Psychicpet
Well-known member
Fellas, there are some sweet new Bongos in at the BassCentral web site, the white Bongo5 looks great, but I'm still partial to the more metallic colours that really seem to bring out the contours of the body.
- Thread starter Psychicpet
- Start date
bovinehost
Administrator
Oh, this is not good at all. I just took my Bongo 5 (strung with TI Flats) to a blues jam last night and it rocked.
But of course, I don't have a Bongo with a single coil at the neck position...
...stop posting these things, would you?
But of course, I don't have a Bongo with a single coil at the neck position...
...stop posting these things, would you?
Psychicpet
Well-known member
Trust me, I've already got the plans in my head of buying 2 Bongo 5s with Humbucker and single coil config and then Franken-Bongo-ing it to get one 5 with 2 hums (which I would then make fretless) and a bongo with 2 single coils..... ah the madness!!!!!
bovinehost
Administrator
It did indeed take some practice, and thank you for noticing.
About 30 plus years of practice, now that I think about it.
About 30 plus years of practice, now that I think about it.
fifthorange
Well-known member
i love bongos. i just wish that i had a lot of money to buy one. i didnt know that they made a 5 string though. when did they come out?
Psychicpet
Well-known member
Out? Who said anything about coming out? My closet is quite spacious thank-you very much!!fifthorange said:
fifthorange
Well-known member
im sorry, mabe "when were they released to the public" is better terminology?
bovinehost
Administrator
Last year - October, November? I got mine in November and it was supposedly one of the first few shipped to the general public.
Certain Big Name Fancy Guys already had Bongos, of course.
Certain Big Name Fancy Guys already had Bongos, of course.
fifthorange
Well-known member
cool
Bongo Bonkers
lets face it; Bongos look like a drunk has attacked it with a jigsaw - they are ugly!
The basic Stingray design, by Leo, looks great - other than that, Musicman's attempts to make new designs, fall a bit short.
Sorry, if I should know this already, but I get the impression Mr Host is an employee of the company; his evangelistic fervour for the bongo seems a little over the top. Get a life!
lets face it; Bongos look like a drunk has attacked it with a jigsaw - they are ugly!
The basic Stingray design, by Leo, looks great - other than that, Musicman's attempts to make new designs, fall a bit short.
Sorry, if I should know this already, but I get the impression Mr Host is an employee of the company; his evangelistic fervour for the bongo seems a little over the top. Get a life!
bovinehost
Administrator
"lets face it; Bongos look like a drunk has attacked it with a jigsaw - they are ugly!"
If I remember correctly, you are almost as old as I am, and I think we (old guys) sometimes can be a bit conservative about our choices concerning basses. If it isn't vaguely Fender-ish, IT'S A MUTANT! DRIVE IT AWAY FROM THE HERD!
So I would say to you: YOU face it. You have an opinion, and you are welcome to it, but it may not (and in this case DOES not) match the opinion of many other people.
It also occurs to me that if you've not played one, you might want to do that before dismissing them as drunken jigsaw designs. They truly are exceptional in both tone and playability, although I do know that some basses, for whatever reasons, simply don't appeal (visually) to some people.
It further occurs to me that posting in a thread about Bongos in order to simply insult them is a bit troll-ish, but it's a free country. Just because you CAN doesn't always mean you SHOULD, but look! It's another opinion!
"...Musicman's attempts to make new designs, fall a bit short."
Many Stingray 5 and Sterling owners would disagree with you. For a bad design, those Stingray 5s certainly are ubiquitous!
"I get the impression Mr Host is an employee of the company."
No, and one of the advantages (hell, the ONLY advantage I can come up with) is that I can say what I want and be sarcastic and funny and dismissive, if I desire, although I usually do try to be a bit more diplomatic in a sometimes vain attempt to keep the discussions at a certain level. My name is Jack, I live in Texas, I play bass part time (used to be full time, but there were no dental benefits), I am originally from MS but have no accent, I own a number of interesting basses, created what I feel to be the nearly perfect child about two years ago (he is wearing a shirt right now that says: "Warning! I Am Two") and my favorite color is Inca Silver. Now how about you?
"Get a life!"
Now really. This is no way to make new friends, is it?
If I remember correctly, you are almost as old as I am, and I think we (old guys) sometimes can be a bit conservative about our choices concerning basses. If it isn't vaguely Fender-ish, IT'S A MUTANT! DRIVE IT AWAY FROM THE HERD!
So I would say to you: YOU face it. You have an opinion, and you are welcome to it, but it may not (and in this case DOES not) match the opinion of many other people.
It also occurs to me that if you've not played one, you might want to do that before dismissing them as drunken jigsaw designs. They truly are exceptional in both tone and playability, although I do know that some basses, for whatever reasons, simply don't appeal (visually) to some people.
It further occurs to me that posting in a thread about Bongos in order to simply insult them is a bit troll-ish, but it's a free country. Just because you CAN doesn't always mean you SHOULD, but look! It's another opinion!
"...Musicman's attempts to make new designs, fall a bit short."
Many Stingray 5 and Sterling owners would disagree with you. For a bad design, those Stingray 5s certainly are ubiquitous!
"I get the impression Mr Host is an employee of the company."
No, and one of the advantages (hell, the ONLY advantage I can come up with) is that I can say what I want and be sarcastic and funny and dismissive, if I desire, although I usually do try to be a bit more diplomatic in a sometimes vain attempt to keep the discussions at a certain level. My name is Jack, I live in Texas, I play bass part time (used to be full time, but there were no dental benefits), I am originally from MS but have no accent, I own a number of interesting basses, created what I feel to be the nearly perfect child about two years ago (he is wearing a shirt right now that says: "Warning! I Am Two") and my favorite color is Inca Silver. Now how about you?
"Get a life!"
Now really. This is no way to make new friends, is it?
A previous comment you made in another thread, and I quote"...I’d feel stupid showing up to my weekly blues jam carrying a three thousand dollar handmade fancy-ass furniture bass.." does show a certain conservative view towards bass deign.
Overall I cannot understand your fanaticism for Musicman basses, other than it being a company ploy as a way to put you over as "Mr average bass player, that happens to think the sun shines out of MMs rear end." I find your self righteousness viewpoint a little wearing at times.
Not sure where the figures are to show my views don't match most people either?
As for Stingray 5 design; yes I play one too. Its not my ideal bass and feel its time for it to move on. The body is too big (they should have based it round the original stingray shape), regardless of it being one of the better balanced B strings (yeah, yeah, we have all read the Bass Player Mag 5 string shoot-out) I don't know why they never increased the scale length or ran the strings through the body - it still suffers at 34". The tone circuit sucks, the treble and middle, when boosted are harsh and the bass boost gets muddy. The four strings are great basses; the 5s sound different and have only one tone.
My names Mike and I am from the UK - nice to meet you Jack; I am not attacking you personally, just trying to shoot down your fanatical, self righteous, company man attitude. Also, maybe prompting you to spend less time here and more time on the bass!
Regards
Adam Clayons Fat Pay Cheque
Overall I cannot understand your fanaticism for Musicman basses, other than it being a company ploy as a way to put you over as "Mr average bass player, that happens to think the sun shines out of MMs rear end." I find your self righteousness viewpoint a little wearing at times.
Not sure where the figures are to show my views don't match most people either?
As for Stingray 5 design; yes I play one too. Its not my ideal bass and feel its time for it to move on. The body is too big (they should have based it round the original stingray shape), regardless of it being one of the better balanced B strings (yeah, yeah, we have all read the Bass Player Mag 5 string shoot-out) I don't know why they never increased the scale length or ran the strings through the body - it still suffers at 34". The tone circuit sucks, the treble and middle, when boosted are harsh and the bass boost gets muddy. The four strings are great basses; the 5s sound different and have only one tone.
My names Mike and I am from the UK - nice to meet you Jack; I am not attacking you personally, just trying to shoot down your fanatical, self righteous, company man attitude. Also, maybe prompting you to spend less time here and more time on the bass!
Regards
Adam Clayons Fat Pay Cheque
bovinehost
Administrator
I’m not saying I don’t have the same conservative approach to bass design, Mike – not at all. I lumped myself in with the Old Guy group. In the four or five strictly controlled free minutes I have each week – gotta keep up the internet posting, as I’m sure you know - I actually enjoy playing a very conservative Custom Shop 64 Jazz bass. Hardly anyone points at it and snickers.
The first time I saw the Bongos, I was….eh, surprised, let’s just say. I perused the NAMM photos for a year and sort of grew accustomed to the looks, then started to wonder, “What sort of bass is this, then?” Eventually I had to have one. Then, having overcome my fear and realizing that this was indeed quite a good instrument, I then had to have two. Maybe I have to have three, but I’ll wrestle my demons personally and require virtually no assistance and only minimal cheerleading.
But speaking of odd, I also have two Reverend basses, which are good for a comment or two re the unusual styling (“What the hell is THAT?”), but which are also fabulously well-made basses.
So late at night, when I’m all alone and examining what sort of sad person I’ve become, I think perhaps that at least I’ve overcome enough of my own “conservative” prejudice to realize that I don’t give a happy sh*t one way or the other if people think my basses look funny.
But I still secretly think those fancy-ass furniture basses are a bit of a wank, don’t you?
“…a company ploy as a way to put you over as Mr average bass player….”
You must have some really funny ideas about how America works, but now this one, I like. If I could possibly find a way to get a paycheck out of this, believe me when I say I’d be on it like ugly on Lou Ferrigno. Mister Average Bass Player!
My multi-pronged mission? To convince the rest of the world that Bongos are safe for human consumption! To continually insist that EBMM basses are some of the best production basses available! To drive home the point that EBMM Customer Service is fast and responsive!
Ah, but wait – there’s a catch. All those things are already well-known. My extremely valuable and highly trained professional opinion sort of pales in comparison to damned near anything else, I would guess, such as what strings Flea uses or how Fieldy gets that amazing tone. (Or how Adam Clayton gets such a big fat paycheck.) I sure do like your idea, though, and you’ll be the first to know should Musicman inexplicably begin to send paychecks my way.
Self-righteous, you think? Gosh, I don’t know. I’ve been accused of being so many things, including a puppet of the giant reptiles who live underground and rule the earth by enslaving human brains, but being a fan of EBMM basses doesn’t automatically make me an insufferable prick, do you think? And really, self-righteous? Let me quote you once more:
“Also, a blues jam night? Sounds great - must have took some practicing beforehand, I must say.”
Yes, I can be a bit of a smart-ass, but I doubt I have anything on you. But if you’re going to insult me and the type of music I occasionally play, at least do the grammar up right. “Must have taken” would have been correct. Also, I’d prefer to play Beatles and so on, but hey, when in Rome….
“Not sure where the figures are to show my views don't match most people either?”
I didn’t do any polling or surveys, sorry to say, although that is one of my hobbies when not sitting glassy-eyed in front of the computer monitor, feverishly hoping for someone to post something new on the Ernie Ball Forum. But you misquote me. I didn’t say your views don’t match those of “most other” people, did I? I seem to recall saying “many” other people, and I think it’s fair to say, based on casual observation, that a fair number of people DO play and DO like, for example, the Stingray 5s. Perhaps I should have been more precise. Perhaps “many other bassists” would have been better, considering the overall human population versus overall number of bassists versus total number of Stingray 5 players. I promise I’ll punish myself later in some relevant manner, such as reciting “Hail Ernie” ten times and then going to bed without having played a Bongo all day.
Now, having read your comments, I can truly see why you bought a Stingray 5. Body too big, scale too short, no string-through body design, tone sucks, highs too harsh, muddy low end, one trick pony….those are exactly the qualities I look for, too, when thinking about spending well over a thousand dollars for a new bass. It’s like we’re brothers, isn’t it? Sort of spooky, really!
“I am not attacking you personally, just trying to shoot down your fanatical, self righteous, company man attitude.”
Gosh, being from the American South, I thought I knew quite a bit about being graceful and polite, but my mom never told me that calling someone “fanatical” or “self-righteous” is what I suppose you must call an “impersonal” attack?
“Also, maybe prompting you to spend less time here and more time on the bass!”
That’s it, I’m going to stop publishing my daily schedule on the internet.
The first time I saw the Bongos, I was….eh, surprised, let’s just say. I perused the NAMM photos for a year and sort of grew accustomed to the looks, then started to wonder, “What sort of bass is this, then?” Eventually I had to have one. Then, having overcome my fear and realizing that this was indeed quite a good instrument, I then had to have two. Maybe I have to have three, but I’ll wrestle my demons personally and require virtually no assistance and only minimal cheerleading.
But speaking of odd, I also have two Reverend basses, which are good for a comment or two re the unusual styling (“What the hell is THAT?”), but which are also fabulously well-made basses.
So late at night, when I’m all alone and examining what sort of sad person I’ve become, I think perhaps that at least I’ve overcome enough of my own “conservative” prejudice to realize that I don’t give a happy sh*t one way or the other if people think my basses look funny.
But I still secretly think those fancy-ass furniture basses are a bit of a wank, don’t you?
“…a company ploy as a way to put you over as Mr average bass player….”
You must have some really funny ideas about how America works, but now this one, I like. If I could possibly find a way to get a paycheck out of this, believe me when I say I’d be on it like ugly on Lou Ferrigno. Mister Average Bass Player!
My multi-pronged mission? To convince the rest of the world that Bongos are safe for human consumption! To continually insist that EBMM basses are some of the best production basses available! To drive home the point that EBMM Customer Service is fast and responsive!
Ah, but wait – there’s a catch. All those things are already well-known. My extremely valuable and highly trained professional opinion sort of pales in comparison to damned near anything else, I would guess, such as what strings Flea uses or how Fieldy gets that amazing tone. (Or how Adam Clayton gets such a big fat paycheck.) I sure do like your idea, though, and you’ll be the first to know should Musicman inexplicably begin to send paychecks my way.
Self-righteous, you think? Gosh, I don’t know. I’ve been accused of being so many things, including a puppet of the giant reptiles who live underground and rule the earth by enslaving human brains, but being a fan of EBMM basses doesn’t automatically make me an insufferable prick, do you think? And really, self-righteous? Let me quote you once more:
“Also, a blues jam night? Sounds great - must have took some practicing beforehand, I must say.”
Yes, I can be a bit of a smart-ass, but I doubt I have anything on you. But if you’re going to insult me and the type of music I occasionally play, at least do the grammar up right. “Must have taken” would have been correct. Also, I’d prefer to play Beatles and so on, but hey, when in Rome….
“Not sure where the figures are to show my views don't match most people either?”
I didn’t do any polling or surveys, sorry to say, although that is one of my hobbies when not sitting glassy-eyed in front of the computer monitor, feverishly hoping for someone to post something new on the Ernie Ball Forum. But you misquote me. I didn’t say your views don’t match those of “most other” people, did I? I seem to recall saying “many” other people, and I think it’s fair to say, based on casual observation, that a fair number of people DO play and DO like, for example, the Stingray 5s. Perhaps I should have been more precise. Perhaps “many other bassists” would have been better, considering the overall human population versus overall number of bassists versus total number of Stingray 5 players. I promise I’ll punish myself later in some relevant manner, such as reciting “Hail Ernie” ten times and then going to bed without having played a Bongo all day.
Now, having read your comments, I can truly see why you bought a Stingray 5. Body too big, scale too short, no string-through body design, tone sucks, highs too harsh, muddy low end, one trick pony….those are exactly the qualities I look for, too, when thinking about spending well over a thousand dollars for a new bass. It’s like we’re brothers, isn’t it? Sort of spooky, really!
“I am not attacking you personally, just trying to shoot down your fanatical, self righteous, company man attitude.”
Gosh, being from the American South, I thought I knew quite a bit about being graceful and polite, but my mom never told me that calling someone “fanatical” or “self-righteous” is what I suppose you must call an “impersonal” attack?
“Also, maybe prompting you to spend less time here and more time on the bass!”
That’s it, I’m going to stop publishing my daily schedule on the internet.
Bongo With A Vengence
Damn, just when I was starting to feel like Captain Willard, at the end of Apocalypse Now. Having bumped off Kurtz (aka, Bovinehost) I become top dog in the Temple ruins that are the EBMM "lack of" discussion forums.
I can see I will have to think more Alan Rickman (evil English guy, as evil German) versus the more svelte like Bovine Willis in a "Die Hard" type strategy.
Anyway, I am sorry I started this whole thing - It seems to have turned into some bass psycho drama (mummy, dont lock me in the dark cupboard with the Ibanez - please!).
I do think your deep south, bible belt, inner belief system enables you to love these basses.
Being from Liverpool (and down the road from that cynical, overrated scouser, Lennon's home) I have a more acerbic view of the religion you call "Musicman."
I do agree, the company customer service is very good and overall I like the way they operate (as long as they don't try designing new body shapes, we are all safe).
Anyway, I take back my sarcastic comments about Blues Jam Nights - now I know your from Texas, respect due (Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray, Rosoe Beck - all top notch Texas players). Having said that, the Beatles came out of Liverpool, yet most jam nights here are probably crap!
Anyway, I give in, you have barraged me with too many words and poured yours bass soul out - may have to lay low and try another tactic.
Hang on - I have one last shot at the one they call "Host" Question - What scale do you use over an altered chord? (yes Mr McClane, we have your wife here!!!)
Gene Simmons Jazz Sensibility
Damn, just when I was starting to feel like Captain Willard, at the end of Apocalypse Now. Having bumped off Kurtz (aka, Bovinehost) I become top dog in the Temple ruins that are the EBMM "lack of" discussion forums.
I can see I will have to think more Alan Rickman (evil English guy, as evil German) versus the more svelte like Bovine Willis in a "Die Hard" type strategy.
Anyway, I am sorry I started this whole thing - It seems to have turned into some bass psycho drama (mummy, dont lock me in the dark cupboard with the Ibanez - please!).
I do think your deep south, bible belt, inner belief system enables you to love these basses.
Being from Liverpool (and down the road from that cynical, overrated scouser, Lennon's home) I have a more acerbic view of the religion you call "Musicman."
I do agree, the company customer service is very good and overall I like the way they operate (as long as they don't try designing new body shapes, we are all safe).
Anyway, I take back my sarcastic comments about Blues Jam Nights - now I know your from Texas, respect due (Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray, Rosoe Beck - all top notch Texas players). Having said that, the Beatles came out of Liverpool, yet most jam nights here are probably crap!
Anyway, I give in, you have barraged me with too many words and poured yours bass soul out - may have to lay low and try another tactic.
Hang on - I have one last shot at the one they call "Host" Question - What scale do you use over an altered chord? (yes Mr McClane, we have your wife here!!!)
Gene Simmons Jazz Sensibility
fifthorange
Well-known member
SHUT UP!
You know I think. The more I look at the Bongo the more it makes since to me. Nice lines, looks real comfortable to play. You can't beat all those pick-ups. I viewed Jacks on his web site and it really looks first class and well thought out. I suspect with all of EB's knowlege of bass design I think they got something there and comming from Texas you know that bible toten south I'm just going to have to get me one. A humbucker with a single coil. First place I'll play it is my church.
bovinehost
Administrator
BasseramaMike:
I owe you a beer, sir, and you are most welcome to take me up on it any time you're in the area.
Thanks - I needed a laugh! Nice to meet you.
Jack
I owe you a beer, sir, and you are most welcome to take me up on it any time you're in the area.
Thanks - I needed a laugh! Nice to meet you.
Jack
Southern Life
Sure thing Bovine; its mutual. If your over here, I will show you the delights of Liverpool and explain how we resold you rock and roll, via the Beatles (lol).
Anyway, shame about Mr Orange - seems he went to his local store looking for a new banjo, couldn't read the sign that said "bass" - now he's bitter and twisted.
Never mind, at least dating his cousin and enjoying the delights of trailer park life are keeping him happy. Shame you can't play "duelling banjos" on a Stingray though?
Joan Jet's Modal Improvisation
Sure thing Bovine; its mutual. If your over here, I will show you the delights of Liverpool and explain how we resold you rock and roll, via the Beatles (lol).
Anyway, shame about Mr Orange - seems he went to his local store looking for a new banjo, couldn't read the sign that said "bass" - now he's bitter and twisted.
Never mind, at least dating his cousin and enjoying the delights of trailer park life are keeping him happy. Shame you can't play "duelling banjos" on a Stingray though?
Joan Jet's Modal Improvisation
