THE BONGO CLUB (Part 2, 3 and infinity)

[Chuck M]

Two of my Bongo's have the matte painted necks. I got them both used and one has a neck that has been polished to a more glossy look. That neck is super fast to play and I feel no drag on the back of the neck. The other one is as it came from the factory and honestly I can tell no difference when I play it....still fast and easy to play. I have found that all of my basses (except those with oil finished necks) benefit from a nice wax job. I use automobile carnauba wax with cleaner made by Mother's. I always wax basses to protect the finish and the hardware.

I hope you get it worked out to your satisfaction. My Bongo basses are used a lot since they sound killer and work so well for me.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

 

[JeroB666]

Haha I’ve had both types and have never had an issue.

Is it too humid where you are?

 

[triviani]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm waiting for the shop's response. I'd rather return it than mess with the neck finish, but if I have to keep the bass, I'll look into waxing it.

Is it too humid where you are?

Yes, it's very humid, but never had an issue with basses necks because of it.

Nothing like the glossy Fender

It's worst than any Fender I've played before.

 

[JeroB666]

Can you maybe send photos?

 

[Stevorebob]

… It's worst than any Fender I've played before.

That shouldn’t be. You may have a build up of grime, or maybe some intended “treatment” has gummed up the finish.

 

[triviani]

Thanks for the comments. The bass has been returned. The neck wasn't easy to play, and I didn't want to clean it thoroughly, thinking that I could damage the finish. I was lucky they accepted the return, although I haven't heard their opinion yet.

I'm back to a Stingray, but I'd love to try a bongo with a natural neck finish someday.

 

[Runnerman]

Mine suffers from grippyness in hot/humid conditions. I think the satin finish just wears to gloss over the years. I have not tried wax but I might. I do keep a fine scotchbrite pad in my gig bag and if it is getting grippy I run it up and down the neck a few times and helps a lot.

 

[woody357]

Does anyone have a problem with the G string slipping off the neck when playing

 

[Chuck M]

Does anyone have a problem with the G string slipping off the neck when playing

This has for years been one of my complaints about Ernie Ball 5 string basses. I have owned several Stingray 5's and every one of them had the G string too close to the edge of the fingerboard. I presently own a Barolo 5 and have to be careful while playing it or the same old problem comes up.

As a strange aside, I recently bought a Sterling Stingray 5 used. It is unique in several ways. 1st it has the same metal control plate as the SR4. It has the classic Stingray rounded body shape and the G string is NOT too close to the edge of the fingerboard,

 

[cholyoke]

Does anyone have a problem with the G string slipping off the neck when playing

No, but I don't seem to pull down on the strings much when fingering notes. Some people do have this problem, though.

 

[woody357]

No, but I don't seem to pull down on the strings much when fingering notes. Some people do have this problem, though.

I guess I have to get use to using it again. I really haven’t been playing it in years. For a few years I was mainly playing a 6 string , then I switched to my fender 5er. I’ll just have to use more.

 

[JeroB666]

Does anyone have a problem with the G string slipping off the neck when playing

I have seen this happen to a couple people, might be a setup issue. Can you share some photos of your current setup?

It could also be technique if you are coming from a chunkier bass like fender.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Does anyone have a problem with the G string slipping off the neck when playing

It's a known thing with EBMM 5 strings. It doesn't to happen to me anymore but did occasionally at first (many years ago now). I just subconsciously adjusted my technique I guess

For some people it's a deal breaker unfortunately

 

[Stevorebob]

Does anyone have a problem with the G string slipping off the neck when playing

No. While I have heard that some experience this issue, I have six EBMM 5-string basses and have no difficulty.

 

[dave64o]

This has for years been one of my complaints about Ernie Ball 5 string basses. I have owned several Stingray 5's and every one of them had the G string too close to the edge of the fingerboard. I presently own a Barolo 5 and have to be careful while playing it or the same old problem comes up.

As a strange aside, I recently bought a Sterling Stingray 5 used. It is unique in several ways. 1st it has the same metal control plate as the SR4. It has the classic Stingray rounded body shape and the G string is NOT too close to the edge of the fingerboard,
View attachment 7329633View attachment 7329634View attachment 7329636

That Sterling Stingray 5 is really nice looking! I have two beautiful burst SR5HH's and the pickup hides so much of those finishes. I like the egg shaped pickguard better, even on a 5.

But that Barolo purple Bongo ... wow!

 

[Chuck M]

But that Barolo purple Bongo ... wow!

I bought it off Guitar Center's used list. It was almost in new condition and has a fantastic flame Maple neck.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I have been loving Sadowsky

That Sterling Stingray 5 is really nice looking! I have two beautiful burst SR5HH's and the pickup hides so much of those finishes. I like the egg shaped pickguard better, even on a 5.

But that Barolo purple Bongo ... wow!

Come on Dave when are you going to join the Bongo club!

 

[dave64o]

I have been loving Sadowsky

Come on Dave when are you going to join the Bongo club!

Oh man, I want to. First I have to sell a couple basses that were supposed to have been sold over two years ago according to the “one in one out” agreement I have with my wife. I’m way overdue meeting that commitment. Second, we have to get past some big expenses that are coming up (building a deck on the back of the house and we’re replacing my wife’s car soon) before I can justify an expensive toy.

I had planned to buy myself my first brand new GOOD bass (I’ve owned about 20 basses in my life, all bought used except for my current Sire Jazz bass, love that one!) as my retirement gift to myself. Something really hig end, possibly custom made, and at or near boutique level, But I’ve.been SO happy with my small Musicman collection for the past couple of years I decided I didn’t even want to bother doing thst. But maybe a Bongo 5HH is the perfect way to buy that bass AND be happy with a small Musicman collection.

That’lll give something to think about for the next two years or so …

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Oh man, I want to. First I have to sell a couple basses that were supposed to have been sold over two years ago according to the “one in one out” agreement I have with my wife. I’m way overdue meeting that commitment. Second, we have to get past some big expenses that are coming up (building a deck on the back of the house and we’re replacing my wife’s car soon) before I can justify an expensive toy.

I had planned to buy myself my first brand new GOOD bass (I’ve owned about 20 basses in my life, all bought used except for my current Sire Jazz bass, love that one!) as my retirement gift to myself. Something really hig end, possibly custom made, and at or near boutique level, But I’ve.been SO happy with my small Musicman collection for the past couple of years I decided I didn’t even want to bother doing thst. But maybe a Bongo 5HH is the perfect way to buy that bass AND be happy with a small Musicman collection.

That’lll give something to think about for the next two years or so …

Those are very reasonable reasons to wait.

I'm very against buying new unless it's custom. You can find good deals on Bongos if you're patient

And congrats on looming retirement!

I still have at least another 20 years!

 

[dave64o]

My wife retires in February. She'll be 62 and we're in decent enough financial shape to do it, but it's mostly to be able to care for her parents . She's an only child and they're needing a lot more time and care these days. I'm doing the same with my Dad (he turns 98 next weekend ) but at least I have three other siblings who all split that responsibility.

I'd like to retire sooner, but I'm a little concerned about how things go over in the next few years, do things improve or not, so I'm waiting a couple of years rather than adding my retirement to our situation. Maybe that new bass will be my reward for being financially responsible.

Regarding buying used, I'm extremely patient. I haven't "needed" any of the basses I've bought, especially my Musicman's, so I was patient and waited until I found exactly what I wanted - and then bought them as soon as they popped up. You risk paying a little too much when you do that, but I was really lucky that all three were really good deals.