??? of BP

[oddjob]

Sterling, after reading a certain closed thread I got to wondering: any chance a production run of Bongos will come about with the original electronics package? Love what I have (am very thankful for them) - just curious if they will ever become "un-dumbed down." Thanks.

 

[Big Poppa]

No because you never know whose hands they would end up in..you may understand the massive parametric eq but if you sold it mayb e the next person wouldnt

 

[Randracula]

I can't imagine needing a more powerful EQ than the Bongo already has.It's a monster......I think you really got it perfect Sterling

 

[oddjob]

No complaints here (hell, I love the 3 band on the H) - just, as I said, curious. There is always a fine line between pushing innovation and overwhelming the masses - I was just wondering how much eq was too much... now I do

 

[oli@bass]

I really need to try one of those Bongo.... if I can ever get hold of one in our tiny little country...

However, I barely touch the EQ on my StingRays, and also rarely twisted the tone controls on other basses, because I like how the instruments sounds by itself -- so I don't see a use (to me) for a powerful EQ on an instrument... (with amps, that's a different story).

I am overly conservative, I know, but I'd like to know how others use their EQ.

 

[RobertB]

Oli,

Seeing the numerous posts from folks in various places who have a hard time getting their hands on EBMM basses, makes me wonder if you've ever tried any of the online dealers who'll ship anywhere - musiciansfriend.com, for example. Or dealers with a large online sales department, like basscentral.com (they have a truly massive EBMM selection)?

I guess the issue, though, is that even though they usually have a return policy which gives you a chance to check it out, if you DO send it back for some (unthinkable in the case of an EBMM) reason, YOU are stuck with shipping costs in both directions, right?

With the info & feedback available on this forum, though, I really think I'd feel pretty comfortable about making an order through one of those companies, once I decided what to order, no?

~Robert

 

[Aussie Mark]

Oli,

Seeing the numerous posts from folks in various places who have a hard time getting their hands on EBMM basses, makes me wonder if you've ever tried any of the online dealers who'll ship anywhere

The EBMM dealer agreement prohibits US-based dealers selling new instruments outside of the US. Oli's best best to pick up a Bongo for a decent price is to buy used from one of the large online dealers, or keep an eye on eBay or the For Sale thread in this forum.

 

[midopa]

Were the original electronics in the green Bongo prototype that was shown at the EB Open House? That thing had like seven knobs.

 

[RobertB]

The EBMM dealer agreement prohibits US-based dealers selling new instruments outside of the US.

That answers that, then. Thanks for the info, Mark - I've been curious about that.

Well then, that still leaves Bass Central, as I mentioned. They've always got a handful of used EBMM basses. There's a used Stealth Bongo 4 there now.

And there are others, of course - Bass Northwest "The Largest Bass Only Store In The World!" (bass northwest) is another one I know of who often has some used ones in good condition as well.

Robert

 

[bovinehost]

From Gav's website, the Bongo prototype, for those of you who haven't seen it.

If I recall correctly, it had parametric EQ, and was capable of....well, VAST changes in tone. Yes, most of the changes were good. Inevitably, someone would have cranked everything all wanky and declared it to be terrible.

While of course I thought it was very cool and cool looking, I'm glad we ended up with what we ended up with.

Jack

 

[rhythmCity944]

i have a prototype 4 band parametric eq pre amp that i put together for my bass rig...it has like 8 knobs in the fasion of high, high mid, low mid, and bass with each frequency getting a boost knob and a band width knob ( to change slope of the curve )...it is super hard to figure out how everything works in conjunction with everything and find tone settings that one may like but once you know the ranges of each knob and what it does to your tone, then it is gold and allows you to really dial your tone in the mix...i'd love to have a parametric eq on my bass since i run around stage like a mad man and like to tweek my tone on my bass at live shows...a person who doesn't have a understanding of what a parametric eq does, it'd be pretty bad...iat the end of the day, the simpler the better for me

 

[somesmerized]

Thank you for posting that Jack ! That bass is stunning... I sure would have been lost. My 4 band is all I need

(Was the proto a little chubbier that the production Bongos, or is it the pic? The absence of guard?)

 

[asianjeff]

Hate to say it... but the proto looks more.... um... "bowlish" Glad the production design is slimmed down a lot... Def love the new look.

 

[oli@bass]

Well then, that still leaves Bass Central, as I mentioned. They've always got a handful of used EBMM basses. There's a used Stealth Bongo 4 there now.

I know they always have some they are allowed ship internationally, and I've already had contact with Beaver about a couple of basses, most of the time they were already gone when I asked about them (sometimes I was simply too slow, sometimes the website was outdated).

However, since every instrument is a bit different, I prefer to play a bass before I buy it! And since I have not money to waste, I try to keep "trial and error" as low as possible. I've been lucky with the Dargie, but less lucky with the 100th NAMM I bought online.
And shipping across the pond is quite expensive, a return would cost me about USD 700.

My best bet is to buy a bass unseen from someone I trust to be honest about its qualities and condition.


Back to the topic: How do you guys use your EQ? Do you use it to adapt the basic character of the instrument to the song, or to adapt the bass sound to the current room situation? (I generally use the amp's EQ for the latter)

 

[Fred E.]

Let me preface by saying that the primitive reptile section of my brain operates under the principle that "the more knobs & switches the better"...that must be why the old BC Rich basses are such a magnet for me. However, my less used rational primate brain section reminds me that the more knobs & switches that are available also means that there are fewer "bad tones" that I can produce.

Back in the 80s & early 90s, I loved parametric & quasi-parametric eqs. But I am incapable of using them effectively & usually end up with some really sucking tones. The current Bongo eq is already a bit too dangerous for me.

 

[RobertB]

Thanks for posting that pic of the Bongo proto, Jack. I'll bet the forum was abuzz for sure, back when that came out, huh? Must've been exciting. Heck, the thing is still exciting, and it's how much later now?

 

[strummer]

Thanks for posting that pic of the Bongo proto, Jack. I'll bet the forum was abuzz for sure, back when that came out, huh? Must've been exciting. Heck, the thing is still exciting, and it's how much later now?

Ummm, that proto wasn't disclosed until after the release of the Bongo, I think the first time we all saw it was after the first open house.
I love the original design, and it would be intersting to hear Sterling tell of why the changes (other than the übercomplicated electronice) were made I will guess it has something to do with ergonomics?

 

[Big Poppa]

It had to do with it sounding like poo poo if you dimed it and people have to dime things!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I like to have some tonal options on the bass itself, but it has to be relatively simple. I can't imagine being able to navigate a parametric EQ on the fly on stage! I'm guessing it was a good decision to not go in that direction.

 

[oli@bass]

Parametric EQs are like wrenches...