NBD (New Bongo Day)!

[J Romano]

New arrival! My 4Hp arrived, picked it up last night. It is awesome. Only disappointment was that I was expecting the new light weight tuners on it. Unfortunately I got the old style, not to worry I love her as she is! I took pictures today and have been trying to get them to down load to the forum album. Or just paste them into the post. Been trying all day with no success. I took the pictures on my Iphone 4s. Just for grins I got my camera out tonite and shot some more and they seem to be able to download. Anyone know why Iphone pics don't work on the forum??? I will take more pics in the daylight tomorrow but here is what I took tonite, the color is not as vivid blue as it looks. Unless it is with a flash!


Just looked at the date stamp on my camera in the pictures, guess I better change it or get rid of it!!!!!

 

[stu42]

Awesome!! Bongo Hp. That is fantastic. Congrats and looking forward to seeing some more pics and hearing the reviews!

Not sure why you can't upload your iPhone photos. I know there's a file size limit for the forum. I find it's easier and better to just upload the photos to a site like Photobucket (or one of the other ones like it) and paste in the URL to the photos.

 

[OldManMusic]

Man, that's one beautiful Bongo! Congrats.

 

[JayDawg]

Very nice, congratulations! I too have a Bongo 4 Hp being built right now but in Candy Apple Red with an Abalone pickguard. With yours, what type of pickguard is that on there? Also, with the piezo, is there a noticeable weight gain compared to your Bongo 4H?

 

[laneline]

Congrats on your new Bongo, love that finish, great addition to your group of MM's, all the best.

 

[Northray]

New arrival! My 4Hp arrived, picked it up last night. It is awesome. Only disappointment was that I was expecting the new light weight tuners on it. Unfortunately I got the old style, not to worry I love her as she is! I took pictures today and have been trying to get them to down load to the forum album. Or just paste them into the post. Been trying all day with no success. I took the pictures on my Iphone 4s. Just for grins I got my camera out tonite and shot some more and they seem to be able to download. Anyone know why Iphone pics don't work on the forum??? I will take more pics in the daylight tomorrow but here is what I took tonite, the color is not as vivid blue as it looks. Unless it is with a flash!
View attachment 18120 View attachment 18121 View attachment 18122 View attachment 18123

Just looked at the date stamp on my camera in the pictures, guess I better change it or get rid of it!!!!!

That colour is AWESOME! That may be one of the best EB/MM colours there is... that would look classy at ANY gig, regardless of music genre.

 

[bovinehost]

Sapphire Black Bongos are classic. Congrats!

 

[J Romano]

Thanks all for the comments. This bass is amazing, I absolutely love it. It is so different than my Bongo 5HSp!!! And not only sound wise..... The 5 string comes in at almost 10.5 lbs, my new 4 is coming in at just under 9 lbs!!!!! It is so light and comfortable it is unbelievable. And it's voice, BP is right, the 4 is in a league of its own. All mag is thunder, piezo is soft and full. Still playing with the mag/piezo combo to find a good mix. On my 5 70/30 (mag/piezo) is magic.

The color is unbelievable. In regular light it looks gray with a fine sparkle, that's the first picture I took. In sunlight it has almost a violet tint to it. In the pictures with the flash the colors of the flooring and entertainment center are spot on, the flash turned the bass that blue. I think I have a Chameleon on my hands!!!!!!

New day light pictures tomorrow if the sun shows. Gonna do a family group shot too!

 

[J Romano]

Very nice, congratulations! I too have a Bongo 4 Hp being built right now but in Candy Apple Red with an Abalone pickguard. With yours, what type of pickguard is that on there? Also, with the piezo, is there a noticeable weight gain compared to your Bongo 4H?

The PG is Black Pearloid, I don't have a 4H to compare it to. But it is almost 1 1/2 lbs lighter than my Bongo 5HSp, a welcome weight reduction. Your are going to love the 4Hp, the sound is amazing. I don't think you will have a big weight difference between the 4H and 4Hp. The bridge may pick up a little mass, but don't forget you are loosing wood being routed out to allow for the piezo setup on the back. Probably a wash!!!!!

 

[stu42]

Thanks all for the comments. This bass is amazing, I absolutely love it. It is so different than my Bongo 5HSp!!! And not only sound wise..... The 5 string comes in at almost 10.5 lbs, my new 4 is coming in at just under 9 lbs!!!!! It is so light and comfortable it is unbelievable. And it's voice, BP is right, the 4 is in a league of its own. All mag is thunder, piezo is soft and full. Still playing with the mag/piezo combo to find a good mix. On my 5 70/30 (mag/piezo) is magic.

The color is unbelievable. In regular light it looks gray with a fine sparkle, that's the first picture I took. In sunlight it has almost a violet tint to it. In the pictures with the flash the colors of the flooring and entertainment center are spot on, the flash turned the bass that blue. I think I have a Chameleon on my hands!!!!!!

New day light pictures tomorrow if the sun shows. Gonna do a family group shot too!

I love reading your reaction to it. It's kinda cool because I remember when I got my Bongo 5H and compared it to the Bongo 5HS I had. They are so different it's amazing. I just love the Single H Bongo though. To me it just has a magical voice that sounds beautiful. And it's so alive. I'm curious how the 4-band EQ works with it. Of course, mine doesn't have the piezo pickup so I've got the 3-band EQ but I normally turn down the mids and treble about 1/2 way or so. And, taking a cue from Jack and MrMusashi...I put flats on it and I'm loving them.

Congrats once again.

 

[cellkirk74]

Congrats!

My Bongo 4 Hp is a fretless, but I use it mostly a center detent with the blend knob. It can take a good bass boost when you add more piezo.

 

[J Romano]

I love reading your reaction to it. It's kinda cool because I remember when I got my Bongo 5H and compared it to the Bongo 5HS I had. They are so different it's amazing. I just love the Single H Bongo though. To me it just has a magical voice that sounds beautiful. And it's so alive. I'm curious how the 4-band EQ works with it. Of course, mine doesn't have the piezo pickup so I've got the 3-band EQ but I normally turn down the mids and treble about 1/2 way or so. And, taking a cue from Jack and MrMusashi...I put flats on it and I'm loving them.

Congrats once again.

I haven't had time yet to play with the 4 band on this. But in Cellkirks post, I can see where he is coming from with the piezo. It is a softer sound when full on, but still has great definition. Will definitely play with the eq. I have flats on all my other MMs, gonna keep the super slinkys on this for a while just for something different. Probably go to flats in the future though, love them flats!

 

[J Romano]

Updated pictures in the daylight!

 

[eno_hn]

the colour is so so so so good. I don't want to mention the tone it produces

good luck !

 

[JayDawg]

Hey J, what store did you get the Bongo from? I'm really digging those daylight pics. That black pearloid pickguard really makes the color come out on the bass!

 

[J Romano]

Hey J, what store did you get the Bongo from? I'm really digging those daylight pics. That black pearloid pickguard really makes the color come out on the bass!

Thanks Jay. I ordered it thru the HOG (House of Guitars) here in Rochester. They are a premier dealer for MM. In fact they have one of the Guilded White Classics there that I just saw. And an awesome 25th. Also saw a roasted SR. Great people to deal with. By the time I got it, it was about 4 months since my order was put in. The extra wait was my fault, I changed the order about 2 months into it to change it. My initial order was a 4H, I changed it up to 4Hp and I am so glad I did!!!! This bass is awesome. Absolute love it, can't put it down. My Sterling BFR is taking a back seat and feeling lonely........
I am really impressed with the color. I was afraid the bass would end up looking grey. But different lighting conditions changes the color. I am extremely pleased with the Sapphire Black!!!!!

 

[JayDawg]

I understand the order change thing too. I also changed my order from a Bongo 4 H to a Bongo 4 Hp. I ordered the bass on a Wednesday and then thought about it overnight and thought a piezo addition would be cool. I already had the BFR Roasted Neck Bongo that was a 4 H and figured if I added the piezo, I could still have the same set up but with a little extra added option. On mine, I called Bass Central two days later, on that Friday and requested the change. Beaver then shot MM an e-mail requesting the change the following Monday and they obliged. I am so anxious to get this bass too. I really cannot wait to spend time toying with the piezo option. In fact, I'm kind of envious of you right now. You have an awesome bass that I know is giving you hours on end of playing pleasure!

 

[J Romano]

Thanks and you are absolutely right. The wait is absolutely worth it! Congrats on your decision and am looking forward to pics and your experiences with an awesome ax!!!!!!!!