Props for the Bongo HS

[oddjob]

Well my new (used) Bongo arrived last week - a BD Bongo HS. Long story short... My BD Bongo H went to Eggy and I had a friend who offered me a KILLER deal on an HS to replace it - (turned out to be a Blue Dawn... go figure).

Anyway, before now, I have some serious time in on the H and HH models but had less than a 1/2 hour on the HS (and it was the original HS not the newer S). Got it, brought it home, gigged it... it ROCKS!!! No where near as aggressive as the H. A tad more refined than the HH. But it has its own unique character. It booms! Got tons of comments about the tone the other night.

While it hasn't replaced my love for the single H - I am finding that the HS has lot of great stuff to offer (and the highs are crystal clear on it - OMG).

BP, I don't know why the Bongo hasn't taken off. It is just a killer instrument and offers soooooo much. Props to you and Dudley (and the whole EBMM crew) for a killer instrument!

 

[Psycho Ward]

I agree with you Ritch, there's something very special about the H/S, on a Bongo, Sterling or a StingRay. Enjoy that bass!

 

[Stoo]

I think a Bongo HS would make a near-ideal instrument as a complement to a Stingray/Sterling. ( I am the owner of a dedicated piggy-bank for such a thing...)

I've played an HS Sterling for a few minutes and was impressed at the variety of tones. Impressed...not surprised.

Congrats!

 

[MingusBASS]

You should hear the HS configuration on a fretless. Freak'n amazing.

Congrats on your new Bongo.

 

[RobertB]

Congrats!

 

[Basstige]

As a newly minted bongoloid, about all I can think about is what my *next* Bongo shall be (though happy I am with me new Stealth Bongo 4HH).

Right now I'm leaning toward a Bongo 5H, but I played a Sterling 5 a month or so ago and liked it too. A lot. Plus the Sterling offers something different tonally from the Bongo, but complementary.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[RobertB]

FYI Basstige, a GC in my area has a Stealth Bongo 5HH at a great clearance/CDY price. PM me if you're interested in the price (as far as I know, the forum guideline/rule of not discussing detailed store prices is in effect).

 

[LoEnd]

As a newly minted bongoloid, about all I can think about is what my *next* Bongo shall be (though happy I am with me new Stealth Bongo 4HH).
Decisions, decisions....

Welcome to the madness

 

[Old_Guy]

BP, I don't know why the Bongo hasn't taken off. It is just a killer instrument and offers soooooo much. Props to you and Dudley (and the whole EBMM crew) for a killer instrument!

As best any of us can tell, it's the physical appearance of it. The derisive nicknames (which decorum prohibts me from repeating in this genteel company) tend to frighten away those that, should the occasion arise to actually strap one on and play it, would undoubtely have to own one. Which leaves the market saturated with F***r instruments (of which I do own one) and the too-numerous-to-mention copies, which generally appear to me to resemble carving boards. Eg, remove p/ups and plop your T-Day turkey right in the center, and use the neck to carry to the table.
I will say that the guitarist I play with manages (Stage Manager; occasionally doing the sound as well, etc.) a rather well known venue in Vienna, VA., and he loves the Bongo; prefers the tone over ANY electric bass he's heard, and yes, he hears 'em all every week.
WRT firearms, of which I know more than basses, it took a long time(20 years) for conventional wisdom to accept the notion that a pistol could be made partially of polymer plastic (aka, Glock); however at this juncture, that's pretty much the standard for law enforcement and (everyone else's) military.

 

[Basstige]

Thanks for the tip on the Bongo 5HH, RobertB, but I'll be looking for a single humbucker Bongo 5.

 

[RocketRalf]

I don't think there's anything wrong about the shape of the bongo. The only thing that might be wrong in the masses opinion is that it doesn't look like any other renowned bass brand. Maybe in 20 years all the basses will start looking like the bongo.

BTW back to topic: Ed Friedland did recently a video review of a Bongo 6 that happened to be an HS. It really got me interested on that configuration, it sounds awesome. Here's the link in case you missed it! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS0mQDmQzAs]YouTube - Ernie Ball/Music Man Bongo 6 String Bass[/ame]

 

[laneline]

Kudos to Ed for doing great a great demo, I seen his one on the SR5 Anniv. & ordered one the next day. I'm now waiting for funds from guitar sale to get a Bongo 5, I finally played one, I was all in, after playing it for several minutes, I can't decide whether to go HS or HH, but I'm jumping into the Bongo pool ether way.

 

[agplate]

I have many basses ranging from Hofner to Rics to Yamahas and even a funky Mouradian. I play full time and nearly exclusively use my Stealth HS nightly. I'm sad to see the others (even the Stingray5) sit at home, but the Bongo is the best to play, period. Damn! Though it has a few minor quirks, overall, it's likely the best bass ever. I use elixirs on it btw.

 

[b-unit]

I'm trying to decide between H and HS for a fretless Bongo. I love the tone of my single H Rays and want my fretless to growl. I'm leaning towards the single H as I have a passive jazz fretless and only use the rear pup, despite the tone not having much bottom.

 

[RocketRalf]

I hear piezo is a must have for fretless. I'd get an Hp for fretless, plus you get the 4 band EQ that way. I have no experience with single H bongos or piezo, though.

 

[oddjob]

HP for a frettless... oh yeah, that is the way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Zippydog]

Loving my new Bongo 5HS!
A different sound than my 5HH Bongo, but that was the point!

Enjoy!

 

[Black Lake]

My fretted Bongo H has ober growl, so I suspect it might be what you are looking for in a fretless.