recommend me a bongo!

[Dante]

i got an easy one for ya: gimme reasons why i, otherwise a widdly diddly wannabe skinny stringer, should buy a bongo.

of course(here's the twist in the plot), don't forget to mention 4 or 5 strings(and why), cuz one of my main axes is tuned to B!

 

[GreyDad]

Coz u will be Cool with a Bongo

4, 5, 6 strings they are all good the earlier you start your collection the better

The mere fact you are here on the Enlightened Side asking this question means you know the answer and are already hooked

 

[Grand Wazoo]

In the time that I have been in this forum I have run a few polls to see what people's favourite choice of Bongo combinations were and this poll here gives you an idea.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/37831-musicman-bongo-poll-who-has-what-here.html

and of course I also asked the Bongoloids here what is that they like so much about their Bongo and here is a very long thread for you to read through.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...oloid-thread-you-like-your-bongo-because.html

After which the choice is yours. Good luck with whatever you choose then let us know.

 

[oddjob]

Quick question... what do you plan on using it for?

 

[Dante]

for going lower than the lowest tuned idiot out there!

seriously tho, for songwriting and to improve my sense of timing and groove. although metal is usually quite flat, it's great to know when that next measure is coming up. and for some god forsaken reason, i can keep my thumb moving in time, do fills and stuff while improvising. when i pickup a guitar, all i see are diagrams.

edit: being a bit more clear; i do tune down, but cliff burton only needed 4. i jammed with my mentor today with my B tuned y2d. the stuff that comes with that guitar isnt stuff id had the bass player doubling. id much rather have him/her playing more complex harmonies in between or maybe sycopated with me. thus, i'm much more inclined to the 4 stringer. and maybe later a 5 stringer.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Well, if you get a 5-string it doesn't necessarily mean you have to use the low B right away. That's the joy of 5-string, it will do anything a 4-string can, but not the other way around.

 

[oddjob]

From the sounds of it I would go with a 5 HS. Don't have to use the low B right away (but it sounds like it might be in future plans so why put it off) the S will cut through anything and is great for the melodic tone it sounds like you are going for.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I agree: a dual pickup 5 (HH or HS) would be my suggestion.

 

[koogie2k]

OK.....I will chime in on this. I tune to Bb. I use a bongo single H 4 Banger. After getting some things adjusted and what not my bongo (aka Warhammer) is a beast.

I prefer to use a 4 banger. A 5 banger is cool as well....but...just not for me.

If you can...try one out.

BTW....Real men use 4 bangers.

 

[GreyDad]

Alarmingly, I'm with Koogs on this

Besides, the lighter the Bongo the more accurately you can throw it at bartenders at metal gigs, eh?

Bongo H 4-banger is great, although admittedly by owning a 5er and a fretless as well my metal cred is zero...

 

[koogie2k]

Alarmingly, I'm with Koogs on this

Besides, the lighter the Bongo the more accurately you can throw it at bartenders at metal gigs, eh?

Bongo H 4-banger is great, although admittedly by owning a 5er and a fretless as well my metal cred is zero...

LOL....good one bro. You got me.

 

[oddjob]

Koogs, I'd be afraid to argue with you (esp since I love my 4Hs). You Warhammer is a very unique beast in and of itself.

 

[Dante]

well, it's a real bitch you see. i five will cover alot of ground. a four will play easier. right now, one of the basses on the for sale section is getting my attention. is it possible to tune down to B without too much rattle?

godammit, i hope i don't have to buy 2... as is the case with every EBMM instrument...

 

[GreyDad]

godammit, i hope i don't have to buy 2... as is the case with every EBMM instrument...

what do you think?

 

[MingusBASS]

Get a dual pickup Bongo.

 

[oddjob]

is it possible to tune down to B without too much rattle?

Koogs goes that low (lower) I bleeb and doesn't have any issues. Trick to it is that you'll have to get a good setup for it and you won't easily be going B tuning to standard.

 

[RocketRalf]

To me a 5 string is more comfortable than a 4 string why? well because the B string makes for a perfect thumb rest Seriously, I'm not kidding. If you start to learn on the 5 string, you won't ever have any issues with it. Plus you won't have to detune to reach that low B, C or D. To me the 5 string bass has the perfect extension: The low B covers all that chest moving range, while the higher frets on the G string reach a singing register for a little solo or a different color when the guitar is not riffing it out. A detuned 4 string to me would be lacking, and a 6 string is for prog heads or technically minded players. I still appreciate both, but the 5 covers all my bases (no pun intended ).

 

[Dante]

imma gonna test one! imma gonna test one! imma gonna test one! imma gonna test one!

THIS WEEKEND!!!
big enough chance i end up buying it cuz it's in my fav color. i just hope it aint nicked n stuff.n double H no p. i think i would enjoy the tjiuf tjiuf of piezzo, i'd rather have the right color.

 

[Deaj]

If you haven't yet developed a preference between 4 and 5 strings I'd suggest starting with a 5'er. As previously stated a 5-string can cover any ground a 4-string can but nott visa-versa. I prefeer 4-string personally and have no practical application for a 5'er. Sounds like you may at some point so it would make sense to develop your techique on a 5'er.

Definitely go for a 2 pickup model, HH or HS, can't go wrong with either. Bettween the blend control and the 4-band EQ the Bongo is the most widely verrsatile electric bass I've ever played capable of copping just about any tone imaginable.