I trust my Musicman...

[Joe Nerve]

Something just occurred to me last night that I nor I think anyone else ever mentioned here. I may be out of my mind on this one, but one of the reasons I started playing MM basses all the time was because I was able to trust them more than any other bass I played. I'm not talking about the craftsmanship though, I'm talking about the sound. I play a lot, in a lot of different environments, and when I owned a Warwick I used to sweat every time I played the first few notes in a new place. I didn't know how the space I was in was going to accept the bass. I NEVER had that problem with my Sterling or either of my Bongos. I dont even think about it. I can completely depend on the sound that's going to come out of it and it always made me feel safe - on auditions, important gigs, etc. It was kind of a subconscius thing that just got clear for me after talking to some guy who was struggling like hell to get his warwick to sound the way he wanted last night. Perhaps it's all the midrange options on the MM? - or maybe my lack of sleep and waay too much working, gigging and practicing starting to catch up with me and I'm blabberin cuz I'm feeling sentimental about my Bongo? It happens sometimes ya know.

Anyone else notice this?

PS. Last night I noticed a small bunch of geeks standing near the stage getting all excited, pointing at it my bass and saying "Bongo". I do the same thing when I see one. I just smiled and nodded my head.

 

[Oldtoe]

I did notice the blabbering, yes.





But I agree with you, too.

 

[Aussie Mark]

when I owned a Warwick I used to sweat every time I played the first few notes in a new place

Owning a Warwick is a genuine reason to be scared.

 

[Randracula]

I agree completely. Back in 2001 when my American Deluxe Jazz fell over onstage and one of the cheap/half plastic/ultra lite tuners broke off a MM Stingray saved my arse. The band I was in had 2 weeks booked at a studio to do a record and the Jazz was my only bass.I was told by my local shop it would take about 3 weeks to get a replacement tuner One of my good friends lent me his 1992 Stingray to do the whole record! It sounded great and I was a little dissapointed when I got my Jazz working again I am now the proud owner of 3 EBMM basses

 

[bovinehost]

I noticed the blabbering, too, but I think what Ben left out is that both he and I kind of enjoy it.

I read your posts and think back to those early days when you were Bongo-free and every post I made at "that other place" caused you great consternation. And of course I lorded it over you, too, but I was always on your side and couldn't wait for you to finally score a Bongo.

And look at us now.

Anyway, I was thinking about this same concept the other day when we were scheduled to play this outdoor thing. I'd just taken delivery of a Euphonics Audio iAMP 800 and hadn't even used it at practice, so my first thought was to leave it at home and use what I was sure would work - my Sunn 1200s.

I'm not real adventurous when it comes to using new gear without becoming familiar with it first.

But then I thought - okay, I'll take the sapphire black Bongo and even if the amp doesn't do what I want it to, the bass will carry me through it.

So I took the iAMP 800 and never worried a bit. I knew the Bongo would give me the tone I wanted, and it did.

So I can dig your funky groove thang, Jose.

Long live Bongo!

Jack

 

[Samingo]

I can add to that.

There was an occasion(A year or three ago, I don't entirely remember) where I was doing somebody a favour and filling in the bass for what was basically a christmas-themed jazz cafe. The idea was to do a bunch of christmas tunes, jazz style, in an atmosphere where people could just sip their java and enjoy the tunes.

Now I was informed that I didn't need an amp as one would be supplied, so all I brought with me was my Carbon Blue Bongo 4HH. One way or another, there was a miscomunication and all I had to play through was basically one of those BOSE monitors that was also carrying the weight of a guitar and a few mics.

Although at first I was skeptical, once we got set up I decided to make lemonade. Thankfully, a few turns of that four band eq later and suddenly I could be heard through the mix, but not just one generic bass tone, I could still squeese quite a bit of range out of those speakers. It was the day the Bonger impressed me most.

 

[Oldtoe]

I noticed the blabbering, too, but I think what Ben left out is that both he and I kind of enjoy it.

Yes, I did leave that out accidentally. I am in the throes of similar gushings about my 4HH Bongo, I assure everyone.

 

[ras1983]

All i can add is that i LOVE my bongo.

Everyone else loves it too.

quotes from some of the youth at church:
"That' sick".
"Whoaaaahhhhh".
"That's hot".
"Ray, that new bass sounds good doesn't it?" . i nod my head and say 'Uhhh, yeah.'

from another bass player
"I love this bass".

 

[shamus63]

My Bongo does what I tell it to do, without having to fidget with the amp...something I can't say about the other basses I own (or owned).

 

[Martuk]

Owning a Warwick is a genuine reason to be scared.

Cruel...........there's room for at least one Warwick in everyone's 'Musicman' collection.

 

[Figjam]

My theory when it comes to buying basses: Why buy anything else when you can buy a musicman?

Simple, when first meets the eye. But when you think about it.

Ive had GAS for an MTD custom. Why buy this when I can buy 2 musicman basses?

Roscoe: why buy this when I can buy a new musicman and a used musicman?

Sadowsky: see above.


I have re-evaluated everything that costs money in terms of Jr. bacon Cheeseburgers (wendys, $1) and new EBMMS (roughly $1500)

 

[oddjob]

Cruel...........there's room for at least one Warwick in everyone's 'Musicman' collection.

There WAS room... but then I had to get another EBMM and the Warwick had to go

Seriously, it is the most dependable insturment I have had. Played a huge bar last week - great sound. Played a little honky tonk in the middle of no where last night - small tweak, great tone again. I KNOW I can play anywhere and get the sound I want.

I think what is great about the Bongo, in particular, is that people stop and check it because of its looks (good or bad) but then they HEAR it and are believers.

Quote of the night (from the show last night - I was approached by a 88 year old gentleman who use to play bass "back in the day"):
"That is one ugly looking bastard (refering to the bass... ok, maybe it was me) but d@mn it sounds nice" followed by the obligatory "what the hell is it?"

 

[tkarter]

The Bongo makes me appear to be better than I am. Does that count?

tk

 

[tiffles]

heck yes, well it counts for me! am showing mine to a previous warwick owner next weekend...just have to figure out settings on his swr black beauty....eek

 

[shamus63]

heck yes, well it counts for me! am showing mine to a previous warwick owner next weekend...just have to figure out settings on his swr black beauty....eek

Set 'em all flat...let the Bongo do all the work.

You know that, Tiffs.