Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

NBD: 2003 Music Man Bongo in Lava Pearl


Old Horse Murphy

Recommended Posts

I had one of these back in the day and really enjoyed playing it. Foolishly though, I decided it wasn't particularly practical so moved it on. 
 

Fast-forward at least a decade and a bit, when this one came up for sale. It's a 2003 model (which I think is the first production year) in a lovely Lava Pearl, the same colour of the one I had before. It's a lot more orange in the flesh which I really like. 
 

It is virtually spotless and even the ubiquitous tip chip being less than 1mm long. It weighs in at sub-9lbs and I love it. Not sure if it's a forever bass but I'm planning on having it around for a while yet. 
 

I appreciate they're very marmite but I'm getting increasingly old and grumpy now, I don't really care. I intend to play it and enjoy it as part of my ever-dwindling bass collection that has somehow gone from three basses up to six...oops

A7111BF9-8271-46B3-AA1D-C40392521794.jpeg

DB580336-F5B5-4F4F-AB55-E49F31A015CE.jpeg

B6E211B7-C033-4FA2-962B-C7D2C229DE17.jpeg

6EEEB11D-9248-49A4-88F8-76D92ABCEEA9.jpeg

CD2C27B0-805A-41DD-BBF0-26D0CAB53863.jpeg

Edited by Old Horse Murphy
  • Like 21
Link to comment
Share on other sites

These Bongo basses really are superb instruments, I cannot say enough good things about them. I've got a 4HH and I would never part with it.

 

What I like so much about the sound of these basses is that they have a unique personality that is unapologetically modern and identifiably Bongo Bass . One of the few newer basses on the market that is not trying to refer to the past or present itself as a retro pastiche. It's a sound that really cuts through the mix, that's for sure.

 

As others have said, great playability too. These are just about my favourite modern hifi tone active basses, and I am including boutique instruments that cost far more than a Bongo, even at EBMM's eye- watering new prices.  I just wish I had bought a 4H while they still made them. 😟

 

Anyhow, I hope you get a lot of pleasure from playing this beast. Just don't be surprised if you have to dial back your usual amp settings!🙂

Edited by Misdee
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’ve owned two Bongo’s.

 

I missed my first graphite one so much that no sooner than I saw a Rolls Burgundy one for sale in Mansons I literally jumped in the car drove to Exeter and bought it!

 

Seriously great sound great playability and my Swiss Army Bass! 
 

 

😊

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice, I nearly went for this one myself, it was the NE one on Facebook.   Ended up spending a lot more on a Stingray Special 🙃

 

Edit*  Just realised a) You're in Bristol and the guy wasn't prepared to leave the NE, and b) that was a H model!

 

Really lovely :) 

Edited by Kev
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, after a full setup and restring I've finally plugged it in. The 4 band eq is very responsive and it's something I need to get used to stop tinkering with when I gig it. 

 

It's in truly amazing condition and plays beautifully. The electrics are something else and I should imagine it could easily get very rowdy and quite aggressive quickly. It reminds me a bit of a drunk aunt at a wedding!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, Old Horse Murphy said:

Well, after a full setup and restring I've finally plugged it in. The 4 band eq is very responsive and it's something I need to get used to stop tinkering with when I gig it. 

 

It's in truly amazing condition and plays beautifully. The electrics are something else and I should imagine it could easily get very rowdy and quite aggressive quickly. It reminds me a bit of a drunk aunt at a wedding!

The electronics in them are very hot. Small adjustments can make big changes. Very versatile basses though. Enjoy! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, evan47 said:

I have the chance of a Bongo 4 HH in satin black.

The seller is asking £1650, is this a fair price for one in good condition or should I try to haggle it down a little?

I’m not entirely sure about their used value right now. If it’s a Stealth model, they are quite hard to get hold of, so I imagine would be worth a bit more than a more standard colour. That’s only a guess though tbh 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 03/11/2021 at 19:29, ern500evo said:

I’m not entirely sure about their used value right now. If it’s a Stealth model, they are quite hard to get hold of, so I imagine would be worth a bit more than a more standard colour. That’s only a guess though tbh 

On 03/11/2021 at 19:06, evan47 said:

I have the chance of a Bongo 4 HH in satin black.

The seller is asking £1650, is this a fair price for one in good condition or should I try to haggle it down a little?

Sorry, I missed this. I paid a tiny bit over £1,300 for mine but that was because it was a 2003 model (the date they were launched), was in a colour I really wanted and was in superb condition. 
 

I'm totally at a loss re used prices for all basses at the moment. They seem to be all over the place and there are a a number of  times I've physically laughed to see what people are charging. That said, a lot of them seem to sell!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, I missed this post. I paid a tiny bit over £1,300 for mine but that was because it was a 2003 model (the date they were launched), was in a colour I really wanted and is in superb condition. I'd say over £1,600 is really toppy personally. 
 

I'm totally at a loss re used prices for basses at the moment. They seem to be all over the place and there are a number of  times I've physically laughed to see what people are charging for something that is/was pretty much bread and butter in terms of spec/manufacturer. Brexit/cost of wood/transport etc. all seem to be legitimate excuses for people to try it on IMHO. That said, a lot of them seem to sell!

Edited by Old Horse Murphy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...