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Can I try to order a Bongo 4 with a Sterling neck?..

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by quadrogong, Jan 10, 2009.

  1. Jan 10, 2009 #1
    quadrogong

    quadrogong

    Jul 6, 2006
    NYC
    If I order a Bongo to be made up from EB, is there any way to have a Sterling neck or a 1.5 neck put on?5/8"
    I'm figuring no,otherwise Id have seen it done before,I'm sure..I guess it's wishful thinking, but if it's possible, I'd drop an order asap..

    I know they make replacement necks for stingrays and stuff,but it wouldnt be the same, I'd want an EB neck,

    The Bongo is my dream bass,
    if it had a 1.5 rather than 1 5/8", it'd be perfection for me,

    would Ernie Ball be flexible on an issue like this?
     
  2. Jan 10, 2009 #2
    broadblik

    broadblik Guest

    Aug 10, 2008
    Sheffield, UK
    They have a custom shop I think, so yes probably, if you throw enough money at them.
     
  3. Jan 10, 2009 #3
    bdgotoh

    bdgotoh Supporting Member

    Aug 6, 2002
    Pacific NW
    Nope, unfortunately they don't have a custom shop. The neck width can not be changed from the factory specs.

    The new 25th Anniversary model that will be announced at NAMM is rumoured to have a Sterling width neck and Bongo preamp though. Might be something to check into if just the feel of the neck and tone of the Bongo is what you're after.
     
  4. Jan 10, 2009 #4
    phatduckk

    phatduckk

    May 24, 2006
    SF Bay Area
    nope.

    I believe the 25th's going to have a Bongo profile neck. I think it was originally going to have a sterling neck but then spec was changed to have a bongo profile neck. not 100% on this tho
     
  5. Jan 10, 2009 #5
    quadrogong

    quadrogong

    Jul 6, 2006
    NYC
    I'd love a 1.5" option
    And why no maple boards?
    And no white bongos?
    I guess the body style doesn't sell as much as a SR or sterling type..?
     
  6. Jan 10, 2009 #6
    lefty007

    lefty007

    Jan 19, 2004
    Miami, FL
    Have you tried a Bongo before?

    I'm a Jazz-neck guy too, but I was surprised to find that the neck in the Bongos are as comfortable as a Jazz bass, to me. I also play P-Basses, and those feel a lot wider than the Bongo, even though they are both 1-5/8"

    The thing is that Bongos have a narrower heel than P-Basses, so the overall feel of the neck is narrower.

    And nut width is not everything. I've had Sterlings, and although they are 1.5" at the nut, they have a thicker profile, which I didn't care for.
     
  7. Jan 10, 2009 #7
    anyonefortennis

    anyonefortennis Supporting Member

    Jun 28, 2005
    Lincoln, NE
    There's the new rosewood neck line that will be a limited edition for all EBMM basses. Probably the same size though.
     
  8. Jan 10, 2009 #8
    quadrogong

    quadrogong

    Jul 6, 2006
    NYC
    good point
    I liked the neck, yes
    But the spacing on a sterling seems quicker for me
     
  9. Jan 11, 2009 #9
    Joe Kyle

    Joe Kyle

    Oct 18, 2008
    Connecticut
    they did at one point at least?

    or maybe it was just a ruse to get you to see all the different combos, Necks werent an option, but finishes/fingerboard combos were. they even had some random woods.
     
  10. Jan 11, 2009 #10
    bdgotoh

    bdgotoh Supporting Member

    Aug 6, 2002
    Pacific NW
    That solid rosewood neck option was a very limited time offer - it expired in December of 2008.

    MM has never had a custom shop as far as I know. In the very early days you could order a custom A width neck instead of the standard B width but that was about it. Ernie Ball offers a tremendous number of options on their existing basses with just a few exceptions, such as no maple boards on bongos, no clear finishes on bongos, no neck or pickup or preamp swaps between different models, etc.