The Bongo’s looks

[Relayer71]

well, the Flying V is a late 50's design heavy metal didn't even exist, and that look was associated with country music (like the Firebird/Thunderbird).

the Les Paul "is" a jazz guitar, designed by one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, that gave his name to it.

That's all true (though I had never really thought about the fact that the V was pre-metal, hehe), but those have been associated with hard rock and metal for so long.

Thinking about it now, that flying V was a pretty bold design! I imagine car culture may have influenced it? Even today it still looks pretty extreme (and probably why I associated it with heavy metal).

 

[Pet Sounds]

I had a Bongo years ago for a brief time. Like @dune, I'm a traditionalist, but the looks didn't offend me or make me think of heavy metal. I didn't particularly like the way it felt in *my* hands. Also, like the G&L L-2000, I found the Bongo a little fussy to dial in to my liking. I guess I'm more of a plug-and-play guy.
That said, I'd find myself having some unchristian thoughts about a guitar player that was criticizing my gear.

 

[roccobass]

I've heard it's sound and it's not bad.
However, I just can't get past the way it looks, and of course it's moniker. It's misnamed. It's not alone. I like Markbass cabs, but those dang orange/yellow cones are just a deal killer. Sorry.

 

[ellenripley]

They are great instruments, I got rid of mine, a 5hh stealth and I still regret it. I haven't had a bass that will sound better.
The look... Well, it's particular, of course, but I don't think it's very extreme in any sense

 

[FullumMusic]

Anytime a band member says a different instrument sounds better my first thought is "Where's a blindfold? Let's test that."
My second thought is "Does he really hate how it looks, or does it just look better than what he's playing."

It's safe to say I have trust issues.

You have trust issues, or... You've dealt with other musicians, ever, and know exactly the right amount of trust, possibly even too much trust?

 

[Wesley R]

The opinion of the guitarist is meaningless unless he is in a position to override your choices. Otherwise, you're free to ignore him.

In my mind the guitarist is free to an opinion AND free to provide me with a mutually agreed upon machine for me to play.

 

[selowitch]

I can’t see anything inappropriate about playing a Bongo in church or anywhere else. 99% of the congregation doesn’t know the difference between a bass and a guitar anyway.

 

[seescottrock]

I love the looks and the sound of my Bongo. I took off the pickguard and think it looks better without. But the only negativity I’ve heard has been from other bass players, many of whom admit they’ve never played one. And I don’t give a rat’s behind.

View attachment 5392112

This bongo without the pickguard has me rethinking my aesthetic preferences! Any negative thoughts I might have about the Bongo's looks have been squashed.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Psshhh...If I had one I'd play the heck outta it no matter where I was.

Punk gig, classic rock gig....a routine colonoscopy. ANYWHERE!

 

[dalkowski]

Ex-Bongo owner here. LOVE the design (nothing metal about it to my eyes, and certainly nothing to be embarrassed about), but its capabilities are well above my pay grade so it went to a better home.

Wanna know what's REALLY great about the Bongo? The guy I bought mine from turned me on to TB.

I would rock a short scale Joe Dart Bongo.

 

[Bass7755]

I’ve said it before and gotten a warning for it but you guys must have real expensive toilet seats. I have a Bongo. I like everything about it. Looks, quality, playability, tone… I guess just two more guys going for the low hanging fruit.

Exactly!!

 

[fhm555]

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?

1. Are you getting paid?
2. If yes to number 1, Is the guitarist paying you?
If the answer to question one is no, you are donating your time and equipment so it's up to you what equipment you use. If your guitarist wants to dictate terms, then they can pay you. Since you are giving your time, gear, and skills to the band, your guitarist should be grateful they have a bass player with good gear, good skills, and a giving spirit.

If the answer to both questions is yes, then you have to decide if you want to do as the BL asks or give notice they need to find another bass player.

 

[Deleted member 397699]

Ugliest bass I've ever seen. Looks like a bedpan.
I usually don't care about how an instrument looks, but the Bongo is at the top of the list for exceptions.
Maybe if there was a full size decal of a Stingray, or anything else, on the front and the rest of the body was blacked-out it would be more acceptable.
If I EVER see an accomplished musician play one I'll stick out my leg to trip them as they walk by.
One lesson to teach from a place of common yet higher wisdom.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

I think Dave LaRue looked and sounded great on the DVD Joe Sateiani Live in San Francisco, with his blue Bongo!

 

[Cory rich40]

For context folks: the guitarist in question is OP's dad. In a previous thread he revealed who the guitar player was after about 10 pages of discussion. Feels a lot like someone who doesn't want to say they still live at home so they call their parents their roommates. I'm on the border of thinking he's mostly a troll because he likes to start these inflammatory threads, but he does genuinely participate in others.

Anyways, he lit the match yesterday and hasn't responded to a single thing after 6 pages. Food for thought.

I don’t live at home. He wouldn’t actually stop me from playing my bongo. But he is definitely opinionated. Other members of the group don’t always see eye to eye with him either.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I don’t live at home. He wouldn’t actually stop me from playing my bongo. But he is definitely opinionated. Other members of the group don’t always see eye to eye with him either.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

 

[Lance Bunyon]

...and after...

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

...and after...
View attachment 5393167

 

[Lance Bunyon]

...and after...
View attachment 5393167

I'm gonna get noticed on stage for the first time in a decade...