projectapollo
Well-known member
Tried some flats on my stealth bongo yesterday. Wow, the best I've ever heard flats sound. Quite punchy. 
- Thread starter projectapollo
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Powman
Well-known member
Excellent! I keep hearing (pun intended) that flats sound good on a Bongo and it is my plan to do the same once mine arrives. But I have yet to personally hear how they sound.
Can you make a recording and either post it or email it to me?
Can you make a recording and either post it or email it to me?
EB Flats are a special case, they don't kill too much brilliance. But, alas, all flats steal some (or a lot) sustain, and add that special "thump" sound. Played with a pick the difference isn't so audible in the beginning. With fingerstyle it's completely obvious. What bugs me most about flats is the much higher string tension they tend to have. I'd advice to not go with your regular string gauge. Take thinner strings.
That said, the Bongo sounds unique with flats and works exceptionally well with them. I tried fender flats (wich outright sucked) and EB flats. They were/are great. And flats are for life, they simply won't decay, just age in grace making them very cheap strings over time.
That said, the Bongo sounds unique with flats and works exceptionally well with them. I tried fender flats (wich outright sucked) and EB flats. They were/are great. And flats are for life, they simply won't decay, just age in grace
making them very cheap strings over time.
RaginRog
Well-known member
I put a video up on youtube of my Bongo with flats. Pretty generic, and it was a spur of the moment decision.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMmdyaMtNqw"]YouTube- Music Man Bongo with flatwounds.AVI[/ame]
bovinehost
Administrator
All that stuff of my band up on youtube is also flatwounds.
phat5
Well-known member
I get plenty of sustain with the flats I use on my Bongo. They cut thru the mix nicely and sound phat and punchy.
MrMusashi
Well-known member
flats for my bongo, yay!!
cant beat the thump you get offa that bass!
MrM
cant beat the thump you get offa that bass!
MrM
shakinbacon
Well-known member
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- Feb 5, 2008
- Messages
- 791
check out my thread here: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/39751-ernie-ball-5-string-flatwounds-nice.html
I've since moved back to roundwounds. There was something I missed with the flats. Someone on the forum said they felt flats "neutered" the Bongo tone. I won't go that far but I did find the roundwounds helped achieve the tone I'm chasing.
I do recommend trying EB flats though. I've since put them on my Pbass and they work very well.
I've since moved back to roundwounds. There was something I missed with the flats. Someone on the forum said they felt flats "neutered" the Bongo tone. I won't go that far but I did find the roundwounds helped achieve the tone I'm chasing.
I do recommend trying EB flats though. I've since put them on my Pbass and they work very well.
muggsy
Well-known member
Tried some flats on my stealth bongo yesterday. Wow, the best I've ever heard flats sound. Quite punchy.
When your stealth Bongo was my stealth Bongo, I had flats on it for a while and loved them. The only reason I changed the strings was because all my other basses wear flats and I was looking for some variety. I've since decided that sometimes variety is overrated.
Not when it comes to basses, of course....
Powman
Well-known member
Thanks for posting this! Still sounded pretty good even with the simple mic. Surprised also how good the slap still sounds with flats.
Powman
Well-known member
Do you have a link for your youtube stuff?
RocketRalf
Well-known member
It still sounds like a Bongo, and somewhat closer to an upright with the neck pickup. I would try them if I had a Bongo
danny-79
Well-known member
Sounded sharper than i thought it would do with flatts but thats a Bongo for you ! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting.
Powman
Well-known member
It still sounds like a Bongo, and somewhat closer to an upright with the neck pickup. I would try them if I had a Bongo
Excellent. This is what I am shooting for. Sounds like I made the right choice by ordering a Bongo with 2 humbuckers.
Powman
Well-known member
Sounded sharper than i thought it would do with flatts but thats a Bongo for you !
Yes it did...surprisingly versatile instrument.
Dasgre0g
Active member
I have new flats(non EB...i know I am not allowed to evr use non EB equip on anything ever anytime in my life around here) on my SR5 single H and they sound fantastic. Very evry bright and a lot of punch. I think they key is to not letting them go TOO long without changing them out.
