Hydro dip time again

[Tj smith]

Well it was warm enough in Michigan to hydro dip today. This is my headless ebmm bongo 5h project. I'm doing the front, back and back of the neck. I got the front of the body done and the back of the neck. Here's the neck also. I love the rose on the tip of what's left of the headstock area.

 

[pyrat56host]

Well it was warm enough in Michigan to hydro dip today. This is my headless ebmm bongo 5h project. I'm doing the front, back and back of the neck. I got the front of the body done and the back of the neck. Here's the neck also. I love the rose on the tip of what's left of the headstock area.

Please post more as you go...looking cool so far~

 

[Nuage420]

That's freaking awesome!

 

[JamesGrant]

I'm not a 'skulls on a bass' kinda guy but I think that looks awesome!!

 

[Element Zero]

Sick!!

 

[smittybass33]

Single h bongo and converting it to headless?? You caught my interest. Please continue to update this. What are you plans on the bridge with the way the body is shaped?

 

[crazycloud]

The skulls aren't my thing, but the blue / black colouring in a general swirl would be awesome.
I found a YT video of exactly what I want to do - might get the SR206 done.

Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[Tj smith]

Single h bongo and converting it to headless?? You caught my interest. Please continue to update this. What are you plans on the bridge with the way the body is shaped?

Thread 'NBD project ebmm bongo 5h'

Jan 7, 2026

Well she showed up today. It definitely needs a bit of love. The pickup cavity needs some work. It has a Delano he5 in it now and it's a bit smaller than the stock. I think I'm gonna make a pickguard for it.

The next step is gonna be a headless conversation.

• Tj smith
• Replies: 41
• Forum: Luthier's Corner

• 

Here's my build thread. The headless hardware is nova. I'm using a Fishman pickup. I modified a music man pickup cover to fit a Fishman pup. I should have everything done next week assuming the weather gets nice again.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Excuse me…
Headless bongo!?

 

[ThomasTronics]

Whats it look like put together

 

[Tj smith]

Whats it look like put together

It's not done. I still have to dip the back. Here's a pic before I started the refinish.

 

[Tj smith]

Single h bongo and converting it to headless?? You caught my interest. Please continue to update this. What are you plans on the bridge with the way the body is shaped?

I sanded the body down enough to get my hand in there. I've sanded it more since this pic. I let the back side of the body to protect the tuners.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I was wondering how that project turned out. Cool... well-done.

 

[smittybass33]

I sanded the body down enough to get my hand in there. I've sanded it more since this pic. I let the back side of the body to protect the tuners.

This is wild! Amazing job. I can't wait to see the next step in evolution. What was the inspiration for this conversion? It could have been cool to have a small nod to the shape of the original headstock in the reshaping of it as well but I love what I am seeing here.

 

[Tj smith]

This is wild! Amazing job. I can't wait to see the next step in evolution. What was the inspiration for this conversion? It could have been cool to have a small nod to the shape of the original headstock in the reshaping of it as well but I love what I am seeing here.

Musicman Bongo Custom Headless 6 : £2500

I personally took on every aspect of this project so I know the alterations with every meticulous detail. plugs and the plinth/shelve is made from matching basswood to retain the overall resonance of the bass. The bass is in really great condition. Custom german made hardware by ETS (ACG Alan use...

www.basschat.co.uk

I found this about year ago. I can't afford a custom headless so I figured out how to make my own. It's not perfect but pretty good for me.

 

[smittybass33]

Musicman Bongo Custom Headless 6 : £2500

I personally took on every aspect of this project so I know the alterations with every meticulous detail. plugs and the plinth/shelve is made from matching basswood to retain the overall resonance of the bass. The bass is in really great condition. Custom german made hardware by ETS (ACG Alan use...

www.basschat.co.uk

I found this about year ago. I can't afford a custom headless so I figured out how to make my own. It's not perfect but pretty good for me.

That's a cool one but I totally hear you. Something I hadn't thought of - what about the strap pin by the bridge? Are you able to have it in the same position or are you moving it? That one moved it higher and I would be curious of how that would affect the balance.

 

[Tj smith]

That's a cool one but I totally hear you. Something I hadn't thought of - what about the strap pin by the bridge? Are you able to have it in the same position or are you moving it? That one moved it higher and I would be curious of how that would affect the balance.

I put one above and below the original like some other manufacturers do. I used the popper the strap button and the balance was fine. Just had to shorten the strap an inch or 2.

 

[Tj smith]

It gonna be nice this weekend and I'm planning on finishing the hydro dip then. I'm excited to check out the Fishman pup.

 

[Tj smith]

Here it is. The paint isn't the best but good enough for now.

 

[smittybass33]

That is sweet! Let's hear and see it in action too! Congrats on the hard work!