Just got a Bongo 6 - Setuo question

[Grodon9999]

Just picked up a Bongo 6, sounds amazing but I'm having an issue setting her up. The neck curvature is different from the bridge so I can't set the C-String low enough as the bridge saddle bottoms out.

Anyone else see this and if so how was it addressed? I've shimmed the neck up and that helps a little, the only other thing I can think of is replace the saddle for the C-String or modify it with a dremmel so the string can go lower.

 

[MrMusashi]

welcome to the forum!

before you do anything drastic i suggest contacting eb customer service on this phone number:
+1 866 823 2255

i couldnt find any information on the 6 string setup on this page:
How do I set up my Music Man bass? | Music Man Basses | F.A.Q.

so definitely give them a call to get some help!!!
before mr dremel finds out he can do some damage

MrM

 

[Black Lake]

I have a similar problem with both of my Bongo 6s. Dan at Customer service took good care of me, so did the local EBMM authorized tech. Avoid the dremel, another shim might be the answer.

 

[five7]

Slow down, a dremel on a musicman. NO! NO! NO!

 

[Grodon9999]

Slow down, a dremel on a musicman. NO! NO! NO!

Oh come on, the only thing I'd dremel would be one of the saddles on the bridge Most likely just replacing the saddle would do the trick.

i actually got it better (but not great) with a 45 cent solution - I shimmed the neck up with 9 nickles. it's better, I just don't think I should have to do this with an $1800 bass. i'll call MM tech support when California business hour start and see what the proper solution is, maybe they can give me the name of John Myung's guitar tech . . .

 

[patobrujo]

Hi Grondon, i'm the new owner of a bongo 6 too, and i'm pretty sure you don't have to modify any part of your bass to get it set up. My advice is to contact Customer Service before you do anything you could regret later...

Any pictures of the bass??

 

[Grodon9999]

Hi Grondon, i'm the new owner of a bongo 6 too, and i'm pretty sure you don't have to modify any part of your bass to get it set up. My advice is to contact Customer Service before you do anything you could regret later...

Any pictures of the bass??

how high do you set your action? I've always set mine very low, as low as i can without bottoming-out (a little buzz is fine as long as it ain't audible through an amp). My last 6-string, which I traded in for a few bucks to get the Bongo, was a Yamaha TRB-6. That bass had a longer scale and wider string spacing so the the strings had to be barely off the neck. The bongo's curvature and narrower neck makes it playable with higher action, it just doesn't seem right that the G-string gets a lot lower than the C-string.

I'm one of those Cavemen who doesn't own a camera.

 

[patobrujo]

how high do you set your action? I've always set mine very low, as low as i can without bottoming-out (a little buzz is fine as long as it ain't audible through an amp). My last 6-string, which I traded in for a few bucks to get the Bongo, was a Yamaha TRB-6. That bass had a longer scale and wider string spacing so the the strings had to be barely off the neck. The bongo's curvature and narrower neck makes it playable with higher action, it just doesn't seem right that the G-string gets a lot lower than the C-string.

I'm one of those Cavemen who doesn't own a camera.

well my action is set pretty low, actually when the bass first arrive i try it in the store and everything was perfect, but the next day i find some buzz in the first 5 frets, so i went for the truss rod and everythig was perfect again. I set my action so in the 12 fret is about two milimiters between the fret and the string. I'm sure with some adjusting your bass will be perfect, if the truss rod alone don't do the trick you have to reach for the bridge saddles i guess... but like i said before the better thing is to get customer service advice...so please avoid the dremmel thing and go borrow a camera

 

[Grodon9999]

well my action is set pretty low, actually when the bass first arrive i try it in the store and everything was perfect, but the next day i find some buzz in the first 5 frets, so i went for the truss rod and everythig was perfect again. I set my action so in the 12 fret is about two milimiters between the fret and the string. I'm sure with some adjusting your bass will be perfect, if the truss rod alone don't do the trick you have to reach for the bridge saddles i guess... but like i said before the better thing is to get customer service advice...so please avoid the dremmel thing and go borrow a camera

Your action is even lower than mine. My neck is perfectly straight and every sting is fine except the C, the saddle is resting on the bridge so It can't go any lower. I've removed the jury-rigged shims for now.

Dan from MM called me yesterday and needed to run it by a few people in house, I'm expecting a call back.

 

[Grodon9999]

All is well! Jay from NJGuitar and Bass Center fixed the issue with a few shims. Bass bass plays and sounds amazing, I strongly recommended this store to anyone in NJ. The service, selection of high-end gear, and prices are amazing.

http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/

 

[patobrujo]

Hey, that's good news!! now the pictures please...

 

[Black Lake]

Glad to hear it all worked out for you. Dan and crew are always the right way to go.

 

[5Stringer]

It's all about Jay!

My good friend Jay at New Jersey Guitar & Bass is the best - they broke the mold when they made him!

 

[GreyDad]

All is well! Jay from NJGuitar and Bass Center fixed the issue with a few shims. Bass bass plays and sounds amazing, I strongly recommended this store to anyone in NJ. The service, selection of high-end gear, and prices are amazing.

http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/

I know Jay from when I lived and worked in NJ (2003-2006) - he's a great guy and the store is a gem, highly recommended. I even have the T-shirt!

I bought my Zon (sorry! but it *is* gorgeous...) from him and if I'd lived there any longer would probably have bought a whole load more Balls. Pity Bongo 6's hadn't been invented at that time.

I doubt he remembers me but if you do see him send him my best regards from Limeyland.

Neil

 

[5Stringer]

Neil, I think Jay remembers everybody ... I bet he remembers you!

Dan

 

[GreyDad]

Neil, I think Jay remembers everybody ... I bet he remembers you!

Dan

I'm very forgettable

If he does remember me it'll be "that Brit guy who couldn't slap for toffee!"

I loved going into his shop on Saturdays and wandering around having a play.

 

[5Stringer]

I strongly recommended this store to anyone in NJ.

http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/

Even if you live slightly outside of the state of New Jersey -