My Bongo has fallen ill

[Joe Nerve]

I was in denial until last night. About a month ago I thought that the bridge pickup (that I usually rest my thumb on) seemed a little higher than I remember it being when I bought the bass. Lowered it a bit. Changed strings a short time after that, readjusted the neck and action a bit, and noticed again that the pickup was kind of close to the strings. I thought it was odd for a pickup to slowly rise, figured it was the new setup or my imagination, and lowered it once more. This time I lowered it enough so I'd be sure to know if it was rising again.

Last night it rose enough to flaten my G string by the end or our last set and I didn't have a screw driver with me, nor the will to bother with it at 3am. Amazing how much you can do without a G string. It challenged me to think outside the lines.... anyway....

I can't bring myself yet to assess the damage, but something is terribly wrong. I thought it was just the upper side of the pickup that may have been rising, but the whole pickup rises over time. Seems to be about 3 hours playing time and the bass becomes unusable. I would think the screws might be stripped, but the pickup doesn't just come right up. It's kind of mysterious. It definitely sucks bigtime.

Any thoughts or suggestions before I start taking the bass apart? I'm not big on messing with these things, I'm even less big on shipping my bass to ernie ball for them to fix it.

HELP!

And be gentle, I'm suffering.

 

[LoveThatBass]

This is typical with the MMEB's. They made them so easy to turn thet can back out due to vibration. Put some Locktight on the scew threads then readjust to proper height

 

[oddjob]

This is typical with the MMEB's. They made them so easy to turn thet can back out due to vibration. Put some Locktight on the scew threads then readjust to proper height

+1

 

[Joe Nerve]

thanks guys.

what is locktight, where do i get it, and how do i apply it without harming anything else?

 

[JB1]

Loctite I think Joe, to use the brand name.

Do a search here, it's come up before.

Good luck, hope you sort it.

 

[oddjob]

just make sure you get the right strength or you lock the screw in there forever.

 

[skabassist13]

definatly do a search. theyre were a couple of threads about this just recently. search for pickup raising or something like that. i want to say the strength is blue 247, but im not sure(dont qoute me on that or theres a chance you will never get your pickup to move again). you can pick it up from a local hardware or automotive store.

 

[FireAarro]

IT'S POSSESSED!

sorry

 

[LoveThatBass]

Yep, Blue 247 is what we use at work so we can get it off again.
Most good Auto Parts stores carry it.

 

[Joe Nerve]

thanks guys. i'm gonna pick someup tomorrow. i'll report back with an update.

 

[Davtran]

Native problem

Once upon a time the only people that played Bongo's where the natives in the jungle, I bet the only Loctite they used was to keep there coconuts stuck up the trees with....... mmm suppose they had trouble with there G strings too

 

[Joe Nerve]

I bought the gook, now before I destroy my bass does someone wanna tell me what exactly I'm supposed to do with it???

 

[Figjam]

For thread locktyte stuff, i usually just unscrew the screw partially so a decent amt of threads are showing and then i put a drop on the side, rol it around kinda and then screw it back in.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I don't want to get that stuff all over my Pickups though. If I take the screws all the way out isn't the pickup going to fall into the bass? I'm assuming I'm going to have to take the pickguard off. Does it matter if it gets in the springs. Oh boy - I just have a gazillion questions. Talk to me like I'm in kindergarten.

 

[Rayan]

Don't Touch !

Talk to me like I'm in kindergarten.

my authorized EB retailer does minor repairs for free

serious stuff is done by the best bass tech in town
who works for some of the best players on the planet
why would I want any less for my MM bass ?

"Freedom is another name for" the right to ruin your own Bongo

imho of course /R

 

[Joe Nerve]

WooHoo! Thanks for all the advice guys. Finally bought some threadlocker blue (medium) and did the minor surgery last night. It seems to have worked fabulously. The screws have a whole lot more tension when I turn them and I don't believe they're going to slip anymore. I'd be very surprised if they did and if they do then Mr. Bongo goes back to it's creator.

For those in the future that want or need to do this:

I didn't take off the pickguard. The blue stuff is very thin. I simply took the screws out, put a drop on the bottom third of the screw, wiped it around the screw with my finger so it just looked a little wet, and put the screw back in. I used less than a drop on each and they feel really secure.

ps. I immediately washed my finger as i noticed afterward the label said avoid contact with skin. guys don't read direction until AFTER they do something though.

 

[hands 5]

I would take it to a good luthier just to be on the safe side

 

[jongitarz]

Why? The problem is solved.

 

[bovinehost]

yes

 

[jongitarz]

Jack,

Is your ISP charging you by the word now? (I think I know what the answer will be)