Kev Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) yep, went to Reverb in bristol today and spotted a bongo HH 4 strings hanging on the wall, so i was finally able to try one. after discussing with the prick member of staff as to whether i could try it or not ("its an expensive bass for me to take down unless your gunna buy it...." wtf!) i was able to play it. Well, i was impressed to say the least. iv not played a 4 string in a while, but i adjusted pretty quickly. the feel of the neck and the bass in general was lovely, the neck wasnt at all sticky despite being painted, and the action was pretty much exactly the same as on my stingray. as predicted, the HH model wouldnt be the one i went for, as it completly hindered my slap technique, and it literally wasnt possible for me to slap fast on it. however the flexibility the 2 pickups give is superb, the bass has a great jazz tone with the bridge solo'd, but i mainly kept the balance in the middle. the preamp is probably the best iv ever used, massivly versitile, all kinds of tones were coming out of it, although i admit that my favourite sound was with everything flat. my opinion of the bass has changed quite a lot, and actually i found it not [i]thattttt[/i] ugly. the 4 string HH version is not for me, but im now very eager to try out a 5 string H model and see if i still like it as much. ah well, i managed to stay GAS free for a couple of months anyways..... Edited September 15, 2008 by BassManKev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Bongos rule, I miss my old one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) I saw it in there the other day as well Kev, I was tempted to try one again but I thought I'd try a mex Reissue Jazz, the black one with block inlays, and it was f**cking awful, dare I say it, the USA P Bass my friend was banging out Blink 182 songs on sounded alot better, and played better, I still wouldn't have on if it were thrown at me. Compared to when I last went there, bass wise it was packed with all of them, and now all there is is a wall of Musicmans and a bigger wall of Fenders, and then a left handed Corvette FNA and a left handed Spector rebop, and some odd ones on the 2 pillars. Edited September 15, 2008 by Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) they have a nice little selection of musicmans, from what i remember they had the bongo HH, stingray 2eq, stingray 3eq, stingray 5 H, stingray 4 HH. i tried the 3eq stingray about a month back, the red/black one, and it was sh*te tbh, although it could have been the ashdown amp... i dont remember soundcontrol ever having lots of different types, although they did have a few warwicks and spectors Edited September 15, 2008 by BassManKev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='BassManKev' post='284263' date='Sep 15 2008, 02:29 PM']they have a nice little selection of musicmans, from what i remember they had the bongo HH, stingray 2eq, stingray 3eq, stingray 5 H, stingray 4 HH. i tried the 3eq stingray about a month back, the red/black one, and it was sh*te tbh, although it could have been the ashdown amp... i dont remember soundcontrol ever having lots of different types, although they did have a few warwicks and spectors[/quote] Well I was quite dissapointed with the selection so thats why I thought "Ahhh f**k it, I'll try that jazz", and for the price it's going at I would sincerely tell anybody to avoid it. Bad thing is, the Musicmans always look they should sound good but look lifeless, unfrotunatley from trying them they sound as dull as they look, that was quite a let down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GЯДИКФЯ Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I played a 5 string HH Stealth model at Musicground in Leeds but it was stickered at over £1500... It was very nice however and the neck pickup didn't affect slapping for me. If it was £500 less I'd have been tempted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 this one was going for £1299 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILD FROG SHOT Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='BassManKev' post='284243' date='Sep 15 2008, 02:06 PM']the 4 string HH version is not for me, but im now very eager to try out a 5 string H model and see if i still like it as much.[/quote] Yeah, but the prick you spoke of earlier will definitely want a deposit if he's going to have to get it down for you this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 It doesn't take long to get used to the 5HH pickups. And you're right Kev - everything flat is one of the best sounds these things produce. Fat and punchy. Loving mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 I actually want a Bongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='BassManKev' post='284335' date='Sep 15 2008, 04:15 PM']i actually want a Bongo [/quote] People will see you playing it. Bear that in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I've always quite liked the Bongo. Never actually had the chance to play one, though. Maybe one day HH sounds like the mightiest and most adaptable package, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Great basses to play - sadly awful looks. If they could get the feel and sound into a more traditional shape, it would be a winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='stingrayfan' post='284392' date='Sep 15 2008, 05:36 PM']Great basses to play - sadly awful looks. If they could get the feel and sound into a more traditional shape, it would be a winner.[/quote] yup, without doubt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I tried a bongo 4HH at reverb in leicester a couple of months ago, and the neck really surprised me, very smooth and very fast Also sounded really nice, and the neck pickup didn't really hinder my slap technique too much either. I'd love one, one day. It looked better in real life, but the colour it was in was pretty hideous. Ah well, i'd love one in desert gold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 loved the sound of my 4HS.best sounding bass I ever owned. in time I'm for a single H Bongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 i just dont think i could get past the looks maybe if i find a blue dawn bongo 5... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 You don't have to look at it when you're playing with it Seriously - you get past the looks pretty quick when you get used to that glorious sound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt42uk Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote name='BassManKev' post='284243' date='Sep 15 2008, 01:06 PM']yep, went to Reverb in bristol today and spotted a bongo HH 4 strings hanging on the wall, so i was finally able to try one. after discussing with the prick member of staff as to whether i could try it or not ("its an expensive bass for me to take down unless your gunna buy it...." wtf!) i was able to play it. Well, i was impressed to say the least. iv not played a 4 string in a while, but i adjusted pretty quickly. the feel of the neck and the bass in general was lovely, the neck wasnt at all sticky despite being painted, and the action was pretty much exactly the same as on my stingray. as predicted, the HH model wouldnt be the one i went for, as it completly hindered my slap technique, and it literally wasnt possible for me to slap fast on it. however the flexibility the 2 pickups give is superb, the bass has a great jazz tone with the bridge solo'd, but i mainly kept the balance in the middle. the preamp is probably the best iv ever used, massivly versitile, all kinds of tones were coming out of it, although i admit that my favourite sound was with everything flat. my opinion of the bass has changed quite a lot, and actually i found it not [i]thattttt[/i] ugly. the 4 string HH version is not for me, but im now very eager to try out a 5 string H model and see if i still like it as much. ah well, i managed to stay GAS free for a couple of months anyways..... [/quote] I've just bought it for £999 as a stop gap before i decide on my next bass!! Cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote name='Matt42uk' post='392950' date='Jan 27 2009, 05:26 PM']I've just bought it for £999 as a stop gap before i decide on my next bass!! Cheers Matt[/quote] Are you moving on from Status Basses then Matt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt42uk Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote name='Josh' post='392959' date='Jan 27 2009, 05:41 PM']Are you moving on from Status Basses then Matt?[/quote] Not too sure yet mate...VERY tempted to get a Jaydee 'starchild' bass....depends if i can sell the retroglide...basses dont seem to be shifting much at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I don't care how great it sounds-I still think it's one of the most hideous things ever to have four (or five, or for that matter any amount of) strings. The body looks like a bog seat and the headstock looks like Peppa Pig (those with kids will understand). Apologies to Bongo lovers-but then us Precision lovers have to take enough insults! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt42uk Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote name='Deep Thought' post='392980' date='Jan 27 2009, 05:52 PM']I don't care how great it sounds-I still think it's one of the most hideous things ever to have four (or five, or for that matter any amount of) strings. The body looks like a bog seat and the headstock looks like Peppa Pig (those with kids will understand). Apologies to Bongo lovers-but then us Precision lovers have to take enough insults![/quote] Fair enough mate, it was a good deal price wise, and a stop gap. Im used to a Status Kingbass..so its feels big...but i was strangely taken by it. Lets see what its like live! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 no pics no bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote name='Matt42uk' post='392985' date='Jan 27 2009, 05:56 PM']Fair enough mate, it was a good deal price wise, and a stop gap. Im used to a Status Kingbass..so its feels big...but i was strangely taken by it. Lets see what its like live![/quote] Sorry Matt, was probably a tad excessive in my condemnation there-wasn't meaning to slag your bass-if it suits you that's all that matters. They don't do it for me, but vive la difference, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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