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bassmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
908
Location
Perth, Australia
.......with my new Bongos. Had band practice on Monday which went well, but last night I sat down and did some serious bonding. The HH is really growing on me. At first I thought it sounded a bit muddy, but after spending some time with it I realise my initial impression was way off. There is a real depth to the tone I have never heard from another bass ever. It's difficult to explain. It's almost like the tone of every other bass is 2D, but the HH Bongo gives a 3D tone. The more I play it, the more I discover in terms of what it is capable of. This has never happened to me with a bass before. I can't stop thinking about it. When I play it I get butterflies in my stomach. Stupid, huh?

The single H! Now that is really different. Such an aggressive sounding bass. The descrition "Stingray on steroids" is spot on for this bass. Really cuts through without being harsh. Gives me the sort of tone I would traditionally have gone for, but then some.

I think the HH is my favourite. Can't wait to get home and play it again.
 

mammoth

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2006
Messages
327
Location
Stoke, England
glad you're enjoying a romantic liason with the Bongo Deity! :D

I know exactly what you mean about the single H dude.. i lurve my Barbarella and frequently have funky dirty sex with it.

BOOMSHANKA!
 

adouglas

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Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Welcome to the group.

watermark.php
 

AnthonyD

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Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,683
Location
New Jersey
Sonically and visually for me it's definitely the Bongo...

But physically - comfort in my hands - it's definitely the Sterling...





Torn between two lovers - feeling like a fool... :eek:
 

bassmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
908
Location
Perth, Australia
Sonically and visually for me it's definitely the Bongo...

But physically - comfort in my hands - it's definitely the Sterling...





Torn between two lovers - feeling like a fool... :eek:

I've never played a Sterling. Ergonomically the Bongo is perfect for me. I love the neck, so comfortable.
 

adouglas

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Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
THe Bongo is very close to my heart. I think that they are still not appreciated enough. The tonal possibilities are really wide

Oh, yeah. +1.

At practice last night things weren't quite right at first...we had the "wall o sound" going on, much volume, not enough definition. The hardest part of fixing something like this is being able to identify the problem just by listening. But I knew what it was, and I knew I had the ability to fix it easily.

A quick tweak of the awesome Bongo EQ (bass cut, lo mid boost) cured the problem in a jiffy. Sudden clarity and a nice Hawaiian punch.

Then we cranked up some vintage Beatles. Turned down the treble and hi mids, and bingo...instant early 60s lo-fi thump.

There's something about the tone of the Bongo that tickles my hindbrain just right. I like to hit a note and just listen to it ring. It's not even music...it's simply that SOUND. Perfect. It's just so cool.

And the ergonomics, especially of the body, are fantastic.

Every once in a while I toy with the idea of getting an SR5, just for grins. But then I pick up my Bongo again and think, "Gee, what for?"

Can't wait for that 07 LE fretless....
 

bassmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
908
Location
Perth, Australia
. It's not even music...it's simply that SOUND. Perfect. It's just so cool.

I agree.

When I first found this site I had never heard of the Bongo.

Everyone on here who owns one really raves about them, and to be honest I was a little sceptical.

However, in the short week I have owned one (two!!??), I can totally understand the devotion these instruments invoke. I really cannot believe how good they are.

I know it's early days yet, but I think I have found my perfect bass.
 

Baird

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
481
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I love my Bongo 5. I love it, love it, love it!!!!! Did I say that I love the bongo?:)

The ONLY negative IMO is that the 6 knobs can be confusing. I have only had the Bongo for a short while though and I am still playing around with settings. My opinion may change once I spend the time trying to figure the damn things out.

BP is right about the tonal possibilities, but I was a Fender P guy that also played Les Paul Guitars.... ALL knobs were ALWAYS turned to 10. Period.

This technical stuff just confuses me.:confused: :D
 

Paul_C

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
208
Location
Northampton UK
.......with my new Bongos. Had band practice on Monday which went well, but last night I sat down and did some serious bonding. The HH is really growing on me. At first I thought it sounded a bit muddy, but after spending some time with it I realise my initial impression was way off. There is a real depth to the tone I have never heard from another bass ever. It's difficult to explain. It's almost like the tone of every other bass is 2D, but the HH Bongo gives a 3D tone. The more I play it, the more I discover in terms of what it is capable of. This has never happened to me with a bass before. I can't stop thinking about it. When I play it I get butterflies in my stomach. Stupid, huh?

The single H! Now that is really different. Such an aggressive sounding bass. The descrition "Stingray on steroids" is spot on for this bass. Really cuts through without being harsh. Gives me the sort of tone I would traditionally have gone for, but then some.

I think the HH is my favourite. Can't wait to get home and play it again.



You need to try an HS now - my favourite :)

P.
 

mammoth

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2006
Messages
327
Location
Stoke, England
i really really want a fretless bongo!

i feel inadequate that i only have the 1!

my guitarist still bangs on at me to get a Fendarse J fretless yet every other bass i've ever played had been "still no where near miz bongo innit"

i need to play one 1st though to be honest, any Uk'ers know of any flirting around? whats the verdict on pup configs with them?
 

bassmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
908
Location
Perth, Australia
I've seen a few threads on fretless Bongo since joining the forum. The verdict seems to be toward Hp configuration as the best for fretless. YMMV.
 

MingusBASS

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
3,364
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
To me there is no "best" configuration when it comes to the Bongo. Each configuration is great and has it's unique flavor. I do know that my fretless Bongo 5 HSp is pretty much the most versatile bass I've ever played. :cool:
 

ekb16b

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 15, 2006
Messages
756
Location
Sydney
i love my 30th but the more time i spend on this forum the more im gasing for a bongo :(
 
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