Hee Hee. It's finally here.

[bassmonkeee]

Well, I had to brave a torrential downpour to get it, but I finally have my fretless Bongo at home. It plays like an absolute dream, and I am about to set it up with TI Superalloys (which bums me out, because Jon gave it a killer setup--I'll try to salvage what I can ). I was wondering if it'd have the compensated nut, or not. For those keeping score at home--it doesn't.

Here's a pic with my Black Sapphire 5 string--which is sporting a new Pearl White pickguard courtesy of Mr. Bongo-his-own-damn-self, Bovinehost.

I'll take better pictures when Jeanne stops dumping buckets of rain on us. There should be a sound clip up in the next day, or two, too.

I've got to install the strap locks, and decide which strap to use (the imortant stuff, right? ), but I think it's safe to say that this is my new main bass. Period.

So, any idea how many fretless Bongos there are out there, and how many unlined? Just curious....


I'm off to play!

Amazing instrument, guys. You've out done yourselves.

 

[phatduckk]

congrats! looks awesome. enjoy it

 

[jongitarz]

Enjoy it Jason! How do you like the color match compared to the other one you were using?

 

[ynot]

Looks Great !! congratulations on your new Bass. It looks really cool with the fretless rosewood against the white color.

 

[TSanders]

Very, very nice. if we could all be so lucky.

 

[midopa]

Awesome! Can't wait for those sound clips!

 

[Aussie Mark]

I think you should swap the pickguards

That fretless looks sweet. The board looks a lot lighter than it's fretted neighbour - are they both rosewood?

 

[bassmonkeee]

I think you should swap the pickguards

That fretless looks sweet. The board looks a lot lighter than it's fretted neighbour - are they both rosewood?

Kinda hard to swap them out when one has a single coil and the other has a humbucker in the neck position. I've got plans for a tort guard for the white bass in the near future, though (or, maybe yellow pearl to get that hard boiled egg effect ).

The fretless fretboard is Pao Ferro, I believe. It feels great!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Enjoy it Jason! How do you like the color match compared to the other one you were using?

It's funny. I didn't mind the neck not matching on the fretted one--until I saw the fretless. And, then, it was so glaringly obvious that I couldn't believe it. It looks soooooooo much better now. Certainly worth the extra wait.

It's a shame EB won't be offering the Bongo in white, anymore. Although, I can certainly understand what a horrible PITA it was to match them up.

Thanks, again, Jon. It's a beauty!

 

[jongitarz]

 

[johans]

jon

just curious
how much is the cost for changing a fretted sr5 to a fretless? just curious
will the shipping back and forth to the factory on me or mm>?

 

[johans]

since you really cant slap on a fretless ...

anyone tried say to have a fretless
but leaves some frets on say on fret 18-22?
is it impossible?

 

[johans]

nice yin and yang you have there
bassmonkee

 

[Aussie Mark]

since you really cant slap on a fretless ...

anyone tried say to have a fretless
but leaves some frets on say on fret 18-22?
is it impossible?

Think about what you just asked. When you finger a string on a fretless the string is depressed until it touches the fingerboard. Those frets higher up on the neck are going to get in the way.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Think about what you just asked. When you finger a string on a fretless the string is depressed until it touches the fingerboard. Those frets higher up on the neck are going to get in the way.

Well, there is one manufacturer that makes a fretless bass that is fretless from the 12th fret and higher with a fret added at the 23rd and 24th positions. They do it by having the fretboard raised to the same level as the frets. They want $6,000 for one of their basses, though.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I just noticed that my bass has a "Limited Edition" neck plate. Was that on purpose since there are to be no more white Bongos, or was it simply the closest thing with a serial number lying around?

Either way, it was a nice surprise when I turned the bass over.

UPDATE: The bass now sports a new set of TI Superalloys. I am officially in heaven.

 

[scottbass71]

Great bass

So what is the deal with white aren't they offering that colour any more on bongos ???

 

[Mobay45]

Those are some awfully purty basses you've got there. I can't wait to hear the sound clips.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Great bass

So what is the deal with white aren't they offering that colour any more on bongos ???

Apparently, it's a real PITA to match the color under the gloss finish to a satin finish white for the neck. On the first white Bongo I got, the neck was a lot closer to artic white, while the body was a creamy, more vintage-y white.

The new Bongo has creamy, vintage white goodness on both body and neck. But, it took them three weeks to find the right match. And, that's why EB/MM rocks. I told them I'd be happy with a different color, but Scott was a man possessed. I'm glad I stuck with the white.

 

[midopa]

Once you get a yellow pearloid PG, you must get matching knobs!