Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
Hosting for "Jazzyitalian". 2003 Burnt Apple Sterling Fretless modified with 2 original Stingray pickups. The 3-way was converted to a pickup selector and operates like the MM Axis guitars.
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- Thread starter Rod Trussbroken
- Start date
Hosting for "Jazzyitalian". 2003 Burnt Apple Sterling Fretless modified with 2 original Stingray pickups. The 3-way was converted to a pickup selector and operates like the MM Axis guitars.
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phatduckk
Well-known member
holy hot damn batman!!!!!!!!!!!!!
awesome!!!!
awesome!!!!
Aragorn35016
Well-known member
That makes me happy in pants!!! 
Dees
Well-known member
cool
too bad there's no 3 position switch for each pick-up and a pick-up selecter
too bad there's no 3 position switch for each pick-up and a pick-up selecter
SterlingFan
Well-known member
Very very nice.
jazzyitalian
Well-known member
Too Bad no position switch
My thoughs exactly. The trouble I had was real estate. There wasn't enough room in the cavety for a Pan Knob, and there was no strategic place for another lever.
I could have swapped out the mid-eq for a pan. But the mid eq was more important to me than the pan.
In any regard, the series mode while most Sterling fans love it, was underwelming for me. Just not enough MoJo to convince me to keep the feature. (I know I am in the minority on this one.) So I kept it simple and sweet using the Rays instead...
Jazz
Dees said:cool
too bad there's no 3 position switch for each pick-up and a pick-up selecter
My thoughs exactly. The trouble I had was real estate. There wasn't enough room in the cavety for a Pan Knob, and there was no strategic place for another lever.
I could have swapped out the mid-eq for a pan. But the mid eq was more important to me than the pan.
In any regard, the series mode while most Sterling fans love it, was underwelming for me. Just not enough MoJo to convince me to keep the feature. (I know I am in the minority on this one.) So I kept it simple and sweet using the Rays instead...
Jazz
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AnthonyD
Well-known member
Very, very nice!
Thoughts (re: future editions!) - wire the switch to support standard Sterling pick-up options for both pick-ups simultaneously, drop the eq options to 2-band to free-up a spot for the pan.
Ahh... What's that??? Did I hear someone say "Bongo slayer"?
Thoughts (re: future editions!) - wire the switch to support standard Sterling pick-up options for both pick-ups simultaneously, drop the eq options to 2-band to free-up a spot for the pan.
Ahh... What's that??? Did I hear someone say "Bongo slayer"?
rulyøngo
Well-known member
Man it looks nice!!!
How does it sound???
How does it sound???
MingusBASS
Well-known member
adelucia said:Ahh... What's that??? Did I hear someone say "Bongo slayer"?
Not Bloody Likely!!! But seriously...the Bongo kills all. I think that's a cool mod though.
Andrew
jazzyitalian
Well-known member
rulyøngo said:
To quote Mingus... Bloody Fantastic. The bridge pickup is really no different than the original Sterling I had other than the subtle options in the pickup selection. The Neck pickup brings out a bit more mid-range, and both pickups bring the tone down to a very "bossa nova MoJo"...Very rich, and thumpy like an upright.
I love the bass. I get a much broader spectrum of options, and the bass really puts the original Sterlings and Rays to shame. Which is sad in a way. Because I never thought I would wind up saying that. But the damn thing sounds just like a Sterling with the bridge pickup and then goes off beyond the standard Sterling from there on out.
As a matter of fact I sent a pic to Sterling Ball himself and included a letter. He actually called me at home and the first words that came out of his mouth were:
"When we were developing a 2-pickup bass, we used a Sterling as the prototype". He then went on to mention that the location of the bridge and neck pickups were in the same position as he had layed out on the prototype Sterling. So kudo's to my man John Brown for being so on point. I was really quite shocked that Sterling would call me over a picture.
But later I heard that Sterling has done this before with a few of his customers. Sterling likes to keep in touch with his patrons and he is really big into building a solid rapport with people. So maybe it wasn't a revelation that caused the call...It was just a dialogue Sterling chose to have with me in the normal course of his business.
Thanks again...Jazz
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jazzyitalian
Well-known member
adelucia said:Very, very nice!
Thoughts (re: future editions!) - wire the switch to support standard Sterling pick-up options for both pick-ups simultaneously, drop the eq options to 2-band to free-up a spot for the pan.
Ahh... What's that??? Did I hear someone say "Bongo slayer"?
You can hear it from me...As far as comparing this to a Bongo, there really is no comparison. It's all about what feels good. I like the Sterling body and neck. The Bongo rides too strange for me. Other than it looking like a spaceship, I really have little to say about the Bongo. The sound is great. But I never thought the EB made rosewood boards sounded as good as the maples or pau ferros. Also the back of the Bongo neck has a very strange feel to me. I tried to like this bass. (Mostly because I am very partial to Music Man) But I came out with the conclusion that if the Bongo was the only bass MusicMan had to offer, I might play a different bass altogether. That was a sad admission I had to make.
Then again there are people that love the Bongo. And they all have their reasons for liking them. That's all cool by me. Afterall, they are fellow EB brethren in my book..I do hope there are more of them out there. I just haven't heard enough from the Bongo owners.
I don't know that the Bongo will generate the sales the support itself beyond the 5th year. I hope so. But a couple of music stores I visited say that the Bongo saw a sharp rise in demand that level off, which in their opinion was a bit too soon. The Sting Ray is already back to outselling the Bongo, which might not be a good sign. I would think that EB would'nt like a situation when one of their guitar lines winds up being supported by the sales from their main stays like the StingRay or Axis. G-d forbid but if the Bongo sales start to slide, it'll be 86'ed as fast as the Cutlass or Sabre.
I think EB will re-issue the Sabre one day. I just believe it will happen... A couple of the engineers I spoke with at Ernie Ball said that the time may come to consider this endeavor. For now they'll work the latest line of SUBS and Bongo's. But one hinted that if a re-issed Sabre comes out, it'll probably be a limited production for a year or two, and it'll probably look like the latter year Sabres. Then it'll go back in the closet for another 20 years.
Thanks for writing...Jazz
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MingusBASS
Well-known member
Those are some bold statements!
I can't predict the future but I do know that EBMM can't seem to make Bongos fast enough and that the Sabre had it's chance. It's the Bongo's time and I wouldn't write it off without knowing the cold hard facts. Obviously you prefer the sterling neck and look but the Bongo was not designed to compete with the Sterling or Sting Ray, but to offer a new design in look, sound, and feel. Is it Modern to say the least? Sure, but that's what attracted me and many others. But the Pre-amp is where the magic lives and sets it apart from pretty much every other bass out there. That being said, I'm very curious to hear what your bass sounds like and see how it stacks up against a Bongo.
To each his own I guess... I guess I have a thing for spaceships.
Andrew
I can't predict the future but I do know that EBMM can't seem to make Bongos fast enough and that the Sabre had it's chance. It's the Bongo's time and I wouldn't write it off without knowing the cold hard facts. Obviously you prefer the sterling neck and look but the Bongo was not designed to compete with the Sterling or Sting Ray, but to offer a new design in look, sound, and feel. Is it Modern to say the least? Sure, but that's what attracted me and many others. But the Pre-amp is where the magic lives and sets it apart from pretty much every other bass out there. That being said, I'm very curious to hear what your bass sounds like and see how it stacks up against a Bongo.
To each his own I guess... I guess I have a thing for spaceships.
Andrew
jazzyitalian
Well-known member
bold statements
So Sorry Migus..
I didn't mean to come off so bold. It sounds like I might have struck a sour chord..
But you understand that I'm only repeating the comments I got from a few sales reps at a couple of music stores I visited. Who knows, maybe as sales reps they suck...
But we all know that the EB company will do what any company worth their salt does with poor performing products. No doubt this is why the Sabre and the Cutless were discontinued. And I don't think Ernie Ball would ever permanently issue the Sabre, albiet a "Anniversary Edition" with a limited production tied to what they feel market demand would bring them. (1 to 2 years)
But there is no other bass that has ever sounded like the Sabre. If you ask any of the afficionados (i.e. GAV, Bovinhost, Father Gino) the guys that have been around for a while and have owned heards of Music Man basses, they'll tell you what their favorites are...You'll be surprised...
No doubt, EB converted a few bass players who were previously playing other non-EB basses with the introduction of the Bongo. And that's a good thing.. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to see MusicMan be 110% successful with everything they do.... The Bongo included, (even if I won't buy one). It's just that from what I've heard from the couple of stores I visited, and from the mixed reviews (some of which are quite negative) I don't know that the Bongo will last even as long as the 12 year stint that the Sabres had. We'll see and I hope your right.
That's all. .Jazz
So Sorry Migus..
I didn't mean to come off so bold. It sounds like I might have struck a sour chord..
But you understand that I'm only repeating the comments I got from a few sales reps at a couple of music stores I visited. Who knows, maybe as sales reps they suck...
But we all know that the EB company will do what any company worth their salt does with poor performing products. No doubt this is why the Sabre and the Cutless were discontinued. And I don't think Ernie Ball would ever permanently issue the Sabre, albiet a "Anniversary Edition" with a limited production tied to what they feel market demand would bring them. (1 to 2 years)
But there is no other bass that has ever sounded like the Sabre. If you ask any of the afficionados (i.e. GAV, Bovinhost, Father Gino) the guys that have been around for a while and have owned heards of Music Man basses, they'll tell you what their favorites are...You'll be surprised...
No doubt, EB converted a few bass players who were previously playing other non-EB basses with the introduction of the Bongo. And that's a good thing.. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to see MusicMan be 110% successful with everything they do.... The Bongo included, (even if I won't buy one). It's just that from what I've heard from the couple of stores I visited, and from the mixed reviews (some of which are quite negative) I don't know that the Bongo will last even as long as the 12 year stint that the Sabres had. We'll see and I hope your right.
That's all. .Jazz
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MingusBASS
Well-known member
Are these local stores? I'm curious what stores you are talking about since I happen to frequent many of the better stores in the Twin Cities. I personally don't see any signs of the Bongo going away anytime soon. If anything, I think it's building up steam and people can't seem to stop talking about it on other forums. I don't doubt that the Sabre was/is a great bass and if I could find one for a good price I'd probably pick one up. However, Jack(Bovinehost) has made it clear that he is as obsessed with Bongos as any of us. I don't even know who Father Gino is...does he post here? Don't sweat it dude, everyone has opinions and prefrences, I just think the Bongo has staying power.
I've purchased 3 bongos from Willies in Saint Paul(one of my favorites) so I'm doing my part to keep it alive!
Andrew
Don't sweat it dude, everyone has opinions and prefrences, I just think the Bongo has staying power. I've purchased 3 bongos from Willies in Saint Paul(one of my favorites) so I'm doing my part to keep it alive!
Andrew
bovinehost
Administrator
It will be interesting to see how the Bongo plays out in the future, but for now, it's hard to imagine that particular bass being unsuccessful in any way. I have no clue what the sales figures are, but I do know that the company can't seem to build them fast enough for the orders that are coming in, and that must mean something.
Just a guess, but yes, I would assume that Stingrays and Sterlings remain more popular. They've had time to become staples, as they should be. The Bongo is not only new, it's different - and different can be difficult at first.
It makes me wonder what those sales reps are seeing. I realize that my view is somewhat myopic....I got my first Bongo in November of 2003, as soon as I could get one shipped out, and although I am a traditionalist in some ways, I knew immediately that these basses were something special.
These guys on this forum won't be surprised. I have loved many a Stingray, including some fine examples of pre-EB Stingrays. I have loved my Sterlings. I have a Stingray 5 right here beside me that ain't going anywhere.
But I think the Bongos are better. My go-to bass, the one I reach for when I don't know what will be required of me as a bassist? The original Bongo I bought a year and a half ago. I can go through a lot of basses in a year and a half, and I have, but that black sapphire Bongo stayed.
Even over on TB, a lot of the original naysayers have seen the light. The Bongo may not be for everyone, but it has made believers out of a few that at first said, "Oh no, the looks...." and so on.
I have respect for the past. I think the Sabres were fine basses. My opinion regarding Stingrays and Sterlings is well known. My preference? Gimme a Bongo, please.
I understand that everyone brings their own preconceived notions to the table, and that may preclude Bongo ownership based on visual aspects, but I will tell you this - no Sabre ever sounded like this.
But hey, if everyone had the same ideas about stuff like this, what a boring world this would be.
Just a guess, but yes, I would assume that Stingrays and Sterlings remain more popular. They've had time to become staples, as they should be. The Bongo is not only new, it's different - and different can be difficult at first.
It makes me wonder what those sales reps are seeing. I realize that my view is somewhat myopic....I got my first Bongo in November of 2003, as soon as I could get one shipped out, and although I am a traditionalist in some ways, I knew immediately that these basses were something special.
These guys on this forum won't be surprised. I have loved many a Stingray, including some fine examples of pre-EB Stingrays. I have loved my Sterlings. I have a Stingray 5 right here beside me that ain't going anywhere.
But I think the Bongos are better. My go-to bass, the one I reach for when I don't know what will be required of me as a bassist? The original Bongo I bought a year and a half ago. I can go through a lot of basses in a year and a half, and I have, but that black sapphire Bongo stayed.
Even over on TB, a lot of the original naysayers have seen the light. The Bongo may not be for everyone, but it has made believers out of a few that at first said, "Oh no, the looks...." and so on.
I have respect for the past. I think the Sabres were fine basses. My opinion regarding Stingrays and Sterlings is well known. My preference? Gimme a Bongo, please.
I understand that everyone brings their own preconceived notions to the table, and that may preclude Bongo ownership based on visual aspects, but I will tell you this - no Sabre ever sounded like this.
But hey, if everyone had the same ideas about stuff like this, what a boring world this would be.
Mobay45
Well-known member
I didn't see my first Bongo until about March of last year. It was in a GC and I picked it up and played it. I thought it had the best sound and the best feel of any bass I had ever played. Period. I just couldn't get used to the way it looked.
Last summer I had the chance to play Jack's 5 string with flats through my rig. Again I thought "Wow, this thing sounds and feels awesome!", but the appearance still put me off of buying one.
As I spent time seeing the ones posted here and other places, I began to get over it's design and dwell on it's playability. I finally bought one last month and I am loving it. One thing I hadn't noticed before was how much better it's body shape feels hanging from a strap. I had always tried them out sitting down. I will never look back on this purchase unless someone can design something better. I think this will be looked back on as a revolutionary design for basses. People are just going to have to see more of them in live settings to get over the "traditional" look of basses.
Last summer I had the chance to play Jack's 5 string with flats through my rig. Again I thought "Wow, this thing sounds and feels awesome!", but the appearance still put me off of buying one.
As I spent time seeing the ones posted here and other places, I began to get over it's design and dwell on it's playability. I finally bought one last month and I am loving it. One thing I hadn't noticed before was how much better it's body shape feels hanging from a strap. I had always tried them out sitting down. I will never look back on this purchase unless someone can design something better. I think this will be looked back on as a revolutionary design for basses. People are just going to have to see more of them in live settings to get over the "traditional" look of basses.
AnthonyD
Well-known member
Sting Ray, Sterling, Bongo... They all say EB and it's all GOOD!
jazzyitalian
Well-known member
Hey wish I could remember which engineer I spoke with...It's been a couple of years since I had that converstion and I never took notes. If I do recall this later, would I be getting anybody in trouble??? Jazz
