do people really hate ebmm bongo bass?

[Iridescentone]

The only thing I liked about my HH bongo was how it looked, and the beautiful Egyptian Smoke finish. Loved the BMW-inspired aesthetic.

However, despite its 4-band EQ, mine was deficient in the high mids area even with that control knob cranked up. Also I found the overall sound a little too "processed", and not in a pleasing musical way. Totally subjective, I know but still...

Was my example defective? At the time I suspected it may have been. I bought it used, after all. I couldn't understand why a bass with such extensive EQ controls should come up short in the high mids area. Was this "the Bongo sound"? After a couple weeks of fooling with it, I set it free. Never bothered with another Bongo since.

By stark comparison, a Sterling H that fell into my lap, sounds amazing. Sound-wise, it's everything I wished the Bongo would have been. A Bongo platform with Sterling elecs might be the perfect EBMM for me. A lighter weight basswood body, and a poly finished neck instead of the oil-wax finish? Yeah I could go for that.

 

[Rnr..........4]

The neck feels great and the tone is killer, but every time I see one I can’t help but think:

 

[juancaminos]

I think they look great. But not enough to pay the going price.

 

[JimB52]

They're really good, pre-amp needs an internal volume though. It's way too hot man.

Hot, but in a rude way.

 

[RumbleMan3]

I think they’re kinda ugly but still there’s a coolness to them.

I love their sound. It’s basically a hh stingray and perhaps I’ve just never heard them enough to discern the differences of a bongo but I like them. Especially with EB cobalt flats like Me Stan Sergeant plays... smooth as butter!

Never actually played one so can’t comment on functionality. They look like they’re not the most comfortable bass to play but I’m just speaking from ignorance

I think, overall, they’re a little overpriced, but so are basically all of EB MM’s stingrays too.

 

[whero]

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again:

Other than that, I have no problem with them at all.

 

[Snibborwocky]

I used to hate them, always being reminded of a toilet seat but over the years I've kind of gotten used to them and then when I heard how they actually sounded...wow. They may look ridiculous to some but boy do they sound amazing.

 

[RabidMusic]

I've always wanted one. Like the look and the ability to change the pick guard for your own color combination. But, I need a thin neck.

 

[non]

the headstock is the best part. love them. looks like japanese tanto knife tips.

 

[96Brigadier]

Post #99.
Need to explain?

I could put a picture of someone's face with the round shape and say it looks like a Bongo too... or just about anything with a circular shape. When I see a Bongo I don't see a toilet seat, I personally think saying it looks like one is just a negative analogy that I don't buy into.

 

[lordradish]

They sound great but they're ugly as all hell in my opinion.

 

[4001]

I don't like them
I also don't like when I am not allowed to say that.
So there.

 

[bassbully]

I played once that was a funk machine. It was heavy and turd brown but man did it sing.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

i think these are the coolest looking bass, and they sound good in the demos online, i want one, people seem to hate them, is it because of looks or functionality and sound?

I've never played one, but I'm sure they play and feel great. Not a huge fan of the tone. Also not a fan of the looks of it. Doesn't mean I hate it. Just not my jam.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Can you provide and example of someone on TB saying they HATE bongo basses?

 

[FunkHead]

The neck feels great and the tone is killer, but every time I see one I can’t help but think:

View attachment 3834707

Yep. once you see it, you can't ever un-see it. However, I think they look good with no pick-guard.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

They're more attractive than almost anything Gibson made in the '70s.

 

[jkazam]

i think these are the coolest looking bass, and they sound good in the demos online, i want one, people seem to hate them, is it because of looks or functionality and sound?

I dig the look. But I am not a fender P bass fan boy.

 

[CoffeeLove]

i think these are the coolest looking bass, and they sound good in the demos online, i want one, people seem to hate them, is it because of looks or functionality and sound?

I'm sure they sound great, but not a fan of the looks. Just my opinion though, lots of people like them.

 

[Shlabotnik]

I think they’re ugly as sin but they do sound great and I believe it when people speak highly of how nice they are to play.

I wouldn’t call it “hate” though. More like a gag reflex.