I waited a long time for my Bongo (10 months). It's just a plain Jane Sapphire Black (I had to take what came in), but it's a wonderful bass.
I've had about 4 or 5 Stingray's, a couple Sterlings (love them and am seeking another), Jazz, Precision, Lakland (still have them all), and a Rickenbacker. I have a bad habit of selling, trading and buying basses, but I honestly have no desire or urge whatsoever to part with the Bongo. The looks had to grow on me though as I didn't really warm up to the aesthetics. I put up with a lot of slagging from my band buddies as well (on the looks). I have to be honest and say that I only kept the Bongo because of how well it played and sounded (am I shallow or what?). It really is a well designed instrument and a pleasure to play. I still am indifferent about the looks though.
There is nothing plain jane about Sapphire Black! Goes from a dark blue, to a graphite looking thing, down to plain ol black depending on the lighting!
About the looks, I think the Bongo is a beautiful instrument. It's unique, futuristic. I've seen uglier Jazz basses! The thing about the Bongo is that it tends to look good with any color! Sapphire black honestly wasnt my first choice, but once I saw it in person I fell in love! MM seems to have some of the overall nicest deepest finishes I've seen so far from production instruments.
