Ernie Ball Musicman Bongo 5

Funny,Ugly,Awkward,Ahead of its time are some of sentiment when I first saw Musicman Bongo played by Dave Larue accompanying John Petrucciani. It was when John had short hair. Don't bother looking for it in YouTube cause the video is gone now.

I'm sure the sentiment was the same when Gibson introduced the Explorer and Flying V in the 50s or was 60s. Like I care.

However I'm obliged to call a fuck up a fuck up like this one here. I'm sure nine out of ten of you would agree. What a waste of man power and machining time for such unpractical shit. If anyone looking to match their nude art sculpture, I guess that would be it.

The Bongo here has intermittent output issues. The RSTW output jack has internal contact problem. It was replace with Switchcraft befitting its pride of origin. Busted and Shame on you Mr Ball! You know your CTS pots still do not come with flat washer. Well damn you again with pleasure. Hehe.

 The neck needed some tightening and that's that. Frets are even from tip to toe unlike the Caprice in past repairs. I guess you have to pay this much to get full attention to detail huh? Well you have to, if not then it’ll be ugly and useless wouldn’t it.

The electronics are generous though. The Bongo preamp gives you more PCB and chips than expected. None of those SMDs but all through hole components. I'm not sure how much mA it guzzles from the batteries but the tone is amazing. I love the high end sounding bass and treble response.

The whole electronics assembly is held by an aluminium panel bent to shape. Makes assembly and repairs easy. Thumbs up Mr Ball.

After all the work are done come the test. I have to confessed this Bongo are both fantastic in its ergonomics and powerful dB range. I almost forget the ugly looks when it’s on my lap. What an odd situation to be in when you ejek(English?) the Bongo prematurely, then you find its great in your hand. That’s that then. I think I shall refrain myself from ejeking(English?) any instrument for now of course hehe.  

Bongo-ed 

yustech