Old Horse Murphy Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 (edited) I had one of these back in the day and really enjoyed playing it. Foolishly though, I decided it wasn't particularly practical so moved it on. Fast-forward at least a decade and a bit, when this one came up for sale. It's a 2003 model (which I think is the first production year) in a lovely Lava Pearl, the same colour of the one I had before. It's a lot more orange in the flesh which I really like. It is virtually spotless and even the ubiquitous tip chip being less than 1mm long. It weighs in at sub-9lbs and I love it. Not sure if it's a forever bass but I'm planning on having it around for a while yet. I appreciate they're very marmite but I'm getting increasingly old and grumpy now, I don't really care. I intend to play it and enjoy it as part of my ever-dwindling bass collection that has somehow gone from three basses up to six...oops Edited October 27, 2021 by Old Horse Murphy 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Very nice - they’re great basses to play - so comfortable 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Congrats! They really are awesome basses. I had a stealth 4HS, but gas caught me unawares and I traded it 🙄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misdee Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 (edited) These Bongo basses really are superb instruments, I cannot say enough good things about them. I've got a 4HH and I would never part with it. What I like so much about the sound of these basses is that they have a unique personality that is unapologetically modern and identifiably Bongo Bass . One of the few newer basses on the market that is not trying to refer to the past or present itself as a retro pastiche. It's a sound that really cuts through the mix, that's for sure. As others have said, great playability too. These are just about my favourite modern hifi tone active basses, and I am including boutique instruments that cost far more than a Bongo, even at EBMM's eye- watering new prices. I just wish I had bought a 4H while they still made them. 😟 Anyhow, I hope you get a lot of pleasure from playing this beast. Just don't be surprised if you have to dial back your usual amp settings!🙂 Edited October 27, 2021 by Misdee 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Very nice and a good find in that condition given its age. I do like a Bongo. Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Very nice, should have kept my 5HS in Desert Gold, can't afford one now 🙄. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 I'd love to try one of these one day, I think they look great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Likewise. I'd love to spend some time with one, but they're an expensive gamble to take. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Should’ve kept my 2005 desert gold HH - I wasn’t actually playing much bass at the time, and now it would really suit the band I’m in. d’oh. Looks beautiful - as you well know ☺️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 2 hours ago, AndyTravis said: Should’ve kept my 2005 desert gold HH - I wasn’t actually playing much bass at the time, and now it would really suit the band I’m in. d’oh. Looks beautiful - as you well know ☺️ Bookies are now taking bets that you'll have one before the end othe month. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhysyjob Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 I’ve owned two Bongo’s. I missed my first graphite one so much that no sooner than I saw a Rolls Burgundy one for sale in Mansons I literally jumped in the car drove to Exeter and bought it! Seriously great sound great playability and my Swiss Army Bass! 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 Monster, monster electronics. In a good way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 (edited) Nice, I nearly went for this one myself, it was the NE one on Facebook. Ended up spending a lot more on a Stingray Special 🙃 Edit* Just realised a) You're in Bristol and the guy wasn't prepared to leave the NE, and b) that was a H model! Really lovely Edited October 28, 2021 by Kev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Another bass I used to hate the look of.... and now love! Very distinctive, individual and stunning colours! Nice one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 Well, after a full setup and restring I've finally plugged it in. The 4 band eq is very responsive and it's something I need to get used to stop tinkering with when I gig it. It's in truly amazing condition and plays beautifully. The electrics are something else and I should imagine it could easily get very rowdy and quite aggressive quickly. It reminds me a bit of a drunk aunt at a wedding! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 44 minutes ago, Old Horse Murphy said: Well, after a full setup and restring I've finally plugged it in. The 4 band eq is very responsive and it's something I need to get used to stop tinkering with when I gig it. It's in truly amazing condition and plays beautifully. The electrics are something else and I should imagine it could easily get very rowdy and quite aggressive quickly. It reminds me a bit of a drunk aunt at a wedding! The electronics in them are very hot. Small adjustments can make big changes. Very versatile basses though. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Wish I’d kept mine, wish I’d kept the Stingray too tbh 🤦🏻♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan47 Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 (edited) I have the chance of a Bongo 4 HH in satin black. The seller is asking £1650, is this a fair price for one in good condition or should I try to haggle it down a little? Edited November 3, 2021 by evan47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 22 minutes ago, evan47 said: I have the chance of a Bongo 4 HH in satin black. The seller is asking £1650, is this a fair price for one in good condition or should I try to haggle it down a little? I’m not entirely sure about their used value right now. If it’s a Stealth model, they are quite hard to get hold of, so I imagine would be worth a bit more than a more standard colour. That’s only a guess though tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 On 03/11/2021 at 19:29, ern500evo said: I’m not entirely sure about their used value right now. If it’s a Stealth model, they are quite hard to get hold of, so I imagine would be worth a bit more than a more standard colour. That’s only a guess though tbh On 03/11/2021 at 19:06, evan47 said: I have the chance of a Bongo 4 HH in satin black. The seller is asking £1650, is this a fair price for one in good condition or should I try to haggle it down a little? Sorry, I missed this. I paid a tiny bit over £1,300 for mine but that was because it was a 2003 model (the date they were launched), was in a colour I really wanted and was in superb condition. I'm totally at a loss re used prices for all basses at the moment. They seem to be all over the place and there are a a number of times I've physically laughed to see what people are charging. That said, a lot of them seem to sell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 (edited) Sorry, I missed this post. I paid a tiny bit over £1,300 for mine but that was because it was a 2003 model (the date they were launched), was in a colour I really wanted and is in superb condition. I'd say over £1,600 is really toppy personally. I'm totally at a loss re used prices for basses at the moment. They seem to be all over the place and there are a number of times I've physically laughed to see what people are charging for something that is/was pretty much bread and butter in terms of spec/manufacturer. Brexit/cost of wood/transport etc. all seem to be legitimate excuses for people to try it on IMHO. That said, a lot of them seem to sell! Edited November 6, 2021 by Old Horse Murphy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 OH MAAAN! I just got over my GAS and you drop this on me 😭 Absolutely love it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 On 26/10/2021 at 21:25, Old Horse Murphy said: Not sure if it's a forever bass Now that’s what the masses want to hear!! Now I’ve got to check market place every day for the next 5 years 😂🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 1 hour ago, Bunion said: Now that’s what the masses want to hear!! Now I’ve got to check market place every day for the next 5 years 😂🤣 Hey, it's me. There's no way it's going to take 5 years! I'd set you watch for Tuesday 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 My mailbox is open for business 😂🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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