Music Man Bongo Sept '20 BFR - Sitting Down with the Honduran Hot Seat - LowEndLobster Review

[@PhilosophicalCat]

Rather than discontinue it, I personally feel like the Bongo would be a great candidate for a redesign. The series is one of the best known American production line basses that comes in a 6-string version. Ernie Ball could update the shape and even apply multiscale technology to it.

[@LowEndLobster]

Great comment Reid! I agree, a multi scale Bongo would be awesome and relevant!

[@PhilosophicalCat]

@@LowEndLobster totally! Especially because it seems like the Bongo has extra appeal for prog/metal players.

[@JazzTheBass]

Maybe also headless? Would look interesting, I think

[@RichBriere]

Change the Bongo? Nope. Horrid Idea. 🙏

[@davidmorneau5260]

Multiscale worth it only in really low tuning situation which apply for djent stuff. As for the body this is what that huge deep sound came from so i dont know why you would change it its perfect the way that it is and actually 35" with the compensated nut is more than enough. To be fair, multiscale is really a gimmick and a marketing selling pitch. Ive played different multiscale and like i said, its worth it for a really down tuning stuff, but when you want to play chord it is not the best thing ever. Please don't change the Bongo for following the gimmicks...

[@ChefZak]

They'll never retire the Bongo, Sterling Ball adores it and considers it Music Man's greatest innovation. I think this alone secures its place as a permanent fixture in the MM lineup. I've had 3 and loved em too ;)

[@PropS570]

Bongos have been on my bass bucket list so long I can’t even put a time on it. That g string issue you talked about might be a deal breaker for me, especially considering how much they cost. The content you produce is extremely valuable to someone like me who may never get the chance to play a particular bass and buy something that I might end up regretting later. Thanks a ton. That shirt is awesome too btw.

[@jasondoe2596]

I agree, LEL often provides insights not found in most other instrument reviews.

[@TheGAMEGod_YT]

Im getting a saxophone 🎷 next lol

[@gracefulgiant8364]

I have a bongo 5. I can confirm that the g string problem is real and frustrating.

[@mathiasb6370]

Never ever bothered me, and my Bongo is the only bass I've used since I bought it in 2008 (and I play it every week). I love it, it is very versatile and though have some kind of signature sound 😊

[@jasondoe2596]

This is by far the most beautiful Bongo bass I've seen. By which I mean, the only _actually beautiful_ one. (The usual plastic-looking finishes make it look far more like a... you-know-what.)

[@sunn_bass]

I didn't know they ever made a Bongo with mahogany. Thats a nice bass. My biggest hangup with regular Bongo basses is that for nearly 3 grand, I can't get get past the basswood body. Nothing against basswood in lower priced instruments, but i want a harder wood for pricier basses. Just a personal preference. As always, great review.

[@restojon1]

I never knew they were made of that (basswood) tbh, it strikes me as a bit of a cheeky move on MM's part if I'm honest. I'll explain my thinking on this... I'm currently building a (quite detailed and modified) Stingray Bass kit. The body is Basswood, and in it's "raw" state you could use harsh words or perhaps a hard stare and the wood will dent. Yes, it's light and easy to work but it doesn't give you the impression that it's a quality wood. For something like my copycat Stingray, no problem. For 3 Grand of BogSeat Bass, like I say, bit cheeky.

[@sunn_bass]

@@restojon1 Right. Basswood is a perfectly fine wood for some things. Its stable, light, cuts and machines well. It sounds good to for electric solid bodies too. But there's a reason fine furniture generally does not use it. It just does doesn't scream out quality. Its soft and fasteners (screws) tend to strip out. And i know a guitar is not a piece of furniture but they share the similar need for durability. I've seen a lot of basswood instruments with loose strap buttons. I'll take Longleaf Pine over Basswood any day as it is almost twice as hard and looks better for natural and bursts with just a little more weight. Even white Poplar is a tad harder. Now a basswood body with a maple or similar top and possibility even a maple back is better than a solid basswood body in my opinion.

[@unamericano]

The reasons I own a Bongo are many, but particularly because you mentioned all of the firsts. I remember reading about it when it FIRST came out and being jazzed that many of my favorite bassists were involved in it's conception and execution. I got my hands on one a few months later to try and was instantly sold. To this DAY I struggle to find an instrument that plays quite as well, as easy, as smooth and versatile as my good ol' bongo. Also mine was $1700~ but it was a 4 string model with the HH design. Also featured the ebony fretboard upgrade for $100 at the time. Really there's a wide variety of features that can adjust the cost of Bongos that I think this video simply does not take into account. However; technology is finally catching up and surpassing. One great example is Dingwall. The first time I heard one I had the same visceral reaction as the first time I touched a bongo. The next step in bass technology. Beautiful, and most importantly capable of any sound that you could need for almost any given gig. Edit: I have a 4 string so I have never dealt with the G string problem. I have had that problem on a lot of other basses though, so it's not unique to bongos. I also wouldn't mind a body redesign. It was never the style that got me, it was the playability. It's the most important thing, so making a prettier version of the same incredible instrument would be incredible.

[@DadBodBass]

I think the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, the bongo is now a classic Musicman Bass, I would be sad if it went away.

[@rl-ub9hx]

I fell in love with these back in 03-04 at a Dream Theater show and Myung was slaying it on his. I've since fallen a little out of love with the looks. In some colors it looks amazing others it looks awkward.

[@BahasaDrum]

As a drummer who knows nothing about basses, I thought Myung made an upgrade from TRB to Bongo. The Bongos look ok imo

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

Yeah, used to play a Yamaha TRB.

[@rl-ub9hx]

@@BahasaDrum most importantly he loves it and it works for him

[@BahasaDrum]

@@rl-ub9hx true that

[@RDog4484]

I absolutely love love love my Bongo 6. It’s not a BFR but it is still amazing. Definitely worth the price tag in my opinion.

[@jugglerj0e]

4 string Bongo Bass is my dream bass. They are so comfortable to me when I've played them. And I love that preamp. Not sure if I will ever afford one at well Over $2,000. The current models coming out soon are $2,700 but only come in a stealth black & harvest orange. I still want one anyway.

[@MrSparks54]

Nice to see a cool variation on the Bongo. Thanks Lobster! 🦞

[@frederickdoyon]

If only they could do a modern version of the sterling model with 24 frets and same electronic as the bongo

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I absolutely love bongos!! I sure miss mine!! I do wish stingrays could start to have the 4 band eq!! And the 24 fret!! I don’t care what people call this bass it’s amazing!! One of the best I’ve ever owned and played

[@ryanjohnston4249]

These Bongo basses are very much underrated. I could see people calling them ugly but they're comfortable to play and sound really good.

[@jugglerj0e]

I whole-heartedly agree. They have certain fans that absolutely swear by them. They are extremely comfortable for me. I just wish I had more $$$

[@videonerds6415]

Maybe I have bad taste, but I´ve always liked Bongos since I saw them. I hope I can afford one one day. This review made me want one more 😆

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! Unless an instrument is a true turd, I try to let the sound clips speak for themselves. Folks may have different tastes than me, but the tone is absolute! Bongos do sound great!

[@videonerds6415]

@@LowEndLobster Have you had any so far that hasn´t got any claws at all of what you have reviewed?

[@LowEndLobster]

I gave one hard luck king's 5 pieces of poo one time hahaha

[@charlescarr2869]

I own a 5 String Ray but that Bongo 5/6 are freeking incredible!!!💯🖤🤘🏿

[@michaelkeefer4293]

I thought the Bongo was super ugly when it first came out, and then I got to play one and no longer cared about how it looked. It just played and sounded absolutely amazing! Years later when i got a good job I ended up getting a SR5 HH instead of the Bongo though as I preferred the warmer tone of the alnico pickups that were in the Stingray at the time. As far as the G-string issue is concerned, I just got used to it. It kind of forced me to clean up my technique a bit and whenever I would bend the G-string I got myself used bending up instead of down. It does amaze me that after all these years Musicman has not addressed the issue, but then again I don't think they've ever had a problem with selling them.

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

I love that thing. I don’t know why, but I do!

[@LowEndLobster]

I have a love/hate relationship with the bongo. Many aspects I like, but quite a few I don't. This particular example is quite purdy. I would think twice before sitting on it and unclenching XD

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Because it’s a killer bass!!

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

@@LowEndLobster if I ever got one, it would have to be the fuchsia sparkle

[@jeffjones1359]

Well, there ya go Low, a BMW bass! Yes, it’s a bit bizarre looking but so were some of BMW’s other designs…John Myung ,(one of the most underrated bassists playing today), has a great tone. They are a bit long for me but the B string sounds great. They do that modern “hifi” thing very well. The neck width is comfortable but there’s that “G string thing” to deal with. I had the same problem when I played one. I thought it was due to me having to stretch my hand to reach the first couple positions but maybe not! I really like the finish and that’s a great color too. Hey, I don’t remember if I commented on your Nino Valenti but it’s beautiful! I really like his work! You have to have him put a lobster inlay on the 12th fret!

[@marg0049]

I wish they'd release a 24 fret Sterling because I can't get past the looks of the Bongo. I also don't know why they stopped producing the HS combo. Now a 24 fret Sterling HS, that'd be sweet.

[@LowEndLobster]

That would be sweet

[@iwillnevergetone5]

around your ending wrap-up you mention wanting them to take the guts of the Bongo and put them into another bass. I always assumed that was kinda how the current Stingray Special series came to be. the Neo magnets in the pickups and some other voicing decisions of the current SR Special models seem like they came directly from the Bongo series

[@LowEndLobster]

This is true, I guess I meant the 4 band preamp and maybe the blend control as opposed to a blade switch.

[@markblackstad8705]

First off what's most important is it sounds awesome with a huge amount of tonal variation. The design elements of it remind me of the concept cars you would see at the auto shows in the 80s and 90s. They may have seemed "cool" at the time but 35 years later most would say "what were they thinking? The 4 band EQ seemed really useful (maybe too many options) to make your head spin. I also generally like the idea of a blend pot as opposed to the switches in the stingrays, although I would miss the single coil split combo options (positions 2 and 4) in mine though. Maybe for that price they could add some single coil split switches? Also the price really kills it for me. I have always been a quantity over quality guy when it comes to basses. There are some really good "budget" options out there today. I really like my SBMM Ray 5 and bought it for about 12% of the cost of that bongo. I never noticed the "G" string issue with mine. I don't remember you mentioning anything about that in the review you did on it as well? It does have a narrower string spacing so that may have solved that issue??

[@LowEndLobster]

Great comment! The SUBs have 16.5mm spacing as opposed to 17.5 which alleviates the G string issue. If you swap the bridge for one with wider spacing, it'll creep up

[@markblackstad8705]

@@LowEndLobster I got kind of used to the more narrow string spacing. I have a Ibanez SGR 6 string that I used to play a lot (thinking back now, I wonder why? LOL!) that must have had even narrower spacing than my SUB Ray 5 HH). Plus I don't really slap much at all so it doesn't bother me like it would some other players.

[@pretendtobenormal8064]

I thought the Bongo was so ugly for many years. The first time I saw one in the tobacco burst finish with a maple fingerboard and dot inlays I fell in love. I used to play the EBMM Sterling as my primary bass, but I now own 3 Bongos (two with the HS configuration and one HH) and it's my go-to instrument 85% of the time. Long live the mighty Bongo!

[@LowEndLobster]

I've been tempted by the reintroduced 4 string

[@Bassic778]

Yeah, the body and peghead shapes are hard to ignore!!! However, this bass is a TONE MONSTER!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed!

[@deangomes6280]

Also I’d have to say that the Sabre classic is a great bass as you’ve mentioned. It’d be cool if musicman did a bfr version of those. Maybe a 5 string version with a wider neck heel to prevent the drop off and 3 band. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@LowEndLobster]

Oh man, that would be the dream!

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

I love the headstock and sound of the Bongo🥂

[@Mebibit]

Entirely conjecture on my part, but I feel like there's definitely the "notable users" aspect that mostly keeps the bongo line going. Hell, They just recently released the John Myung signature (something unique enough that hopefully one day I'd love to see it on the channel), whereas lines like the Reflex had shorter to nonexistant notable names playing it.

[@VeitLehmann]

I agree with you 100%! This particular Bongo looks pretty nice for a Bongo with its beautiful finish and the lack of a pickguard. But I miss so many other discontinued Music Man basses. I really liked the Big Al with 3 single coils, another very unique and very trademark Music Man design with modern and very useful features. And of course the Cutlass and the Sabre. They also discontinued my favouite pickup combination for StingRays: the HS. Yes, there's still the Sterling HS, but it's a little bit different. And yes, you can also get something similar from other brands, but no other brand delivers that trademark Music Man sound without compromises.

[@Dirk1961-l7y]

I had a stealth black Bongo5 H. Now I regret it that I sold it for only €1300,00 last year. I quit playing due to heavy Tinnitus. But this year I get up the pieces again because I missed it so much. Now I have bought a 2006 SR5 in natural with maple fretboard. It is heavy compare to the Bongo....4,1 vs 4,6kg!!! I am looking for a Bongo5 again:-). The G string close to the edge is on all the Musicman's I owned the same.....You have to play careful. Tnxs for the review Lobbie

[@joethebar1]

I had PDN bongo HS. Mahogany body, roasted maple neck. Gorgeous bass. Had a completely screwed neck that had to be worked over hard and then had dead spots that were amongst the worst I’ve ever encountered.

[@hetschhog]

Long time EBMM 5-string and Bongo 5 player and really appreciate your analysis. I could not believe it playing the Stingray Special 5 first time back in 2018: They had NOT fixed the g-string issue?! Just 2 mm more of fretboard real estate would have made the difference. They did not do it. Took me almost 3 years to get over it - then I bought it - of course. :-) Old love!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Holger! My sentiments exactly. Great comment!

[@seanpowell1496]

Thanks for a accurate review bro. I think the g string placement on these things would be a deal breaker for me. Especially considering the price.

[@Snibborwocky]

I agree that Bongos with the pickguard still look like toilet seats HOWEVER, they sound beyond amazing to me. Nice review of your BFR.

[@oniinside123]

That preamp seems really versatile... I wonder if we'll end up with 10-bands preamps some years in the future! :D on a side note, will you ever cover Ibanez EHB1005SMS (the short scale one)? I'm really looking forward to it!

[@Mike-li5uv]

Love the sounds but can’t get over the looks. This was actually designed by BMW Designworks in California so more than likely it was not designed by any of the German car designers. Regardless it sounds great but looks hideous. 😂 Keep up the great work Lobster!

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed! The chief BMW designer at the time - Chris Bangle - was an American. Thank you Mike!

[@Mike-li5uv]

@@LowEndLobster I know because I work for BMW and the chances that Bangle had anything to do with the design are slim. He was spending too much time designing the Bangle butt. 😂😂 It was more than likely an artist who was influenced by a Bangle design, which I guess in the end means that Bangle had something to do with it. Lol BTW I sent you a message that I finally got some free BMW M gear and wanted to know if you wanted it. It’s just a Motorsport hat but I will gladly send it to you if you like. Let me know.

[@LowEndLobster]

Oh snap! That's awesome! And thanks for the info! You rock dude

[@Mike-li5uv]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks. Just let me know if you want the hat. I understand if you don’t want to provide an address so I could always send to a P.O. If you want. I know there are a lot of crazy people out there so I get it.

[@Zekla]

That headstock really looks like a lobster claw! Hmmm… signature model?!

[@martinheath5947]

Sounds better than it looks for sure. My Ray Classic has the same G string issue :( which I've kinda got used to now. If the pickups have more than two wires each I'd be tempted to wire in individual coil selection but I realise it compromises the market value. Nice tones Good demo! 👍

[@oscarsantos2608]

Please don't forget the Fender Roscoe Beck!!

[@DrGregC]

The only RB I ever heard was being played by RB so it sounded incredible. I want a RB 4 but they rare as...

[@oscarsantos2608]

@@DrGregC before I bought a Warwick thumb bass, I was looking into buying a RB, many years ago. I'm still happy with it, but if I could I would add a RB to my studio.

[@jugglerj0e]

It would also be interesting to see a fretless version of this bass. They may be around if a pro ordered a custom made version. They may be out there.

[@ChaelaThompson]

I personally like this bass shape, but I totally know what you mean about other models they should bring back have you seen the John Myung one? 6 strings on a 5 string neck... if the g is a problem on this bass I dread to think what the c string is like on the Myung bass

[@jonsidell3338]

It was their first real 6 string bass as well. I had one in Tangerine orange. I loved the tone but the g string slipping off the board and the the painted neck were real turn offs. All things considered I would love to get my hands on a rare Bongo 6H.

[@jasonhendon2022]

The only things I didn't like about the bongo I used to have, the inlays looked cheap as hell and it revealed every flaw that existed in my playing.

[@erollf1972]

The pickup/preamp combo definitely calls out sloppy chops. That is the main reason I kept mine. I just find the neck so comfortable that you realize how everything else is too (fat, wide, thin..etc).

[@nickpicc]

I had a Bongo 5 for a while (was one used for 900 USD that I felt obligated to buy at that price!). I had a love hate relationship with it. It's really sensitive to preamp and blend knob changes. Could sound amazing or just not right. I ended selling it for a good profit. Definitely one of my fav slap sounds with both humbuckers on full

[@markyurick6699]

I love the finish, it's a beautiful color. Lso love the stainless frets. Don't love the body. There doesn't seem to be a waist to it. Kinda looks like it has a pot belly, which is not something I personally need. Also not sure that I understand the chopped horn. Sounds great though. Very crisp high end.

[@thebassbuilder]

That bass could look a lot better if they would update the body shape by offsetting it a little and making the butt wider than the horns. They could also push the top horn forward more taking up some space as well. I do love the headstock shape though.

[@philipmcadam5339]

Wow Lobster, I thought that you were a Bass Scientist, It's why I watch you. Seriously, I actually and really like the aesthetics of the Bongo, toilet seat notwithstanding. It doesn't look as large as it measures for sure. I don't own one but, I might if the right deal came along.

[@russellzauner]

OMG literally just bought a honey burst yesterday - wait that's the same day as this dropped. my synchronicity game is stronk lol I had already bought the blue unity (now I literally have red, white, and blue unitys) but then my wife saw the honeyburst and said ooooo purty and "you didn't buy that one???" so I went and secured it. :-) But this bongo? now that's a classy turlet seats

[@russellzauner]

yessir, it's a side a beef - a giant piece of jerky, if you can swing it you'll knock it out the park :-)

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Russell!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

We have a song we’re I have a tapping bass solo and it’s so frustrating trying to play it and keep the G string from falling off I do agree with that!! But the necks are very comfortable to play other than that

[@RoadKing-ky2bs]

Lobster 🦞: you're the Man with the Plan. I do love Music Man and the color & satin finish on this bass is stunning. However, when it comes to the general asthetic of the Bongo bass I really have mixed feelings. It's more of a like (not love) vs dislike (not hate) of it, I cannot go extreme either way with it. One of the positives it that it is unique looking and not on every gig you see unlike a run-of-the-mill Fender P or J bass or Sting Ray bass. The instrument is colossal in proportion and as you indicated lots of unused real estate on the body. Sonically it sounds great and seems to have a ton of low end punch 👊 If kitty 😺 approves well then I guess it's a keeper. Cheers. Patrick

[@alexvukovic7814]

Bongo is best looking bass ever

[@Amanet13]

If they do a Sterling version I would definitely get it in 5 string

[@GreyManFaustus]

To add to all the toilet-seating: The body is actually the lid, while the horns are the remainder of the seat.

[@cunjoz]

I think they're keeping it alive because of John Myung

[@57precision]

When I hear John Myung play his Bongo it sounds like if Fieldy went to Berklee.

[@LowEndLobster]

Lmao epic comment

[@Sauermanofnick]

I always thought the Bongo was a collaboration between Musicman and Kohler. TIL

[@deangomes6280]

I wonder if this sold or not. I know you had it up on reverb and dropped the price a couple of times. I never had the 1st string (g) issue on the bongo. Definitely on the 5 string stingray. Yet even then it’s honestly hit or miss. I own 4 bongos. I love em. Every one of mine are a different finish. Stealth 4hs, a custom hand painted 4hh, sky blue 5HS and the 2021 bfr white and gold, I call it Godspeed.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Dean! It indeed did sell. I got a decent enough deal on it through Bass Central, didn't take that big of a hit when flipping it. Yours sound awesome!

[@deangomes6280]

@@LowEndLobster when I get the chance I’ll take a “family photo” and post it on your Facebook.

[@Blakeadam52]

*Big brain play* Clicking like at the start of the vid *Crustacean brain play* Clicking like when he says pinch the like button so you feel like you actually helped change his hand back to normal.

[@PlayWithYourThumb]

The only bass I ever had with the "rolling g string" was a Japanese 51' P bass. Probably a combination of the fat neck, vintage radius and my lousy technique......

[@coryrich5514]

So would you say that a bongo 5 HH is a superior bass to a dingwall DROC? I know one is passive and one is active. I tried a DROC at a shop but it probably wasn’t the best rig I was playing through. Honestly I got better harmonics from my fender American professional II jazz bass. I’m wanting a dingwall but maybe just a bit underwhelmed by it. I’ve got dingwall owners telling me to trade my bongo in on it and I’m not feeling it completely. I think the bongo is the superior bass.

[@klaymeister]

You aren't the first I have heard talking about the 5-string G string issue (bass wizard) Do the 5 string Sterling by Musicman basses have this issue?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Klay! The lower end 5'ers don't as they have 16.5mm string spacing as opposed to 17.5. I do have some 5 string 17.5mm bridges that I plan on testing on a Ray5 SUB to see if the issue persists there too in the future

[@christopherfidler3019]

Toilet seat bass! There...now we can move on 😂

[@LowEndLobster]

The Honduran Hot Seat! :P

[@ericjohnson6105]

I wonder if EBMM has finally had enough of that. I know the two recent Bongo BFRs (this and the Crescendo) did not feature a pickguard.

[@christopherfidler3019]

@@ericjohnson6105 if the Bongo came with a Mother of Toilet seat pickguard the Triforce would be complete 🤣

[@jontar5970]

I know this ones isnt exactly new but could you do a review on the trbx174

[@murrayneish4695]

I have not got to the end of this yet, but I'm curious why you bought it if you agree with the toilet seat vibe... Was it an investment, especially being part of the BFR line?

[@LowEndLobster]

Great question! It was definitely NOT an investment lol. I appreciate BFRs very much, and was never into the bongo line personally - but this particular one caught my eye. There's no doubt it's drop dead gorgeous, even with the shape I don't like.

[@ruhrpottflo2249]

Dream Bass ✌️

[@xp50player]

Antiquated? Every other design except the Dingwall is from the 50/60s.

[@KilianDuarteBass]

I gotta try this out \m/

[@yaliguttman33]

The vsauce Michael of bass

[@LowEndLobster]

:)

[@FlamesAt1000ft]

Dam! Thought I commented here long ago!! I’ve got a 4Strg HH when they 1st came out and just LOVE MINE!! 👍🏾🤣💕That distinction of MM comes thru!! Want a ‘Ray 34 too!! b(‘_

[@abouc]

Oh, BMW design. That explains why I feel an urgent bowel movement coming on when looking at this bass.

[@ampthebassplayer]

The Bongo has a weird cult following. I would be very surprised if they discontinue it entirely.

[@1okanaganguy]

Bongo approaching ubiquity.

[@mentula3784]

That thing is monstrous sounding! Such a shame it looks like... that

[@65micheal]

Hmmm let’s see...18v, 4 band eq, neodymium pickups, the compensated nut (unique to the Bongo’s first), yeah there should be a major overhaul. 😂. I own two 5 string and two 6 string Bongos (1 BFR). I am glad I don’t own another Fender clone...ugh. Innovation is a thing and Music Man is doing more to try going forward than living off the past.

[@allenmitchell09]

I can’t unsee the toilet seat now lol

[@jeliseo55]

Hello, I wanted to ask you about the comfort of the fingerboard and if the fifth is as comfortable as that of a lakland

[@LowEndLobster]

The profile was a little fatter from what i remember. IMO Lakland absolutely has one of the best 5 string necks in the game

[@jeliseo55]

I like the musicman bongo for its sound power and its capsules, but the lakland 55-02 deluxe for its fingerboard, its fifth string and versatility,,,, hell I don't know what to do, both are offered to me used but like new in almost 2000 usd, help me choose

[@JadeEyeland]

my bongo defs has that ding haha

[@TheDoctor1492]

We all wish there was a little more room for g strings to hang out lol

[@TheGAMEGod_YT]

Lets gooooooo

[@robertkosick3925]

I am sorry, but as a bass player and former boat builder/composite repair man, the bongo 6 John Myung signature bass has no business having a wood neck. Only C/F will be stable enough

[@superheavydeathmetal]

KITTY!!

[@thebassplayification]

The Bongo; the loudest toilet seat ever designed by BMW

[@tomowens7499]

i think it's SO ugly. it sounds great though. i cannot believe the reflex basses didn't catch on, they're great sounding and look nice too...

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Tom!

[@RichBriere]

NOTE: Copied from my Talkbass Response: Dear "Crusty"...... :thumbsup: Before we begin I need to be VERY Clear on a Couple of points. You've seen my name appear on many of your KZbin offerings and I like you very much. However (LOL), let's be honest, you've just walked into the Glorious "House of Bongo" and told us that we have an "Ugly Baby". :woot: Again, I like you, and we're neighbors,....but on this we disagree. ;) And as far as design, BMW was involved in the design BUT... WITH our Beloved MusicMan Master and High Priest: "Big Poppa". In the eyes of many he should be listed in Marvel Comics as a "Super Hero"...complete with a Cape and a Titanium Crown of some kind. :D Now...so as not to insult you in any way.....the "Toilet Seat" thing. It shall forever be the cause of much pain to hear that phrase, one which I shall defend as long as I live, but other Genius designs have suffered similar insults as well. Leo Fender was laughed at. Ned Steinberger was laughed at. The list is a long one. :) Strange Shapes? Hofner 500/1. Danelectro Longhorn. Both killer basses. :) IMHO, the Bongo is my Go-To Bass. Without touching a single control on my Rig I can get ANY sound I'd like from the onboard Controls. I've played MANY basses. I've owned many Basses. Each time I try to like a Sting Ray I play it/them next to a Bongo and the Bongo wins every time. Fender, my former employer has a Precision Bass. Music Man has a "Perfection" Bass...and Bongo is its name. :D Should the Bongo EVER be discontinued I would climb up on my roof....remove my Bathrobe...and leap to the Street below. :) Aaaaggghhhhhhh!

[@jedfriedland1520]

Ditto!

[@LowEndLobster]

Great comment :)

[@ericjohnson6105]

We call that scuffmark "making it relic." People pay money for that, so enjoy it when you can do it on your own for free.

[@davidhull6332]

Lobster I think you’re totally right, it certainly is time for Musicman to retire this unattractive bass, especially at this ridiculously high price. You’re also spot on about the G string, a wider neck I believe would solve that problem. I always felt that the electronics of this bass (which sound really nice) should be put in another bass with a different design of course. Maybe call it a Stingray 2, with the Stingray body design but with the Bongo ‘s pickups & electronics

[@lockedowng]

My least favorite music man bass. I'd love to see pup output/resistance I'm these vids. Especially on the upgrade videos.

[@sekretlowrider4046]

if i dont push like button you will play bongo with lobster clow ......lol......

[@Bflatest]

I never see a person playing these bass hehehe

[@ramshaar2597]

Not too bad lol.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Ram!

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

I love my stingray 4 but that g string on their fivers with is unbearable. I opted for a Warwick corvette $$ NT and it does everything a MusicMan can do and more.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you Julian! Great comment. I'm hoping to check out a double buck sometime this year

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

You won’t be disappointed, with the coil taps it can convincingly masquerade as a j, p or stingray. And the g stays on the fretboard!

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

@@LowEndLobster I'm not sure it'll live up to that MTD though, they're very fairly similar in functionality/configuration. I wish i had a birdeye maple board but the wenge one still sounds great over the maple neck.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

According to the Music Man website, on the specs, a Bongo 5, which you are demoing, is 45 5/8” long, while a Stingray Special 5, the only other to show overall length, is 45 3/4” long. Forgive my college math recollection, 5/8” is LESS than 6/8(3/4) any day of the week. Hmmm. Too long? Maybe the lobster claw has altered your perception? Maybe the Bongo Four is ………well, well, the Four, believe it or not, is 46” long, a massive 3/8” longer than the Bongo Five, and IS actually 1 1/8” longer than the Special Four, at 44 7/8”! So your illustration was close, but gave no actual numbers, and the Bongo Four is longer than the Special Four. But seriously. 2.44% longer than the regular Four is not exactly something so easily discernible. Perception is a mofo . I think they are but ugly, and they look like a luthier’s fuck up, seriously. It looks like they couldn’t get the roundness of the horns correct, got impatient, lopped off the ends of the horns and gave up, called it a new design, and hoped to dupe lots of people, which they did. As far as sound, it’s basically impossible for it to have any more variance than the variance between each individual acquisition of wood stock at the factory. A few ounces here or there will not be noticeable. Hell, even the newer Stingray 5s weigh less than the old ones. But do you think anyone could ACCURATELY tell? Yes, some woods have tonal character, but it’s often not what you’d expect. Harder woods will inherently have more sustain, but at the expense of resonance, two closely intertwined characteristics. What do you seek more in a musical instrument? Without resonance, you have nothing. I mean ALL things resonate. Even 100 story skyscrapers resonate. A piano’s soundboard resonates and it’s metal. Our tectonic plates resonate. My skull resonates when I bang my head against the wall after some You Tube videos. It rings in an A# minor chord with a diminished 7th, so darker than dark. But if your bass was made of granite, it would SUCK as a musical instrument. If it was like a tuning fork, steel, it would have incredible sustain but really sing only at certain harmonics, which would also suck. Modulus makes a nice instrument, but that’s science taken pretty far, and it costs a fair coin. They are all about consistency from the neck, but the sustain is in the body. Hmmm. It is the varying stiffness within the grain of any wooden neck that gives us that frustrating variance in not just volume, but true intonation throughout the fretboard. A graphite, carbon fiber neck gets rid of that, at the expense of sustain. If the body were carbon fiber, how much sustain would it have? Let’s just take note that Modulus does not make a bass with a carbon fiber body. See a pattern?

[@TheKaappari]

Bongo just doesn't look complete without the pickguard.

[@michaelblaney4461]

Maybe BMW should stick to designing cars.

[@LowEndLobster]

Have you seen the new BMWs? I don't even think they should stick to that! Hahaha (and I have much love for the brand, have owned several including a classic M5)

[@michaelblaney4461]

I like the classic boxy M3

[@IgnisIban]

This bass never should’ve created, are probably the most horrible bass ever created, first time I saw that toilet seat cover shaped thing and the name bongo I thought was twilight zoned or having a psychedelic backflash of a terrible trip, I just can’t believe this were put it out and people bought it, that said a lot about humans mind…IMHO

[@LowEndLobster]

It was and still is very polarizing haha. Still hoping they do a Stingray Special-er that has the bongo circuit and 4 band

[@templehillsfunk]

Every bass review video I watch, I come away with the same thought, "You guys talk WAY TOO MUCH!! Play the damn thing so, we can hear what it sounds like. He talks for 10i minutes before he plays it. Wasted time!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

I know right? Shame on me for talking in a video where I express my opinion on a bass.

[@MrClassicmetal]

It sounds nice, but it's easily one of the ugliest basses in the history of music. They should've hired an Italian or Japanese car designer to do the job...😁 Honduran hot seat...🤣🤣🤣

[@questelohim...]

BMW?🤦‍♂️

[@janzabel6760]

No sorry. Not my Cup of tea. It looks horrific and makes my eyes bleeeeed.

[@tigerscott2966]

It's a really ugly bass and for $3,000?

[@poltergeist3194]

One of the ugliest bass ever. I don’t care how many bells and whistles is has. It’s was ugly then, still ugly now.

[@LowEndLobster]

It hurts extra bad that they discontinued the Sabre classic, caprice and cutlass too and left the effin' bongo!