Radiance Red or Desert Gold

[Mobay45]

It is actually different-Jon has talked about this before. It's actually more of a Desert Gold burst than a normal DG bongo.

Andrew

I stand corrected! I do remember that now. I'm old. The memory comes and goes.

 

[Golem]

Why not just order a tort guard? It's not THAT expensive.

Very true. The Nuevo MOTS is a definite goner. I'm just browsing all the options, both EB and 3rd party, and looking at pix of pitters' new Bongos and PGs for ideas. Given the current polling choice, only White Ice and Torty are involved and it's a no-brainer [at least as to PGs]. But once a multitude of choices are involved, then that's a different meaning of "No-Brainer" [as in, "see also: Melt-Down"]. One temptation is a fluorescent transparent orange from Pickguard Heaven. I haven't seen a burgundy PG anywhere yet, but I have a burgundy strap on my other wild orange ax, and it's cool, a sort of Punk meets Fall Foliage effect.

See, this whole thread points up the main problem with basswood. It's too ugly for a natural finish, so it's gotta be painted over, and all these chi-chi concerns arise. With a great piece of ash, au naturale, it's just so simple. Any old PG or none at all, black or brown strap, and ready to shut-up-and-play.

 

[neutrino]

So - this is my first real bass - should I get a 4 string or 5?

 

[jongitarz]

So - this is my first real bass - should I get a 4 string or 5?

Yes!

 

[neutrino]

errr?

 

[adouglas]

errr?

He means that you should get whatever pleases you. Neither one is better than the other.

If I were you, I'd get a 5, because 5 strings adds a lot of versatility.

For one thing, it makes transposing songs downward simple...and you'll find you do that all the time, especially as the singers get older and can't hit the high notes any more. This is the #1 reason why I like my 5.

For another, it lets you play runs in one position, rather than having to reach down the neck to get those low notes. This helps your speed and fluidity.

And from time to time it's fun to add a really punchy, powerful note below the low E to give people a kick in the butt.

But I'm not you. Do what YOU think best.

 

[MingusBASS]

Nay-What Jon means is get BOTH.



Andrew

 

[bovinehost]

What Jon means is get BOTH.

We have a wiener!

 

[neutrino]

He means that you should get whatever pleases you. Neither one is better than the other.

If I were you, I'd get a 5, because 5 strings adds a lot of versatility.

For one thing, it makes transposing songs downward simple...and you'll find you do that all the time, especially as the singers get older and can't hit the high notes any more. This is the #1 reason why I like my 5.

For another, it lets you play runs in one position, rather than having to reach down the neck to get those low notes. This helps your speed and fluidity.

And from time to time it's fun to add a really punchy, powerful note below the low E to give people a kick in the butt.

But I'm not you. Do what YOU think best.

even though I'm a bass newbie?

I intend to play: Dave Matthews Band, Tool, Live, Red hot chili peppers, a perfect circle, etc...

 

[Golem]

even though I'm a bass newbie?

I intend to play: Dave Matthews Band, Tool, Live, Red hot chili peppers, a perfect circle, etc...

I often wonder when I see info like that, about what someone intends to play, if it means that the band would like to be mistaken for those other bands [at least occasionally, by someone who's only partially drunk....] or do they simply favor that material, those songs, b/c they like them and they know them reasonably well from listening to what they like.

When who/what you intend to play is a concern related to choosing your gear, the answer to the first question really must be made clear to whomever you seek out to ask advice about gear.

If you need to sound like the original bands for that material [be occasionally almost mistaken for the original players...] you can't just duplicate those players' choices of instruments and expect to sound the same. Even if you can play exactly like they play, there's so much else involved in the original productions [studio or stage performance recordings] that you'll never closely approximate in your own sound, especially your stage sound if the original is a studio track.

OTOH, if you choose material you like, but plan to be yourselves simply playing other bands' material b/c that material is favored by yourselves and your audience, then it would seem that any gear that has sound and playability to please yourself is the gear to get. Other than certain total opposites [like a nylon classical gui*ar, conga drums, and a flute for playing heavy metal favorites] why shouldn't you [focusing just on bass here] just get a bass that pleases your ears and hands [and wallet] and then go play the material?

I guess it's a question of your own way with the material [but in a playing style still within the genre of the originals], *OR* attempting to closely mimic the sound of the actual recorded material. Especially if you play material from mutliple bands, the latter approach seems close to impossible. There are tribute bans that focus on one single band, and bust their ass to get that sound down... but multiple target bands in the same manner? all in one lifetime? Sounds to me like shooting almost impossibly high. The former idea [your own way, but in the genre] leaves your choice of gear pretty wide open. You [meaning "anyone"] will play material that they like best, so gear that sounds best-to-you will naturally be the compatible gear for the sound in your head.

The players in the [multiple] bands that you like to hear are not all playing the same ax, so that tells you that there's no particular ax required. Obviously, price always matters. Shop for bargains: clearance sales, clean used stuff, etc. Plug in the real bargains and check out the sound and the feel. To be a really opportunistic bargain hunter, you can't let yourself decide in advance that a certain ax, or 3 possible axes, are your final choice. Your final choice is any great bargain that sounds right and feels right to you, even if it had never crossed your mind before, even if it had never been recommended by your advisor.

 

[neutrino]

I often wonder when I see info like that, about what someone intends to play, if it means that the band would like to be mistaken for those other bands [at least occasionally, by someone who's only partially drunk....] or do they simply favor that material, those songs, b/c they like them and they know them reasonably well from listening to what they like.

When who/what you intend to play is a concern related to choosing your gear, the answer to the first question really must be made clear to whomever you seek out to ask advice about gear.

If you need to sound like the original bands for that material [be occasionally almost mistaken for the original players...] you can't just duplicate those players' choices of instruments and expect to sound the same. Even if you can play exactly like they play, there's so much else involved in the original productions [studio or stage performance recordings] that you'll never closely approximate in your own sound, especially your stage sound if the original is a studio track.

OTOH, if you choose material you like, but plan to be yourselves simply playing other bands' material b/c that material is favored by yourselves and your audience, then it would seem that any gear that has sound and playability to please yourself is the gear to get. Other than certain total opposites [like a nylon classical gui*ar, conga drums, and a flute for playing heavy metal favorites] why shouldn't you [focusing just on bass here] just get a bass that pleases your ears and hands [and wallet] and then go play the material?

I guess it's a question of your own way with the material [but in a playing style still within the genre of the originals], *OR* attempting to closely mimic the sound of the actual recorded material. Especially if you play material from mutliple bands, the latter approach seems close to impossible. There are tribute bans that focus on one single band, and bust their ass to get that sound down... but multiple target bands in the same manner? all in one lifetime? Sounds to me like shooting almost impossibly high. The former idea [your own way, but in the genre] leaves your choice of gear pretty wide open. You [meaning "anyone"] will play material that they like best, so gear that sounds best-to-you will naturally be the compatible gear for the sound in your head.

The players in the [multiple] bands that you like to hear are not all playing the same ax, so that tells you that there's no particular ax required. Obviously, price always matters. Shop for bargains: clearance sales, clean used stuff, etc. Plug in the real bargains and check out the sound and the feel. To be a really opportunistic bargain hunter, you can't let yourself decide in advance that a certain ax, or 3 possible axes, are your final choice. Your final choice is any great bargain that sounds right and feels right to you, even if it had never crossed your mind before, even if it had never been recommended by your advisor.

I was just trying to decide whether a 4 string or a 5 string would be better to learn on...???

 

[Mobay45]

I was just trying to decide whether a 4 string or a 5 string would be better to learn on...???

That question is harder to answer than you realize. FWIW, I almost exclusively play a 5 string now. I started on 4, switched to 5, switched back to 4 and now I'm back to 5. I can play either, but since I play 5 most of the time, I'm much more comfortable and play more confidently on a 5. Even though there is an extra string, I find that most lines are easier to play on a 5. That's why I switched back.

 

[phatduckk]

I was just trying to decide whether a 4 string or a 5 string would be better to learn on...???

i think it doesnt matter which one you get. I have lefty friends that started playing on righty instruments (guitars, basses) and its normal to 'em. So I guess im saying that youre in for a learning curve and the diff in that curve isnt gonna change too much if you start on a 4 or 5.

I say walk into a shop and play a few basses, 4's and 5's - the first one that you dont want to put down is the one to buy.

 

[tkarter]

Nothing wrong with asking questions. Of course there isn't any of us that can make up your mind for you. Advice is all for the most part good and meant to help you in making a decision when you are unsure.

It is great you are wanting to learn the bass. It is even greater that you have found the most playable brand of bass that can easily be aquired.

Now you have to figure out what you want to do.

Maybe find a teacher to teach you. Ask away here too and try to expound on your specific needs.

The 4 or 5 string question is one we can't answer for you or even likely to help you make a descision on.

IMHO

tk

 

[neutrino]

i can't walk into a store and play a bongo - i'm buying one on blind faith (scary).

I only have Gibson/Fender etc. locally so there is nothing like the bongo here. I don't mean to be so persistent with questions, but I am trying to trust those of you that have experience and have walked the path before me as corny as that sounds.

 

[Mobay45]

I understand your plight, Grasshopper.

Where do you live that there's not a Guitar Center nearby?

 

[neutrino]

Kentucky

 

[AnthonyD]

I say walk into a shop and play a few basses, 4's and 5's - the first one that you dont want to put down is the one to buy.

This is EXACTLY how it's done! Excellent advice Arin!

 

[Mobay45]

I absolutely love my SR5 and my Stingray. The DG Bongo 5er will probably go to a new home pretty soon. I like the sound but the feel is just not for me. It will be replaced with a HH Stingray 5 before long though. As great as the Bongo is, it's just not for everybody. Maybe I'll try one again someday.

 

[Golem]

I was just trying to decide whether a 4 string or a 5 string would be better to learn on...???

Oooops. Sorry I got carried away. People learn to play on six string gui*ars, don't they? Unless you have a seriously *overwhelming* attachment to such concepts as "basic simplicy", "elegant simplicity", you're probably going to find that a 5-string is really the typical workingman's bass these days. Get it and learn on it.

If you drive an old air-cooled VW Beetle and fix it yourself [or feel some strong identity with someone who would do that], then you are surely a classic 4-stringer.