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Retrobass

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May 3, 2016
Messages
7
Location
Netherlands
Hello, I am new to this forum, my name is Hans, living in the Netherlands and have been playing bass for 35 years now, pfew time does fly..
Since a couple of weeks I have an sorta NOS Bongo 4 HH in Tangerine Pearl. The store had it new in the case from 2006 in storage. It took me getting used to the bass, cause it is a strange puppy, but man, does it have sound. I also play a 1994 Stingray 5 in translucent Red, heavy but killer bass. Anyhow, the reason I am on this forum is about the Bongo neck. I adjusted it to specs, only the string height somewhat lower to my personal liking. The neck relief however is slightly different on both sides (E string, G-string). I normally measure the first fret, last fret. The gap under the 8th fret on the G string is 0.017" while the gap under the E string is 0.013". This difference is not present on the Stingray 5 and my custom made Jazzbass, these are exactly the same on E string - G string. I simply cannot believe that the Bongo neck is not ok, The neck does not look warped, no stringbuzz on strange places, It adjusts fine. It's only this slight difference in relief that keeps me worried a bit. Is the difference in neck relief a common thing, not to be worried about? the strings are the super slinky's that are still crystal believe it or not :)
 

oddjob

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Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
2,839
Location
Monroe, Ohio
As an FYI (not that it matters), if it is an 06 then it is probably Desert Gold (one of my personal fav finishes)not Tang Pearl (which is a much more recent color).

Sorry, I will defer the neck question to the experts.
 
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Retrobass

Member
Joined
May 3, 2016
Messages
7
Location
Netherlands
Well, It`s Orange to me, I tried to attach a picture but it says it`s too large in Mb. how to post a pic that fits? @Oddjob, you have quite a collection of Bongo`s , how are your neckreliefs if I may ask? are they equal on the sides? I googled a lot on fretboard relief and I read a post that: Because every string on a set has a different pulling strength, the D and G string pull harder on the neck than the E and A string, (specially the heavy high, low bottom sets 045-065-080-0100 ?). The neck on de G and D side has more tension to cope with so the neck can be a little different in relief.
However, MOST posts say that when the relief on both sides is different, the neck is twisted or warped and should be taken care of by a luthier.. This scared me a little because the Bongo is bought at a store that had a bankrupt sale and is no more in business. Since my other two basses do not have this difference I worry about this. Is this Forum also supported by Ernie Ball Musicman employees btw? Maybe they can shed a light on this?
 

oddjob

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Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
2,839
Location
Monroe, Ohio
It is a tiny bit off but nothing truly noticeable. They all play incredibly well (as has every other Bongo I've had - another 8 or 9).
There are several EBMM personalities that hang around here but honestly, if you are worried I would call their customer service number and speak directly with them (or shoot them an email). Don't rely on us... talk to the people who actually know what they are doing :) Not to mention, the staff rocks.

The color is called Desert Gold - but it is orange (based off the BMW color pallet if I'm not mistaken). Have owned a 4 and a 5 in that color and is one of my favs (with a tort or black ice guard).
 

Retrobass

Member
Joined
May 3, 2016
Messages
7
Location
Netherlands
Thanks Oddjob, I shot them an email! Nice to know what the colour is now, indeed it is quite Orange but at angles you can see a "gold" shine sometimes. In order to get the action I wanted (saddle of G string bottomed out) I took the neck of to see some irregularities were there, there were non, just a little bit of lacquer overhang at the front that I carefully sanded of, since the whole neck insert is sanded onto bare wood I saw. Is that normal btw? now that the little bit of overhang of lacquer is gone, the neck is now completely flat so the action is now perfectly adjustable.Again thanks for your help!
 

Retrobass

Member
Joined
May 3, 2016
Messages
7
Location
Netherlands
I got a repy already from EB support, nothing to worry about, slight variances are normal. Wow, didn't expect a reply, some companies not ever bother to answer. EB support, EB instruments; first class in my book from now on��
 
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