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THE BONGO CLUB (Part 2, 3 and infinity)

#2,241
Chuck M said:
I have the above mentioned pair of bongo 6's and put my usual D'Adarrio EXL-170-6 on the first used one. When the new Bongo 6 arrived it had the Slinky's on it and I could A/B them. They both sounded great but the D'Adarrio's sound a bit warmer to me and they feel much smoother to the touch so I put D'Adarrio's on the 2nd Bongo 6 and am very happy with they way they sound and feel.

Strings are a very personal thing as is the amplification you use. My better amplification is a Mesa D-800+ or a WD-800 into one or two Subway 115's. My lighter rig is a Fender Rumble 800/210.

We are living in a terrific time when so much wonderful bass gear is available.
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I have a small rig and a larger rig. The small one is a 110w Phil Jones Bass combo which I use when I play at my synagogue's "Jam Band Shabbat" along with a host of mostly acoustic instruments. The main rig is a Trickfish Bullhead 1K which I dearly love. Large knobs and lighted push buttons - just can't beat it on a dark stage. It has zero noise. I run the Trick into a pair of Phil Jones Bass C4 cabinets. Previously I had a Schroeder 1210PL but the combo was just a bit too high fi, a bit too sterile for me. The C4s are perfect and the combination produces the sound I hear in my head. Strings are more of a challenge. When my only bass was a '78 Stingray, I just used Roto Swing Bass strings, but I was playing mostly hard rock.

Now I play all kinds of tunes and have mellowed out, somewhat, in my old age, so a less aggressive string suits me better. But, overall, it's still rounds. The only flats that I've ever tried that I liked was a set of EB Cobalt flats, but they were on a bass I sold not long after putting them on, so I really have no long term experience with them. These days, it's LaBella and SIT for the most part.

Once the Slinkies die, I am not sure what I will try next, but if I had to guess it's probably going to be another set of LaBella Super Steps. Clarity and sustain that I have never encountered from any other string. I know a LOT of people love D'Addario, but I'm not one of them. Different strokes....
 
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#2,243
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#2,247
Nebadon2000 said:
Saw this in EBMM Bass Forum

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Interesting concept. The worst part about a Bongo is the elongated headstock. After almost 45 years of playing stringed instruments I have a natural tendency to move laterally on stage (or anywhere) naturally knowing the clearance of my headstock. Not so with the Bongo...I bang walls like every other gig!
Gonna change the tone some...
 
#2,248
USAJO said:
I had an Epifani UL 112 it was very anemic as a stand alone cab. I quickly bought a second UL112. Together it was like night and day. One cab anemic both cabs much better tone and depth. It was my first experience doing this. I was hoping the single cab would work for me for small rooms. I hated it as a stand alone.
Adding the second cab shocked me. I thought it would help but it was like night and day.

Now I have the SW115 and it is wasaaay stronger as a stand alone than the single 12.

Anyone go from one SW115 to using 2 15” cabs?
Would you describe the overall sound as “like night and day” or do you feel the affect of adding the second cab wasn’t that life changing (remarkable)

The difference was not just in increased volume. Even at low volume using two cabs the quality of the tone was remarkably better.

1. Yes, two cabs are like night and day

2. No, the SW115 as a stand alone should be giving you everything you should need tone and depth wise.
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BQFS said:
I have a fretless Stingray BFR 5 string. I have no issue with either B or G pulling off the board. At the risk of drawing ire, I think this may be a question of technique.
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I have owned about 6 Stingray 5's and had the problem of the 1st string slipping off the fingerboard. I am a long time player and have never had that problem with any other bass and I have played a lot of basses and presently own 15 electric basses. Oddly, I have never had that problem with a Bongo 5 or 6 string. I took lessons from a guy who was a master bassist and his technique was superb. I have emulated his technique and have done quite well with it. It may be something to do with hand size and, of course, poor technique can certainly cause the strings to slip off the fingerboard. I have sent messages to EB about the problem I have with the SR5 and received no response. I expect the vast majority of player do not have this problem with the SR5

No ire from me, Brother. We are simply discussing a unique problem. Now it is time to practice with my Bongo 5. We are getting to know each other.
 
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#2,252
Got my first Bongo in a trade, and it is amazing! Tonally, it very well may be my favorite bass I’ve got, (and I’ve got a Modulus Q5, couple of Xotics, Roscoe,and some more higher end basses).. played it on a gig Saturday , and got several compliments on the tone, and appearance too. It sounded huge, with plenty of bottom end, midrange ,& clarity- ran through my pedalboard and through my Quilter v803 & a Lowend 2x12 cab, It was a mix of rock & country music, and the bongo really slammed! I like the inherent stingray tone, especially when digging in. But it’s a much better tone, Imo than the stingray. I definitely see myself getting another Bongo in the next few months!
 

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#2,253
Afc70 said:
Got my first Bongo in a trade, and it is amazing! Tonally, it very well may be my favorite bass I’ve got, (and I’ve got a Modulus Q5, couple of Xotics, Roscoe,and some more higher end basses).. played it on a gig Saturday , and got several compliments on the tone, and appearance too. It sounded huge, with plenty of bottom end, midrange ,& clarity- ran through my pedalboard and through my Quilter v803 & a Lowend 2x12 cab, It was a mix of rock & country music, and the bongo really slammed! I like the inherent stingray tone, especially when digging in. But it’s a much better tone, Imo than the stingray. I definitely see myself getting another Bongo in the next few months!
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Great bass and color!
 
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#2,260
Cesar Vortmann said:
I've seen the Orange live and it's my current favorite. I've emailed Music Man asking if that was the Blood Orange available on the normal Bongo or a custom colour. They said they didn't know about any custom colour but that it would be released next month (I've emailed them a month ago). But it's not the same colour :). I like both of them.
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When does yours arrive?
 
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