Okay, another pickguard (plus some other mods)...

[bassmonkeee]

I've gone through a lot of different looks, they have all been leading to this one.

My Bongo is now completely tricked out. First, I installed the recessed straplocks. Now, I have it tuned EADGC with Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats--the red silk matches the new b/r/b pickguard perfectly.

Unlike Moby, the Black Sapphire Bongo had been nameless--until now. I think it's safe to say that referring to this bass as KITT is not out of line.

You'll notice that the bottom of the pickguard has been modified to fit the Bass Mute in front of the bridge. I've really been playing with a pick a lot more in the recent past, and the bass mute+copper pick+Jazz Flats is pretty much the sound I've heard in my head.

The addition of the bass mute to the already formidable variety of tones available from Dudley's amazing 4 band preamp (not to mention the piezos) creates every tone I've been looking for. The high C increases the incredible singing range of the Bongo--a tone as sweet as any tenor sax, or fat jazz box. With roundwounds, I've never found a high C string that didn't get lost in the mix once you incorporated a band--not a problem with the Jazz Flats, though. The strings are evenly matched across the neck, and they'll only get better as they break in.

I've been working on a lot of standards recently, and playing the heads with the Bongo is very satisfying. I've even recorded some Bongo duets with Moby holding down the bottom. If I ever finish one that I'm happy with, I'll post it.

Thanks, again, EB/MM, for a wonderful, wonderful instrument!

 

[mr_omerta]

I like it! The red looks very sharp...

 

[Colin]

Could you explain to a dumb guitarist like myself what the purpose of a Bass Mute is for.

Colin

 

[midopa]

Sweet look.

Hook me up with a Bass Mute!

 

[MingusBASS]

I'll give it a try...

Back in the day of Motown, James Jamerson got his sound by playing a P bass w/ flats. Most people know that, but he also used a piece of foam under the strings by the bridge. It gave him a thumpy, almost "uprightish" tone that made all those basslines sound great. Of course today, we have better technology and over the years some bass makers have put string mutes in the bridge of their basses. Ricks still have mutes and Music Man Ray's used to have mutes. The Bongo has no mutes and to duplicate those thumpy tones, Monkee has put an aftermarket bridge mute system on his bass. I'm sure with those mutes and flats he can get a pretty convincing P sound...but on steroids.

I hope that explains it...but I'm sure Jason will come along and add his perspective.



Andrew

 

[smallequestrian]

You know, until you actually said what color that was, I always though it was carbon blue.

 

[Colin]

Thanks for that, it gives me a better understanding

Colin

 

[TheDirtyMoocher]

how is the different tuning going? i was wondering if the pickup's....calibration maybe?...would mess up how it sounded

 

[maddog]

Very Nice Look!

 

[FireAarro]

Wow. Unique and nice.

 

[MingusBASS]

That guard would look sweet with a Candy Red Bongo.

Andrew

 

[AnthonyD]

Very nice - Love the red line!

Anthony

 

[Mobay45]

Really nice!

I kept going back and forth over whether or not I was going to keep my Bongo. That was until I finally broke down and installed the TI flats that I've had for a couple of months. Now it's not going anywhere but to some gigs with me.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Sweet! I like the red line look, too.

Care to go into how bad it was to install the flush straplocks? My dearly departed W**wick FNA had flush mounted Dunlops, and I really liked them.

 

[tkarter]

I like that alot. Ever change pg. Try Moonstone on that baby. I am telling you it can wreck a marriage if you play enough gigs with... Well


tk

 

[tkarter]

IMHO bass mutes kill overtones. Not Jamerson exclusive.


tk

 

[Psychicpet]

IMHO bass mutes kill overtones. Not Jamerson exclusive.


tk

.....umm, yes... but that's a good thing if you're goin' for it. I love palm muting and pluckin' with my thumb no zing but man does it thump

and j. .... holy hell man!! that is some kinda freak show ya got goin' on!
looks great, and yes, KITT is very fitting BUT in the coming weeks my Bongo5 fretted could be the among the wacky as well................

good job though dude, and I really need to find a Canadian retailer that doesn't whine and complain when I ask if they can get Tomastik in

 

[HeavyDuty]

C'mon - tell us about mounting those Dunlops, will 'ya?

 

[phatduckk]

the red line on the pickguard is genious! i love it

 

[bassmonkeee]

Heh--Sorry, HD, I completely forgot about this thread.

Installing the recessed straplocks wasn't too tough. All you need is a 3/8" drill bit, really. I used the rubber grommets because of the nature of the Bongo body--they wouldn't sit flush. I probably could have drilled a bit deeper to get them completely recessed, but I like the way the grommets match the input jack.

As for the mute killing overtones, well...that' kinda what it's designed to do.

To me, nothing sounds quite as good as a nice quick attack with a big thud after it. So, that's why I use picks with the mute. I'm a big fan of palm muting and using my thumb, but I find that using the mute and playing with a pick right by the edge of the neck gives a better tone. But, that's just me.

A bass might sound great with the full spectrum of sound when it's soloed, but I find I can turn up and be heard better in a band setting when I don't compete with the frequency range of the guitar at all.