in love

[shakinbacon]

another band practice and another review of the recordings

I am in love with the Bongo 5HHp with coated Slinkies

I think I'm finally getting comfortable with how to control the instrument technique and EQ wise. Damn can it cut through a mix and still sound thick!

I know I get caught up in minutia of details, but when I step back and hear the mix I am very happy

fanboi out

 

[Big Poppa]

The problem is that the bongo has so much that you have control over....the panning alone.
Its like a formula one car

Many who have dismissed it did not take the time to understand the subtleties and usually just dimed everything.....

 

[shakinbacon]

The problem is that the bongo has so much that you have control over....the panning alone.
Its like a formula one car

Many who have dismissed it did not take the time to understand the subtleties and usually just dimed everything.....

it definitely has a lot of control. At times I think it is too much for a simpleton like me. However at this moment when I have things dialed in just right, I am quite glad there is so much subtlety I can coax out of it.

imho dimming the knobs makes it sound cruddy and is not the best way to use the instrument - just like putting the pedal to the floor on a car is not the best way to use it over hairpin turns.

While it may be fun to ride a Ferarri over the railings, its not something I want to try.

 

[TheAntMan]

I think I'm finally getting comfortable with how to control the instrument technique and EQ wise.

That's the key...I love all the EQ options. I can adjust to any setting / mix.

I think the Bongo has a very straight forward EQ once you take the time to actually learn it. It is a lot less confusing than other basses I have tried.

EQ is part of learning the instrument. Very Cool

--Ant

 

[AnthonyD]

Diming a Bongo!?

 

[Kamakiriad]

Diming seems pretty stupid in general, especially with a powerful EQ like on the Bongo.

My favorite setting: Hi Mid flat, Low Mid +25, Treble +25, Bass flat. Panning almost in the middle but a tad closer to the bridge.

It's a aggressive, full, sweet, punchy and full o' overtones.

 

[TheAntMan]

Diming a Bongo!?

Diming seems pretty stupid in general, especially with a powerful EQ like on the Bongo.

Never understood that!

Go into a store and everything is dimed!!! Sounds like mud!!! I always check and start out flat and EQ from there.

--Ant

 

[shakinbacon]

Diming seems pretty stupid in general, especially with a powerful EQ like on the Bongo.

My favorite setting: Hi Mid flat, Low Mid +25, Treble +25, Bass flat. Panning almost in the middle but a tad closer to the bridge.

It's a aggressive, full, sweet, punchy and full o' overtones.

Instead of the treble I add in some piezo signal. Other than that it is the same type of setting I find works best in a mix with two guitars, drums and a deep thumping bass drum.

 

[keko]

bacon, I'm glad that You finally cutting through with Your Bongo HHp killer!

And BP, yes, Bongo HHp is rally like a Formula 1 car!

 

[bass-slinger]

ok, after reading this, went down to the dungeon, turned down the volume on the markbass and dimed everything on the bongo...it still sounds killer. but I also discovered a new tone...bass and trible at half and both mids cranked...great soloing tone...

 

[five7]

ok, after reading this, went down to the dungeon, turned down the volume on the markbass and dimed everything on the bongo...it still sounds killer. but I also discovered a new tone...bass and trible at half and both mids cranked...great soloing tone...

How does your markbass liked everything dimed? Mine doesn't like it so I have to run the volume on the bass low to not wierd out the amp. I agree, great soloing tone!

 

[bass-slinger]

I turned down the volume to mess around the the eq, just to make sure the bongo didn't dish out too much hurt...I usually only run the amp at about half anyway, even at gigs.

 

[shakinbacon]

this forum is great

you guys inspired me to try a few new settings! dimming all knobs sounds better than I thought - but it puts out GOBS of signal and overdrives the preamp tubes in my amp. A cool sound, but likely not "me"

 

[shakinbacon]

oh man

I'm listening right now to a recording direct from the board from our gig this morning

The Bongo kills, it just kills. I mean it cuts and is thick and is articulate and isn't overpowering and is subtle and is powerful - I know I've said it before, but man!

I am so grateful I have the piezo option - it works so well when mixed with the magnetic signal on recordings and forces me to play more cleanly too

As I believe in sharing what I learn here, I used the following settings:

Using Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies:
All knobs center detent but
boosted mag/piezo 20% (more magnetic pickups)
boosted low mids 30%
amplifier EQ flat (used as a monitor only) but used PRE DI out

with two guitars, drums (with a heavy kick) and vocals it just sounds so fantabulously delicious

 

[rizzo9247]

SB, have you tried flats on that bongo?

 

[shakinbacon]

SB, have you tried flats on that bongo?

rizzo, I did in fact try flats on this Bongo. Please see the review thread in my signature

 

[drTStingray]

The problem is that the bongo has so much that you have control over....the panning alone.
Its like a formula one car

Many who have dismissed it did not take the time to understand the subtleties and usually just dimed everything.....

I am a v new bongoloid and this is so true - the range of good, usable sounds is astonishing and dialling in piezo adds another dimension, especially recorded.

I found myself noodling on my SR5H yesterday - just to clear my head

I haven't tried it...............but I'm not sure my rig would take the bass EQ on the Bongo dimed, at gig volume

Bacon I do share your love for the HHp Bongo - awesome machine.

 

[bass-slinger]

great...was settled on a Big Al...now I am wanting a bongo with piezos...this forum is like the old Sears toy catalog a few weeks before Christmas!

 

[shakinbacon]

.this forum is like the old Sears toy catalog a few weeks before Christmas!

That is the best description of the forum I've seen

 

[adouglas]

this forum is like the old Sears toy catalog a few weeks before Christmas!

Ooh... a Ted Williams BFR!

(Meaningful only to those old enough to actually remember the old Sears toy catalogs....)