NBD - John Myung Bongo 6

[Bryan Threlkeld]

I don't know anything about a kill switch. Perhaps a knob pulls up/down, but otherwise it's just those 2 knobs.

Something I have found funny... it does seem that a LOT of ladies really dig the looks of this bass... while guys insist it looks like a BMW toilet seat. To each his, or her, own. I personally like the look - especially in silver. Kind of a retro, "lost in space", robot, space-suit, vibe.

Glad you're loving the bass, Dustin. Pleasure dealing with you, bro!

 

[Akami]

Something I have found funny... it does seem that a LOT of ladies really dig the looks of this bass... while guys insist it looks like a BMW toilet seat. To each his, or her, own. I personally like the look - especially in silver. Kind of a retro, "lost in space", robot, space-suit, vibe.

Public takes a narrative and runs with it without question, way too much. The only way that looks like a toilet seat is if you actually don't look at it.
Good enough for Phil Bynoe and just looks like a Bongo to me! LoL

 

[rtav]

Beautiful bass - I love mine! Enjoy!

 

[Heiwa]

LOT of ladies really dig the looks of this bass...

 

[Yahboy]

Thanks to a great TB sale, I was able to forego the 6 month wait from Ernie Ball! This thing feels and looks fantastic! I can’t wait to play out with it

Thanks @Bryan Threlkeld !!

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Wow, she just look alike the bass you bringing back from future day compare to the Red MM .

 

[anto89]

Too many comments to quote, so I’m just going to go with it

After playing for about an hour and a half, it it is SUPER comfortable. The narrow spacing does take a little to get used to, but it wasn’t too bad. The EBMM neck does not disappoint - it feels just like my other EBMM (stingray special and a cutlass RS) - the shape is perfect. It is smooth and easy to play.

The tone is fantastic, very balanced. I am really happy with the simplified controls. I shape my tone on my pedalboard anyway, so the simplifying really makes me happy (I almost never mess with my onboard EQ on my SRS). Just a note, I did not make any changes to my EQ settings (which were set for my SRS) and it sounded great.

The nut on an SRS is 42.8mm and the nut on this bongo is 44.5mm. It feels ALMOST the same.

I don’t really see the “toilet seat” comparison. Maybe? I don’t really think so. My 19 y.o. Daughter came home from work right after I had put it up on the wall and her comment was “wow! That’s super sexy”. So there you go. The youth love it

It is not passive. The PUPs are active, but no onboard preamp.

I have always wanted a 5ver, and had never considered a 6. But I recently watched several videos about 6ers on Scott’s Bass Lessons, and I have a long time love for John Myung and Dream Theater. This bass checked all the boxes and fixed all the complaints that I had about the idea of a 6 string. I think it might even be lighter than my SRS.

I don’t know about the “kill switch” that the EBMM site talks about. I saw that too. But there is nothing “kill switch like” about the volume knob that I can figure out. Maybe this version of the bass doesn’t have that? @Bryan Threlkeld do you know what that means?

The headstock is giant, but it fits the whole vibe of the bass. I’m happy with it.

Thanks again @Bryan Threlkeld

I'd like to know about the neck.
thickness, feeling? for example, compared to an ibanez?
about the radius? I saw bongo has a very small radius, 11", don't know why... I think large radius are more easy to play
Anyway, this will be my next bass! Love it, the look, the sound and the specs (14mm). I had the ibanez gvb36 with 14mm string spacing and very slim neck. the difference was that it has 55mm nut, like a common 6 strings bass.

I just hope Trump's tariffs don't touch him. I'm in Europe

 

[Crusher47]

Is it 35" scale ?

 

[docent_lol]

Interesting bass. Could any of the lucky owners maybe record some sound samples if that's not too much to ask? There is barely anything on YouTube, it seems, and I'm interested in the clean tones.

 

[Chuck M]

I own 3 Bongo 6’s and a 5. I had quite a time adapting to the wide string spacing at the nut on the 6’s. Now it feels great and I have grown to love the unorthodox look. It is a very ergonomic design that works very well for me. I would love to own a JM 6 Bongo if I could get it with standard electronics.

By the way, I own an Ibanez Gerald Veasely GWB-36 that has 14mm string spacing that is a joy to play. I was not happy with the OEM electronics (offshore Bartolini pickups and Aguilar OBP-3 preamp). I installed USA made Bartolini preamp and pickups and now that bass sounds great.

So many wonderful basses are available these days.

 

[Bryan Threlkeld]

I own 3 Bongo 6’s and a 5. I had quite a time adapting to the wide string spacing at the nut on the 6’s. Now it feels great and I have grown to love the unorthodox look. It is a very ergonomic design that works very well for me. I would love to own a JM 6 Bongo if I could get it with standard electronics.

By the way, I own an Ibanez Gerald Veasely GWB-36 that has 14mm string spacing that is a joy to play. I was not happy with the OEM electronics (offshore Bartolini pickups and Aguilar OBP-3 preamp). I installed USA made Bartolini preamp and pickups and now that bass sounds great.

So many wonderful basses are available these days.

I agree with you, Chuck. I really liked my JM Bongo 6 and the tight string spacing, but I was anticipating the classic MusicMan sound, and it just didn't have that. Not bad, just different. If they ever make a JM 6 Bongo with their standard pickup configuration, I'd be all over it as well.

 

[Bryan Threlkeld]

I agree with you, Chuck. I really liked my JM Bongo 6 and the tight string spacing, but I was anticipating the classic MusicMan sound, and it just didn't have that. Not bad, just different. If they ever make a JM 6 Bongo with their standard pickup configuration, I'd be all over it as well.

Actually, what I'd love is a SHORT scale, JM 6 Bongo with standard MM electronics. Now that would be perfection IMO. LOL.