Manfloozy
Well-known member
I've been meaning to share this story for a while now, and maybe others would like to share their stories as well.
I remember when I was first starting out playing electric bass... back then I played a different Mexican made instrument which I am very happy to no longer own. And I lusted after a Stingray 5 (I started out on electric with 5'ers).
One day I went to the GC in Ft. Myers, FL... and while the tech there was trying to "fix" the setup on the aforementioned instrument (not much fixing one can do on a warped neck) I was checking out the basses. I asked the VERY helpful sales person about the Stingray (which was out of my price range at the time) and he suggested I play a Bongo (also out of my price range), and I did.
I fiddled with the knobs, and played the few lines I knew at the time... and I just thought about how cool this thing was compared to what I had been used to. I didn't know enough at the time really to fully appreciate what the Bongo was capable of... I just knew it felt really good, and really natural. It didn't buzz when I hit "C".... crazy. I got a couple really great sounds out of it.... and ultimately parted as friends with the beautiful instrument.... feeling humbled by it... and wanting to get better so that I could one day deserve such an instrument. Amazingly now I realize that my EBMM's make me a better player. I am not trying to compensate for their flaws, but instead just playing. I also realize that this must have been the first year the Bongo was out.... and miss now the ability to go into a store and find one on the wall readily. The funny thing is the shape and looks of it never really bothered me... I actually didn't think it too abnormal compared to other shapes that I just don't like at all... if anything it was just cool and unique... but not THAT different.
A bit ago, when I picked the bass back up from a short rest bit (having a daughter and moving, and new job....etc) I bought another instrument from the previous manufacturer.... albeit this one came from Japan.... it arrived with a non-functional neck PUP. So I returned it, and said... time to spring for the MM I've wanted. The rest is history. I love my Ray, I love my 25th, and I loved the Bongo... and will love the new Bongo. I have played more on these three instruments than I did in all of my previous years I think.... and they just feel soooo good.
I often think back to that day, and that Bongo.... it was the first EBMM I ever touched, and I really just should have known better back then. None the less I am glad I invested in myself and my music now.
Thanks BP and EBMM for this opportunity, and here's to seeing Bongo's back on the walls of music stores so that other "kids" can have a similiar experience.
I remember when I was first starting out playing electric bass... back then I played a different Mexican made instrument which I am very happy to no longer own. And I lusted after a Stingray 5 (I started out on electric with 5'ers).
One day I went to the GC in Ft. Myers, FL... and while the tech there was trying to "fix" the setup on the aforementioned instrument (not much fixing one can do on a warped neck) I was checking out the basses. I asked the VERY helpful sales person about the Stingray (which was out of my price range at the time) and he suggested I play a Bongo (also out of my price range), and I did.
I fiddled with the knobs, and played the few lines I knew at the time... and I just thought about how cool this thing was compared to what I had been used to. I didn't know enough at the time really to fully appreciate what the Bongo was capable of... I just knew it felt really good, and really natural. It didn't buzz when I hit "C".... crazy. I got a couple really great sounds out of it.... and ultimately parted as friends with the beautiful instrument.... feeling humbled by it... and wanting to get better so that I could one day deserve such an instrument. Amazingly now I realize that my EBMM's make me a better player. I am not trying to compensate for their flaws, but instead just playing. I also realize that this must have been the first year the Bongo was out.... and miss now the ability to go into a store and find one on the wall readily. The funny thing is the shape and looks of it never really bothered me... I actually didn't think it too abnormal compared to other shapes that I just don't like at all... if anything it was just cool and unique... but not THAT different.
A bit ago, when I picked the bass back up from a short rest bit (having a daughter and moving, and new job....etc) I bought another instrument from the previous manufacturer.... albeit this one came from Japan.... it arrived with a non-functional neck PUP. So I returned it, and said... time to spring for the MM I've wanted. The rest is history. I love my Ray, I love my 25th, and I loved the Bongo... and will love the new Bongo. I have played more on these three instruments than I did in all of my previous years I think.... and they just feel soooo good.
I often think back to that day, and that Bongo.... it was the first EBMM I ever touched, and I really just should have known better back then. None the less I am glad I invested in myself and my music now.
Thanks BP and EBMM for this opportunity, and here's to seeing Bongo's back on the walls of music stores so that other "kids" can have a similiar experience.
