Bongo Ergonomics Question.

[Silas Martinez]

So, for those of us who own, or have owned, Bongos ...

I've noticed that my right forearm rests a little uncomfortably against the body (the edge digging in a little) when I pluck close to the bridge. I tend to shift my arm around quite a bit, and have noticed that the contour tends to support more of a neck side approach, while having a thicker edge (and less contour) as you move towards the bridge.

I'm wondering if it could be related to where I hold the bass - I tend to wear it centered just above the waist, kind of directly over my belly. I have also noticed a tendency to push the neck a little away from myself, which pulls the body/bridge closer to my right shoulder, and alters my forearm angle, improving my ability to play closer to the bridge - but obviously creates problems in my left hand technique.

Can you describe your right hand approach? I've noticed something a little odd, and I'm not sure if I'm just doing something wrong (technique flaw?), or if I should possibly raise or lower the bass, or if possibly the contour is just wrong for me (I don't have problems like this at all, for example, on my jazzes).

I'd like to find a way to overcome this and ease my ability to play closer to the bridge on this bass - I love its sound, and its action is simply amazing, while the size of the neck enforces proper technique. I've always heard good things about the ergonomics of this model, but for me, I just can't seem to get this one issue resolved.

As an aside, I don't have a problem with the sound or feel when played closer to the neck - but the ability to move my right hand around is very important to me.

 

[jucas]

Well, there's an attention grabing thread tittle... I find that if my right hand is digging in uncomfortably, it's probly a result of reaching to far to the bowl and I usually get someone else to light it up for me.

 

[Silas Martinez]

Thanks. Fixed that. Interesting slip of the fingers.

 

[steve21]

Well, you gotta make sure it's long enough not to burn your face off.


edit: well poo.

 

[Silas Martinez]

Well, you gotta make sure it's long enough not to burn your face off.

I typically try not to burn my bass. If there is any risk of unexpected face burning happening, I've done something horribly wrong.

Oh, err.... I don't think you meant a bass. Lets try to keep this on track, please, even if I suspect it may have been hopelessly derailed in the first couple of minutes before I fixed my subject.

 

[Silas Martinez]

edit: well poo.

Sorry. Hoping to get real advice on playing a specific bass here. Advice on the other, I could have turned to a few select ex-bandmates.

I appreciate the effort, though.

 

[steve21]

I might try lowering the strap a bit. I've played a Bongo with a strap before, and the arm seemed to fit me fine. But I play so the upper horn is about near the navel, if not a bit lower.

 

[GreyBeard]

It's pretty hard to give any useful advice about something like this. Everybody's arms are a different length and or belly sticks out a little different. What feels like a dig to one player isn't even noticed by another. I've sold a lot of basses over this sort of thing.

 

[Silas Martinez]

It's pretty hard to give any useful advice about something like this. Everybody's arms are a different length and or belly sticks out a little different. What feels like a dig to one player isn't even noticed by another. I've sold a lot of basses over this sort of thing.

I realize that completely. I guess that, in part, I was wondering if anyone had encountered similar issues with this particular body shape. Its a pretty non-traditional shape, and supposedly designed at least in part with ergonomics in mind, so ...

Thank You, though.