How limited is limited? (2004 Bongo 5 HH Radiance Red)

[Soulkeeper]

I recently put out my 2009 Bongo 4 HS Stealth/rw out for sale (because 4 string spacing is not for me), and was contacted by a bassist not too far from here, who asked me if I was interested in swapping it for a 2004 LE Bongo 5 HH in Radiance Red w/black headstock.

As far as I understand, the only difference between normal and limited edition basses is the color. I have to admit that I cannot grok the difference between Candy Red and Radiance Red in photos, so it actually matters little to me, but I'm a curious kind of guy, and when Google refused to find any pictures of this particular model/color combination for me, it made me even more curious:

How many of these were made, in other words, how limited was this limited edition? To phrase the question more specifically and less ambiguously; How many Radiance Red Bongo 5 HH basses were made in 2004?

 

[bassmonkeee]

Radiance Red is a lot brighter and more sparkly than Candy Red. It's a very different color. When it was offered as an option on basses, there was a $100 upcharge.

And, I don't think you'll be able to find an actual number, but as that was very, very early in the life of the Bongo, I'd be surprised if there were more than 50 total (that estimate is based on nothing).

That trade sounds more than fair to me.

 

[Big Poppa]

less than 50 maybe less than 5

 

[Soulkeeper]

Radiance Red is a lot brighter and more sparkly than Candy Red. It's a very different color.

Ok. I have nothing against sparkles, but I like my reds dark. Maybe I'll change my mind if/when I see it in person, though.

That trade sounds more than fair to me.

I suspect I might have to pay some difference if I want to make the trade. The current owner (who just recently got the bass) seems to be falling in love with it. I'm hoping that my Stealth Bongo can convince him that it too can give him what he needs.

less than 50 maybe less than 5

Wow, pretty limited then.

Thanks for the replies! Will post pics if I get it.

 

[KevinM]

If you want the 5 instead of the 4 it seems like a good trade even if you have to give up some cash.

 

[Golem]

`

I might be thinking of some other special run, but ....

Isn't radiance red created by a very red trans coat
applied over an underlying metalic gold finish ?

 

[oddjob]

More or less. Bright red with underlying metalics. Had one for a while. ..nice color and looks great under the lights

 

[Soulkeeper]

Yep, looking at the rather large dinge in the finish of the bass, you're right Golem. There's some wood, then there's a bit of red, then there's a a relatively thin layer that looks like fine aluminium powder from the side, then there's plenty of more red, plus clear. How I'm gonna fix that up with nail polish and epoxy is beyond me.

BP, where's my magic multi-layered tooouch uuup paaaint?

Won't post any NBD pics yet, as she's not officially mine yet. I suppose we'll talk in a few days and decide if we want to make the swap or not.

I have to admit I just realized I'm kind of spoiled by my two SR5s. The Bongo is cool, but I can't yet see how it can compete with the SR5 when it comes to ergonomics, playability, and sheer beauty. (JMO, of course.) The tone is a different story. The Bongo sounds like nothing else I've ever heard. The sound is, in lack of better adjectives, extreme and mind-blowing, and I might hold on to it just because of that.