Rounds on the Big al, Flats on the Bongo

[Powman]

As you folks may know, I recently sold the Sterling for a Big Al. So I have 2 main basses: Bongo 4HH, and Big Al4SSS. The Big Al is so freakin versatile, massive range of tones. Great for my cover band where we do many different bands and styles.

But I love my Bongo still and was feeling guilty that I was not giving her as much attention as she deserved. I wanted to make her more different than her younger show-off brother Big Al.

So I put the flats back on the Bongo and jammed with a drummer and a keyboard player last night. No guitard invited.

We did the following songs:

1. Us and Them (Pink Floyd)
2. Breathe (Pink Floyd)
3. Come Together (Beatles)
4. Lazarus (Porcupine Tree)
5. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Elton)
6. Song for Guy (Elton)
7. Your Song (Elton)
8. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (Paul McCartney).

Holy Moley! Did the Bongo with flats sound awesome with just keyboard and drums. Gorgeous tone! I am back in love both of my kids.

I am keeping the flats on the Bongo permanently.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I absolutely adore my Bongo with flats. Of course, I have flats on my Big Al, too.

 

[Powman]

I absolutely adore my Bongo with flats. Of course, I have flats on my Big Al, too.

Tried that too just for fun. I still much preferred the rounds on the Big Al, but of course flats on the Big Al was still very cool. I want there to big a nice big difference between my two kids so they both feel special.

 

[syciprider]

I'm thinking of putting EB flats on my Big AL. Hmmmm that's something I can do this afternoon...

 

[projectapollo]

I'm a big fan of flats, BUT .... did observe that putting flats on a Big Al or 25th significantly reduces the tonal ranges of those basses. The rounds make all those button combinations sound quite distinct. Much less variation in tone with the rounds. So, my vote is flats on the Bongo, Rounds on the Big Al.

 

[bovinehost]

I absolutely adore my Bongo with flats. Of course, I have flats on my Big Al, too.

Subversive!

 

[bassmonkeee]

I'm a big fan of flats, BUT .... did observe that putting flats on a Big Al or 25th significantly reduces the tonal ranges of those basses. The rounds make all those button combinations sound quite distinct. Much less variation in tone with the rounds. So, my vote is flats on the Bongo, Rounds on the Big Al.

I think we have different ideas of what "significantly reduces" means.

 

[syciprider]

You lose the sparkling and trebly overtones but that is about it.

Just got done restringing the AL. My fave passive setting (neck and middle) gives a pleasant thump. But watch out for that neck pup soloed in active mode with a bit of low boost. It is THUNDEROUS.

 

[bassmonkeee]

You lose the sparkling and trebly overtones but that is about it.

Two words I don't associate with bass.

 

[MrMusashi]

the bongo with its warm, yet wideband (for the lack of more descriptive words) sound is an excellent bass to use flats on.
takes away just enough of the top end, adds even more thump and feels so lovely to slide on..
as an added bonus they only get better with age..
and if that wasnt enough... you get to be just like jack..

MrM

 

[bassmonkeee]

you get to be just like jack..

You take the bad with the good, I guess...