skej21 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1337456444' post='1660466'] I have two USA Fenders and rate then very highly. Compared to a Musicman? No contest, the Musicman looks, feels and sounds very very high quality. [/quote] In your humble opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBbass Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1337457700' post='1660497'] In your humble opinion. [/quote] Well to be fair, he wrote it and it's obviously not a fact so it goes without saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 [quote name='CBbass' timestamp='1337459535' post='1660516'] Well to be fair, he wrote it and it's obviously not a fact so it goes without saying. [/quote] Exactly! Thanks. This isn't a Fender vs Musicman topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1337459759' post='1660519'] Exactly! Thanks. This isn't a Fender vs Musicman topic. [/quote] It almost is, based on your generalisation of all fenders being worse than a single bongo you tried. 'm just saying that a potential recommendation by another basschatter (yourself) was really encouraging me to try a bongo, until you just dissed ALL fenders in comparison, without reason or justification. I then thought, 'total bias.' Would have been nice to read an objective view of the bass instead, so I can make a decision when making my next purchase, that's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 My bongo's leaving me tomorrow. I love it, feels great, sounds amazing (seriously, how does a bass sound that fat without being farty?) and looks fantastic. I just don't feel like I could use it as a workhorse bass, I have a ray5 and the bongo is being traded for another tomorrow. I'm not sure what it is, but I got the bongo after the ray and it's never been my go to bass. I think the ray is just exactly what I'm after for live work and although most of my band's latest album was recorded on the bongo, I just don't think it's for me. At first I thought it's because of the price but I've owned various basses that sell new for over the £1.5k mark and it's the only one that's just never begged me to pick it up and play it despite everything it has going for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1337462774' post='1660562'] It almost is, based on your generalisation of all fenders being worse than a single bongo you tried. 'm just saying that a potential recommendation by another basschatter (yourself) was really encouraging me to try a bongo, until you just dissed ALL fenders in comparison, without reason or justification. I then thought, 'total bias.' Would have been nice to read an objective view of the bass instead, so I can make a decision when making my next purchase, that's all. [/quote] You should try a bongo, they're unlike anything else I've tried. They're pretty marmite. Their mix of pre-amp, shape and painted neck gives them a sound, look and feel that's undeniably unique. What makes a bass look, feel and sound high quality is all opinion. Someone said earlier in this thread that the painted neck makes the bongo feel cheap, it's just an opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydentaku Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 The chap in the shop said it was £1800, the one you sampled and yeah, he mention the fiver. Isn't 1800 a bit steep? Mind you, the ray64 was 599, which is cheaper than a quick google shopping search will throw up. I tried the Fender Aerodyne that was in the window. Looks gorgeous, but my god, the tone and volume controls are at war with each other. the E was really farty and I spend most of the time adjusting the thing. Still, very pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I have huge GAS for a Bongo 5HH Stealth. I want that bass. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1337462774' post='1660562'] It almost is, based on your generalisation of all fenders being worse than a single bongo you tried. 'm just saying that a potential recommendation by another basschatter (yourself) was really encouraging me to try a bongo, until you just dissed ALL fenders in comparison, without reason or justification. I then thought, 'total bias.' Would have been nice to read an objective view of the bass instead, so I can make a decision when making my next purchase, that's all. [/quote] You obviously don't understand where I am coming from. I have a lot of time for Fender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) He obviously knows you well Gareth if he thinks your comparing all fenders to one bongo? All fenders to all Musicman basses would be nearer! how many of each have you had? Edited May 20, 2012 by stingrayPete1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1337511337' post='1661054'] He obviously knows you well Gareth if he thinks your comparing all fenders to one bongo? All fenders to all Musicman basses would be nearer! how many of each have you had? [/quote] I reckon more Fenders have passed through my hands, and 50% of them were not worth the asking price! The two I have are brilliant, but the Musicman basses always have and always will come out the winner, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1337457201' post='1660486'] The Bongos I've played were great. I favour the 4HH. BUT... There are some good takes on some EBMM pick-up configurations by other manufacturers that might be worthy of some attention. Sandberg- Basics/Ken Taylors Lakland Warwick- Anything with J/JJ pick-ups (Infinity,Vampyre, Dolphin) Corvette FNA and $$. Streamer $$, Jazzman and Pro-M. Fortress Masterman. But a Graffiti Yellow Bongo 5HH with black hardware might be rather nice. [/quote] I like the J/P versions that Sandberg do, but I'm not keen on the Basic shape...and that's a shock considering I like the Bongo. I really wanted to like the Warwick Streamer $$ 5 I had for a few days, but the ergonomics just didn't work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) [quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1337467928' post='1660625'] The chap in the shop said it was £1800, the one you sampled and yeah, he mention the fiver. Isn't 1800 a bit steep? Mind you, the ray64 was 599, which is cheaper than a quick google shopping search will throw up. I tried the Fender Aerodyne that was in the window. Looks gorgeous, but my god, the tone and volume controls are at war with each other. the E was really farty and I spend most of the time adjusting the thing. Still, very pretty. [/quote] That's the rrp; the street price is anything from £1330 (a crazy quote I recently received) to £1500. Bear in mind that ANY new Bongo ordered fresh from Ernie Ball Musicman from early 2012 will now have lightweight tuners to bring the weight down 1/ 2 lb or so. So, IMO, any current standard tuner stock should be reduced as they are not current spec. I am a hard driver for a bargain, but it is probably because I've seen various trade prices over the years (I did look into starting a small specialist bass business before the economy took a nose dive) and I also realise the customer, in this climate, has the final say. Most stores are happy just to make a big sale and retain a furure customer instead of see them walk and go for a cheaper quote. Such is the tough world of modern business. Plus, the second hand market has drastically lower prices at the moment. Edited May 20, 2012 by Musicman20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Well, I'm just back from seeing a local band (fat lip) and a Bongo 6 and a Markbass were in use. Awesome on every level. In my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) Everything you've said about the Bongo is right Gareth. They are so versatile - just wait until you play one in a gig setting or recorded - they sit in a mix so well. In a playability sense, I've never had a problem with the painted neck - in the same way as playing Rays with lacquered necks or switching between them and standard is no problem. I find the neck profile the same as my Stingray 5. And the body shape feels great - easily the best of all the basses I've ever used over the last 40 yrs or so - but there again it should be - it wasn't designed in the 50s/60s and technology/human understanding has progressed a lot since then. I love mine - fattest and fullest tone you could ever want. I agree that a yellow one would be cool. You should get the sky blue one Gareth. [attachment=108387:17092010828.jpg] Ps I haven't been on this forum long but love the humour/banter - Bongos/toilet seats - you guys really don't know how funny you are Edited May 20, 2012 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Noobly and FWIW, the painted neck of the Bongo to me feels like the most balanced between "slide" and "hold" of any bass or guitar I've ever tried. To my hands, it feels so natural and secure - and it often reminds me of the reversed keyboards I used to love, with "white" keys in black wood. Always secure even with sweaty hands. I love all three of my basses, but feeling the Bongo is like coming home. As I said: noobly. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.