splat1969 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Can anyone please give me a honest opinion about musicman bongos.There are none local to me to try,so before I make a journey your opinions would help me alot.Thanks Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Firstly no comments about the looks - it's a personal thing, you're considering one so you must like it. IMHO, comparing 4H to 4H. Pros: Vast array of sounds, well balanced, nice properly finished neck, reasonable weight Cons: Complicated (knob wise - I found it took some fiddling with), stupid headstock design that inevitably gets wacked, doesn't have the 'personaility' of a stingray (that's a personal; thing I guess) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt42uk Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Fantasic instrument....looks are a personal thing, but sounds are amazing....the 4 band eq is dead powerful. It so happends i have an immaculate one for sale...if you're interested! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) There is a certain magic hidden in a Bongo bass, soundwise it is a killer bass. The secret is in the combination of the wood used for the body which is Basswood and the 18 Volts 4 band EQ preamp plus the Neodymium pickups. The results of all these factors makes it a bass which is difficult to fault, in both sound and playability. Definately one of the best bass of the Ernie Ball range, I repeat one of the best, not the best. Personally I thought it was THE best until I bought their 25th Anniversary HSS. The Bongo's neck is another secret weapon which is unique to the Ernie Ball range, in fact this is the only EB bass with 24 frets and a radius unique to this bass that makes it so incredibly comfortable to play that every time you picked it up after having played a different bass, you can't help go: "Oh yeah!" As mentioned the pickups are the powehouse that makes this bass break through through the muddies of band mixes. Neodymium is a new very powerful magnet, also used in new amp speakers. Very responsive and in this bass they work wonderfully. FACT: Not everyone is fond of it's shape and headstock - BUT - everyone who I know has tried one has ended up buying it or live a life of misery and GAS withering illness. no more pics, I've deleted them, up yours! Edited April 4, 2010 by Grand Wazoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throwoff Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I agree entirely with the above. Personally I think it looks like a scrotum but I finally got brave enough to hold one (a Bongo not a scrotum!) and have to admit it just works. Theres no other way to put it, its like an M reg Ford Escort, its not the prettiest, not the cheapest but it just feels nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='throwoff' post='790598' date='Mar 30 2010, 02:00 PM']Theres no other way to put it, its like an M reg Ford Escort, its not the prettiest, not the cheapest but it just feels nice.[/quote] This. Had a twiddle onj one recently and the EQ is just brilliant, I found it tough to get a bad sound out of it (and I'm always trying my hardest ). They are really really fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 The Bongo is something I'd really like to try. I've always liked the sound and look of them, but our paths haven't crossed as yet. I almost scored a used one on here a few weeks ago, but couldn't get to the seller in time. Someone else snapped it up very quickly. Duarte will be along shortly to tell us more about how amazing these things are. He has three Bongos as far as I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 There are basses that sound and play just as good for the same or less money and don't look nearly as stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) Well luckily looks aren't everything - Fortunately I'm judged on my playing/sight reading ability as opposed to my looks. *PHEW* Beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that, I think Bongos are amazing looking basses. Yep, they didn't come from the 1950's, which sometimes can be a good thing. Call it progress and excellent design. Edited March 30, 2010 by OutToPlayJazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='martthebass' post='790552' date='Mar 30 2010, 01:23 PM']stupid headstock design that inevitably gets wacked[/quote] Whacked? Badda-bing badda-boom. Fugheddaboudit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='790777' date='Mar 30 2010, 04:37 PM']Well luckily looks aren't everything - Fortunately I'm judged on my playing/sight reading ability as opposed to my looks. *PHEW* [/quote] Lucky you, most of us have to look the part - to within certain tolerances - too. I think looks are an important aspect of something you intend to wear while a room full of people stare at you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I personally much prefer the 'wacky' Bongo design to stuff like Warwick , Status & Ibanez etc. Bongos have that 'wierd but it kinda works' vibe for me, and they do play and sound wonderful. Dare to be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Many years ago I walked into Bass Place thinking "the Steinberger Stick bass is a vile abomination and I wouldn't be seen dead with one" . An hour later after stupidly picking up a Hohner copy, I left owning it. I've not tried a Bongo but IMO "the Bongo bass is a vile abomination and I wouldn't be seen dead with one (it's also an insult to the sleek lines and clean design of the scrotum)"- but then I'm totally mercenary, If I'm in the market and try one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Don't be put off by the naysayers over the looks - they are awesome AWESOME basses. FACT. Mine won't be leaving the harem in a hurry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='790784' date='Mar 30 2010, 04:40 PM']Lucky you, most of us have to look the part - to within certain tolerances - too. I think looks are an important aspect of something you intend to wear while a room full of people stare at you.[/quote] You've some neck going on about how the bongo's look when you're wearing that shirt in your avatar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I'd offer someone quite a bit for a 5 string version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) OTPJ, you called? Yes, Bongos are the best. Soundwise, incredible. They DO have character, but it's not aStingRay charactrer, it's a Bongo character. They are VERY distinctive in the way they sound (and of course look!) In pictures you may think they look a bit silly, but in person it is oh so right. The curves are quite beautiful, I sometimes find myself running my fingers along the wierd flat bits that feel so smooth, connecting the front and sides of the body in one lush sweep...to me other basses just feel and look like a fat old lump of boring wood. "Here you go, a big bit of wood" is what I imagine the manufacturers saying...The Bongo is sweet. So sweet it's unbelievable. The knobs, yeah there's a lot. But they are self explanatory...a few bands of EQ, volume, pickup pan...easy. Or piezo aswell if you have that option (like me) Vast array of wonderful, wonderful tones. thisnameistaken...can you honestly say that Mr Sargent in this video looks 'stupid'? Edited March 30, 2010 by Duarte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='790784' date='Mar 30 2010, 04:40 PM']I think looks are an important aspect of something you intend to wear while a room full of people stare at you.[/quote] For the most part, and I know I am right, the only people who dislike the Bongo are closed minded bass players. Non guitarists/bassists who don't a preconception of what a bass should look like (Fender Precision anyone? YAWN) always say something along the lines of "That is the prettiest/coolest thing I have ever seen". FACT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Owned a Bongo 4HH - sold it on here. My biggest regret ever. I'll own one again - when funds/music project allow. The swiss army bass. Get it in orange (mine was desert gold), green or similar - the support bands bassist will crap himself from behind his MIM Jazz (nothing wrong with MIM Jazz by the way). Don't worry about the 'looks' thing, people either do, or don't get it - who gives a f***, if you like it - buy one. Just hold onto it once you get one! Trav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 This is just my opinion. During a fit of mid-life crisis I sold an amazing Stingray 5 and bought a Bongo 5 HH. Worst mistake of my life. We recorded a live CD and it sounds woolly and sh*t. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Again, I refer you to this video. The actual song starts at the 2 minute mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.i.stein Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Duarte' post='790884' date='Mar 30 2010, 06:12 PM'] [/quote] great playing.(even if it is upside down !) i like the look of the bongo, and the tone(s). next on my list !! Edited March 30, 2010 by phil.i.stein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='Duarte' post='790884' date='Mar 30 2010, 06:12 PM']thisnameistaken...can you honestly say that Mr Sargent in this video looks 'stupid'?[/quote] I stopped watching when he started doing that scat vocal thing that ALL bassists simply HAVE to do when they solo these days. And yes he did look stupid but that was more the stupid vocal than the stupid bass. [quote name='Duarte' post='790894' date='Mar 30 2010, 06:20 PM']For the most part, and I know I am right, the only people who dislike the Bongo are closed minded bass players. Non guitarists/bassists who don't a preconception of what a bass should look like (Fender Precision anyone? YAWN) always say something along the lines of "That is the prettiest/coolest thing I have ever seen". FACT.[/quote] I'm going to assume that you're right, because it would be pointless arguing with something you're already so convinced of regardless of how wrong you are. So now all we need to do is find a country where nobody's seen a bass guitar before. But let's be fair an electric anything would probably impress them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='790988' date='Mar 30 2010, 07:44 PM']I'm going to assume that you're right[/quote] Sweet. I f*cking rule the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 The 4HS I tried at bass merchant was superb. I have some nice stuff (Status, Vigier, Warwick, Yamaha etc.) and I still think it was superb. They had some nice stuff there (Vigier, Spector, Sandberg, Overwater, Warwick, GMR etc.) and it measured up well. Played well. No ergonomic issues, sounded awesome. Looked... Like a Bongo. I'd like one. Canary Yellow w/ Black hardware and a black/yellow/ black scratchplate!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.