Musicman20

Link : http://www.audiokinesis.com/akprosound.html

The current craze of super lightweight 1x12s/1x15s that can handle serious power is going strong in the USA. The Thunderchild designs seem to be very popular and a true one cab/light solution. There are now 1x8 cabs that are around 9lbs, yes 9lbs, with a tweeter. They apparently cover the ground that a high end 1x10 would normally cover. I would love to see these in the UK. The Baer ML112 also looks fantastic. Yes, we have Barefaced, but having a selection of builders would be great.

Good luck, and I'm glad you had it insured (not that it helps ). Nice bassz

Liked!

Despite the fact that a 4x10 in traditional format may not be, in the experts opinions, correct for what we require, we are so used to it. Most of the 4x10s I've heard have been excellent. As expected, the higher priced models tend to sound a little better, usually, Stack your cabs however you like. It's your sound, and your personality. Most famous bass players who are renowned for a certain tone tend to just go with 'what sounds right' to their ears.

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1337467928' post='1660625'] The chap in the shop said it was £1800, the one you sampled and yeah, he mention the fiver. Isn't 1800 a bit steep? Mind you, the ray64 was 599, which is cheaper than a quick google shopping search will throw up. I tried the Fender Aerodyne that was in the window. Looks gorgeous, but my god, the tone and volume controls are at war with each other. the E was really farty and I spend most of the time adjusting the thing. Still, very pretty. [/quote] That's the rrp; the street price is anything from £1330 (a crazy quote I recently received) to £1500. Bear in mind that ANY new Bongo ordered fresh from Ernie Ball Musicman from early 2012 will now have lightweight tuners to bring the weight down 1/ 2 lb or so. So, IMO, any current standard tuner stock should be reduced as they are not current spec. I am a hard driver for a bargain, but it is probably because I've seen various trade prices over the years (I did look into starting a small specialist bass business before the economy took a nose dive) and I also realise the customer, in this climate, has the final say. Most stores are happy just to make a big sale and retain a furure customer instead of see them walk and go for a cheaper quote. Such is the tough world of modern business. Plus, the second hand market has drastically lower prices at the moment.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1337457201' post='1660486'] The Bongos I've played were great. I favour the 4HH. BUT... There are some good takes on some EBMM pick-up configurations by other manufacturers that might be worthy of some attention. Sandberg- Basics/Ken Taylors Lakland Warwick- Anything with J/JJ pick-ups (Infinity,Vampyre, Dolphin) Corvette FNA and $$. Streamer $$, Jazzman and Pro-M. Fortress Masterman. But a Graffiti Yellow Bongo 5HH with black hardware might be rather nice. [/quote] I like the J/P versions that Sandberg do, but I'm not keen on the Basic shape...and that's a shock considering I like the Bongo. I really wanted to like the Warwick Streamer $$ 5 I had for a few days, but the ergonomics just didn't work for me.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1337511337' post='1661054'] He obviously knows you well Gareth if he thinks your comparing all fenders to one bongo? All fenders to all Musicman basses would be nearer! how many of each have you had? [/quote] I reckon more Fenders have passed through my hands, and 50% of them were not worth the asking price! The two I have are brilliant, but the Musicman basses always have and always will come out the winner, IMO.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1337498228' post='1660762'] I have gas for 2 at the minute. I tried one and loved it, and i don't usually go for multispeaker cabs or 2x10 at all. no problem with low end. MM20 was it vertical or horizontal? [/quote] Laid horizontal with the TTE in top. It was sat on top of a large cab underneath which wasn't plugged in (can't for the life of me remember what the cab underneath was). Tiny footprint. Very punchy! If you search musicman sterling on YouTube, one of their artists is testing a HS with two vertical 102p's.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1337462774' post='1660562'] It almost is, based on your generalisation of all fenders being worse than a single bongo you tried. 'm just saying that a potential recommendation by another basschatter (yourself) was really encouraging me to try a bongo, until you just dissed ALL fenders in comparison, without reason or justification. I then thought, 'total bias.' Would have been nice to read an objective view of the bass instead, so I can make a decision when making my next purchase, that's all. [/quote] You obviously don't understand where I am coming from. I have a lot of time for Fender.

[quote name='CBbass' timestamp='1337459535' post='1660516'] Well to be fair, he wrote it and it's obviously not a fact so it goes without saying. [/quote] Exactly! Thanks. This isn't a Fender vs Musicman topic.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1337456045' post='1660455'] Great review until I read 'this makes a Fender feel like a toy'... Too vague to even class as an opinion. Also, you were playing a Bongo... The bass that looks MOST like the bass guitar accessory for a Barbie doll. [/quote] I have two USA Fenders and rate then very highly. Compared to a Musicman? No contest, the Musicman looks, feels and sounds very very high quality.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1337442356' post='1660106'] How was the low end on the cab mate? Does it get close to the low end from an Aggie 1x12?... Eude [/quote] Hmm, I think in volume it would win hands down, and the low end, from the bad reports I have heard, was actually very impressive

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1337438186' post='1660015'] I went into sounds live today to demo one and they said that you had just been in to test one. damn it. I tired the natural stingray and the ray34 in black. I found it very hard to tell the difference. are the pickups the same? [/quote] Yep, 'twas me. Bear in mind i had to pay a fiver for contribution to postage. Obviously if I order one I'll get that back but at moment I'm pondering the quotes. It was much easier than going to London though! Not sure on those pups! Sorry. Been offered a few second hand so to save a lot of money I might go with one. Depends how these quotes pan out.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1337443159' post='1660123'] Because other people have a different idea of what is aesthetically pleasing to you? Bongo = Ugly as f*** bass. Bongo with tort scratch plate = Unbelievably hideously ugly as f*** bass. IMO of course. [/quote] Of course they do. No harm in that. Bit harsh though ay?! Haha.

I had a quick go on these whilst testing a Bongo. My initial thoughts are: The 2x10 is tiny and small. The 2x10 is very loud for its size....very loud. The amp head wasn't that exciting - but I didn't fiddle with it that much. Both were built very well, and the cab impressed me after hearing bad reports on the Markbass cabinets. For its size/weight/price, it definitely is a good contender.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1337408370' post='1659395'] I like bongos but unfortunatly I have to disagree with some points with you. I very much prefer the normal 4H as the pickup is in that spot and the dual pickup version's bridge just sounds thin compared. Not bad but just not as good as it should, no reason just shift the pickup closer the bridge and to me it stops being a musicman then. Neck profile never bother me for some reason, but the painted neck on the Bongo feels very cheap, compared the the regular gunstock oil finish to me it gives the impression of money saving....... Also you wouldn't have to reach weather it was 21 fret or 24 as it is still 34'' scale no? I do liked the EQ but it can be harsh if you don't engage your braincells. It's 18 volt and tiny increments do make a big difference. I like Bongos but again I only really like the 4H model. I also agree about the quality of Musicman instruments. But don't listen to me I play a Sandberg basic now [/quote] I've got 4 EBMMs with the sweet spot H position so I thought I'd add a bit of a different flavour to my next bass. The bridge H on the HH Bongo was more like a Jazz bridge pup but MUCH bigger in terms of tone. Middy, but still thumped.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1337413539' post='1659434'] What you on about stretching for that first fret Gareth [/quote] Might just be a Warwick thing...the necks on their basses seems too long to what I'm used to. Think I'm generalising a bit!

[size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Finally, FINALLY got to try a Musicman Bongo in a store The day has finally been and gone! I feel like I need to give myself a certificate for waiting 3 years or more to try one. These, as we all know, are an acquired taste. This model was a new 5 HH, in Sky Blue with a Tort Guard (surprisingly the colours really worked and the bass looked fabulous). Firstly, it looks like a work of art. I don’t understand how anyone can say its ‘ugly’. They look weird in some photos, but the curves and design look fabulous in the flesh. The quality control was amazing. Stunning paint work, brilliant neck to body joint, and the whole bass just felt like a boutique quality instrument. Something that, for the prices you can get them for if you barter, is quite extraordinary. A Sadowsky 5 string in a fairly top spec (Metro) will cost you £500+ more than this bass, and won’t be any better in terms of quality, (in fact I’d say this example topped the Sadowsky Metro’s I’ve tried, but its down to taste I guess). Secondly the neck profile. Wow...very smooth neck, a little flatter than the Stingray5/Sterling5/Big Al 5 neck. Very very fast neck. I was also impressed how the 24 fret neck felt the same as a 21/22. I didn’t feel like I was stretching for the 1[sup]st[/sup] fret. Thirdly, the sound. Now I love the traditional H on a Musicman. Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes the same sound as a Musicman humbucker in the sweetspot. The Bongo HH/HS has the bridge H closer to the bridge. It gives a VERY tight, low mid kick of a tone, but instantly Musicman. Blended was huge. The neck H alone was warm, woody, and pretty clear and defined. Very nice for classic rock, blues, motown. Obviously you can also blend as much as you want; it isn’t set. Fourthly, the EQ is brilliant. I’ve heard people say ‘its harsh’, etc. No way, not at all. Lots of power, and the mids are perfect. A little goes a long way, but even maxing didn’t make it sound bad. You know what, as much as I love a P or J bass, this made a Fender seem like a toy. Very professional feel, very exciting tone, very distinct. This is what technology brings when designs evolve. I am super impressed. It is everything I expected, and more. I am not surprised Musicman basses are the price range they are, but if you barter you can get a bargain. I am still on the hunt for the right one. I won’t ever jump to quickly now; plenty of time to get quotes and buy. I’ve even considered picking up a second hand Bongo to save a bit of money.[/font][/size]

...good thing is, buying from Germany is much cheaper than the UK!

It's a nice 1x15. Compared it side by side with the Compact, and numbers aside, the Orange appeared punchier with more mid definition. Absolute volume? Didn't seem to be much in it...virtually the same.

Crazy low price. How reliable is the HB combo?

It was probably designed with fun in mind, not to please the tech geeks. I've used the more normal M212 before and the quality, sound and weight were totally amazing. Very very high quality kit. Especially the amps.

If you have a little extra to spend, and its new, then ask for a discount off the SVT 7 Pro, which is, it seems, Ampeg's first proper high powered lightweight (ish) amp that actually does what it says it should. Even I'd like to try one out. The PF amps have a big problem....something to do with limiting.

I want an 8x10, or indeed a Berg 610/412, but I don't have the patience or healthy band mates to help move it at the moment. A big cab, no matter what modern technology brings with high powered 1x15s and 1x12s, still has that edge.