falling_in2_infinity

1 hour ago, FDC484950 said:

Is that actually in stock though? It’s been there for months with “details coming soon”. It’s also the older model with the massive tuners. TBH I’ve finally had a chance to try one and whilst the tone is great, that bottom horn is kind of a deal breaker, numb leg after 20 minutes. Shame.

knowing them, it was sold months ago.  They're awful at updating their website, and (IME) bad people to deal with.

Shame the bottom horn caused you an issue, but it's a known issue with that design.  Out of interest, what model (age, strings) did you try?

I think it's worth bearing in mind that due to the time of year, stocks might be a bit lower than usual.  It's possible (though unlikely) that we'll see a flood of MM instruments hitting Europe in the next few months, including new colours.

I'm not ignoring the fact that musical instrument stocks have generally been low for quite a while, for a variety of reasons.

Sandberg Panther 5-string with bird's eye/quilted maple top, ebony board, 35".  If one ever showed up, new or used, I'd have it immediately.

I've never even tried a Panther!

On 10/01/2022 at 22:07, Old Horse Murphy said:

I've got an immaculate one in Lava Pearl that I withdrew from sale as there was no interest at the time. It's a 2003 model which was their first year of production. 
 

I agree they look better in bright colours 

This is another colour I really like!

On 11/01/2022 at 09:10, Misdee said:

I am totally in agreement that EBMM's current pricing is a bit steep to say the least.But at the same time I would have to say that, in its own way, the Bongo is equal to any high- end custom bass I have ever played. For my own tastes, I find a lot of boutique basses to quite gutless and insipid. The Bongo, in contrast, is hifi but quite brutal in a good way. In a blindfold test I would put it up against anything on the market, no eggageration.

 

If a bloke with a beard somewhere in Finland had designed the Bongo, built them one at a time on his kitchen table and made people wait three years for them, everyone would want one. In a world of retrogressive bass designs, EBMM deserve tremendous credit for coming up with a truly innovative modern instrument with a unique sound that matches the styling.

Can't disagree with this, especially that EBMM deserve a lot of credit for taking a chance on a radical design, and then sticking with it for so long. They could probably have built a 24-fret Stingray(ish), but I'm glad they didn't.

At the end of the day, what's not to like in a bass that is so well balanced, sounds so good and plays like butter? 😁😁😁

On 10/01/2022 at 21:21, Woodinblack said:

 

There was a firemist gold on reverb - that one? That is a colour that I really love, but without having time to try it first (or familiarity with any bongos) it was a bit much for me.

The very same. 🙂 It is supposedly in near-mint condition and I got a good price. Fingers crossed!

Yep, definitely worth trying one first. The Wunjo model is the same colour, curiously.

FYI, I spoke to one of the guys at Wunjo and they do allow mail order returns, and would also arrange returns through their shipping provider.

...Joe.

18 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

You’re right - I’ve seen a Sterling in that colour in the flesh and it just wasn’t very nice.
The Bongo seems to have some interesting paint finishes, from black and silver to some sparkle red, orange and yellow. The harvest orange on the current line up looks fantastic, but very few seem to have made it out of the US in the last year or so, and I gather they’re well over £3K now 😐

Y'know, I was really unmoved by the Harvest Orange until I saw one in person, and then I realised what all the fuss was about.  My candy red one is nice, in a subtle kind of way.  I have a Firemist Gold 5 coming this week, and I've not seen it in person... so we'll see!  I tend to like the Bongo in really bold, bright colours.

Yeh, £3k is a bit much now.  I mean, I really do dig the tone and playability of the Bongo... but I could get something custom for that.

On 09/01/2022 at 19:13, mcnach said:

Dang, the control cavity on the VM4 is tiiiiiiight!

 

I bought a John East Uni-Pre de luxe preamp a few months ago to install on this bass... and I don't think I'll be able to fit it in.

 

My original plan was to make it passive because I am liking much better its passive sound and the preamp is 'meh' for my liking. I thought I would just manage with it as it is, since in passive mode you still get a passive tone control, but its action is pretty limited. The Uni-Pre deluxe combines a 3-band EQ with semiparametric mids, and you can tweak the bass EQ points too, as well as having a passive tone control... agh, I'm going to have to buy a different bass now to fit that in

 

Anyway, back to the original plan, fully passive:

volume

blend

Tonestyler tone control

additional control for the 'intenity' of the Tonestyler, as I have a spare hole... 

 

Watch this space... 

 

Sounds great!

I do wish some of the East pre's were fully surface-mount.  then they'd fit in more cavities.

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

Still looks like a very dull overcooked vegatable green to me!

agreed!  I am always a bit unsure of paint finishes until I see them in person.  However, that particular colour always looks extremely unappealing in any photo/video I see.

I'd love to try one!  I also really like the look of the Hellraiser Daniel Firth model.  Specs seem ideal.

I suppose we define 'keeper' as one we've kept for the longest?! 

My most-played and longest-owned bass is a 2001 Steinberger Spirit, which I've had from new.  It lives at my workplace, and I play it most days. It's a beater, but I love it.

Second to that, my Sandberg TM2 5-string, which is just lovely to play.  I've only had it since 2019, though... so I don't yet count it as a definite keeper.

22 hours ago, FDC484950 said:

Egyptian Smoke apparently. More like yellow-grey bum rain

Ed Friedland reviewed one in that colour.  Seem to remember he said it was grey, in a smoky Egyptian sort of way.

6 hours ago, Misdee said:

I've got a Bongo 4 and I am aware of the bottom horn digging into my leg slightly when I play it sitting down, but it's a minor irritation rather than a deal breaker. I have a very low tolerance for uncomfortable "hair shirt" basses, and the Bongo is definitely not in that category. If you want an unapologetically modern bass with a hifi sound packed full of attitude then the Bongo is just the ticket.

 

I would think that the heavier the actual Bongo you are playing is , the more you are going to notice the horn digging in your leg when sitting. I remember playing a ridiculously heavy Fender Jazz Bass sitting down and within 20 minutes my right leg didn't work when I tried to stand up!

This is probably true.  I only have an early 2010's 6'er at the moment, but I have a 2019 5'er coming this week.

I did some testing yesterday and only noticed a problem when I put the bass on my right leg, with it crossed over my left.  More normally, I play classical style on my left leg, and it's never an issue there.

Nice... these are great units, IME. And this is a fair price.

If I didn't already have 2, and a b5, and an ms60b.

I wanted to join in this topic, as a very happy Sandberg owner for about 3 years now.  California TM2 5-string 35" in Blackburst with ebony fretboard.  I have never had such a relationship with a bass before... there's just something about the playability, balance and quality which work together in complete harmony for me.  I kinda want another identical spec, in a different body colour, but I'm reluctant to pay up front for a custom build.

Anyway, appreciating my Sandberg at all times.

23 hours ago, FDC484950 said:

Hello everyone,

I’m interested in a potential purchase of a Music Man Bongo. One area that concerns me is the bottom horn, which has a pronounced point. I need to know whether it digs into your leg when playing seated. There seem to be conflicting opinions on this - some think it’s just fine but others find it a problem. I can’t seem to locate any for sale in a shop within 100 miles of me, and rather than guess on a buying a bass that is abroad with no realistic chance of returning, does anyone in London/South/South East have a Bongo (4/5/6, doesn’t matter) I could try, just for 20 minutes? 
Thanks

I find it depends on my sitting position. I do sometimes pop a bit of padding (jumper, or similar) on my leg for longer seated sessions. It’s a very ergonomic bass otherwise.

Wunjo guitars in Denmark street have a new 2018/19 5 string. I bought my last 2 bongos  from them, and they always seem friendly.

23 hours ago, FDC484950 said:

Ah thanks, however the Gallery isn’t a shop I want to visit, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with them and some appalling service in the past.

Anyone else?

Glad I’m not the only one. They’re awful.

Ooh, I've always wanted to try one of these.

Three questions:

1) How well does it balance when on a strap?  I've seen a few reviews that say the short horn makes it neck-heavy, despite being headless.

2) Can you provide more details about the issue with the saddle screw?  A close-up photo of the saddle would be great!

3) What woods are the body and neck?

Cheers!

...Joe.

Beautiful bass.  Played a couple of these over the years and they are so nice to play and sound amazing!

good luck with the sale!

really hoping this sells for ya!

13 hours ago, FinnDave said:

I bought my Panther from Oxford PMT one year ago - and I think I've played it only 3 or 4 times some then! It sounds and feels beautiful - but I am nervous about damaging it, so only play my cheaper basses.

As above, it's up for sale, simply too good a bass for my simple needs.

Thanks!

I'm very much still in the mode of gathering info about how they sound at the moment, before making an informed purchase.  (my comment about buying from PMT was literally just to take advantage of the 14-day returns, in lieu of being able to visit any shops).

I hope your sale is successful!

1 hour ago, Cuzzie said:

The thing that blew me away also was the weight and craftsmanship of the curves - it’s so thin yet rounded it’s a wonder-it’s also very versatile with its config and options 

Thanks!  Sounds lovely.  I've only played the Sandberg California and Custom models before, so it's nice to get an idea of what the Panther is like. 

There's two Panthers available from PMT at the moment, and I'm thinking about ordering one just to try it out.

4 hours ago, Cuzzie said:

It’s the gem in the Sandberg line up, oft undervalued - I’ve played with a pick and fingers and it fits like a glove. Totally a bit more mellow I would say compared to the VM, but that is not a bad thing, it is still rich and full bodied. I haven’t cranked it with distortion, but there is no reason why it wouldn’t give a bit of bite to its tone, it is a panther after all (awful joke).

It’s a phenomenal bass

Cheers Cuzzie, that's some really valuable insight!

I was wondering if there's anyone with experience of the Sandberg Panther Specials, who could help me understand it's fundamental tonal characteristics?

Obviously I'd expect some tonewood variance, so I'm just looking for a ballpark idea.  I've listened to the limited set of examples on youtube, but would be interested in players' experiences - including anyone who's played them with a pick.

Background: I currently own a California VM2, which I find to be 'warm' and 'beefy', with a rounded tone.  It can be brightened-up, but gets a bit harsh.

Thanks!

Very interested.  PM'd