John Myung Signature Bongo? (And some thoughts on string spacing)

[BluesWalker]

All my 6-string basses are custom made. Part of the reason I have them custom made is that I can specify 16.5mm spacing

 

[wraub]

I have 2 old-skool Ibanez 5 strings with 15mm spacing, great for soloing and chording, but many players have been amazed when I play slap on them...

 

[Rabidhamster]

Anything that brings the G string on my Bongo from rolling off the fretboard with only the slightest string bend would be a good thang' IMHO

Just bend the other direction

 

[Bodeeni]

I changed the bridge on my 6er so I could fine tune the spacing. I found tightening up the spacing just a smidge, on the same neck, made my bass feel a lot better, to me.

 

[Marcus Willett]

I'm also one of those who (unlike most apparently) like a tighter spacing. My 2 main 5ers are custom Stambaughs that are more-or-less Jazz style, but 4 string Fender heels are 2.5", my 5's are 2.7", 1.65" at the nut.

I use edge-to-edge spacing at the bridge (as opposed to center-to-center). Not sure of the exact number, TBH because I just adjust it by feel but it's probably ~16.5mm.

 

[inthebassclef]

Company that does 16.5 standard is warwick

 

[K-man]

My old Carvin 6 string was 16.5.

 

[MAJORA64]

Neat replies regarding string spacing.

Despite what John says in the interview I wonder if there's anyone at EBMM who can confirm if a JM Bongo will into production? Or is that all hush-hush for the moment

 

[MAJORA64]

Just out of curiosity does anyone who owns any Rondo Music SX Ursa 6-string jazz basses happen to know the string spacing?

 

[Stevorebob]

Anything that brings the G string on my Bongo from rolling off the fretboard with only the slightest string bend would be a good thang' IMHO

Anything? How about adjusting technique?

 

[MAJORA64]

2020!!!

 

[chanson]

I wonder if this is going to be a very limited run product, like the Joe Dart. I would put money on it, since EBMM doesnt seem to like doing proper signature basses

 

[MAJORA64]

I wonder if this is going to be a very limited run product, like the Joe Dart. I would put money on it, since EBMM doesnt seem to like doing proper signature basses

I would put my money on that theory too, sadly... It would be a niche bass anyway, I want one, but does the majority want a 6'er with string spacing that thin? Given the amount of slappers out there who need the wider spacing I would say no. Progressive-metal freaks like me? Totally!

That being said I remain optimistic it'll not be a limited run. (And given regular Bongos are reduced to three colors, 2 flakes and Stealth Black, my bet is that the JM model will be regular black, and hopefully silver)

 

[MAJORA64]

Well, nothing at January NAMM, but he's still talking about getting it on the market. Fingers crossed! Also he plays a little bit of Untethered Angel and Pale Blue Dot.

 

[Garret Graves]

It sounds like he is certain something is coming! I like tightish strings on my 6- I have them set around 17mm, even though I rarely slap at all, that still allows it to happen a bit easier than 16.5. I thought the Ibanez 6 strings were all 16.5 too? The cheaper models at least

 

[SheeHAMM]

If his model just has a 5 string neck but everything else is the same (body and bridge),then I would think that the string spacing would be the same as the 6 string bongo. It might be a tiny bit tighter because the strings are getting closer together at the nut, but I don’t think it would be that noticeable to your right hand.

If Bongo JM has the exact same 5-string neck, it's simply impossible to use the same bridge as the normal Bongo 6's. On a Bongo 5 the outer strings (B and G) already tend to slip out of the fretboard pretty easily when played, which means the string spacing of 17.5 mm (at the bridge, total 70 mm LowB-to-G) barely fits the 5-sting neck. To fit 6 strings within the same 70 mm (LowB-to-HighC this time) the spacing should be...14 mm! The normal Bongo 6 has the same spacing as the Bongo 5's, which is 17.5 mm.

Here's a photo of my Bongo 5. There's no way you can add another string keeping the 17.5 mm spacing.

I have a Yamaha BB5000 with the tight spacing of 15 mm at the bridge. While it does not necessarily mean 'the tighter the easier,' it is still noticeable to the plucking hand for sure.

 

[DeathDancer]

Anyone happen to notice what type of bridge is on that JM custom? I've been wanting to do a 6 string on 5 string neck for ages but never had luck with a bridge that would work.

 

[MAJORA64]

I believe it's a bridge EBMM makes just for that specific model. I've been wanting to do a 5-to-6 conversion myself to see if I actually like the tight spacing, and Kahler and Schaller bridges are probably ones to consider, but I think the Kahler only goes as tight as 15.5mm, some people are saying the JM model may be tighter than that.

 

[DeathDancer]

I believe it's a bridge EBMM makes just for that specific model. I've been wanting to do a 5-to-6 conversion myself to see if I actually like the tight spacing, and Kahler and Schaller bridges are probably ones to consider, but I think the Kahler only goes as tight as 15.5mm, some people are saying the JM model may be tighter than that.

I've been thinking about the Ibanez monorails or the Schaller. I played a 5 on a 4 string neck for years when I was young. 15mm spacing. I liked it, wanting to recreate it since my fretting hand nerve issues make the 6 string neck a little rough to handle. If they do release a version for the public maybe that bridge will be available separately.

 

[Les Fret]

The idea of a John Myung model Bongo 6 is interesting, however, it would have to have standard Bongo electronics to interest me.

Yes, same here. I am really interested in this bass since it has 14mm spacing which I prefer. But I really hope it has the standard Bongo electronics and EQ.

By the way the neck pickup on a Bongo is fairly close the neck. Does it interfere with special slapping techniques like double plucking?