THE BONGO CLUB (Part 2, 3 and infinity)

[PrimitiveMan]

Heya, fellow BONGO-nauts. I am wondering if any of you own both the EBMM BONGO and the SBMM BONGO. Aside for the obvious sound differences...what about the NECK? I got the SBMM BONGO 4 to satisfy my curiosity...I was not prepared for how this bass would change my bass world. I am in a rural area and far from any music store that would have an EBMM BONGO for me to try out...and I've playing long enough (some might say TOO long) to know when I have found "my thing". The last bass that hooked me like this was my Steinberger L2-5 in 1985. When you get one of these in your hands, you know. My question is...how different are they in feel (tactilely)? I am happy to dole out the dosh, if the feel is similar or even better. Sorry for the ramble...BONGO on~

I haven't been able to try the Sterling version yet, but I'd recommend reaching out to EBMM and asking them if you don't get an answer here. I have gotten good info from them by calling in the past

I will say that when comparing the SBMM and EBMM Stingrays, that the necks were very similar

 

[pyrat56host]

I haven't been able to try the Sterling version yet, but I'd recommend reaching out to EBMM and asking them if you don't get an answer here. I have gotten good info from them by calling in the past

I will say that when comparing the SBMM and EBMM Stingrays, that the necks were very similar

I appreciate the response! I am very certain I will like ANY BONGO. After so many years, I have found THE bass~

 

[JeroB666]

The only different I really found was the finish. Most bongos have a painted neck so feels a little different but besides that pretty much similar.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I appreciate the response! I am very certain I will like ANY BONGO. After so many years, I have found THE bass~

I'm playing my Bongo 90% of the time these days. I love it!

Both the 4 and 5 string necks are my favorite neck profiles I've played

 

[MarkF786]

I need some help from the Bongo experts...

First note, I own 3 EBMM basses, about another 6 EMBB guitars, so I'm familiar with the brand.

I bought a band new Bongo 5HH in Mantis Green this week. First problem was very bad fret sprout (think of a $100 Squier guitar) - which with the ~50+ guitars & basses I've owned isn't too common - but I'm re-hydrating the bass with some Boveda packs in the case, and it's improving.

But where I more want your feedback: the neck is obviously unfinished maple, and NOT roasted - but it feels much less finished than usual, like it was just sanded with 400 grit and left as-is.

Most of my EBMM's have roasted maple necks, though I have one with an un-roasted maple neck, and they all feel MUCH MUCH smoother, while this one still feels a bit "furry", if you know what I mean. It seems maybe they missed the "tru-oil and gunstock wax" or just didn't sand it with grits finer than 400. I did use one of those wipes EBMM sells, but it didn't make much of a difference. It's a night-and-day difference feeling this neck compared to all my other EBMMs - the Bongo is soft & furry, while every other EBMM is hard & smooth.

Does anyone else have a Bongo with an unfinished maple neck (ie. it hasn't been painted)? How does it feel?

 

[Chuck M]

Does anyone else have a Bongo with an unfinished maple neck (ie. it hasn't been painted)? How does it feel?

I do have a Bongo 5 and a Bongo 6 with unpainted necks and they feel very smooth. I would be amazed if Ernie Ball shipped a Bongo with the neck not properly finished. Their QC is excellent.

 

[JeroB666]

I need some help from the Bongo experts...

First note, I own 3 EBMM basses, about another 6 EMBB guitars, so I'm familiar with the brand.

I bought a band new Bongo 5HH in Mantis Green this week. First problem was very bad fret sprout (think of a $100 Squier guitar) - which with the ~50+ guitars & basses I've owned isn't too common - but I'm re-hydrating the bass with some Boveda packs in the case, and it's improving.

But where I more want your feedback: the neck is obviously unfinished maple, and NOT roasted - but it feels much less finished than usual, like it was just sanded with 400 grit and left as-is.

Most of my EBMM's have roasted maple necks, though I have one with an un-roasted maple neck, and they all feel MUCH MUCH smoother, while this one still feels a bit "furry", if you know what I mean. It seems maybe they missed the "tru-oil and gunstock wax" or just didn't sand it with grits finer than 400. I did use one of those wipes EBMM sells, but it didn't make much of a difference. It's a night-and-day difference feeling this neck compared to all my other EBMMs - the Bongo is soft & furry, while every other EBMM is hard & smooth.

Does anyone else have a Bongo with an unfinished maple neck (ie. it hasn't been painted)? How does it feel?

Contact the support team so they can get you sorted out! If it was a QC miss, they’ll make it right.
I’ve never had an issue with a bongo and it’s been 15+ years

 

[Eneade]

Here is my 2003 Bongo HS.
I was not particularly interested in the Bongo... until I tried one. I really liked it and had to buy it.

 

[IronLung1986]

Here's something I've been wondering for a while: does the 6 string Bongo have the issue of the C string slipping off the fretboard? Or is that only an issue on the G string of 5 string EBMM's?

 

[Chuck M]

Here's something I've been wondering for a while: does the 6 string Bongo have the issue of the C string slipping off the fretboard? Or is that only an issue on the G string of 5 string EBMM's?

The only models that have that issue are the 5 string EB basses. It remains a mystery to me as to why this has not been corrected. However, that said, I don't have a problem playing my Bongo 5 after I play it a few minutes.

The 6's feel great to me but I would prefer them to have necks with closer spacing on the strings. I took quite a while to adapt to the wide nut on the 6 string Bongo basses.

 

[JesseMalaska]

Got this couple months ago! It's from 2004 and resonates really well! I had Stingray special with one pickup some years ago and I really like the HH configuration on this a lot more! Also the colour kinda sold this bass for me

 

[LowEndLobster]

 

[VeryTallBassist]

View attachment 7411528

I really like the idea of the TWX at the neck with the MMCSX at the bridge. Of all the Bongos I've owned over the years, the HS always sounded the best in my hands. What preamp are you using?

 

[LowEndLobster]

I really like the idea of the TWX at the neck with the MMCSX at the bridge. Of all the Bongos I've owned over the years, the HS always sounded the best in my hands. What preamp are you using?

Trickfish IPA. Sounds fantastic! I have the mid set to 663hz (the higher setting). I think i did 6k for treble instead of 10k. It's a wonderfully flexible preamp. Loads of customization on the PCB- different freq targets via little jumpers, 2 band or 3 band, and both standard and concentric pots available among other goodies.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Trickfish IPA. Sounds fantastic! I have the mid set to 663hz (the higher setting). I think i did 6k for treble instead of 10k. It's a wonderfully flexible preamp. Loads of customization on the PCB- different freq targets via little jumpers, 2 band or 3 band, and both standard and concentric pots available among other goodies.

Dammit. Now I think you may have sold me. This is going to be my next project, except the 5 string version. Nice work, Leah!

 

[JeroB666]

Here's something I've been wondering for a while: does the 6 string Bongo have the issue of the C string slipping off the fretboard? Or is that only an issue on the G string of 5 string EBMM's?

I’ve never had an issue with it but I recommend you try it to make sure it’s right for you.

 

[IronLung1986]

I’ve never had an issue with it but I recommend you try it to make sure it’s right for you.

Yea just curious really. I had a Bongo 5 for a while but the tone and ergonomics didn't do it for me. It had the G string slipping off problem but I didn't know that was a known issue until after I sold it. If the Bongo 6 doesn't have a slippery C string then that would give it the distinction of being the only way to get an EBMM "5 string" without dealing with a slipping off top string.

 

[JeroB666]

Yea just curious really. I had a Bongo 5 for a while but the tone and ergonomics didn't do it for me. It had the G string slipping off problem but I didn't know that was a known issue until after I sold it. If the Bongo 6 doesn't have a slippery C string then that would give it the distinction of being the only way to get an EBMM "5 string" without dealing with a slipping off top string.

The 5 has a thinner neck and tighter spacing so easier to be more aggressive IMO. Try a 6 and see how it works!

 

[Chuck M]

The 5 has a thinner neck and tighter spacing so easier to be more aggressive IMO. Try a 6 and see how it works!

My 5 does not have a thinner neck. In fact the 6's (I own 3) are quite thin front to back. It may be that there have been some variations in thickness through the years.

My 6's have wide, thin necks that took me some time to get used to. The string spacing is wider at the nut than I prefer but after playing Bongo 6's for over a year I am very comfortable playing them.

 

[Crusher47]

Here is my 2003 Bongo HS.
I was not particularly interested in the Bongo... until I tried one. I really liked it and had to buy it.

View attachment 7411429

Eneade - You are #278 - Welcome aboard