Yet Another New Bongoloid Climbs Aboard

[Basstige]

Hi Folks,

Nice place you got here. I joined the Bongo club about a month ago with the purchase of a spankin' new 4HH Stealth. Let me just join with the assembled multitudes here who sing high hosannahs in praise of Bongo.

After 40+ years of bass playing, I try to avoid getting too worked up about a piece of gear right off. But so far, this bass has passed every test (a club gig, a session and a couple of rehearsals to prepare for each) and continues to be the only bass I reach for at home. In fact, I often just sit quietly and play it acoustically. It's so resonant I think you could do a quiet band rehearsal just by leaning it up against the nearest wall!

While this is my first (but certainly not last) Bongo, I've been a StingRay fan and owner for decades. In fact. the Ray was probably the first bass I had true GAS for, going back to the old StingRay full-page, back cover ads in Guitar Player, circa late 70s. The Ray really spoke to me, but I didn't get my first one until the mid 80s.

Since then I've had another, newer Ray, a SR5 and a SUB 5. At the moment, the Stealth Bongo is my only EBMM, though I expect it will be joined by either a Bongo 5 or Sterling 5 before the year is out.

Not much to add, I guess.

Except that Wonder Wipes are amazing. I've done one treatment with the fretboard conditioner and one with the polish. How often do you folks use the fretboard conditioner?

Oh and thank you Big Poppa for deciding to take bass beyond the 50s. I've got a couple of nice old vintage (60s/70s) basses that I love, but the Bongo slays them all in situations where a variety of good tones are needed. I can go from a smooth, glassy slap to a chunky, Jaco-esque burp with the twist of a few knobs.

But you guys knew that....

Not sure how to load my standard Bongo-leaning-against-the-bed shot, but it's probably time for a better pic anyway. I shall get on it.

Cheers,

Stu

 

[Eggman]

Hey Stu - welcome to the forum and to the Bongo-lovers club. Great instruments aren't they?

Bongos are the only bass I grab today too.

Enjoy!

 

[Psycho Ward]

Stu great to have you aboard and a great story as well. Most here use photobucket.com to load pictures, it's free and easy, so show us that beauty!

Stick around and have some fun here!

 

[T-bone]

Welcome Basstige,

What a wonderful post and great entrance. There's a whole bunch-o-bongoloids here, so you'll be right at home. Personally, I haven't drunk the coolaid yet (I love my Rays) so I just can't relate to all that voltage.

I believe Psycho has given you some tips on how to post pictures. Be forewarned - at some point you'll run across some of his pics.

Welcome again......tbone

 

[Big Poppa]

You know the Bongo still frustrates the hell out of me. probably could have spread tons more of neodynium/18V love if I had gone the easy route.....I wanted to do something different. I no longer get retail support from GC on it and thank god for the FEW independent dealers that have given it a chance. The lack of support makes it hard for a manufacturer to try to move forward.

The only objective thing you could say is that I swung and missed and it was an error in judgement on my part. But there are quite a few people who have taken the time to dig into it and each day we pick up new ones and posts like these are the ultimate reward.

 

[boombox]

BP,

You may have swung and missed but there are still a few strikes left! Besides, the Bongo is still fairly young. I know that I have been preaching it from the mountain tops every since I was converted this past summer.

Thank you BP for showing us the way!

..and congratulations Basstige on your new favorite bass!

 

[RobertB]

You know the Bongo still frustrates the hell out of me. probably could have spread tons more of neodynium/18V love if I had gone the easy route.....I wanted to do something different. I no longer get retail support from GC on it and thank god for the FEW independent dealers that have given it a chance. The lack of support makes it hard for a manufacturer to try to move forward.

The only objective thing you could say is that I swung and missed and it was an error in judgement on my part. But there are quite a few people who have taken the time to dig into it and each day we pick up new ones and posts like these are the ultimate reward.

BP, what is the easy route you're referring to here? A more "traditional" body style?

Error in judgement? I'd have to disagree, sir. Imagination, creativity, ingenuity ... lost on the resistant-to-change majority, if anything. You have MUCH to be proud of in the Bongo.

I was thinking about posting this lastnight, as I was playing my Stealth: since I received it a few weeks ago, I've spontaneously written numerous new things and have been coming up with musical ideas & sounds that are new for me - inspired by playing this bass. I've been playing for 13 or 14 years. In my opinion, nothing can say more about an instrument than that.

 

[Eggman]

You know the Bongo still frustrates the hell out of me. probably could have spread tons more of neodynium/18V love if I had gone the easy route.....I wanted to do something different. I no longer get retail support from GC on it and thank god for the FEW independent dealers that have given it a chance. The lack of support makes it hard for a manufacturer to try to move forward.

The only objective thing you could say is that I swung and missed and it was an error in judgement on my part. But there are quite a few people who have taken the time to dig into it and each day we pick up new ones and posts like these are the ultimate reward.

Keep making them and we will keep buying them. Thanks, BP, for a great instrument.

 

[TheAntMan]

You know the Bongo still frustrates the hell out of me. probably could have spread tons more of neodynium/18V love if I had gone the easy route.....I wanted to do something different. I no longer get retail support from GC on it and thank god for the FEW independent dealers that have given it a chance. The lack of support makes it hard for a manufacturer to try to move forward.

Genius can not be recognized until the rest have gained more understanding.

Thank you for a wonderful instrument that continues to wonder and amaze me. I look forward to your next "Folly"

 

[Big Poppa]

the next folly is the three single bass...im not saying anything and it is funny what people assume it to be

 

[Psycho Ward]

Sterling you can count on me to buy the lefty's and spread the word in the Kingdom.

I've been racking my brain to find something to say thanks to you and Dudley for my 20th. I even sent messages to some "insiders" an no one has a clue. Since you quit drinking and eating deserts all the easy ideas are shot. But I WIL come up with something! But for now all I can say is Thank You!

*sorry for the hijack but it was on my mind.*

 

[bovinehost]

Nice place you got here. I joined the Bongo club about a month ago with the purchase of a spankin' new 4HH Stealth. Let me just join with the assembled multitudes here who sing high hosannahs in praise of Bongo.

Welcome, brother. Remember that part of our mission is to spread the word to those who are not so fortunate. We are happily spreading the Bongo Word to those who play in the arid fields of other manufacturers, and many have seen the light and come to us.

Oh and thank you Big Poppa for deciding to take bass beyond the 50s.

Can I get an amen?

Jack

 

[Psycho Ward]

Amen!

 

[the unrepentant]

You know the Bongo still frustrates the hell out of me. probably could have spread tons more of neodynium/18V love if I had gone the easy route.....I wanted to do something different. I no longer get retail support from GC on it and thank god for the FEW independent dealers that have given it a chance. The lack of support makes it hard for a manufacturer to try to move forward.

The only objective thing you could say is that I swung and missed and it was an error in judgement on my part. But there are quite a few people who have taken the time to dig into it and each day we pick up new ones and posts like these are the ultimate reward.

Who gives a **** what a bunch of dicks in suits think? It's an awesome bass and as long as you keep making them, people will keep buying them. Keep up the good work, hopefully one day i'll be able to afford to buy a brand new one and spread the love!

 

[Basstige]

Thanks everyone for such a warm welcome. I'll set up a photo page this weekend.

Jack, I shall spread the Bongo doctrine hither and yon from this day forth.

And thanks Big Poppa for your gracious welcome and frank comments on the "State Of The Bongo," as it were. All I can say is that the dual-neo-hum-thingy setup gives me SEVERAL absolutely great tones in a lightweight, exquisitely balanced package that just feels great, standing or sitting. Tough to pick a favourite feature, but boy that neck is just .... WOW. Took it out of the store and did absolutely nothing to the set-up (and boy I'm picky about set-ups). If the Bongo truly was an "error in judgment," I hope to see similar screw-ups in EBMM's product line real soon.

Forgot to mention my amps in the opening post. Like many here, I'm a Markbass guy -- when it comes to heads, at least. Cabs are some combination of an EA VL 210, Bag End S15D and/or an Eden CX 110. My usual gig rig is the EA and the Bag driven by an older Markbass S450 head (one of the earlier silver chassis models). But on smaller jobs or rehearsals I like the little Eden 10 on its own with my Little Mark 250. Total weight of head and cab: Under 30 lbs. After 40+ years of slugging SVTs and other 60s/70s/80s behemoths, I'm looking for a small package with big tone. The Eden/LM 250 really delivers.

Not much to add. I didn't fill out much Profile stuff, but I'm a Canadian knucklehead (Canucklehead?) and live an hour west of Toronto. Played years of Holiday Inn six-nighters in the 70s; gigged a lot on the Toronto blues/R&B circuit in the 80s and 90s; but am now kind of semi-retired out here in bucolic Guelph, Ontario, a very cool university town with a vibrant live music scene.

I really must get out and see some of it....

 

[kylierider]

Welcome, brother. Remember that part of our mission is to spread the word to those who are not so fortunate. We are happily spreading the Bongo Word to those who play in the arid fields of other manufacturers, and many have seen the light and come to us.




Can I get an amen?

Jack

Amen

Being a poor working stiff I can't afford to be converted. Will someone send a Bongo my way and convert me?