The Bongo’s looks

[4andnomore]

So, is there like a "no pointy basses in church" rule or something? Is that really a thing?

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

So, is there like a "no pointy basses in church" rule or something? Is that really a thing?

Some folks seem to equate pointy basses with music of da debbil.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I think the bongo looks fine. I don’t think nobody would really give you a weird look if one was played in a church setting. My guitarist claims my stingray sounds better. He says it’s close but ultimately the ray is superior and I don’t necessarily agree. Folks on here have speculated that he is prejudiced because of how the bongo looks. My bongo is the crescendo white one. I see nothing screaming heavy metal about it in a church setting. To me a BC Rich Warlock might scream metal and be a bit much for church but not a bongo. Maybe possibly the headstock on the bongo could give slightly metal vibes but most owners would say it’s an incredibly versatile bass. I’ve never been asked not to play it. I’ve even been told by the guitarist that it sounds better than any fender bass he has ever heard. Once he even admitted it sounded better than the stingray when I used an ampeg SVT vr. Other times he will go back to saying the stingray sounds better. What’s the issue? Am I an embarrassment to him because of how he thinks the bongo looks?

Having owned both I do personally prefer the sound of the stingray. They are both musicmans but they are actually pretty different basses. Looks aside the body wood is different, and the pickup magnets are different.

 

[Bodeeni]

I liked my Bongo 5 for the neck especially, but it did not work sitting down, the lower horn cut into my leg. It was also super hot, so I rewired it passive and I really liked that sound a lot.

 

[MynameisMe]

Play what you want. I do in church. No one says anything.

 

[retslock]

I don't like them at all but I wouldn't say they look metal or anything else to honest. Just another bass. There are much worse.

 

[retslock]

Also, wrap your mind around this factoid:
The Bongo was co-designed by BMW...

Anybody can make a mistake. That was BMWs.

 

[packhowitzer]

to paraphrase Master Yoda: My own council will I keep on which basses I play. Pound sand, this guitarist can.

 

[Aussie Player]

A member on here once said they reminded him of a toilet seat. Can't recall whether that was OK with the censors, but it was impossible to forget.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Some folks seem to equate pointy basses with music of da debbil.

 

[Jefus]

I've seen jazz guys play Les Pauls

Yeah, I remember one. Last name was Polsfuss or something. I heard he used to play a log too, so who knows.

 

[ac100X]

I have a Bongo and a Stingray and a Sterling Stingray. They all sound good. Right now I prefer the Bongo but I'm fickle, I change my mind all the time, just give me time. Unless it's a VOX, those are always cool.

 

[Giffro]

I had a Bongo HH in stealth black with black hardware. I strung it with black tapewounds and when I wore black the body pretty much vanished. I loved the sound and I liked the look but I had to let it go when I switched to playing shortscales exclusively.

It makes total sense that a mongo should own a bongo!

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Wanna really freak him out? Come borrow my Kubicki, Electra Outlaw, or one of my Big Al's...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The Bongo reminds me of: not a denigration!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Who the heck looks at the bass players gear at a church service??..
Except another bass player....

 

[higain617]

I'm sure it's sufficient. Unless you're playing gospel, church music isn't exactly Mahavishnu Orchestra.

 

[Rumblefisher]

I always thought it looked like a magnet, or at least their magnetic “horseshoe” inlay. Probably what they were going for since it featured their (new at the time) neodymium magnet pickups. Gotta appreciate that the BMW design team committed that hard to a theme. I’m not a huge BMW fan (especially since their cars seem to come standard without blinkers) but I do like the Bongo design!

I’d be down for a pickguardless bongo HS with a roasted neck/board (ebony ok too) and Honeyburst finished mahogany body. Take my money EBMM!!

 

[Auer]

I think it’s a work of art

 

[JOME77]

When I first saw a Bongo I didn’t like it at all. But over the years I’ve really grown to like the way it looks. I guess it really grows on you.
I think it looks like a BMW with strings!