Interesting practice this evening...Bongo vs. MIM Jazz

[adouglas]

A friend of mine (new bassist) just bought a MIM F*nder Jazz and brought it to this evening's practice to show to me.

Now, strange as it may seem, even though I've been playing for well over two decades I've never really played a F*nder.

It was actually very comfortable to play and it sounded a lot better than I thought it would. Definitely had the whole classic rock thing going on. I liked it.

But.

It just lacked the punch and clarity of the Bongo. It sounded okay and all, but it lacked the whole Godzilla's atomic breath thing that the Bongo's got.

I've definitely come down on the right side of this particular fence.

 

[jongitarz]

A

It sounded okay and all, but it lacked the whole Godzilla's atomic breath thing that the Bongo's got.

QUOTE]


atomic breath thing..I love it.

 

[Randracula]

That's like using an atomic bomb to kill an ant

 

[bovinehost]

I hear you. I'm stuck with a right nice 62 Jazz RI that I can't get rid off because the wife gave it to me for Valentines Day a few years ago.

What am I going to do with it? Play it? No.

So it takes up space in the closet. Every now and then, I break it out to make sure I'm not insane.

I'm not.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've got two Jazzes, and I just love the look of them. They're nice players too, but a passive bass that's used the same design for over 40 years is no match for an 18v Bongo when it comes to performance.

A similar comparison would be a '65 Ford Mustang vs a WRX. The ass-ugly latest design with the high tech engine outperforms the pretty classic.

 

[Colin]

I've got two Jazzes, and I just love the look of them. They're nice players too, but a passive bass that's used the same design for over 40 years is no match for an 18v Bongo when it comes to performance.

A similar comparison would be a '65 Ford Mustang vs a WRX. The ass-ugly latest design with the high tech engine outperforms the pretty classic.

Interesting description and very accurate, unfortunately some people prefer looks over performance. Like my first wife

 

[AnthonyD]

Similarly, I too had never played a Jazz bass in my 25+ years. Never been a fan of the look of them.

While on my quest for "THE" bass a few years back, I pulled a Jazz bass down off the wall and gave it a try. It was comfy and I was ok with the neck, but it wasn't "the one" for me. Not a big fan of the look and didn't have the tone I heard in my head so I kept looking.

Then I found my Sterling and it was love at first touch, with the tone I had in my head. This is the one! About a year later I came round on a Bongo and it was love at first tone.

Punch and clarity rule - Thank you Sterling Ball et al!

 

[Tajue17]

I just picked up a 51 reissue Jap and I can say this that from what I see (and I'm not sure about the MIM's) but the Japan reissues are built better than the US models. my 51 has a neck joint so tight that you can't even slip a dollar bill into it and that says alot compared to the US models.

My MM's blow it away in the sound and comfort department but I needed something else with a vintage touch that hangs nice on the strap so i got the 51 and installed a duncan pickup its a litle neck heavy but not bad.

its nice having a few different basses. ----> that Bovinehost guy though I don't know how the hell he does it with so many different Musicmans, now thats Hardcore..

 

[Aussie Mark]

I just picked up a 51 reissue Jap and I can say this that from what I see (and I'm not sure about the MIM's) but the Japan reissues are built better than the US models.

Agreed. I own three MIJ RI's ('51, '54, '62) and they're all fine instruments in terms of looks, build quality and playability, however sound-wise, my Stingrays or Bongo have it all over them.

 

[Rayan]

Time & Place, Situation & Application

~
(I) reckon we all know pretty much why we Music Man
As part of my 'job description', it's my pleasure and duty to cuddle, fondle, etc. a pretty & nice AmDlxJ5 (sunburst, rosewood) ...

I've come to appreciate some J5 features, different from the SR5s, including
- neither tone nor appearance 'unsettle' the 'oldtime' BlueGrass Granola Guys&Girlies like the MMs seem to
- the wider neck helps keep my left hand in shape (clue from Jaco video re 'P' neck on a 'J' body), and although I'm not (yet?) spankin' a 6 banger, I probably wouldn't find it to be such a stretch from the J5 as it would be from the SR5
~
/R