O Bongo boys, could you help me?

[Psycho Ward]

Since Mr. Ball himself says there are going to be lefty Bongo’s, it’s time I made a few decisions; I want to have my order ready.

I know I want a black one, I want one so shiny and slick that a mosquito would bust his ass if he tried to land on it! Which EBMM black?

I’m not sure about the eq options or the pickup options, any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

And one more big decision is whether to get a 4 string or a 5 string. I already have a SR 5 and I love it, but I’m still a little more comfortable on a 4 string… what to do?

I need to finalize my decision because if EBMM will take my order today I’ll DO IT!


Thanks for your help,

Chuck

 

[SteveB]

Chuck,

From the pics I've seen, I think the normal black is more shiny than the sapphire black. So I'd go for that if you want shine.

Maybe someone else can answer this: is the Stealth Bongo the normal black color, or the sapphire black, or something unique to that model?

I don't know how you would lean on the pickguard color... I mean, if you want pure shiny black, then obviously opt for black pickguard. Or, you could shake things up slightly with black pearloid... or make a bold statement with a white pearloid pickguard.

4 or 5 string? Well, if you intend to be a 5-string player, you should probably confine yourself to 5 strings until you are 100% comfortable with them. If you're on the fence as to whether you really want to be a 5-stringer, then go with the safety of a 4 string because you know you'll love that.

Big Poppa says the single humbucker is The One. And of course, the pickup selection dictates the EQ that you'll get.

 

[Freddy-G.]

Chuck, I would be doing you a disfavor if I didn't tell you how much I love my HH 5-string. Having the tone options of the 4 band eq is a blast. The low/high mid adjustment is a beautiful thing. And panning to either the neck or bridge pup just increases the tone options.

As for choosing a 4 or 5-string, an increasing number of the newer rock and jazz tunes I'm hearing have 5 and 6-string basses in them. If you're playing classic rock, you're fine with a 4-string. Let the kind of music you play make that decision for you.

No matter which you choose, you're gonna love it, no doubt!

 

[muggsy]

From the pics I've seen, I think the normal black is more shiny than the sapphire black. So I'd go for that if you want shine.

Maybe someone else can answer this: is the Stealth Bongo the normal black color, or the sapphire black, or something unique to that model?

From the pics I've seen, the Stealth Bongo is more of a matte finish, not shiny at all. I've got a stealth 4-string HH on order and hope to see it before the end of the month, so I'll confirm when it gets here.

 

[Mobay45]

I say go for the five. You are already into the transition. There isn't anything you can do on a four that you can't do on a 5, but there are things you can do on a 5 that you can't do on a 4. As for the black, I agree that the regular black finish would be the one you would want. The sapphire black looks like it is more of a charcoal to me. As for pickup options, I really love my HH Bongo. I have played the HSC but I haven't played the single H. I also like the 4 band EQ that you get with the HH. You don't get that on the single H.

 

[TSanders]

If I were to order a Bongo today. I can honestly say that Id order a Single H. Its my fav pu config and it dont get no freakin credit. I loved my Single H, great sounding bass. Ask Jack, ask Big Poppa.... the single H is sweet.

 

[midopa]

Plain black is the only shiny/glossy black finish.

Black Bongos = Excellence
Naked black Bongos = sweeeeeeet

 

[skabassist13]

If it was me, id go for the HH in regular black. But thats me. Id also get a black gaurd and take it off as soon as I got it. Look at midopa's bongo and youll see why. 4 or 5, thats your call.

 

[MCBTunes]

Regular black is awsone, especially looks good with a black or black ice pickgaurd. If you decide it doesnt have to be shiny look into the stealth though it is sweet looking too.

As for 4 or 5.... "I" like 4 strings, sheehan and wooten only needed 4. BUT low B is really up to you, do you like, use want it?

 

[mike not fat]

Color and string number are up to you only (if you have as many muscles as me, a 4 string would be enough, but as you can cary a SR5...).

For the PU : HH or HS, depending on the tone your looking for (H/S is more jazzy if I resume all I read about). But don't miss the possibility of having 2 Pu you can mix, with a killer preamp, except if you plan to buy 4 or 5 of those, like Bov', which let you try every Pu config even the single H.

Maybe you should wait to see if there's anything else interesting for lefties in the 6 other new annouced models ? Or ask Big Poppa if there anything interesting in it.

MNF

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've had lots of 5 strings, but never felt comfortable and always went back to the 4. Got a Bongo 5 last friday and took it to 2 cover gigs (6 sets) and 2 rehearsals since. Didn't bring a backup so I couldn't cop out. I get the feeling now I'm never gonna wanna go back to the 4. We'll see.

I'm not sure if the time was just right, or the Bongo just felt so comfortable and right that caused the shift - but there really is a lot of fun I can have with that extra string. It's only 5 extra notes, but it's great having the extra lows when I'm playing past the 5th fret.

I think ya might one day regret getting the 4 if you're undecided. It may just take a little comittment to get used to and feel at home with the 5. Then again, I could be totally wrong because I'm not you.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Hey Thanks everybody, this is a big help!

Plain Black it will be, with a black pickguard, (I may go naked like Midopa).

H/H with the 4 band… what the hell. My G&L2500 has that configuration and some great tones are possible, if only the rest of the guitar was as good as the SR5…

This may change but I’m leaning heavily toward a 5 string, I have several 4 bangers and all I need is more time with a 5 string in my hand.


I’ve got the bucks, I’ve got Bass Central’s phone number and the wife’s blessing, Say when EBMM.


Chuck