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John Myung Signature Bongo? (And some thoughts on string spacing)
- Thread starter MAJORA64
- Start date
For those who are curious: The circuit board looks like this. There's nothing that can be (easily) tweaked. I wonder what is with the pre-programmed EQ. Perhaps each selector position has its own EQ preset?
Thanks for posting! Since you have one in your possession, is the narrow spacing comfortable or does it take some getting used to? (And were you accustomed to the normal 17-19mm spacing on 6 strings?)
I am not sure. I am by no means an electronic expert. But I think there is no EQ involved. Just plain pickup switching with no pre programmed EQ. But I could be wrong.
I've always been a 5-string guy, and not spent so much time with 6-string basses. So if I had any problem playing 6 strings, it is likely my fault, not the instrument's.
And I never slap, so I can't say anything when someone asks "[How] can you slap with that tight spacing?" I do prefer tight spacings.I have: RBX JM2 (the second Yamaha John Myung bass) and this John Myung Bongo.
RBX JM2 has 16.5mm spacing. It feels okay. It's very comfortable for a 6-string bass. I just don't like the nasal tone that the single humbucker provides. I need two pickups!
I had a few other 6-string basses.
RBX 6JM (the first Yamaha John Myung bass), was ergonomically the worst. Heavy, no rounded edges, 35-inch. I liked the tone but just could not play it even with the tight(either 16 or 16.5mm, not sure.) spacing. It was collecting dust for years, and finally sold as soon as I got the JM2.
SR5006 (Ibanez) was pretty good. Streamlined design, tight spacing(16.5mm), those knobs and switches providing many tonal options. But the pickups - I wanted large humbuckers. Sold.
TL-Six (Peavey) was very special. It sounded good actually, with TWO P-bass pickups. It had a Kahler bridge, so I could customize the spacings down to 15mm. But...the nut. The nut was pretty wide, and my fretting hand had trouble with it. Sold.
Bongo 6 (not this Artist Series) was tonally satisfying, just like my Bongo 5 HS which I still have and love. But it was far from being comfortable with the wide neck and the 17.5mm spacing. My fretting hand suffered, and my plucking hand struggled jumping between strings. I sold it, and after a few weeks Music Man introduced the JM Bongo. I'm a lucky guy.
(Noteworthy is my Yamaha BB5000 from the 80s. It has a 15mm spacing. I bought it just because of that, although I'm a fan of Yamaha basses. It feels very comfortable. But it's a 5-string bass.)
Sorry, I almost forgot to answer your question. For me, it IS very comfortable and didn't take much time to get used to. After a few days, the plucking hand has no problem at all. For the fretting hand, the change is far more dramatic in a good way. String spacings matter at the nut as well, perhaps even more than at the bridge. The neck doesn't feel bulky at all. I can easily reach lower strings without feeling that the high-C string is in my way. I can fret two strings with one finger at the same time effortlessly. Now I'm very motivated to practice and play hard!
Awesome write-up and thank you for answering. I found the same exact results with Myung's Yamaha signatures! The RBX6JM sounded good and looked even better, but it was clunky and seemed unweildy. The RBXJM2 sounded like garbage to me.. no punch, no growl, not what I thought was good tone. And it felt like a toy! (Maybe that plastic headstock thing made me think that way!)
But your write-up is this JM Bongo makes me want one!!! Thanks again!
But your write-up is this JM Bongo makes me want one!!! Thanks again!
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Found this on the official EBMM Facebook page. So there's no real magic in it. The bass sounds awesome though.
On the Myung bass. Only volume and a 5-position pickup blend.
However, the Myung bass EQ option is available on a standard Bongo 5: Set all the EQ contrails at their detents.
well yeah thats the lItErAlL answer
so to clarify:
i would really like this eq option of a hard wired flat eq and only volume/pickup selector knobs on a standard 5 string bongo bass
Moving on, im likely gonna get a JM and swap the 6 string bridge and neck for my bongo's neck and bridge. if i love it, ill get my Nordy pickups put in it and get a refinish to match my bongo's current finish
Why would you do that? Why not buy a standard Bongo 5 and keep the EQ in the middle/flat?
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i already have a bongo. but i honestly never use the eq. i also want to go back to my nordy big man 5 pickups.
the JM would offer me a more concise knob layout .
in the end if i NEED to go back to full bongo i can throw the neck/bridge on my current bongo body and have it back. but for most shows/live application i prefer as simple as possible.
the real qustion im having is what to do with the JM neck bridge and pickups. but that may be a bridge to cross at a later time
the JM would offer me a more concise knob layout .
in the end if i NEED to go back to full bongo i can throw the neck/bridge on my current bongo body and have it back. but for most shows/live application i prefer as simple as possible.
the real qustion im having is what to do with the JM neck bridge and pickups. but that may be a bridge to cross at a later time
You could sell those parts to someone with a 5 string Bongo who wants to switch to 6 string. But not sure if all parts will fit a 5 string Bongo?
i had been messaging sheeehamm about it he conformed the neck fits and the 2 big bolts are the same spot
haa this is a hell of a concept and im having 2nd thoughts
haa this is a hell of a concept and im having 2nd thoughts
My dudes and dudettes, I don't know when it happened but the Musicman online store is shipping internationally now! I'm thinking of putting up my 2007 candy apple red HH Bongo on Reverb to help pay for the JMB probably in the next few months, I'd like to finally get my hands on this bass .
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