• Ernie Ball
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  • Sterling by MusicMan

Samoht

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Great job! Will look forward to seeing some actual play wear on a nitro bass. Don’t see too many of those.
 

danny-79

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Great job! Will look forward to seeing some actual play wear on a nitro bass. Don’t see too many of those.

That’s the plan. Just let it age naturally. I did a 7azz of mine earlier this year in nitro, Seafoam Green, spent too long making them look good so doing my best to keep them that way. Taking StingRay out with me for gigs this week.
I will definitely do some more photos but from a photo point of view it doesn’t look that much different than it did before, same colour etc, need to see it in the flesh.
It smells lovely though when you open the case ! :D
 

danny-79

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There are more refinishing photos on my Facebook page. Link in signature
 
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Samoht

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I just noticed the Nordstrand Bigman. Is the preamp stock? Is the toggle a 3-way for parallel/split/series or some other 3-way or 2-way switching? What differences do you notice between the stock pickup & the Nordy?
Hahahah..I am full of questions.
 

danny-79

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I just noticed the Nordstrand Bigman. Is the preamp stock? Is the toggle a 3-way for parallel/split/series or some other 3-way or 2-way switching? What differences do you notice between the stock pickup & the Nordy?
Hahahah..I am full of questions.

Hay no problem, as spotted it’s a Nordstrand Big Man (there is a new one, BigMan split pickup for extra hum cancelling out now).
The pre amp is John East and correct on the toggle switch, series/single/parallel although the single settings not that great as there is no dummy coil, couldn’t find a quality OnOn switch so settled for a three way.
(My buttercream StingRay is set up exactly the same. All original parts are safely stashed away for both of them so I’m completely covered)
 

danny-79

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Forgot, difference between the stock and BigMan pickup, you can’t compare the two. Totally different. The original set up is very well balanced.
New set up, with the pickup being twice as thick it just about squeezes in, no springs, no room for adjustment. If anything it’s a bit too powerful, Bongo power full plus some !
 

Samoht

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So the Big Man has much more output with the East pre than the original pickup with the East pre? Weird wild stuff! Thanks for the info.
 

danny-79

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So the Big Man has much more output with the East pre than the original pickup with the East pre? Weird wild stuff! Thanks for the info.

Yes definitely a very noticeable difference. The mid control is totally different and can be completely switched off and bypassed
 

Samoht

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I like having the mid sweep but I haven’t used it in a live setting yet, mostly because the bass/treble sound so good. I keep my treble in the detent and the bass just slightly beyond the detent. If I’m playing mostly near the nut on a song I’ll ever so slightly bump up the bass. Great preamp!
 

danny-79

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I like having the mid sweep but I haven’t used it in a live setting yet, mostly because the bass/treble sound so good. I keep my treble in the detent and the bass just slightly beyond the detent. If I’m playing mostly near the nut on a song I’ll ever so slightly bump up the bass. Great preamp!

Same here, mid sweep I very rarely use, slight boosts on bass and treble according.
Bongo, volume 70% with cuts at times
 

Samoht

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Same here, mid sweep I very rarely use, slight boosts on bass and treble according.
Bongo, volume 70% with cuts at times
Speaking of Bongo, not to hijack your thread, but my favorite Bongo tone is Dave Larue's. I've been chasing his fingerstyle tone for a while now, and i can't quite get it. The closest I've come is 90%-100% bridge pickup, both mids at detent, treble 10%-0%, bass just beyond detent. I know he uses 50/50 pickup blend when he does slap stuff, but his fingerstyle tone is what I love the most. How do you run your Bongo?
 

danny-79

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Speaking of Bongo, not to hijack your thread, but my favorite Bongo tone is Dave Larue's. I've been chasing his fingerstyle tone for a while now, and i can't quite get it. The closest I've come is 90%-100% bridge pickup, both mids at detent, treble 10%-0%, bass just beyond detent. I know he uses 50/50 pickup blend when he does slap stuff, but his fingerstyle tone is what I love the most. How do you run your Bongo?

Single H Bongo, volume at 70% bass just off the dent in a plus direction tone and mid on the centre dent.
I’m using it for tonight gig as been playing it lots recently
 

Samoht

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Single H Bongo, volume at 70% bass just off the dent in a plus direction tone and mid on the centre dent.
I’m using it for tonight gig as been playing it lots recently

I have yet to try a Bongo H, or even of Bongo 4 string. I would imagine, with as comfortable as the Bongo5HH is, the 4 string Bongo would be the most comfortable bass ever. Especially with a rosewood neck. :)
 

danny-79

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I have yet to try a Bongo H, or even of Bongo 4 string. I would imagine, with as comfortable as the Bongo5HH is, the 4 string Bongo would be the most comfortable bass ever. Especially with a rosewood neck. :)

I’m super happy with mine, love it. It certainly inspires me to say the least
 
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