Which new EBMM basses have Bongo tone?

[RobertB]

Question for those who've had a chance to play all the new stuff, and who know what I mean by "Bongo tone": which of the new basses, if any, have it in their repertoire?

Wish I was considering a new purchase, but I'm not. For personal finance reasons, I've been in the "put up or shut up" category for some time now, and even had a few false starts that I had to bail on before I came to terms with that reality. But I've been really curious about this. After having owned several Bongos, I've come to feel that any bass that I buy over a certain price point has to be able to at least get really close to it ... otherwise it'll just be another Bongo. But I'm also really intrigued by some of the new stuff, hence the question.

 

[Oldtoe]

I honestly find something to love in all of the EBMM basses, but only the Bongo sounds like the Bongo to me; and I've played them all. The Reflex may come closest.

 

[MadMatt]

Didn't adouglas or the bovine'est of all hosts say that the only thing that can replace a Bongo is more Bongo

 

[tunaman4u2]

A Big Al, Stingray & a Sterling is NOT close to a Bongo, that much I know.
Why did you get rid of the Bongo in the 1st place?

 

[drTStingray]

I agree - nothing gets close to a Bongo but a Bongo - the Reflex I tried didn't but also had it's own great tones. I think it's partially because of the construction (the Bongo is the only one in basswood - most others are ash - Big Al is alder or mahogany dependent on age).

 

[RobertB]

I figured that the 25th or Reflex might come closest, with the 18V 4-band EQ. I pulled off the highway to get out of a hail storm in Denver today, and low and behold found myself in front of a GC. I went in. They had a 25th 4HH. I played it. I loved it. I played it for an hour, and I know I didn't hear all the tones.

While it does have some characteristics similar to the Bongo, I guess I'd say they're more generally electronic than tonal. For example, the sensitivity of the EQ ... you only need to barely touch it to get a very different response. And it can get tones as big and full sounding, IMO, just not exactly the same voice, which is not surprising given the ceramic/neodym distinction. I loved it - did I say that already?