New EMBB Bongo 5HH - Fret Sprout :-/

[MarkF786]

Today I received a new EBMM Bongo 5HH (Mantis Green, with a maple neck & board) and I've been really digging it - except for the damn fret sprout which is scratching up my hand! I have 3 other EMBB basses, and 6+ other EMBB guitars (sorry, I'm too lazy to count), none with fret sprout, nor do I have the problem with the many other guitars I own. I typically only encounter this with cheap guitars, not new $3K guitars/basses.

I'm in NJ, so it's definitely cold with fairly low humidity, but not absurdly so; it's about 40% humidity in my house. I've had about 40-50 guitars pass through my possession, with only a few cheap ones suffering as badly from fret sprout like this one. Possibly the dealer in upstate NY has their stock in worse conditions, and the neck will naturally adjust. Or another difference that came to mind is all my other EMBB's with a solid maple neck are roasted, while the Bongo in Mantis Green is un-roasted, maybe making it more susceptible.

Though I have the tools and experience to address the fret sprout, but sorry, for a $3K bass I'l return it before having to fix it (or worse, paying to have if fixed). Part of my mentality is, "if I screw something up fixing a new guitar, then I can't return it." And if ~20 other guitars in my house don't have this problem, neither should this one.

BTW, it's interesting the bridge still has those bolts on the sides, which have been eliminated from the StingRay. Any backstory to while the Bongo kept the bolts?

It's definitely a good bass, but my NBD is soured by the sharp frets :-/

 

[mynan]

[email protected]

This is either a warranty issue, or it's not. If it's a warranty issue, contact customer service. If it's not, then fix it or return it.

 

[MarkF786]

Wow, great feedback (not). Returning it is probably the best option. Quality has been slipping. As you encourage, time to move on.

 

[DrKev]

Fret sprout can happen on any instrument. It's less common on higher priced instruments, yes, but it can still happen. If you are under warranty call Music Man Customer Service and the store you bought it from. If you are no longer under warranty, fret sprout is a very easy job for a good guitar tech or luthier and won't cost a lot.

 

[nebadon]

How long have you had Bass?

Give Bass at least 10 to 14 days to settle in new enviroment and see if there is any improvement: if not send it back for refund or repair (if you love everything else about it)

My new Stingray Special wouldn't hold a setup first 4 days I had it: was shipped to me Guitar Center (MF warehouse) went to return to local GC but a friend of mine worked in Service dept. and told me IHE sometimes takes 2 plus week for neck to settle in our area

Since I had 45 days to return decided to give his advice a shot and after 20 days held setup fine ever since.

 

[five7]

Any bass can get fret sprout, especially where I live. Return or remove the sprout.

 

[MarkF786]

I've decided to put several Boveda packs in the case and see if it improves over the next week. I did also email EBMM to see what they say. The bass is brand new, just received yesterday (thus why I was a bit p*ssed). It was built in May 2025 according to the serial number.

BTW, guitar manufactures can make fret sprout more rare & mild, for example by:

- Fretting instruments at low relative humidity (30-35%)
- Slightly undercutting the fret tang at edges
- Better rounding fret ends

Part of that is to reduce the sharpness if fret sprout occurs, and I know many better builders do these things. I don't know if EBMM does, but at least the 2nd & 3rd methods they don't appear to.

I'm hoping it's just a matter of the bass was stored in a cold, low RH warehouse, and hopefully some rehydration in the case will resolve the issue.

 

[DrKev]

Music Man do an extra moisture extraction stage after the wood (which is in principle already seasoned) arrives in the factory. (One of the many factory tours on YouTube talks about the machine they use and how much extra moisture comes out).

Undercutting fret tangs takes more time, but also requires filling the gaps left by the recessed fret tang at the edge of the fretboard, so double extra time and cost. And sooner or later some of those fills will fall out if the neck wood shrinks fall out, which leaves an unsightly little hole at the fret slot end. I hate that! It also does nothing to prevent the shaper edges from edge of the fret top itself should fret sprout occur. For a small percentage issue, I don't see that's a helpful approach. Maybe on cheaper instruments with less well seasoned wood and higher percentage risk of fret sprout, I dunno?

Better rounding fret ends is nicer, I totally agree, but cannot prevent fret sprout which should be addressed in any case. But once that's done, we're usually good for ever.

With your bass, maybe it was just storage and will resolve itself, I'm crossing my fingers for you! But also, maybe you're just part of the unlucky small percentage. And again, we are talking small percentages here, rather than lots. The issues with your bass are not representative of the way most instruments leave the factory or their eventual fate.

 

[MarkF786]

Another observation for the gang: the neck is obviously unfinished maple, and NOT roasted - but it feels much less finished than usual, like it was just sanded with 400 grit and left as-is.

Most of my EBMM's have roasted maple necks, though I have one with an un-roasted maple neck, and they all feel MUCH MUCH smoother, while this one still feels a bit "furry", if you know what I mean. It seems maybe they missed the "tru-oil and gunstock wax" or just didn't sand it with grits finer than 400. I did use one of those wipes EBMM sells, but it didn't make much of a difference. It's a night-and-day difference feeling this neck compared to all my other EBMMs.

Does anyone else have a Bongo with an unfinished maple neck?

More & more, I'm starting to think something is wrong with this neck...

Edit: I tried contacting support again. I think I'll give the dealer a heads-up, this one might be coming their way for a return.

 

[DrKev]

Edit: I tried contacting support again. I think I'll give the dealer a heads-up, this one might be coming their way for a return.

As this is NAMM week, much of EBMM's staff will be there, so customer service will be slower to respond than usual. Calling your dealer is always a good thing.

 

[MarkF786]

I decided to take matters into my own hands, rather than dealing with returning the bass or shipping it for service:

- Rehydrating the neck with the Boveda pouches reduced the fret sprout, then I used StewMac's Micro-Mesh Dual Angle Touch-up Sticks (1,500 to 12,000 grit) to smooth any remaining sharpness. I don't mind a tiny bit of fret sprout if it's not sharp.

- I ordered Birchwood Casey Tru Oil and Wax, along with the two finest grades of Scotch-Brite pads (grey & white). EBMM's support site does recommend a periodic use of the Tru Oil and Wax. I'll remove the neck from the bass, then do a quick rub on / rub off of each (though giving the Tru Oil some time to dry in between). I've been reading some prior posts on how to do this, but I welcome any feedback.

- I noticed the pick guard had some scratches around where a person might anchor their thumb, definitely not from me - I don't know if the bass was a return or store model, but I negotiated ~$500 off so I'm feeling a little less bothered about some minor imperfections. I ordered a new pick guard for $40 shipped. The rest of the bass does look new; the paint's perfect an no dings anywhere.

Historically, I am very good at many aspects of guitar work - anything mechanical, electrical, setup, etc., I'd say I'm as good as any professional. But fretwork and any finish work (paint, etc) I have limited experience with, so I always approach it with caution.

 

[tbonesullivan]

- I noticed the pick guard had some scratches around where a person might anchor their thumb, definitely not from me - I don't know if the bass was a return or store model, but I negotiated ~$500 off so I'm feeling a little less bothered about some minor imperfections. I ordered a new pick guard for $40 shipped. The rest of the bass does look new; the paint's perfect an no dings anywhere.

Historically, I am very good at many aspects of guitar work - anything mechanical, electrical, setup, etc., I'd say I'm as good as any professional. But fretwork and any finish work (paint, etc) I have limited experience with, so I always approach it with caution.

The plastic wasn't on anymore? Yeah, I'm gonna guess the fret sprout on this guitar is do to being displayed in a non-humidified room for a long period of time, and possibly being used and/or a return. The plastic should always still be on if they are going to consider it "new". Heck I just bought a New Old Stock 2001 Stingray 4, and the plastic was still on and the bass was perfect. Really sucks that you've had to deal with this experience.

 

[MarkF786]

The plastic wasn't on anymore? Yeah, I'm gonna guess the fret sprout on this guitar is do to being displayed in a non-humidified room for a long period of time, and possibly being used and/or a return. The plastic should always still be on if they are going to consider it "new". Heck I just bought a New Old Stock 2001 Stingray 4, and the plastic was still on and the bass was perfect. Really sucks that you've had to deal with this experience.

Very observant. No, the plastic wasn't on the pick guard.