ThomBassmonkey Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 (edited) I got one a couple of weeks ago from here and I just have to say wow. I've been in the studio with it all week and it sounds beautiful. It has just enough of everything. It's so fat but so defined, so much punch. It somehow manages to have enough growl that it meats out heavy sections but still sounds smooth in quiet parts. It sounded so good in rough takes straight into the desk we didn't even really touch it pre production, just nudged the bass up a tiny bit on the bass's pre and went straight in. I've been bricking it about selling my precious Sandberg Custom, but I know I've definitely made the right move now. It might look a bit odd (all down to taste), but it's just so nice in every other sense. Now I just need some new strings for it so I can give it the anger it deserves at a gig. Of course now that I'm feeling confident I'm amp and bass GAS-free, I am feeling a tingle every time I look at Soundblox pedals.... Sorry for gushing, it's been a long week of 12 hour days in the studio, I thought I'd share my glee at how my new bass is working out. Edited September 8, 2011 by ThomBassmonkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Another EBMM convert! I havent tried a Bongo, but I think Ill be getting one at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burno70 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 My mate got a stealth one several years ago. Sounded fantastic and had a lovely feel to the neck as well. Seriously powerful tone and a quality eq. I was tempted to get one myself but wasn't sold 100% on the looks of it - love the headstock but not the body. If I had sh*t loads of cash and could afford a whole herd of basses I'd deffo have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I got one in a trade here a few years back (a 5HH) and to be honest, I didn't like it at all when I got it and it's been a long, slow burn. I really love it now. Adore it. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I have one I'll be selling very soon. There are so many things about it I like, the look for one, but alas I can't get used to the feel of it (and as nipper number 1 is 3 months away and I have too many basses it classes as low hanging fruit). Also I'm a set and forget kind of guy at heart so the 4 band EQ is entirely lost on me. But I can totally understand the gushing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegatward Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I've just got one in a trade and like the range of tones it gives me but I need a bit of advice It's been set up with a really low action which is fine but the action at the neck end on the 2nd /3rd fret is so low that I'm getting some fret buzz, particaularly from open strings. Looks like it's stringed 45-105 but it maybe lighter but the strings sit really really low in the bridge I don't want to fiddle too much and i like the action so wondered of moving to 50-110 would sort out the issue any suggestions ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Well I didn't get on with mine, found the preamp a nightmare and the tone lacking. Trading it for a stingray was the best thing I ever did. EBMM convert yes, bongo fan no. I'd like to get my hands on a sterling though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Can't seem to love my Bongo. Mega versatile, stunning looks (even added matching Leds) but... ...just not feeling it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 [quote name='mikegatward' post='1367799' date='Sep 9 2011, 04:11 PM']I've just got one in a trade and like the range of tones it gives me but I need a bit of advice It's been set up with a really low action which is fine but the action at the neck end on the 2nd /3rd fret is so low that I'm getting some fret buzz, particaularly from open strings. Looks like it's stringed 45-105 but it maybe lighter but the strings sit really really low in the bridge I don't want to fiddle too much and i like the action so wondered of moving to 50-110 would sort out the issue any suggestions ?[/quote] One of the easiest fix on the Bongo is to adjust the trussrod. Give it a quarter turn and it'll do the trick, you need to have a little bit more relief as in the attached pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Wow thats the handiest place ever for the truss rod adjustment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Top tip number 2... Set the gap betweeen bridge pickup and bottom of B string to 4.5mm and G string to 3.5mm Set the gap between neck pickup and bottom of B string to 6.5mm and G string to to 5.5mm These are the factory settings (apart from the slight angle to boost the top strings) and make the EQ and Pickup Pan work as it should and also you don't end up driving the crap out of the front end of whatever amp you use once you turn the volume above 50% on the bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 The might look a little odd but they sound great! I remember seeing Dave LaRue using one live with Joe Satriani and it sounded fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I think the truss rod wheel is one of the best innovations on the EBMM basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1368229' date='Sep 10 2011, 06:46 AM']One of the easiest fix on the Bongo is to adjust the trussrod. Give it a quarter turn and it'll do the trick, you need to have a little bit more relief as in the attached pic[/quote] My ACG has the same feature, what a great idea it is too! That said, I've never adjusted the truss rod in it because it's very stable, even when changing strings. But what a marvellous place to have it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 I slapped some thicker strings on it just before heading out to a gig last night and forgot my tool kit so it played like a bow and arrow. Lots of people that have seen my band loads of times commented on how good my bass sounded last night. It really sums up what I want from a bass tone, I've already got my GK rigs which are the perfect mix of beef, growl and clarity, now I've got a bass that matches, I'm chuffed. The Ray is an awesome bass too, slightly more agressive and less beefy than the Bongo. I love them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 [quote name='Musicman20' post='1368369' date='Sep 10 2011, 10:44 AM']I think the truss rod wheel is one of the best innovations on the EBMM basses.[/quote] Agreed. Sold my 'Ray5 fretless, bought a Warwick Fortress Masterman 5 (fretted) instead. It was a nice bass, but I don't really miss it. Not entirely sure that the 'Ray5 is a good bass to have as a fretless. I've liked all the Bongos I've played- Even the EQ. I wouldn't have an "H", and would probably prefer "H/H" to "H/S" I'm not normally bothered by aesthetics, but in the case of the Big Al, I'll make an exception. I'd get a Reflex (or whatever they're called) instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='1368766' date='Sep 10 2011, 06:04 PM']Not entirely sure that the 'Ray5 is a good bass to have as a fretless.[/quote] Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='Chris2112' post='1369202' date='Sep 11 2011, 10:51 AM']Why not?[/quote] I'm beginning to think that single pick-up basses are better as fretted instruments. I could never dial in a tone I really liked. Maybe I shoulld've tried flats on ot rather than rounds. I got on fine with a MIM fretless jazz I tried once. Tinkered with the controls and got it to sing properly. The 'Ray 5 never did that, an the single-coil setting was utterly useless- it was a 1990- so no phantom coil in the pick-up, and that made it noise-prone. It also sounded too thin. Series was too much the other way, but was alright if you played up by the back of the neck. Parallel was best. I nearly bought a (fretted) Status neck for it, but it was too much hassle and quite expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyBRebelMC Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I recently bought a Bongo6 MM off a fellow basschatter and I agree with the OP - fantastic sound and an EQ that I find really useful I.e. very easy to understand and to tweak on the fly. My Status S2 is more comfortable (and lighter i think) but I am loving the massive sound you get from a Bongo, it simply seems to sit in the mix effortlessly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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