5
with a 24 fret neck?

Thank you very much in advance.

Regards,

Alvaro Martín Gómez Acevedo
Bucaramanga, Colombia, South America.

And this is the reply I got:

> Subject: About StingRays
> From: [email protected]
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 13:12:10 -0700
>
>
> Thank you for contacting Ernie Ball Music Man. Unfortunately, we do not
> offer the Stingray 5 with a 24 fret neck but, our latest bass model, the
> Bongo, does have 24 frets. The tonal capabilities and overall sound of
> the Bongo is far superior to the Stingray, and I highly recommend
> checking it out if you can. Click on the link for more information.
> Also, below is the info for our Columbian distributor if you need to
> inquire about ordering or pricing information.
>
> www.ernieball.com/mmonline/specs/instruments_bongo.html
>
> Columbia Almont Carrera 9a No. 19-59
> Local No. 208
> Santa Fe de Bogota P: 281-6284
> F: 283-8903
>
>
> --
> Scott Applegate
> Ernie Ball Music Man
> International Customer Service
> (760) 775-4222

That was the first time I heard of this awesome instrument, and of course Lord Bongo was the one who convinced me of getting one. For that I will be forever grateful.

 

[bovinehost]

of course Lord Bongo was the one who convinced me of getting one. For that I will be forever grateful.

Ah, yes, the canoe discussion.

 

[strummer]

I don't mind a wider string spacing, but I love the way the Musicman 5:s play. And realize this: When discussing standard basses, the list for four strings is as follows:
1. fender Precision, 2. Fender jazz Bass. and 3. Musicman Stingray.

Thje list of five strings begins thus:
1. Musicman Stingray 5.

Now, while there certainly is room in the market for instruments with wider string spacing, the 5 sting standard is undoubtedly the SR5, and why would you want to change the standard?
Develop it sure, but changing the string spacing at the bridge would just be wrong, much like changing the string spacing at the bridge on a 4 string Fender.

 

[markbass99]

The string spacing on the Bongo five is perfect, at 17.5 mm's it's the same as a Rick 4001 bass.

 

[Big Poppa]

OK lets not hijack wazoo's thread...

The string spacing is funny if it was such a problem why is our five string the most successful american made five string ever? You cannot please everyone nor do I expect to.

What jack said

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

My guess is that it's not practical to offer different string spacing. 17.5mm is just a feature of EBMM 5-string basses.

Now back to the regular scheduled programming...
I have yet to play my newly acquired Bongo in a band setting, so I reserve comments for a later date.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Now back to the regular scheduled programming...
I have yet to play my newly acquired Bongo in a band setting, so I reserve comments for a later date.

Then you are in for a treat, prepare to be amazed and if you will carry your other bass and a / b basses between songs you will then be able to appreciate what we are all talking about.

And thanks to all of you for returning the subject to the main agenda

You like your Bongo because...?

 

[dobs1981]

Short love story

walking through the bass centre in sth Melbourne shopping for a new 5'er
after playing every topline bass in there, I was getting ready to leave when I decided to pluk the Stealth bongo five off the rack
dropped down to one knee in the middle of the store
played a few licks unplugged and just fell in love with the feel, the construction ...THAT LOOK!!!
After I plugged in that was the end of me.

I ended up settling on a teal pearl HH, and I could not imagine gigging with another.

so to recap
I love the ease of use
Tone manipulation on the fly
sexy shape
and Feel

It's all good!!

`

 

[fidooda]

Then you are in for a treat, prepare to be amazed and if you will carry your other bass and a / b basses between songs you will then be able to appreciate what we are all talking about.

And thanks to all of you for returning the subject to the main agenda

You like your Bongo because...?

cause i'm playing it for the first time with my band tonight. I'll have to remember how great my SR5 sounds cause i don't feel like bringing 2 basses.

preparing for amazingness!

 

[adouglas]

I "wrote"... well, adapted... this a couple of years ago, but it's (marginally) worth resurrecting for this thread.

==========

This is my Bongo.

There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My Bongo is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.

My Bongo without me is useless. Without my Bongo, I am useless.
I must play my Bongo true.
I must play better than my guitarist who is trying to drown me out.
I must out-groove him before he out-distorts me. I will...

My Bongo and myself know that what counts in music is not the notes we play, the volume of our sound, nor the show we put on.
We know it is the groove that counts. We will groove...

My Bongo is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a brother.
I will learn its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its strings, and its neck.

I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage.
I will keep my Bongo clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God I swear this creed.

My Bongo and myself are the defenders of the groove.
We are the masters of thump.
We are the saviors of Bass.

So be it, until there is no noise, but only Music.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Someone get the nurse please.... medication time!!

lol you are nuts adouglas!! hahaha

 

[darkblack]

Onward, Bongo soldiers...Marching off to bass.

 

[Deaj]

For many years I played a fantastic Roscoe LG3000 almost exclusively - great sounding / playing instrument! Within days of the arrival of my first Bongo (2004 I think) the Roscoe was demoted to wall decoration. I hung onto it for several years thinking that I would eventually start playing it again but I always chose the Bongo. Finally sold the Roscoe to fund a second Bongo - one wears Slinky's, the other Chromes.

There are so many reasons I love my Bongo' s. Here are just a few:
- Great ergo's, perfect string spacing, and wonderful neck profile.
- String tension feels just right.
- Output and punch very consistent string to string.
- Versatile and intuitive electronics.
- Speaks with athority and always manages to cut through.
- Records wonderfully direct.

 

[Atomicunderware]

It's an almost perfect instrument. I find it hard to imagine any other 6'er feeling as comfortable or as playable...it's just...right.

In regards to the string spacing, it's fine for me on a 6, in fact exactly what I am used to, but I find it a bit odd that people who comment that they would like a wider option get some pretty negative reactions aimed at them...they are saying they want to play EBMM's, but don't for that reason. Sure, it's not going to change anything, but getting defensive is hardly the way to go about it!! Perhaps trying to sway them re: electronics, neck feel etc would be a good idea, rather than simply saying 'that's the way it is, deal with it of buy something else'.

 

[bovinehost]

It's an almost perfect instrument. I find it hard to imagine any other 6'er feeling as comfortable or as playable...it's just...right.

In regards to the string spacing, it's fine for me on a 6, in fact exactly what I am used to, but I find it a bit odd that people who comment that they would like a wider option get some pretty negative reactions aimed at them...they are saying they want to play EBMM's, but don't for that reason. Sure, it's not going to change anything, but getting defensive is hardly the way to go about it!! Perhaps trying to sway them re: electronics, neck feel etc would be a good idea, rather than simply saying 'that's the way it is, deal with it of buy something else'.

Glad to hear the Bongo 6 is working for you! Re the string spacing questions, you'd feel differently along about the 3869th time you answered the same question.......trust me.

Jack