Guest Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Hello everyone, I’m interested in a potential purchase of a Music Man Bongo. One area that concerns me is the bottom horn, which has a pronounced point. I need to know whether it digs into your leg when playing seated. There seem to be conflicting opinions on this - some think it’s just fine but others find it a problem. I can’t seem to locate any for sale in a shop within 100 miles of me, and rather than guess on a buying a bass that is abroad with no realistic chance of returning, does anyone in London/South/South East have a Bongo (4/5/6, doesn’t matter) I could try, just for 20 minutes? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/ernie-ball-music-man-bongo-5 The Bass Gallery have one in stock apparently. I would suggest giving them a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Ah thanks, however the Gallery isn’t a shop I want to visit, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with them and some appalling service in the past. Anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 If you just want reassurance that the bass is comfortable from a seated position, rest assured that it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 6 minutes ago, FDC484950 said: Ah thanks, however the Gallery isn’t a shop I want to visit, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with them and some appalling service in the past. Anyone else? Wear a disguise 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 25 minutes ago, FDC484950 said: Ah thanks, however the Gallery isn’t a shop I want to visit, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with them and some appalling service in the past. Anyone else? Wunjo also have one apparently 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I've never had any issue with the bottom horn at all with any of my Bongos (can I say that on a public forum?) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBass Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I've always found my Bongo to be very comfortable to sit on. Sorry, I'm thinking of my toilet seat. Scratch the above. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 1 hour ago, OliverBlackman said: Wunjo also have one apparently Thanks, very helpful, I’ll take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 2 hours ago, FDC484950 said: Ah thanks, however the Gallery isn’t a shop I want to visit, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with them and some appalling service in the past. Anyone else? Glad it's not just me! I've always wanted to try a Bongo but never had the pleasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 3 hours ago, NancyJohnson said: If you just want reassurance that the bass is comfortable from a seated position, rest assured that it is. That's been my experience of them, too. The point is too far "round" the curve of the lower horn for it to be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 23 hours ago, FDC484950 said: Ah thanks, however the Gallery isn’t a shop I want to visit, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with them and some appalling service in the past. Anyone else? Glad I’m not the only one. They’re awful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 23 hours ago, FDC484950 said: Hello everyone, I’m interested in a potential purchase of a Music Man Bongo. One area that concerns me is the bottom horn, which has a pronounced point. I need to know whether it digs into your leg when playing seated. There seem to be conflicting opinions on this - some think it’s just fine but others find it a problem. I can’t seem to locate any for sale in a shop within 100 miles of me, and rather than guess on a buying a bass that is abroad with no realistic chance of returning, does anyone in London/South/South East have a Bongo (4/5/6, doesn’t matter) I could try, just for 20 minutes? Thanks I find it depends on my sitting position. I do sometimes pop a bit of padding (jumper, or similar) on my leg for longer seated sessions. It’s a very ergonomic bass otherwise. Wunjo guitars in Denmark street have a new 2018/19 5 string. I bought my last 2 bongos from them, and they always seem friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterMute Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Never had a moments problem with mine, sitting or standing. I'm in Iver near Heathrow, you're welcome to drop in and try it, DM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 07/01/2022 at 10:54, thodrik said: https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/ernie-ball-music-man-bongo-5 The Bass Gallery have one in stock apparently. I would suggest giving them a call. I have briefly been tempted looking at that but that is a colour it would be hard for anyone to love. They did have a white one at bassdirect for a very short time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Egyptian Smoke apparently. More like yellow-grey bum rain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 4 hours ago, Woodinblack said: I have briefly been tempted looking at that but that is a colour it would be hard for anyone to love. They did have a white one at bassdirect for a very short time. Would look fine with a lighter pickguard - if it were a 4 I’d have it…would sort of match my sabre a bit…almost… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misdee Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 I've got a Bongo 4 and I am aware of the bottom horn digging into my leg slightly when I play it sitting down, but it's a minor irritation rather than a deal breaker. I have a very low tolerance for uncomfortable "hair shirt" basses, and the Bongo is definitely not in that category. If you want an unapologetically modern bass with a hifi sound packed full of attitude then the Bongo is just the ticket. I would think that the heavier the actual Bongo you are playing is , the more you are going to notice the horn digging in your leg when sitting. I remember playing a ridiculously heavy Fender Jazz Bass sitting down and within 20 minutes my right leg didn't work when I tried to stand up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 08/01/2022 at 10:22, falling_in2_infinity said: Wunjo guitars in Denmark street have a new 2018/19 5 string. I bought my last 2 bongos from them, and they always seem friendly. Another vote for Wunjo - they've always had at least 1 bongo when I've been in there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 6 hours ago, Misdee said: I've got a Bongo 4 and I am aware of the bottom horn digging into my leg slightly when I play it sitting down, but it's a minor irritation rather than a deal breaker. I have a very low tolerance for uncomfortable "hair shirt" basses, and the Bongo is definitely not in that category. If you want an unapologetically modern bass with a hifi sound packed full of attitude then the Bongo is just the ticket. I would think that the heavier the actual Bongo you are playing is , the more you are going to notice the horn digging in your leg when sitting. I remember playing a ridiculously heavy Fender Jazz Bass sitting down and within 20 minutes my right leg didn't work when I tried to stand up! This is probably true. I only have an early 2010's 6'er at the moment, but I have a 2019 5'er coming this week. I did some testing yesterday and only noticed a problem when I put the bass on my right leg, with it crossed over my left. More normally, I play classical style on my left leg, and it's never an issue there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 22 hours ago, FDC484950 said: Egyptian Smoke apparently. More like yellow-grey bum rain Ed Friedland reviewed one in that colour. Seem to remember he said it was grey, in a smoky Egyptian sort of way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Still looks like a very dull overcooked vegatable green to me! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 I've got three of them (Bongos, that is). No issues with playing seated. The bottom horn doesn't dig in, although I do sometimes wish it was slightly longer as I feel it might balance on the knee slightly better, but certainly no discomfort. The edges are quite rounded and not at all pointy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Woodinblack said: Still looks like a very dull overcooked vegatable green to me! agreed! I am always a bit unsure of paint finishes until I see them in person. However, that particular colour always looks extremely unappealing in any photo/video I see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 (edited) 54 minutes ago, falling_in2_infinity said: agreed! I am always a bit unsure of paint finishes until I see them in person. However, that particular colour always looks extremely unappealing in any photo/video I see. You’re right - I’ve seen a Sterling in that colour in the flesh and it just wasn’t very nice. The Bongo seems to have some interesting paint finishes, from black and silver to some sparkle red, orange and yellow. The harvest orange on the current line up looks fantastic, but very few seem to have made it out of the US in the last year or so, and I gather they’re well over £3K now 😐 Edited January 10, 2022 by FDC484950 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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