how good is a bongo's action really?

[jinithith2]

Hello all,
I got my bongo yesterday and what a beauty! but surprisingly, the neck looks like it is slightly warped.

when you look at the reflection of the strings on the frets from the bottom of the bass, it looks as if the neck is in a wave, and starting at the 12th fret up till the 20th fret on the E and A string the strings start buzzing like crazy whereas the other strings and the lower frets are perfectly fine. also, the frets look like they suddenly drop off starting at the 21st fret...


this makes me increase the action to higher than i have on any of my other basses, and the little musicstore down town has basses with better action and they arent even set up!
that is a little disappointing considering that i saved up all year for this and it is a musicman.

have I been playing basses with too low of an action (which is not a bad thing I would hope) or does the bongo have problems?

[dbcandle]

First, I'd suggest precisely measuring the relief (I use 64th/inch). You may have too much relief (bow) in the neck. You probably know, but loosen the truss-rod a bit to get the "feel" first, and don't tighten it if it feels "stuck"; you could break-off the nut or the truss-rod itself. Don't adjust the truss-rod more than 1/4 turn (or less) between measurements.

Once you've got the neck right, break-out an 18" or 24" straight-edge, and see if the frets are really "wavy" as you indicate. There should be a little bow, most noticable between the 7th & 9th frets. The neck should be perfectly straight after about the 10th fret on to the higher frets, although sometimes you'll find the very highest frets taper-off (less high) a little bit.