Machines Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Picked up from BassDirect yesterday. This one is from 2004 and has seem some life (significant wear of finish on back of neck and plenty of dings) but it has character and I can see has been well played. I had wanted one for many years and had various trade deals on here for one fall through last minute. Ideally I wanted a 5 string version, but I don't need one as my Lakland is a very capable 5 string and I lacked a robust 4 string until now. When I tested in the shop the strings were dead but they put me some new ones one when I asked. This brought the bass to life and I knew very quickly I'd be buying it. It desperately needed a good clean and setup but I was happy to do this myself as part of my new bass ritual (full strip, clean and new strings). A quick lemon oil, truss rod tweak, new strings, and microfibre cloth later it was looking as good as new (well nearly). I hope this is a keeper, I think the only thing that would get this off me is the 5 string version that I don't need . Sound test (recorded on my phone): https://soundcloud.com/matthew-checkley/musicman-bongo-4hh [attachment=243553:20170420_123931.jpg] [attachment=243554:20170420_123610.jpg] [attachment=243555:20170420_123539.jpg] Edited April 21, 2017 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 Nice. Good range of tones. Always wanted to try one of these but never had the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 Me too. Nice bass.. how does it sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 That's the first Bongo that hasn't made me think of a toilet. In fact, I like it very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 nice variety of sounds, i like the look of it, not sure why but i do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1492766374' post='3282972'] Is that colour Egyptian Smoke? [/quote] Graphite pearl I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 According to recent studies (despite many years of contrary reports) they do not in fact, drink it in the Congo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1492764105' post='3282942'] Must add one of these to the arsenal one day. [/quote] I've been saying that too for over 10 years, hope it isn't another 10 years until I do.... Good score Machines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1492781128' post='3283193'] I've been saying that too for over 10 years, hope it isn't another 10 years until I do.... Good score Machines. [/quote] A Fender Marcus Miller Jazz is still on the list as well as a Fireglow 4003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1492782096' post='3283209'] A Fender Marcus Miller Jazz is still on the list as well as a Fireglow 4003. [/quote] Sounds good. Though I'm more than happy with what I have, a Ric, Ray, Bongo and EB2 would make up a nice list for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1492778368' post='3283151'] According to recent studies (despite many years of contrary reports) they do not in fact, drink it in the Congo. [/quote] They did whilst they were making the advert. Or at least, so they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I kindof like the Bongo - it shouldn't look good, but somehow it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='prowla' timestamp='1492790210' post='3283284'] I kindof like the Bongo - it shouldn't look good, but somehow it does. [/quote] I don't think lighter colours lend well to it. This may be why you can't get them in 'porcelain white' or the toilet seat jokes will never leave. I must say this colour and pickguard combo really do it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 Thanks for the soundclip, a whole bunch of cool tones there. That's encouraging as I'm getting this H/S next week: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/303106-sold-musicman-bongo-5hs/page__fromsearch__1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1492803087' post='3283413'] Thanks for the soundclip, a whole bunch of cool tones there. That's encouraging as I'm getting this H/S next week: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/303106-sold-musicman-bongo-5hs/page__fromsearch__1 [/quote] Very nice. It won't let you down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1492764105' post='3282942'] As per the sound clip posted above i.e. Very nice indeed. Must add one of these to the arsenal one day. [/quote] Indeed, sounds great and really nice colour. Although I'm really a die hard Stingray person, I also have one of these - 5 strings, HH and also a piezo, which I bring out every so often. Great basses, these. Great sound, plenty of variation and really really comfortable to play. The looks go down well with many people, so much so people often say it sounds and looks great. Turn up the bass EQ and its seismic!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defo Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 Great choice, never parting with mine. Myung says its the perfect bass and if its good enough for him...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 22, 2017 Author Share Posted April 22, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Defo' timestamp='1492855381' post='3283652'] Great choice, never parting with mine. Myung says its the perfect bass and if its good enough for him...... [/quote] I saw Dream Theater on Tuesday and they were world class. The Bongo shone through and sounded amazing which sealed the deal for me. Edited April 22, 2017 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 Cracking basses, not everyone's cup of tea aesthetically but such versatile beasts. [URL=http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/ern500evo/media/048_zps84a306ec.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b502/ern500evo/048_zps84a306ec.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 The colour is nice, but it is no https://www.talkbass.com/threads/musicman-bongo-5hh-marty-bell-western-blue-big-sparkle-flake-finish.1265232/ ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 What about starting a Bongo thread? There seem to be lots more to choose from these days and I'd like to see whats out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 22, 2017 Author Share Posted April 22, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1492886839' post='3283950'] What about starting a Bongo thread? There seem to be lots more to choose from these days and I'd like to see whats out there? [/quote] This has kind of turned into one. I have always been a trend setter. Edited April 22, 2017 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iubitu Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 A great bass for someone who really needs electronics. I had one and sounded great but couldn't get used to the painted neck. Very very versatile but maybe to electronical for me. Nevertheless a bit underrated because of the shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 Painted necks don't bother me I don't notice any difference. This is definitely NOT a bass for passive purists but for me it works amazingly well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Nice. I watched Dave La Rue play one with Joe Satriani and it sounded excellent. This Guy played one in 'Egyptian Smoke' as support: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ7amOCI6DI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ7amOCI6DI[/url] I like listening to Bongos, but Musicman's Electronics are too powerful for me to play personally - More of a P Bass/Double Soapbar Guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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