OK.. calling all Bongo'ites.. Sage like advice required

[mammoth]

Good morning to my fellow Bongo nutjobs!

I know this has probably been discussed before but didn't want to hi-jack! (Hi, Jack by the way )

Yesterday I spoke to my local dealer (I'm so glad I found one!!)

heres the craic:

I need a fretless Bongo, I've heard that the best config is HPS but I have no way of knowing for sure until I order it (and thus have to pay for it )

My guitarist (who now owns said dealer shop.. woo hoo!!!) recons that I may rue having the single pickup as I get along sooo well with my 4H beast, and that maybe I should condsider the 4HHP(??) as I could always lower the neck pup to avoid nasty accidents as my techniques does loosen when I've had a shandy or two. - opinions???

I think I definitely will go for unlined rosewood as they're just jaw droppingly gorgeous, but I do worry that my lack of fretless prowess really suggests i go for lined - opinions???

And finally, as my Bongo was 2nd hand I didn't chose the colour. It chose me. I've been thinking that a saucy Buttercream styleee would look great with the big slab of rosewood but not really sure of available finishes (until said dealer dudes call strings and things) - opinions????

And of course, if anyone wishes to show off a fretless Bongo, feel free to post pics!!!!!!

apologies for rambling!!!!

ta in advance

Col

PS. I find it slightly worrying that I've only had my bongo since December 06 and I need another so soon!

 

[adouglas]

1) All fretless EBMMs have pau ferro fretboards, not rosewood. Doesn't look the same as rosewood.

2) Turning the neck pickup off on an HH Bongo does not produce the same sound as an H, because the bridge pickup on dual-pickup models is not in the same place (the "sweet spot") as it is on H models. This is why I've been asking (in vain) for those who have had both to help me with guidance on how to balance the HH pickups to get as close as possible to the H sound. All I get is "go buy an H Bongo," which is the predictable response, I guess.

3) The Hp fretless Bongo kicks butt. You would not be sorry.

4) Lines are nothing to be ashamed of and IMHO they do help. Tony Levin's fretless has lines. Jaco's had lines (admittedly only because his J bass was a defret job).

5) Buttercream was only available as the LE color in 2005.

6) It just so happens that adeluca has a buttercream fretless bongo that he might be pressured into selling you.

 

[AnthonyD]

Mine is Staying with Me (for now!)

Ah, yes... My now infamous and somewhat apathetic relationship with my fretless Bongo HSp...

For the forseeable future, it stays with me - because is sounds so damn awesome!

And Mammoth - believe me you want an HSp in a fretless Bongo. All three full on blend is incredible, and while I cannot offer a comparison between and HSp soloing the H vs. a single H, I can tell you the piezo and the S soloed have their own incredible appeal as well.

For me, it's always come down to the tone of this beast - I have come very close to selling it a few times but everytime I think I have my mind made-up I plug it in for a few moments and do a "what the heck was I thinking". I recently found a way to finance a fretted HSp Bongo without having to sacrafice the fretless, so it's likely to stay with me for a while.

Get yourself an HSp - there will be a few more of us along to tell you the same thing.

Lines or unlined - personal opinion. Lines will certainly help you find your place, but will require you to always watch the fingerboard. I went unlined - and found I need to practice alot - but fretless is about "hearing" where the note is, not seeing where the note is. Also, on an unlined board, the side markers are positioned where the frets would be so there is a reference point available to you at a glance. Steve Bailey advocates practicing fretless technique "in the dark" or with your eyes closed - can't see no lines in the dark.

As Andrew mentioned, Buttercream is an LE color from 2005. It was VERY popular, but finding a fretless may be a challenge. It is a beautiful combination...

 

[MingusBASS]

I have a Bongo5 HSp lined fretless in the amazingly beautiful Buttercream finish. It is incredibly versatile, sounds and looks incredible. I would bet that whatever fretless Bongo you should choose, you'll not be disappointed.

When it comes to lines, contrary to flawed beliefp), I use my ears just as much as the unlined fretless user. I also use muscle memory from playing a fretted bongo. That being said, sometimes you can't hear yourself in the mix. Now, down low on the neck...sweet, I can go off of muscle memory and generally I'm in tune. But if I have to go up high on the neck, it's nice to have the lines to help when I can't hear perfectly. It's really not a big deal. Either way you'll need to use your ear, but there's this macho b.s. out there that if you use lines you're somehow not of the same skill level as the dude with the blank plank. I can understand that some folks like the look of the blank plank more, but to each his/her own.

 

[Big Poppa]

I love the Real men dont use lines recurring argument

WImps need lines

people without them are in denial


herheheheheheheheeh

 

[MingusBASS]

I'm a wimp, but at least I'm in tune.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

I'm a wimp, but at least I'm in tune.

Yeah but it's also a five stringer

Andrew - you've got no hope!

 

[MingusBASS]

Woe is me. I guess the only thing I've got going for me is the lack of acme strings.

 

[AnthonyD]

Ha! I am in denial! And admittedly, out of tune!

MingusBASS makes excellent points re: the lines - I have a big problem shifting positions on my fretless, needing to find a "new" reference point with which to allow muscle memory to do it's thing.

 

[mammoth]

Well!

thanks for the pointers guys!

I was gonna mention the pao ferro plank option but didn't know it was the only option! cheers adoug!

I guess It comes down to sticking my neck on the line and making a decision, this thing sure is gonna be a whole different ball park from my single H beast so I feel having the HS won't kill me! hehe

What a damm shame buttercreme was LE for 2005, muchos colour research required Mr Mammoth! mmm...

and again, I think BP hits the nail on the head.... am I comfortable enough with my macho bullsh*t image to have lined!! hehehehe!!!

i'll let the grey cells ponder on this one for a day or two i think!

I'm off for a pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord while I dwell on it.. mmmm

muchy muchy!

 

[saxnbass]

If you want a Buttercream fretless with rosewood, you're not going to get it.
If you want a Buttercream fretless with pau ferro, good luck convincing someone for theirs.
Other than that, go for it. I prefer unlined myself, and for a fretless Bongo, I want an HH with Piezos.

 

[phatduckk]

lines or unlined? as long as youre playing and having fun i say it doesnt matter. thats what its all about right? having fun

 

[saxnbass]

FUN!!! YAY.
I guess it is. I have owned both and enjoy both. Prefer unlined, but that's me. I'll play either one. Too bad some basses don't have the choice, good the EBMM does.

 

[joshbrake]

Unlined looks much nicer, but I'd rather have lines. I'm not primarily a fretless player so they're nice to have.

 

[sloshep]

Go with the lines. One night of sucky mix and the lines may be all you have to help keep you on pitch. High notes are a bear to play in tune without reference. I have seen several players with unlined fretboards take a solo up high and that was out of tune.

 

[mammoth]

i figure its just the sound I'm interested in guys.. who gives a flying monkey dribble if I don't laser fretmemory! hehe