To the Bongo Experts ...

[Golem]

..................
* Get the bottom-end "oomf" of a F**der P-Bass
* Get the "growl" of a F**der Jazz Bass
* Get the slappy "splank" of a Stingray
* Get some other sounds, too! .......................

That bass would be very appealing to me. It doesn't have to be a dead-on replication of these -- it just has to be close enough to approximate the musical ideas. (If that makes sense.) - OSN

Oooh boy does that make sense. Desire for 'dead-on replication' leads to things like the Variax [after a thorough in-store trial, it seems a loser], dumbast reissues, obsession with vintage originality, or other ills. I presume what you want is something that righteously does the jobs of the basses you listed, that plays those sonic roles without mimicking them.

The cool thing about a Bongo [can only speak for the HH myself] is that the dual PUs are not only in different locations but voiced differently. I don't know if they both dump directly into the EQ or if there are little tweaker circuits for each before the output of each hits the EQ, but it sounds like, kinda feels like, there's so much difference that maybe they do have [fixed] individual EQ tweaks before they merge. I'm being descriptive. I don't know the circuitry. Anyway, it's got huge tone, and is hugely flexible.

I like the Bongo HH for what it is, not for what else it can cover, but I suspect that if you want more variety from your Bongo, an HSC might be more flexible than an HH. I dig the HH exactly as it is. If I ever get an FL Bongo, I think I'd want an HSC with a piezo bridge, but for classic fretted electric, I wouldn't change a thing.

I do want to give the Bongo these props: No one convinced me on the Bongo. No one suggested it. I didn't care about it, didn't need another fretted 5-string, blah blah... but I stumbled across one at a clearance sale, couldn't miss it in bright orange. The clearance price was too silly to not at least check it out. But it was still a lot of sheckels and I didn't need this thing. In ten minutes it sold itself. To me, it sounds exactly like an electric bass is supposed to sound. Not just at certain settings, not just thru certain rigs. It has an undefeatable archetypical electric bass voice [according to the archetype in my head]. You can tweak that voice, twist it, EQ it, color it, but you can't defeat it.

It's kind of like once you play a Bongo, you don't question how well it covers the P-bass, J-Bass, StingRay voices. You realize that those three classics were all just partial solutions, differing attempts at the same goal. Those three are like three paths up the same mountain. The Bongo is more like it just *is* the mountain. So it looks weird. Play in the dark.

 

[Big Poppa]

Oooh boy does that make sense. Desire for 'dead-on replication' leads to things like the Variax [after a thorough in-store trial, it seems a loser], dumbast reissues, obsession with vintage originality, or other ills. I presume what you want is something that righteously does the jobs of the basses you listed, that plays those sonic roles without mimicking them.

The cool thing about a Bongo [can only speak for the HH myself] is that the dual PUs are not only in different locations but voiced differently. I don't know if they both dump directly into the EQ or if there are little tweaker circuits for each before the output of each hits the EQ, but it sounds like, kinda feels like, there's so much difference that maybe they do have [fixed] individual EQ tweaks before they merge. I'm being descriptive. I don't know the circuitry. Anyway, it's got huge tone, and is hugely flexible.

I like the Bongo HH for what it is, not for what else it can cover, but I suspect that if you want more variety from your Bongo, an HSC might be more flexible than an HH. I dig the HH exactly as it is. If I ever get an FL Bongo, I think I'd want an HSC with a piezo bridge, but for classic fretted electric, I wouldn't change a thing.

I do want to give the Bongo these props: No one convinced me on the Bongo. No one suggested it. I didn't care about it, didn't need another fretted 5-string, blah blah... but I stumbled across one at a clearance sale, couldn't miss it in bright orange. The clearance price was too silly to not at least check it out. But it was still a lot of sheckels and I didn't need this thing. In ten minutes it sold itself. To me, it sounds exactly like an electric bass is supposed to sound. Not just at certain settings, not just thru certain rigs. It has an undefeatable archetypical electric bass voice [according to the archetype in my head]. You can tweak that voice, twist it, EQ it, color it, but you can't defeat it.

It's kind of like once you play a Bongo, you don't question how well it covers the P-bass, J-Bass, StingRay voices. You realize that those three classics were all just partial solutions, differing attempts at the same goal. Those three are like three paths up the same mountain. The Bongo is more like it just *is* the mountain. So it looks weird. Play in the dark.

Wow Golem///Thanks! When we were doing it it would have been pompus to say that what you said was our goal but it sure was deep in our mind as the Bongo developed. It is a true high performance instrument and Im get a real joy reading posts like yours.

 

[Golem]

... and I looked long and hard.

Still looking and lusting.

But MERCY, that's a tough call this close to Christmas.

Christmis comes every year, but ButterCream waits for no man.

 

[Golem]

Wow Golem///Thanks! When we were doing it it would have been pompus to say that what you said was our goal but it sure was deep in our mind as the Bongo developed. It is a true high performance instrument and Im get a real joy reading posts like yours.

How can it be pompous to declare that as a goal? I would hope it were the goal of every electric bass designer, to make an electric bass that sounds just like an electric bass is supposed to sound like. Sort of one of those self-evident truths.

Now, to announce that you've achieved the goal, that's where you might get some odd reactions. It would, by definition, fall into the "too-good-to-be-true" catagory, and we all know that claims that are TGTBT tend to be TGTBT.

OTOH, you'd think that after over 50 years, someone just HAD to hit it, so really the only question would be "who will do that?". Reduced to an evolutionary imperative, where the only question is "who carries the suitable DNA?" the likely candidates narrow right down to a very few, and you guys got it right.

I don't know why it has to look so funny. I wish it hung more to the right [less reaching]. I wish it weren't so huge. But it sounds just right, so I ignore it's looks, moved the rear strap button, and got a bigger gigbag. Maybe I'll even get a torty guard to help with the looks.

 

[Freddy-G.]

I do want to give the Bongo these props: No one convinced me on the Bongo. No one suggested it. I didn't care about it, didn't need another fretted 5-string, blah blah... but I stumbled across one at a clearance sale, couldn't miss it in bright orange. The clearance price was too silly to not at least check it out. But it was still a lot of sheckels and I didn't need this thing. In ten minutes it sold itself. To me, it sounds exactly like an electric bass is supposed to sound. Not just at certain settings, not just thru certain rigs. It has an undefeatable archetypical electric bass voice [according to the archetype in my head]. You can tweak that voice, twist it, EQ it, color it, but you can't defeat it.

It's kind of like once you play a Bongo, you don't question how well it covers the P-bass, J-Bass, StingRay voices. You realize that those three classics were all just partial solutions, differing attempts at the same goal. Those three are like three paths up the same mountain. The Bongo is more like it just *is* the mountain. So it looks weird. Play in the dark.

*standing up and clapping*
Bravo! Bravo! Well said, Golem!

 

[0557]

Go find a Bongo (GC normally has one or two) and spend some time with it. The longer the better.

Gotta give the mind control rays time to work....

Yea
Go to GC and try the HH and the HSC (that would be a dual humbucker and the HSC, a humbucker and single coil) spend some time through a decent amp and you will be amazed.

 

[strummer]

To me, it sounds exactly like an electric bass is supposed to sound. Not just at certain settings, not just thru certain rigs. It has an undefeatable archetypical electric bass voice [according to the archetype in my head]. You can tweak that voice, twist it, EQ it, color it, but you can't defeat it.

It's kind of like once you play a Bongo, you don't question how well it covers the P-bass, J-Bass, StingRay voices. You realize that those three classics were all just partial solutions, differing attempts at the same goal. Those three are like three paths up the same mountain. The Bongo is more like it just *is* the mountain.

+1

Golem, you nailed it!

 

[MingusBASS]

I have been gone for a week and won't be back in town till the 3rd of Jan-but I live in Oakdale, MN so we are very very close if you might want to check out my 2 bongos.

Andrew

 

[oddjob]

Ok, I guess I get to be the one to throw a wrench into the works... get an H!!! Yes the HH can level small cities, dates Godzilla's girlfriend, and comes to your house to drink all of your beer! It is an angry beast and has all of the tonal qualities that Golem described. But the H is a work of beauty. It is simple, control-wise, yet has a complex sonic imprint that has to be heard. Can I nail all of the classic tones with it... no, but I can come close. The single pup is comfortable , the tonal flexibility is outstanding... and it just has this growel that can't be described (or reproduced buy the HH or HS). What more needs to be said other than it is BP's Bongo of choice?!?!?!?!?

In all seriousness, I hope you find the beast that you are looking for. We boast and brag about the Bongo because we all love EBMM's creation. There are several converts here - some were diehard Fender players, there were some (including myself) Warwick players, a Rumblefish man, even converts from EBMM's other product lines... but we (the Bongo-ites for lack of a better term) are very enamored with the Bongo and its range. But don't take our words for it try one, or two, or three and let it sell itself (like Golem said).

Good hunting!

 

[OldSchool Noob]

I may have solved this problem.

I don't want to jinx it right now but I have my fingers crossed.


Stay tuned.

 

[Golem]

.........In all seriousness, I hope you find the beast that you are looking for. We boast and brag about the Bongo because we all love EBMM's creation. There are several converts here - some were diehard Fender players, there were some (including myself) Warwick players, a Rumblefish man..............

Yeah. Rumblefish [blessed be its departed soul, RIP, Rumblefish]. I had trialed a couple fish 5Ls, bought neither but was sold on the feel and sound and about to buy a new Brad Houser [the widenecked extra PU coils fish]. My buddy is an endorser and was to pick it up on a midsummer factory visit. Turned out to be the same summer Naylor dropped all basses from the line.

OK. Yadahyadha... sad story... no fish for Golem. I finally quit mourning "my" [well, almost mine..] lost fish when I got my Bongo. So, hey, I had set out to buy a weird looking dual humber 5-string anyway [the fish] but little did I realize just how very weird looking the ultimate result would be [my Bongo].

So my big fish got away. A common tale of woe. But now I've got this sort of mollusk? The Bass God works in mysterious ways.

 

[shamus63]

There are several converts here - some were diehard Fender players, there were some (including myself) Warwick players, a Rumblefish man, even converts from EBMM's other product lines... but we (the Bongo-ites for lack of a better term) are very enamored with the Bongo and its range. But don't take our words for it try one, or two, or three and let it sell itself (like Golem said).

Another convert right here, although I still love the Rays!

Bongoloid is the best term I've seen so far. Bongo-less for a couple of months; will miss the feel and sound deeply.

But, as they say, good things come to those who wait.

 

[oddjob]

But now I've got this sort of mollusk?

Never quite thought about it that way... but now that you mention it...

 

[MingusBASS]

I forgot to mention that the reason I'm out of town is because I'm visiting my brother in Cincinnati(who dey!?) so I'm in your neck of the woods Oddjob. What are the good guitar shops I should check out?

Andrew

 

[Oldtoe]

I think the newly tweaked H/SC Bongo is the bass this gentleman seems to be looking for.

 

[oddjob]

Andrew... what are ya looking for???Buddy Rogers off of Galbraith has a nice high end amp selection (like the stuff in your avatar )... the GC around the corner from me at Cincy Mills mall is pretty decent (the sale people are hit or miss - Tim Brown and Micha are awesome though) - as usual Sam Ash sucks and most of the ma&pa shops have closed up - Midwest Music on Reading (SR42) is occasional has some decent stuff (Ashdown) but they have really gone down hill - so GC would be my pick.

 

[82Daion]

But, as they say, good things come to those who wait.

Please, don't remind me! My Bongo won't be here till March.

At least I got to play out tonight.

 

[shamus63]

Please, don't remind me! My Bongo won't be here till March.

At least I got to play out tonight.

You think that's bad, I won't even be able to order mine until Feb.

 

[82Daion]

You think that's bad, I won't even be able to order mine until Feb.

OK. I feel your pain. What are you getting?

 

[shamus63]

OK. I feel your pain. What are you getting?

Single-H in Desert Gold w/Black Ice PG.

The Tax Man Cometh...and I'm going to kick his ASS!