I can hint into this a little bit, and Greg can clear this up if I am incorrect:
There was a post on the EB Street Team website that there was a bass to be introduced at NAMM, a joint design between EBMM and BMW. IF this is a NAMM pic, then that's your baby.
Do understand that I am offering this simply to shed light on the subject, and not to state that this is indeed a picture of that item. If it is (or is not, for that matter), I am not 100% sure...Greg, please correct or confirm this.
Thanks,
Darrell
-going back to play in the guitars forum where he belongs.
I guess that's the 2 pickup bass model that was being rumored to be introduced this year. I'd have to ge a better look at that bass to see whether I like the way it looks. I wish I could go to the NAMM show and see it for myself. I was able to go last January. The Ernie Ball booth was really cool, one of the most fun exhibits at the show.
There are a few more pics to be found at http://members6.clubphoto.com/steve...18/guest.phtml, the bottom of the page. Apparently there are four and five string models with single HB, dual HB and HB + single coil pickup configurations available. It's difficult to tell from the pictures but since all headstocks are painted and have very unusual shapes it wouldn't suprise me if at least the neck is made of graphite or some other man-made material. Can't wait to find out more.
The bass in the picture is the new Music Man Bongo. We took some prototypes to the show to get some dealer/ artist reaction. Here are a few details:
Basswood body
maple neck/ Rosewood fingerboard (neck and headstock painted to match body)
New Pickups and electronics
The body/ headstock design was done in conjunction with BMW. Specs are subject to change, as these are just prototypes, and availability will depend on when the final tweeks are made. I would think in stores by summer. No plans to replace anything currently in the line.
We also introduced another prototype, the S.U.B bass. Made at our factory here in S.L.O, U.S.A, it's a Stingray-type instrument, passive or active electronics, painted neck/ headstock with custom pickguard. Did I mention it should retail for under $800.00?
What will the Bongos retail for? Higher or lower than the current line? Also, what are the basic sound characteristcs compared to the current basses - more high tech? A last thing, how come you partnered with BMW to come up with the design? Will the next BMW M3 look like a bass guitar?
You've really taken the car thing seriously ! A perhaps even more interesting question is where the name Bongo came from. Something like station bass or sports bass would be more fitting given your car focus and collaboration with BMW ? But seriously, where did it come from?
Now here's what I heard - we'll let Greg tell me if I'm nuts.
The "code name" for the project was "Bongo". It went on for so long and everyone became so accustomed to calling it "Bongo" that no one could think of anything better to call the bass. It had, through no fault of its own, become "Bongo", for better or for worse.