Rediscovering the Bongo love

[syciprider]

I've been working on my pinch and artificial harmonics lately. Today I tried my lessons on the Bongo for the first time. They are sooooo much easier to pull off! The bass and strings (Super Slinkies) are very responsive, less critical to technique and the notes are very chimey and clear. When I went back to my Rays it was night and day! I have to be more precise when I pinch on the SRs.

 

[J Romano]

Having just gotten the Bongo, I find I can't put her down. The tone controls are unbelievable. I find them, for me, much more distinct than in my other basses. Curious if it has to do with the 18 volt system? Then playing with mag and piezo balance changes it into another whole different ball game! I am loving it, just need to work out one problem. I changed over to flat wound and I am getting a buzzing on open D only. All other notes come in fine. Gonna pull out my ruler on Monday and check to see if I need to make a tension rod adj.

 

[guenter]

Having just gotten the Bongo, I find I can't put her down.

Believe me: I got my Bongo 5 HHP in November 2010 and still can't put him down. My SR 4 HS is only collecting dust since then.

 

[husky123]

I'm right there with you. Just got my Bongo last week and can't stop playing it. One of the things I really like is how responsive the bass is to your technique. Tone changes galore at your fingertips. Phenomenal bass.

 

[laneline]

Recently back in Bongo land after a year Bongo-less, I love my 25th's and will always play them but damn the Bongo really is addicting. I hope EBMM will bring unpainted necks out as an option as imho it's a great enhancement to an already iconic bass and hey maybe a passive option also, just saying.

 

[J Romano]

Problem Solved

I solved the open D buzz problem. I talked to AJ at Customer Service and he mentioned a couple of things that it might be. Of course he said it is hard to do a diagnosis over the phone. One of the things that he mentioned was the nut may have been cut out a little. I have standard flat wounds on the Bongo, I remembered I had a set of EB Group II flats that had a 70 D string in it. So I swapped it out for the 65, no more buzz on open D. Guess I will have to get a "nut job" at some point in time if I want to run standard strings. Could it just be a defective string??? There was no buzz with the rounds when it came. But I have no idea what gage they are. Might have to mic them when I get a chance. Former owner might have played with his nut

 

[Oldtoe]

Sounds nutty to me.

 

[syciprider]

If you haven't tried it, dime the hi mids, flat or slightly cut the low mids, a hair of hi, a generous bass boost (go on, it's ok). Nice kinda scooped sound that strongly suggests you're "there" without really drawing attention to the bass.

 

[J Romano]

That is sweet. Like it lots!!!!