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Why do I suddenly want a Bongo?

#21
dje31 said:
Lately I've been GASsing for a Sterling 4HS, in the now-discontinued transparent orange.

Never felt the love for the Bongo...thought it was ugly as homemade sin.

Then it became like a train wreck, and I couldn't avert my gaze.

Now, for reasons I can't quite figure out, I'm compelled to have one...and have never even seen one in the flesh.

What the dilly?
Click to expand...

Not being you, it's really hard to say.
 
#23
I agree with many of the feelings here. When I first saw them, I HATED the look. Then when I actually saw it in person, I thought it looked killer. I especially dig the headstock and the neck. Then, I made the mistake of picking it up and instantly realized what all of the buzz was about. Now I think they're just flat out cool! Still don't own one, however.
 
#25
Bongo shape isn't THAT strange in person, just look it from a distance against other basses.

DSCN0571.jpg


P1010315.jpg
 
#26
rayzak said:
I agree with many of the feelings here. When I first saw them, I HATED the look. Then when I actually saw it in person, I thought it looked killer. I especially dig the headstock and the neck. Then, I made the mistake of picking it up and instantly realized what all of the buzz was about. Now I think they're just flat out cool! Still don't own one, however.
Click to expand...

Yup. Was intrigued but not completely sold on the looks. Then in person, I was captivated. Then I held one and was sold.
 
#27
One odd design feature that I can't quite wrap my brain around: with the looks being kind of "out there"/modern/contemporary why they went with classic, old school open tuning pegs. You'd think something like an enclosed Schaller might look more appropriate...but what the hell do I know?
 
#28
I recently went through a difficult period where I couldn't decide between a Bongo 6HH LE and Sterling 5. The Sterling won out in the end because it was cheaper and I needed a more aggressive tone, but I am definitely still planning on getting a Bongo in the next year.:smug:

:bassist: I was won over by the Bongo the minute I felt the neck. The satin finish is amazing and the painted neck, surprisingly, is wonderful. IMO the big advantage it has over the Sterling is 24 frets.

You need to play one!
 
#31
I finally was able to try one out for a bit in the used section at my local guitar center. It was a 5-string HH model in a nice grey/pewter metallic color. Really strong presence, variety of tones and nice ergonomics. That same day i was able to A/B it with a few other basses including a Warwick flame maple red corvette 5 active( nice tone, very narrow string spacing, lower output, great fit and finish, weak B), Benavente Singlecut 5( beautiful woods,extremely wide and flat board, very woody sound, not very dynamic and kinda bland tonewise IMO) and a Tobias Growler 5( sterile, not much versatility, nice neck though). The Bongo 5 came out the winner in my book and wasn't all too different a beast from the 89 Stingray 5 i had. Nice axe in general. Just getting over the looks is a bit of a hurdle for me.
 
#34
The Bongo is great to play, has tonal options to burn, and is the most ergonomic bass on the market from a major manufacturer. Sure, the looks polarise people, but real life gigging bass players don't give a rats about that. Many of the Bongo converts are old school bassists who have been playing in bands for years and who realised pretty soon after they first picked one up that the Bongo is a great bass for gigging and recording.
 
#35
At Bovine Jack's behest I play-tested my first Bongo nearly 7 years ago. It was, as he says, fabulous. I do not play bass regularly, so having something like a Bongo is an unnecessary luxury.

Now, my wife took up the bass in 2004.
So far she's had a good Jazz Bass and an excellent Dingwall Super J, and had the run of some very exclusive loaners- Wals, Foderas, a Ritter, two Pre-CBS Fenders, an early Zon, and two singular Rickenbackers-an '89 "blackstar" and a 76 4001 that both just killed.

She also got the use of a very good sounding early Kubicki X-Factor.

The bass she *really* desires?

A Bongo 5 lined fretless. She's played two, and loved loved loved them both. They just sound *right* to her.

Her comment: "Who cares what it looks like? Anything that feels and sounds that good, and is so effortless to play that you focus on the music, not the instrument...all basses should be like that."

CK
 
#36
I have liked the Bongo from day 1, I was always a Fender and Warwick guy but after trying a Bongo I was sold, extremely comfortable, great tone(s) and awesome pre-amp.
I actually liked the look and you know what? I have had nothing but compliments from people at gigs always coming up and asking me what type of bass I am playing and how cool it looks and sounds (5HH in desert gold), I for one am grateful for a design that is different form the same old.
Just get one, you will not be dissapointed!
 

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