bovinehost
Administrator
Someone over at "another bass related forum" called the Bongo ugly again, which caused a great uproar, as usual, and there were arguments about basswood, why it was used, etc etc etc. I'd formulated a response and while I was typing, the thread was closed. I felt empty, so I post it here because I can, dammit:
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(This was about my Bongo Info Page.)
Fair enough, although that page went up long before I was involved in any official manner with EBMM. I was just a Bongo owner, taken with the design, tone, the whole package - and excited that after so long, EBMM was giving us something quite different from the Stingray and Sterling.
The information about basswood and the reasons why it was used came from an ex-employee who definitely had no reason to attempt to glorify the process or why things happened the way they did.
Since then, I've had a number of conversations which independently verified the initial statements from the ex-employee. Which is - basswood was used because (a) the electronics package is fairly hefty and the basswood gave some weight relief and (b) it just sounded good. Other woods were used during the design process, some of which we've seen, but basswood fit the bill.
I believe, as is obvious by my many posts here (again, before I sold the things) that the Bongo is an absolutely fabulous bass, and represents a great value. I've compared the Bongo to many, many basses, some costing a great deal more, and the bass does a much better job - TO MY EARS.
I respect people who've played the bass and decided it's not for them. There are a few basses I don't care for, but people play them, so there must be some sort of personal preference thing going on, eh?
Sure, the "toilet seat" reference is old. Hell, it was old before the Bongo ever saw the light of day because people said the same thing about the Stingrays. Well, go nuts, but don't expect everyone to fall over themselves laughing or offer you a job as a stand-up or anything.
But anyway, the wood thing has been verified with Big Wheels within the company and by people with nothing to gain, so believe it or not, it's okay with me. It's not an argument I particularly feel motivated to join in, usually, although this thread has been (mostly) respectful and interesting and thoughtful, so why not?
Sterling Ball said "I didn't think everyone would get it, so don't let it bother you." I think that's good advice. I still occasionally feel like defending the bass because again, I think it simply rocks, but if you don't get it? Well, then you don't.
Nothing I say will change that. Hell, I just like talking about them, usually, and any excuse is a good one, whether I'm selling them or not. And believe me, I ain't selling many on (bass forum name withheld).
Like - none, exactly.
_____________________________________________________________
This is not an attempt to bash the other forum and no bashing will be tolerated. I'm interested in YOUR thoughts on these issues, though.
Jack
_______________________________________________________________
(This was about my Bongo Info Page.)
Fair enough, although that page went up long before I was involved in any official manner with EBMM. I was just a Bongo owner, taken with the design, tone, the whole package - and excited that after so long, EBMM was giving us something quite different from the Stingray and Sterling.
The information about basswood and the reasons why it was used came from an ex-employee who definitely had no reason to attempt to glorify the process or why things happened the way they did.
Since then, I've had a number of conversations which independently verified the initial statements from the ex-employee. Which is - basswood was used because (a) the electronics package is fairly hefty and the basswood gave some weight relief and (b) it just sounded good. Other woods were used during the design process, some of which we've seen, but basswood fit the bill.
I believe, as is obvious by my many posts here (again, before I sold the things) that the Bongo is an absolutely fabulous bass, and represents a great value. I've compared the Bongo to many, many basses, some costing a great deal more, and the bass does a much better job - TO MY EARS.
I respect people who've played the bass and decided it's not for them. There are a few basses I don't care for, but people play them, so there must be some sort of personal preference thing going on, eh?
Sure, the "toilet seat" reference is old. Hell, it was old before the Bongo ever saw the light of day because people said the same thing about the Stingrays. Well, go nuts, but don't expect everyone to fall over themselves laughing or offer you a job as a stand-up or anything.
But anyway, the wood thing has been verified with Big Wheels within the company and by people with nothing to gain, so believe it or not, it's okay with me. It's not an argument I particularly feel motivated to join in, usually, although this thread has been (mostly) respectful and interesting and thoughtful, so why not?
Sterling Ball said "I didn't think everyone would get it, so don't let it bother you." I think that's good advice. I still occasionally feel like defending the bass because again, I think it simply rocks, but if you don't get it? Well, then you don't.
Nothing I say will change that. Hell, I just like talking about them, usually, and any excuse is a good one, whether I'm selling them or not. And believe me, I ain't selling many on (bass forum name withheld).
Like - none, exactly.
_____________________________________________________________
This is not an attempt to bash the other forum and no bashing will be tolerated. I'm interested in YOUR thoughts on these issues, though.
Jack
