Dingwall Owners Club Part 4

[Akami]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Typically, the advantage of a reversed P pickup is that it moves the coils on the D and G closer to the neck, making them a bit more full, and moves the coils on the A and E closer to the bridge, making them a tad more type. Some folks - myself included - find that this results in a more balanced tone across the board, that is both full and tight. The same holds through for a 5-string, but which strings are affected can vary, depending on where they split the coils.

This is why I've always thought the Precision/Mustang pups and the bridge on the Strat were backwards - they made the higher strings harsher and the old Univox pups which slanted the opposite direction made more sense, although they were thought to look a bit awkward.

[alec]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

From my in-store experience I found the fanned frets easy to deal with but I really noticed the difference in neck profile between the Combustion and Canadian models (I spent most time on an ABZ). That's not to say one is better, as feel is subjective, but I realised I wouldn't be happy with the Combustion knowing what the ABZ feels like.

I was also going to get a Combustion until I played an ABZ.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by DJones

Hey Grand Wazoo, can you describe how the reversed p pickup sounded? I ordered a super p a few weeks ago and I may ask them to do that if it really ups the tone.

Sorry for my late reply, Virgin Media had an issue with their broadband service and left me disconnected for a whole day, well Mr. tombowlus reply totally nailed it.

The sound you get with a reversed P is much more prominent in the two high strings giving them a kind of low-mid boost, and therefore it fattens them up, right up man. But the cool thing is that you don't loose that same presence in the lower two strings, they become more mellow, and deep at the same time.

So much so that I a myself contemplating the option to take my Super p/j to my trusted luthiers and have the cavity rerouted to allow my pickup to be reversed but before I do so I need to discuss this in details with Master Geppetto (Sheldon) to see if he says I can do it on my bass or not in case it interferes with the bridge pickup or not, and if it does then I'll continue to live happily with my Super J/P as it is and order a Super PZ later in the year... watch this space!

[Zoomie]

GW, I was over at the Dingwall board reading your commentary on P/J's when I received an email alert that you had commented here. You get around, sir !

Thanks for always sharing !

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

GW, I was over at the Dingwall board reading your commentary on P/J's when I received an email alert that you had commented here. You get around, sir !

Thanks for always sharing !

Well of course the Dingwall forum is basically the fulcrum of all things Dingwall and this Talkbass discussions are barely scratching the surface, to be honest, the Dingwall forum it is a true live discussion directly between the members and the factory in this case Mr. Sheldon Dingwall, often things are debated there and Sheldon takes it all on board and tries the best to accomodate people's request whenever possible to phisycally obtain. For instance there was an open debate on the way the Super P headstock motif was going to be, Sheldon tried a few different approaches first by scallping a small contour, then applying a mirror type face, to be honest these were accepted by the members with a 30 to 100 percentage not in favour of these new changes whereas the 70% majority preferred the headstock the way it was with the fully scalloped inlay and the etched wording Super P or Super J whatever, I was humbled by how Sheldon took it all on board and went back to the original design just as people preferred.

To me that speaks volumes.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

Well of course the Dingwall forum is basically the fulcrum of all things Dingwall and this Talkbass discussions are barely scratching the surface, to be honest, the Dingwall forum it is a true live discussion directly between the members and the factory in this case Mr. Sheldon Dingwall, often things are debated there and Sheldon takes it all on board and tries the best to accomodate people's request whenever possible to phisycally obtain. For instance there was an open debate on the way the Super P headstock motif was going to be, Sheldon tried a few different approaches first by scallping a small contour, then applying a mirror type face, to be honest these were accepted by the members with a 30 to 100 percentage not in favour of these new changes whereas the 70% majority preferred the headstock the way it was with the fully scalloped inlay and the etched wording Super P or Super J whatever, I was humbled by how Sheldon took it all on board and went back to the original design just as people preferred.

To me that speaks volumes.

I agree. I like it way better than the orginal badge shown on the Fiesta Red Namm 12 P 5.

In spite of being very busy, Sheldon seems to always find time to answer questions. A rare thing in today's world.

Really hoping that I get some good news today. If not, I am going with my back-up plan which is to baracade myself in at Dingwall until someone hands me a PZ5. Look for me on the news.

[Grand Wazoo]

By the way if you are over on the Dingwall forum make sure not to miss this thread

https://www.dingwallguitars.com/comm...php?f=2&t=2061

Back in late August 2011 I decided to do something a little bit out of the ordinary, I have a good friend in Ireland who was always interested in Dingwall basses but could not find one to try in Ireland for love nor money, so I thought about coming to his rescue, I had a week off at work and loaded my car with all 3 Dingwall basses, a couple of Fender and a PRS vintage, plus a very unusual all tube Ashdown combo amp which as you can see in my signature is a bit of a rare beast. So anyway, I drove from London to the ferry terminal in Holyhead, took the ferry over to Ireland and drove a loooooooooong way to my friend's house for him to try the Dingwall basses. he was so impressed he ended up buying a very nice ABII shortly after.

I enjoyed my weekend there and he loved trying all this stuff. I was great catching up with a good friend and his lovely family, specially at a time when I was still suffering the tragic loss of my gf who died 2 months before in June due to illness.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

By the way if you are over on the Dingwall forum make sure not to miss this thread

https://www.dingwallguitars.com/comm...php?f=2&t=2061

Back in late August 2011 I decided to do something a little bit out of the ordinary, I have a good friend in Ireland who was always interested in Dingwall basses but could not find one to try in Ireland for love nor money, so I thought about coming to his rescue, I had a week off at work and loaded my car with all 3 Dingwall basses, a couple of Fender and a PRS vintage, plus a very unusual all tube Ashdown combo amp which as you can see in my signature is a bit of a rare beast. So anyway, I drove from London to the ferry terminal in Holyhead, took the ferry over to Ireland and drove a loooooooooong way to my friend's house for him to try the Dingwall basses. he was so impressed he ended up buying a very nice ABII shortly after.

I enjoyed my weekend there and he loved trying all this stuff. I was great catching up with a good friend and his lovely family, specially at a time when I was still suffering the tragic loss of my gf who died 2 months before in June due to illness.

Sounds like a wonderful trip from so many perspectives. I'll go check it out now.

[Akami]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

...there was an open debate on the way the Super P headstock motif was going to be, Sheldon tried a few different approaches first by scalloping a small contour, then applying a mirror type face, to be honest these were accepted by the members with a 30 to 100 percentage not in favour of these new changes whereas the 70% majority preferred the headstock the way it was with the fully scalloped inlay and the etched wording Super P or Super J whatever, I was humbled by how Sheldon took it all on board and went back to the original design just as people preferred.

To me that speaks volumes.

It speaks volumes indeed, just as his humble manner of posting does as well.
Many makers have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude when it comes to customer input and ones with a healthy sense of being able to set their values up but also take the ideas of the community into consideration as well are very often the ones leading the pack, which is definitely the case when it comes to Dingwall designs.

[Zoomie]

Well it's official. I got the finger and the get in line talk. rofl.

Dave was actually fantastic on the phone. They have no Super P's or Super P 5s in the pipeline. He said average order time 6-7 months.

Not sure what to do now. Buyer's market for a lot of nice basses, just not THE bass that I want.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Well it's official. I got the finger and the get in line talk. rofl.

Dave was actually fantastic on the phone. They have no Super P's or Super P 5s in the pipeline. He said average order time 6-7 months.

Not sure what to do now. Buyer's market for a lot of nice basses, just not THE bass that I want.

Email Bass Direct in UK ask Mark Stickley, the owner if he can help you. (shorter than waiting 6 months) email: bassdirect@mac.com

You never know.....

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

Email Bass Direct in UK ask Mark Stickley, the owner if he can help you. (shorter than waiting 6 months) email: bassdirect@mac.com

You never know.....

Will do GW !

[BuffaloBob4343]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Will do GW !

Zoomie, have you emailed Barry Lamb at Dingwall? Sometimes they have basses that they start and people are forced to drop out on for unforseen circumstances before they're finished.

Also, you might be able to grab one that is destined for a retailer that will be popping out sooner than 6 to 7 months and you can get it reserved for you before it's even finished.

Email Barry at: blamb53@shaw.ca He's a really nice guy and he will respond quickly.

[BuffaloBob4343]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I think I can extrapolate fit/finish. Mostly it is just to figure out if I can live with the fanned frets. I know the B will kill (no hiding from physics), but I'm sensitive to ergos and have to be careful about tendonitis. My sense is my hands will either love it or hate it. A used Combustion is a cheap experiment, and better than trying to spend 15 min in a store with one to figure out if it works for me.

We'll see. Life is an experiment.

I agree, it is a less expensive way to experiment, and being a seasoned player of many high-end basses, you will no doubt have the experience to extrapolate fit and finish.

The only caveat is that while Sheldon has been evolving the neck profile for the Combustions to approach the thinner profile of the Canadian made basses, they are still not the incredibly comfortable, sleek and fast playing necks that are characteristic of the Canadians.

So bear that in mind as well. You kind of have to divorce the fanned fret thingy from the neck profile, and that may not be so easy. So once you've got a feel for the fanned frets, I would endeavor to at least try a Canadian made bass before ultimately making up your mind. I agree that you can't get the evaluation you are seeking from sitting with a bass for 30 minutes in a shop, but it may give you the aha moment as to the ultimate decision.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBob4343

Zoomie, have you emailed Barry Lamb at Dingwall? Sometimes they have basses that they start and people are forced to drop out on for unforseen circumstances before they're finished.

Also, you might be able to grab one that is destined for a retailer that will be popping out sooner than 6 to 7 months and you can get it reserved for you before it's even finished.

Email Barry at: blamb53@shaw.ca He's a really nice guy and he will respond quickly.

This could also be a good suggestion, however please note that Barry is currently on vacation way way way far in Thailand. I am not sure if he will even reply at the moment.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBob4343

Zoomie, have you emailed Barry Lamb at Dingwall? Sometimes they have basses that they start and people are forced to drop out on for unforseen circumstances before they're finished.

Also, you might be able to grab one that is destined for a retailer that will be popping out sooner than 6 to 7 months and you can get it reserved for you before it's even finished.

Email Barry at: blamb53@shaw.ca He's a really nice guy and he will respond quickly.

Good morning !

I didn't email Barry. I didnt think it polite or know if it was acceptable behavior to reach out to Dingwall directly and start yanking on anyone's knickers.
I don't want to bother him while he is on vacation. From everything I have read, the guy kills himself to help people and answer questions. The last thing I suspect that he wants to talk about is basses/work.

I did email Bass Direct as GW had recommended. Mark responded quickly. Unfortunately, it's close to a 30% premium to do the purchase and get it here.

[Zoomie]

Do we have any members that have converted a Super J to a Super P/J. Has anyone pulled the pickguard on one recently to see if they are in fact routed for the P pickups?

I would grab a J immediately except I am concerned that it may not provide enough thump or bottom without doing the conversion. I am not direspecting it. It's just that I may be expecting it to do something for which it was not designed.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Good morning !

I did email Bass Direct as GW had recommended. Mark responded quickly. Unfortunately, it's close to a 30% premium to do the purchase and get it here.

Yes unfortunately that option would have come with an increased premium, I personally knew it and it's not as if I had overlooked it, but of course, I only suggested it based on the urgency in which you wanted the bass, surely if the extra 30% is not suitable, then you really have no options but to wait for these to be build and distributed through the right channels.

Best of luck.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Do we have any members that have converted a Super J to a Super P/J. Has anyone pulled the pickguard on one recently to see if they are in fact routed for the P pickups?

That I can confirm to you easily, because Sheldon has stated it himself in the Dingwall forum that all the Super J's built in the last 3 years have all been routed to accept both a Jazz style Super Fatty as well as a P style pickup in the neck position, so on that you can rest assured that it's a YES.

Infact here is a pic of my Super J/P naked to show you the different routing

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

That I can confirm to you easily, because Sheldon has stated it himself in the Dingwall forum that all the Super J's built in the last 3 years have all routed to accept both a Jazz style Super Fatty as well as a P style pickup in the neck position, so on that you can rest assured that it's a YES.

Can you give me a wild guess as to cost to make this happen ie pick ups and guard?

I wonder if they have any P style pick ups in stock.