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Question Flats on a Bongo 4H maybe?

danny-79

danny-79

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Feb 6, 2009
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So bands being bands I’ve parted ways with Leaf after 3yrs. I’d been playing the Bongo 5s exclusively for about a year and got a very nice heavy/hard rock tone going on (nickel rounds various pedals, I always tune down a full step, really never going to miss fret 23&24 but that’s another story) a little gutted to be giving it up but onwards upwards and NEXT! so to speak.

But anyways, new gig I’ve got lined up, Country Rock, think Luke Combes that sort of style. I was a little sceptical to start with to say the least but I’m really getting into it and enjoying it. Festival gigs starting up in a couple of weeks, three rehearsals booked, a genre I don’t know much about, what could go wrong ? 😂

I’ve been using SR4HH to learn the material with, not that I’ve got any further than headphones regarding setting up the “tone” whatever that might me. I just figured it comes with lots of options but I won’t know till I get to the practice room next week.
Then just had a light bulb moment and thought Bongo 4H with flats maybe?
I’ve got a set of half sounds that I put on blue Stingray a while ago and didn’t like them, didn’t suit it (in my opinion anyways) so took them off. Might be worth Bongoing them and go from there? I’m looking for something but don’t know what I’m looking for. Country Rock Tone crash course would be a good start. I’ve got 14 days…….

Help please and thank you
 
They will probably sound great on the bongo but I would show up with a fender looking bass. Blue stingray. My 4 last original bands all lasted 3 years each, lol. You are going to have some fun with your new band I predict.
 
five7 said:
They will probably sound great on the bongo but I would show up with a fender looking bass. Blue stingray. My 4 last original bands all lasted 3 years each, lol. You are going to have some fun with your new band I predict.
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The three year itch 😂

Didn’t really think about the aesthetics of it to be honest. Buttercream and SunBlue you think might be visually appreciated. (Bongo 4 has a mop looking pickguard, everything else is matte black. Buttercream has the fancy stuff on it. I’ve not played either of them much recently so could be a good opportunity to do so)

It’s a whole new experience anyways, the opportunity has come my way and I’m all in. Just got a lot of homework to do, and quickIMG_0112.jpeg
 
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The buttercreme looks verrrrry country, especially with that PG. Theres a sense of "Old Americana" to that pattern. The body color isnt merely a color ... it looks like white that has gotten yellowed with time. Looking old is looking country. Combine that with the right bandana and youre goode.
 
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Golem said:
The buttercreme looks verrrrry country, especially with that PG. Theres a sense of "Old Americana" to that pattern. The body color isnt merely a color ... it looks like white that has gotten yellowed with time. Looking old is looking country. Combine that with the right bandana and youre goode.
Click to expand...
I took it to a rehearsal the other night, thumbs up from the band and having not played that bass for a while I’d forgotten how nice it is to play so all good
(now to dust my cowboy boots off 😜)
 
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My bongo 4h has been wearing flats for probably close to 20 years now. It's all I use on all my basses and I play rock/punk/etc. I love them.
 
The low B may be strange. I tried flats on a 5er and couldn’t adjust to the lack of attack on the B. Still have the 5 string set of flats if you want to try them
 
danny-79 said:
I took it to a rehearsal the other night, thumbs up from the band and having not played that bass for a while I’d forgotten how nice it is to play so all good
(now to dust my cowboy boots off 😜)
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HELLNO !!! Keep the boots dusty !
 
I’m a flats guy through and through. So take my advice with a grain of salt. Maybe two grains.
My band (wise-ass rockabilly/country and if it ain’t root-five it will be before we’re done) wouldn’t know what to do if I showed up with rounds. A Bongo or a Big Al is what I use and it really helps define our sound.
Yes, the Bongo looked out of place to them at first but they got over it. Good thing because I wasn’t going to change.
Flats on any MM bass tended to be controversial way back when, especially on bass forums. I was accused of neutering my basses.
But they were MY basses. I love that big, active MM tone with flats. I think more people these days, having tried it, accept that it’s a killer tone.
Aside: not Dave LaRue. He picked up my Bongo 5H once to test BP’s assertion that the single H was a secret weapon. He got this weird look and said, “Oh…flats. These are cool, I guess, for YOUR gig…”. Obviously not for his! Made me laugh that he even knew ‘my gig’.
I just got my first new Bongo in quite a few years. I immediately strung it with Cobalt Flats. These are a good choice for peeps who are used to having rounds; you can dial in some zing if you’re so inclined.
For the record, I’m not so inclined. But it’s there if you are.
Let us know how it goes!
Jack
 
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