SBMM Bongo

[dub_junkie]

Just noticed that this is going to be a thing. 2EQ instead of 4 bands of constant fiddling with. The purple looks great imo

 

[Russ]

15 minutes ago, dub_junkie said:

Just noticed that this is going to be a thing. 2EQ instead of 4 bands of constant fiddling with. The purple looks great imo

 

As a bit of a Bongo aficionado, I'm definitely interested in seeing what these are like. I do like a bit of Firemist Purple - I used to have a fretless Bongo 5 in that colour. 

 

My big wish is for MM to add the Bongo to their customisation tool. They make far less of them than they do Stingrays, so surely offering them in custom colours should be much easier?

[BlueMoon]

Basswood or boat anchor?

[Killerfridge]

42 minutes ago, BlueMoon said:

Basswood or boat anchor?

Seeing as Basswood is traditionally a cheap wood, it should be a no brainer?

[JohnH89]

They had better up their QC . A repeat of the ongoing tuner/truss rod issue could well be the end for them . 

[neepheid]

1 hour ago, JohnH89 said:

They had better up their QC . A repeat of the ongoing tuner/truss rod issue could well be the end for them . 

 

Are you gonna cite some sources evidencing a systemic problem, or did you just get a bad one and extrapolate out from there?

[neepheid]

This is very exciting.  If it had been a Big Al SSS, I fear this year's gear abstinence would have been out the window!  I'm safe for now, but I applaud them making this much maligned weirdo in a more affordable package.  It might even appeal to those who found a 4 band EQ a bit off-putting.

[40hz]

These look kinda cool, but in true SBMM tradition, they're not electrically the same. These have a 2-band eq, with ceramic humbuckers, not neo, so it won't have quite the right flavour tonally.

Edited Saturday at 11:52 by 40hz

[Hellzero]

2 hours ago, BlueMoon said:

Basswood or boat anchor?

 

2 hours ago, Killerfridge said:

Seeing as Basswood is traditionally a cheap wood, it should be a no brainer?

It's Indonesian mahogany.

 

It's simply stated in the specifications. 😉

[neepheid]

2 minutes ago, 40hz said:

These look kinda cool, but in true SBMM tradition, they're not electrically the same. These have a 2-band eq, with ceramic humbuckers, not neo, so it won't have quite the right flavour, tonally.

 

 

As I alluded to above, it might help it sell better with simpler electronics.

 

[neepheid]

Official page up: https://intl.sterlingbymusicman.com/collections/basses/products/bongo?variant=42779479769203

[Kev]

That purple looks fantastic!  How is that price going to translate into £ as it doesn't seem too bad?

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, Kev said:

That purple looks fantastic!  How is that price going to translate into £ as it doesn't seem too bad?

 

I assume the normal MM translation of 3 times the US price?

[Killerfridge]

29 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

 

I assume the normal MM translation of 3 times the US price?

$699 will likely be something mad like £1,200

[Kev]

10 minutes ago, Killerfridge said:

$699 will likely be something mad like £1,200

And there lies the problem with the higher end SBMM stuff in the UK.  Its practically used EBMM money.

[JohnH89]

2 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

Are you gonna cite some sources evidencing a systemic problem, or did you just get a bad one and extrapolate out from there?

Over on the other forum there is a thread that runs to 39 pages over the last two years plus . Many reports of problems . I did get a duff one and I will never buy another . I don't know if I can post a link to 'the other side ' here but if you search for Sterling ray34 sparkle basses over there you will find what I mean .

[neepheid]

4 minutes ago, JohnH89 said:

Over on the other forum there is a thread that runs to 39 pages over the last two years plus . Many reports of problems . I did get a duff one and I will never buy another . I don't know if I can post a link to 'the other side ' here but if you search for Sterling ray34 sparkle basses over there you will find what I mean .

 

You're allowed, it's not against the rules or anything, pretty sure I've linked to TB before (assuming that's what you mean by "the other side"?)

[NickA]

1 hour ago, Kev said:

Its practically used EBMM money.

Quite .... why would you buy a downgraded version.  In some cases the east Asian versions are just as good ( or better ..eg Squire in some examples) but when they're using cheaper woods, simpler construction and downgraded parts..... just buy a nice used original, it's not like they wear out ( tho my 23yr old Warwick does need new pots)

[dub_junkie]

Believe some of the issues were with the black tuners on the purple sparkle Ray34/5 and stiff truss rods on some? Neither is a really good look on a company like MusicMan. 

From my own experience, and I've had six Ray35 basses and a Ray34CA, I've found them to really good. The last one, a natural Ray35 with the roasted neck was impressively put together and played fantastically well. 

 

A purple SBMM Bongo 5 would interest me as long as the tuners didn't eat themselves when turned and the truss rod worked. Think I'd get on okay with the 2EQ as I was forever fiddling with the high and low mids on the full fat ones. Used to drive me mad! 

 

 

[Russ]

18 minutes ago, NickA said:

Quite .... why would you buy a downgraded version.  In some cases the east Asian versions are just as good ( or better ..eg Squire in some examples) but when they're using cheaper woods, simpler construction and downgraded parts..... just buy a nice used original, it's not like they wear out ( tho my 23yr old Warwick does need new pots)

Used Bongos are quite rare, and not cheap. The people who like them REALLY like them and tend not to part with them. I sold two of mine for the same money I paid for them.  

 

This new SBMM version is probably down to the Bongo having somewhat higher visibility in recent times, with the likes of all-bass Australian prog outfit The Omnific using them.

[NickA]

2x 4HH at bassbros right now.  And a tasty stealth black 5hh at wunjo ( tempting ). 

 

But generally speaking, waiting for a 2nd hand German Warwick or USA g&l is generally a better deal than buying a rock bass or a Tribute ... keep value better for one.

[Woodinblack]

If they come in at reasonable money, and by that I mean not much more than the dollar amount they should do really well. I wouldn't want to part with my bongo, but I am sure I could find space for a purple one too. 

Not so much worried about the EQ - the only reason I ever touch mine is because it has adjusted itself by being in a gig bag again!

[Russ]

23 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

If they come in at reasonable money, and by that I mean not much more than the dollar amount they should do really well. I wouldn't want to part with my bongo, but I am sure I could find space for a purple one too. 

Not so much worried about the EQ - the only reason I ever touch mine is because it has adjusted itself by being in a gig bag again!

I’m considering a 5-string as a project bass - would be a good platform for a Turner/Lusithand electronics setup, tuned EADGC. The pickups look like standard-sized MM humbuckers so it should be easy. 

[Killerfridge]

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

If they come in at reasonable money, and by that I mean not much more than the dollar amount they should do really well. I wouldn't want to part with my bongo, but I am sure I could find space for a purple one too. 

Not so much worried about the EQ - the only reason I ever touch mine is because it has adjusted itself by being in a gig bag again!

Every now and again I miss my old Bongo, but I use the Spector so much more than I ever used the Bongo!

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, Killerfridge said:

Every now and again I miss my old Bongo, but I use the Spector so much more than I ever used the Bongo!

 

and vice versa, so it worked out as a good trade! Although it has to be said I miss the weight some times