Report on my new (to me) Bongo!

[Koch Sanchez]

So after close to 24 hours with my Carbon Blue HS Bongo 5 (which I bought used from an online dealer) - I have the following insights and one or two questions:

1) The neck on this thing rules - I've owner and/or bought and returned a G&L L2000, several Fender MIA and MIM (including 1 custom shop), and a SR4 and I have to say - this is by far the nicest necks I've played. Fast, decent action (the bass is in bad need of a set-up), nice fretwork, etc...

2) its really comfortable both sitting and standing. Well balanced, light but not cheap feeling, and well proportioned.

3) The preamp has a ton of usable tones.

4) The tuners are smooth and turn very easily.

5) While I love the look, my wife is still warming up to it, I placed it on the couch to adjust the neck and left the room for a minute, when I returned my wife said "Please get that weird blue thing with strings off of our good couch".

Then again she didn't like me when she first met me either...

One question - it came with a cheap-o Levy's gig bag. I want to get a better case for it but don't want to go full out and get the MM hardshell - what are some other case or gig bag options for the bongo at lower price points?

Sorry for the long post - just wanted to post my feedback on a quality product.

 

[adouglas]

One question - it came with a cheap-o Levy's gig bag. I want to get a better case for it but don't want to go full out and get the MM hardshell - what are some other case or gig bag options for the bongo at lower price points?

As already noted in the Bongo Hardshell Cases thread you started, your Bongo 5 is longer than the average bass, so finding a generic case that will fit is going to be a problem. I'm not saying it will be impossible, because I don't really know. But it will be a problem.

EBMM cases are made by SKB, and AFAIK the ones from a few years ago are identical to the generic SKBs, but with a molded-in MM logo. After the Bongo was introduced, they had to alter the EBMM case mold to make it longer specifically in order to fit the Bongo 5 (which is one reason, I think, why early Bongos did not include the case).

The MM plastic case is quite good and does a fine job of protecting the bass. You've bought a premium instrument...don't cheap out on protection.

 

[kayneex]

Hi everybody!

I'm also new here, but I must say that this forum has helped me a lot getting acquainted with my ( new to me too!) DG Bongo5HH - my fisrt EBMM !

First of all: all they're saying is TRUE!! Wait 'til your first rehearsal/gig to receive the Light..

Concerning the bag, I must say that I had the same problem looking for the perfect suit for my baby, but EBMM is..well, kinda not common here in France, so it's not very evident to get all the products, SPECIALLY the MM cases, but I've found a T....o softcase that sems pretty working- looks like a gig bag, but robust like a hardcase . Try to go and have a look, you might find something in this style in your nearest Bass Shop ( but I must say that I'd like to try a MM bag, thou)

...and Felicitations for your choice!!

 

[Koch Sanchez]

I may bite the bullet and get the hardshell - in the meantime - I don't have any reason to take it out of the house in the near future so it should be fine in the cheap Levy's gig-bag for the next few weeks.

 

[EBMM7181]

Buy the hardshell case

 

[martin shane]

+1 on the hardshell...

 

[Leftybassist]

hardshell... got any pictures?

 

[Leftybassist]

Does this look accurate for carbon blue?...

 

[bovinehost]

Carbon Blue Pearl in sunlight.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

IMO...... the Carbon Blue and the Saffire Black are very similiar.........my Bongo is Saffire Black but also has blueish tones to it.........