Weird bongo bass? Strange Tone pots on JohnMyung Bongo

[AlexBongoCrazy]

this photo of JohnMyung with his bongo caught my eye because there's something weird going on with the tone pots? anyways just thought i should share it with you guys maybe someone out there knows why they look like this

Hope the link works


Google Image Result for http://www.blog-note.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Dream-Theatre-2.jpg

 

[kamakazee]

They look almost like it clicks in like the spring-loaded mechanism of a pen.

 

[JayDawg]

Just a guess on my part but he probably has his Bongo's wired a little but differently with coil taps similar to what the Game Changer will be doing when it comes out.

I had to have one of my electric guitars re-wired this month but originally we were going to replace the electronics and put coil taps in it to change the wiring of the electronics around for different tones. I then later on found out it was just a wiring problem and no extra parts were needed so I kept the guitar stock.

I'm willing to bet with his bass, since he is a Music Man endorsed artist, he probably had their custom shop do something along those lines for his bass. Just a guess on my part though.

 

[kamakazee]

Also, check out the nut width on that 6er. Look at a stock Bongo 6's width at the nut. Myung's appears thinner.

 

[AlexBongoCrazy]

You're right,i didn't see it before but that is a lot thinner. I think i want one like that now looks like it might be a lot more comfortable. still want to know more about those tone pots though. This must be his finished bass now seeing as this is the most recent photo and he has many stock bongos too.

 

[AlexBongoCrazy]

more photos

Dream Theater au Sonisphere 2011 – Webzine Onyx Metal

Dream Theater @ Sonisphere Festival France 2011 - 2011-07-08 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[madbassplaya]

They look almost like it clicks in like the spring-loaded mechanism of a pen.

I'm curious if it is like the push button option on the Big Al and 25th but with the knobs rather than seperate buttons.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

JM talks about it here

John Myung on being named greatest bassist of all time: "This is very heavy" | MusicRadar.com

 

[madbassplaya]

JM talks about it here

John Myung on being named greatest bassist of all time: "This is very heavy" | MusicRadar.com

Thanks for that. Here's what was said:

You're famous for playing six-string basses. What models are you currently using? Do you see any changes to your instruments in the near future?

"That's a really good question. I've been playing a Bongo bass by Ernie Ball Music Man, and I've been experimenting with different neck and body dimensions over the last year. It's actually really hard to make changes when it comes to spacing and body mass - there's so much retooling that has to go on.

"But the company has been really cool in listening to my thoughts about where the bass needs to go in terms of body mass and neck spacing. Just a few weeks ago they sent me a combination that has really worked for me, so I hope it'll turn out to be a new model."

 

[adouglas]

I'm thinking it's just shaved knobs... still easy to adjust, but hard to move accidentally if you've got a very active stage presence (i.e., if you jump around a lot).


And they won't bend if the bass falls over (TAKE COVER! INCOMING!)

 

[MadMatt]

I'm thinking it's just shaved knobs...

I though you where refering to the thing on your shoulders for a second

 

[MattOfSweden]

JM talks about it here

John Myung on being named greatest bassist of all time: "This is very heavy" | MusicRadar.com

Great interview, thanks for posting that!
And this is so true:

"Music is about life; it's about putting your living into your music. So first, one
must live. There's a great quote by Sergei Rachmaninov that really sums it all
up for me: 'Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for
music.'"

A JM Bongo, hmmmm.....

 

[nicjimbass]

I'm also noticing the string spacing appears to be tighter on his bass- especially when you look at the pole pieces on the pickups. Another thing that looks weird to me (but it could be the angle of the picture) is the lower horn... it looks like it's angled further away from the neck than usual.

 

[metalarch]

I also thnik that the string spacing is tighter...in that pictures his bass look extremely clean...or is a diferent kind of black...it's too shiny..

In the last DT tour book, there is a space where JM writes about the recording process and his equipment, and he said that he tested diferent wood combinations, so I'm guessing that he's bass is not a basswood body...it will be cool to know which wood combination is he using and if this new bass have some other features...just to know...