THE BONGO CLUB (Part 2, 3 and infinity)

[R Briere]

Well when I went to return a defective Stingray Special from GC, and they just happened to have this mint condition Bongo in the store.... And I fell in love with it and brought it home

I've had a love hate relationship with Bongos (this is my 4th!), but this mahogany one sounds so different. My mind is actually blown by how different it sounds and how different I have to EQ it compared to other Bongos I've had. The highs aren't as glassy so I'm boosting highs more than I normally would. I'm cutting high mids more too

It's so even sounding it's insane, sounds clear high up on the B string too

View attachment 7158349

Bongos are Beyond Fabulous....... and Yours is Gorgeous!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Bongos are Beyond Fabulous....... and Yours is Gorgeous!

Nice collection you have there yourself

Stingray Special and Bongo are a great combo

 

[The_Owl]

I took delivery on a 2015 Sky Blue Bongo 6 recently. After 30+ years of playing, I believe I am finally home. The dual humbucker model has a magic midrange in middle position. Gritty, growly and metallic, it punches through whether you are playing hard or soft, and gives the tone an almost ethereal kinda quality. Fantastic B-string (I come from Dingwall basses), tone for days and an onboard EQ that puts pedals to shame. I couldn’t be happier!

 

[el murdoque]

I don't own this one any more, but I thought this thread of Bongo enjoyers might appreciate it.
This is a 2008 Limited Edition Sequoia Gold 6H.
I bought it from an inheritance, so the seller could not say anything about it apart from that their late father owned 30+ guitars and basses.
It did not come with the typical Bongo preamp, but with the three band used in the Stingray. That and the pickup position made this thing the closest I ever got to play a six string Stingray.
I ran flats on it, and there was only one obvious choice - the LaBella Deep Talking Flats in the golden version.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I don't own this one any more, but I thought this thread of Bongo enjoyers might appreciate it.
This is a 2008 Limited Edition Sequoia Gold 6H.
I bought it from an inheritance, so the seller could not say anything about it apart from that their late father owned 30+ guitars and basses.
It did not come with the typical Bongo preamp, but with the three band used in the Stingray. That and the pickup position made this thing the closest I ever got to play a six string Stingray.
I ran flats on it, and there was only one obvious choice - the LaBella Deep Talking Flats in the golden version.

View attachment 7164059

Matching case !!!
All those earthy golden brown colors scream 1970’s. The faux animal skin case screams 1940’s briefcase. I love it!! What color is the inside of that case ? Gold?

 

[el murdoque]

Matching case !!!
All those earthy golden brown colors scream 1970’s. The faux animal skin case screams 1940’s briefcase. I love it!! What color is the inside of that case ? Gold?

The pic was taken in bad light. It's full-on-in-your-face gold.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

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The pic was taken in bad light. It's full-on-in-your-face gold.

 

[Chuck M]

I took delivery on a 2015 Sky Blue Bongo 6 recently. After 30+ years of playing, I believe I am finally home. The dual humbucker model has a magic midrange in middle position. Gritty, growly and metallic, it punches through whether you are playing hard or soft, and gives the tone an almost ethereal kinda quality. Fantastic B-string (I come from Dingwall basses), tone for days and an onboard EQ that puts pedals to shame. I couldn’t be happier!

View attachment 7164053View attachment 7164054View attachment 7164055View attachment 7164056View attachment 7164057

I have played many basses through the years and do still own basses by G.Gould, Modulus and Roscoe. The electric basses that get most of my playing time these days are my Bongo basses (2 6's and a 5) and my Ibanez GWB 205's (I have a natural ash and a sunburst). Small world, isn't it?

I recently came very close to buying a Sky Blue 5 Bongo. I did come to my senses since the one I have is simply wonderful in every way.

 

[The_Owl]

I have played many basses through the years and do still own basses by G.Gould, Modulus and Roscoe. The electric basses that get most of my playing time these days are my Bongo basses (2 6's and a 5) and my Ibanez GWB 205's (I have a natural ash and a sunburst). Small world, isn't it?

I recently came very close to buying a Sky Blue 5 Bongo. I did come to my senses since the one I have is simply wonderful in every way.

I've also owned a Modulus, an Oteil Burbridge 6. Ultimately it was too clean in tone for my taste. Exceptional bass if you wanted that clarity. Lane Poor pickups, semihollow construction.

I am already planning on finding a Bongo 4 and 5

 

[Chuck M]

've also owned a Modulus, an Oteil Burbridge 6. Ultimately it was too clean in tone for my taste. Exceptional bass if you wanted that clarity. Lane Poor pickups, semihollow construction.

I have a Q6 with Bartolini electronics and it is a very big, warm sounding bass with the lovely clarity and evenness of the graphite neck. My ggi6 has EMG electronics and also has that clarity and evenness but has a sweet definition to the tone that is wonderful.

However, the Bongo 6's have many of the same attributes plus the best electronics I have used and they play every bit as cleanly as my plek'd Gould bass.

My Bongo 5 was one that came up on GC's used. I bought it as soon as I saw it and am so glad I did. That neck is exceptional.

 

[The_Owl]

I have a Q6 with Bartolini electronics and it is a very big, warm sounding bass with the lovely clarity and evenness of the graphite neck. My ggi6 has EMG electronics and also has that clarity and evenness but has a sweet definition to the tone that is wonderful.

However, the Bongo 6's have many of the same attributes plus the best electronics I have used and they play every bit as cleanly as my plek'd Gould bass.

My Bongo 5 was one that came up on GC's used. I bought it as soon as I saw it and am so glad I did. That neck is exceptional.

Yeah, if I had gotten a somewhat more typical Modulus with EMG:s or Bartolinis, I might have kept it. Most Modulus basses of a similar type have had a lot more warmth and grit to the tone than mine did.

 

[smittybass33]

I don't own this one any more, but I thought this thread of Bongo enjoyers might appreciate it.
This is a 2008 Limited Edition Sequoia Gold 6H.
I bought it from an inheritance, so the seller could not say anything about it apart from that their late father owned 30+ guitars and basses.
It did not come with the typical Bongo preamp, but with the three band used in the Stingray. That and the pickup position made this thing the closest I ever got to play a six string Stingray.
I ran flats on it, and there was only one obvious choice - the LaBella Deep Talking Flats in the golden version.

View attachment 7164059

Dude that one is my white whale of bongos... I'd take that or double h one. Such a cool color and finish. I remember when they came out I was too young and didn't have the money to get one. I recall one being on eBay for cheap but just out of reach for me.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

There's a 5HS for sale near me that my Bongo fever is urging me to check out. What's the opinion of folks that have compared the HH to the HS?

 

[JeroB666]

There's a 5HS for sale near me that my Bongo fever is urging me to check out. What's the opinion of folks that have compared the HH to the HS?

The HS is more rare than the HH, so theres that. In terms of tone a tad more traditional but can still be as aggressive as the HH.

I would recommend checking it out. Any pics? Does it also have the piezo system?

 

[PrimitiveMan]

The HS is more rare than the HH, so theres that. In terms of tone a tad more traditional but can still be as aggressive as the HH.

I would recommend checking it out. Any pics? Does it also have the piezo system?

I'll post pics after I check it out

Won't be till next Friday though

I'm very curious to compare to the two and hear how the neck pickups differ. No piezo, which is fine by me. My first Bongo was a HHp and I never cared for the piezo. Never cared for piezo in general unless on a fretless

 

[JeroB666]

I'll post pics after I check it out

Won't be till next Friday though

I'm very curious to compare to the two and hear how the neck pickups differ. No piezo, which is fine by me. My first Bongo was a HHp and I never cared for the piezo. Never cared for piezo in general unless on a fretless

Ah I like the piezo since I came from standup and I like the acoustic vibe. Im sure you can find videos online about it, but it depends so much on how you have the controls set.

Keep us posted!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Always been a fan of Squarepusher creativity and genre blending, never realized he was playing a Bongo 6 in these sessions.

Can't tell what finish this bass is from the crazy lights, maybe black with no pickguard?

He played an original Sabre bass during live sets for quite some time too, along with some other 6 strings.

His technical skill is insane

 

[JeroB666]

Always been a fan of Squarepusher creativity and genre blending, never realized he was playing a Bongo 6 in these sessions.

Can't tell what finish this bass is from the crazy lights, maybe black with no pickguard?

He played an original Sabre bass during live sets for quite some time too, along with some other 6 strings.

His technical skill is insane

That video is going to give me a seizure haha. But yeah thats a stealth black. Dope playing!

 

[dave64o]

Bongos are Beyond Fabulous....... and Yours is Gorgeous!

Ooooooo, a Honeyburst with matching headstock?!?!?!

 

[dave64o]

I don't own this one any more, but I thought this thread of Bongo enjoyers might appreciate it.
This is a 2008 Limited Edition Sequoia Gold 6H.
I bought it from an inheritance, so the seller could not say anything about it apart from that their late father owned 30+ guitars and basses.
It did not come with the typical Bongo preamp, but with the three band used in the Stingray. That and the pickup position made this thing the closest I ever got to play a six string Stingray.
I ran flats on it, and there was only one obvious choice - the LaBella Deep Talking Flats in the golden version.

View attachment 7164059

I always loved the Sequoia Gold! They seem pretty rare, I've never actually seen one in person.