First Bass

[jptortor]

I am a guitar player and love my EBMM instruments. I am in a new band where I occasionally pick up a bass when the singer/bassist moves to keys. I have been using his bass when this happens (it's a 5 string stingray), but want to pick up a bass of my own for practice and recording my own stuff.

I don't want to spend a fortune so I was thinking about a Sterling ray34 or 35, but noticed their version of the sterling bass seems to have more tonal versatility with the EQ and switch.

Then I thought about keeping my eyes open for a used EBMM for just a little more.

I am, obviously, new to bass and just looking for suggestions. The more versatile the better as I probably won't own more than the one bass ever.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Jason

 

[projectapollo]

I'd recommend a used Bongo which can be had for not a lot of money if you shop a little. For Swiss army knife versatility, I'm all over the Big Al at the moment. Passive and active, but used will cost a few hundred more than a Bongo.

 

[TheAntMan]

I'd recommend a used Bongo which can be had for not a lot of money if you shop a little. For Swiss army knife versatility, I'm all over the Big Al at the moment. Passive and active, but used will cost a few hundred more than a Bongo.

+1

You can never go wrong with a Bongo and it can be that one bass!

--Ant

 

[Holdsg]

welcome to the light.

the right used EBMM > new SBMM, but those SBMM are mighty fine instruments for starters.

 

[Jimmyb]

I play the guitar and when I wanted a bass, it was a Bongo that got me.

Now I can play both very badly.

 

[adouglas]

The more versatile the better as I probably won't own more than the one bass ever.

Since you're already an EBMM addict surely you recognize how silly that idea is.

Anyway, my $0.02:

If you're just an occasional bass player, then ultimate versatility is not as important as playability and getting one good, solid tone. Keep it simple and focus on playing, not twiddling knobs, flipping switches or pushing buttons. You can get huge variations in tone with proper technique.

If you're sensitive to things like string spacing, you should go try both wider (Stingray) and narrower (Sterling) necks to see what's more comfortable for you. Note that EBMM 5-strings basically have the same string spacing as a Sterling, but with a fretboard wide enough to accommodate the fifth string.

Weight is a big deal if you play for a long time. Guitarists often don't realize how heavy basses are. Consider this when choosing a bass.

Personally I only play 5s. This is very useful in the long run, because as we all age and the singers can't hit those high notes as easily, we wind up transposing the songs down… and you run out of neck. If I used a four-string I'd be forced to revoice all the bass parts and it would sound pretty strange.

Now… which bass?

Bongo. Unlike the Big Al, they've been around long enough that you can find good deals on them. And they kick butt in a really definitive way. They also make you run faster, jump higher, boost your IQ and increase your sex appeal.

 

[jptortor]

Well I think Bongo it is. And the dedicison couldn't have come at a better time! I just got a call to do a pit orchestra on bass and this time I won't need to borrow one!

 

[five7]

Sub 5 is a good choice!

 

[kamakazee]

Bongo HH or HS all the way, man. I have a dozen+ high end bass tones to choose from using only my pickup blend. That's without touching the EQ!

 

[Golem]

Well I think Bongo it is. And the dedicison couldn't have come at a better time! I just got a call to do a pit orchestra on bass and this time I won't need to borrow one!

Pit ? Sitting down ? Bongos are great, versatile, easy-playing
and too-uglee-for-theft. Could there be a down side ? Much
as I luuurv my Bongos, I sit more than stand up at gigs, and
I find the Bongo to be a horrible sit-down ax. The leg curve
is poorly located, too small, and the square tip of the lower
horn digs at my leg. This is my ONLY complaint against what
is an otherwise spectacular bass .... but it's a serious enuf
complaint that I'm selling off 2 of my 3 Bongos.

FWIW, the one keeper Bongo is a piezo optioned FL, an ax
so wunnerful that I'll keep it even if I hafta mod the body,
but the other 2 are routine fretted Bongos, and so do not
justify dealing with the sit-down thing. My current way of
enjoying a Bongo whilst seated is to adjust the strap so I
wear the bass, rather than set it on my leg. It's a far from
ideal solution. Clearly, nobody at BMW Design plays in an
orchestra pit .... or a restaurant.

If you have a tall-ish stool and can mix sitting and standing
in the pit, that is one good solution. I don't haul furniture
with me, and when I hafta spend a few hours in a regular
chair with a Bongo on my leg .... it's the pits.



`

 

[bassmonkeee]

I have played many a 45 minute set and 10 hour recording sessions playing Bongos seated. Heck, I play one every single day while seated at my house. In 7+ years of Bongo ownership, I have never experienced any sort of discomfort or lack of playability from playing a Bongo seated. And, I didn't have to make any allowances for the Bongo, either. I guess the BMW design team got lucky.

Of course, I don't understand how anyone could think they're ugly, either.

 

[stu42]

I have played many a 45 minute set and 10 hour recording sessions playing Bongos seated. Heck, I play one every single day while seated at my house. In 7+ years of Bongo ownership, I have never experienced any sort of discomfort or lack of playability from playing a Bongo seated. And, I didn't have to make any allowances for the Bongo, either. I guess the BMW design team got lucky.

Of course, I don't understand how anyone could think they're ugly, either.

I agree...I'm seated about 98% of the time when I'm playing at home and have never noticed the Bongo to be uncomfortable at all.

+1 on what ADouglas said about focusing on keeping it simple and getting one good solid tone. For that I recommend the Bongo Single H. However, it's hard to find used Bongo Single H models - most of the ones you'll find are HH.
The HH and HS models are cool as well but you may get option anxiety trying to figure out how to dial it in.

IMO, any Single H EBMM would work in terms of keeping it simple. They vary somewhat in their tone but all provide a solid and enjoyable tone. My preference is for Bongo, Sterling or Big Al. The Sterling is a great instrument as well and can be found for not too much coin.

 

[DTG]

Pit ? Sitting down ? Bongos are great, versatile, easy-playing
and too-uglee-for-theft. Could there be a down side ? Much
as I luuurv my Bongos, I sit more than stand up at gigs, and
I find the Bongo to be a horrible sit-down ax. The leg curve
is poorly located, too small, and the square tip of the lower
horn digs at my leg. This is my ONLY complaint against what
is an otherwise spectacular bass .... but it's a serious enuf
complaint that I'm selling off 2 of my 3 Bongos.

FWIW, the one keeper Bongo is a piezo optioned FL, an ax
so wunnerful that I'll keep it even if I hafta mod the body,
but the other 2 are routine fretted Bongos, and so do not
justify dealing with the sit-down thing. My current way of
enjoying a Bongo whilst seated is to adjust the strap so I
wear the bass, rather than set it on my leg. It's a far from
ideal solution. Clearly, nobody at BMW Design plays in an
orchestra pit .... or a restaurant.

If you have a tall-ish stool and can mix sitting and standing
in the pit, that is one good solution. I don't haul furniture
with me, and when I hafta spend a few hours in a regular
chair with a Bongo on my leg .... it's the pits.

`

I had them same prob, sitting with the bongo was a painful experience. I only ever play sitting at home and even then try to stand as much as possible. But I know what you are talking about dude.

 

[DTG]

Golem quick question, are you a big chap ? I often wondered was it because of my big rugby players legs that the horn dug into me ! Not the basses fault if I am a lard ass ;-)

 

[Golem]

Golem quick question, are you a big chap ? I often wondered was
it because of my big rugby players legs that the horn dug into me !
Not the basses fault if I am a lard ass ;-)

Nope. I'm 5'11" and never weighed over 175lb, often even lighter.

When I brought my Bongos to the local shop for consignment sale,
I assured the owner that my basses have no issues, but that I'm
just too much a sit down player for the Bongo shape. The owner
is about my size and he tried it out to see what I meant. He felt
right away the fault that I was describing.

I certainly do wish I were amongst the Bongoists of the opposite
opinion, as the Bongos are terrific instuments in all other aspects.


`

 

[Manfloozy]

I often wondered was it because of my big rugby players legs that the horn dug into me ! Not the basses fault if I am a lard ass ;-)

This +1.

Bongos however are one of the most comfortable basses on a strap, ever.

The whole lower horn in my fat @$$ leg thing was/is easily corrected with a liitle bit of positioning adjustment and viola!

A Bongo would be a great choice, and can be found used at a great value.

 

[DTG]

I miss my bongo, I would really like another.... A 5 in Randy Jackson spec would be super !