Dingwall Owners Club Part 4

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by spiritbass

No stress, buddy - only Northern ash with cool grain!

Originally Posted by spiritbass

.............If Sheldon has ever made an ugly guitar, he didn't let it out of the shop!

Hmm.

Last night I was looking through my doodle notes from the store when I came across a serial number. While I can't remember where I left my car keys, I have this weird thing where I remember numbers.

A little searching came up with these. I sure hope that I am wrong, because if this is in fact the bass, I'm gutted.

Hopefully the photographer was having a really bad day.

I will re-check the serial number against my receipt when I get to work.

[spiritbass]

That one is passive. Did you get a passive model?

I don't find the grain on that one particularly attractive, but the bass as a whole isn't ugly.

I should should better restrain myself when considering making such a broad statement on such a subjective concept as beauty.
Especially since I will never see all of the basses Sheldon has let loose into the wild...

On a personal note - If you are expecting the worst out of life, do yourself a favor and don't do that to yourself!

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by spiritbass

That one is passive. Did you get a passive model?

I don't find the grain on that one particularly attractive, but the bass as a whole isn't ugly.

I should should better restrain myself when considering making such a broad statement on such a subjective concept as beauty.
Especially since I will never see all of the basses Sheldon has let loose into the wild...

On a personal note - If you are expecting the worst out of life, do yourself a favor and don't do that to yourself!

Yes, I specifically wanted a passive model as it is my intention to convert to a PJ. I wasn't sure how I wanted to handle electronics so I went passive. Do passive builds dictate wood selection?

No worries Spirit. You were just chatting. I grabbed the quote only as commentary.

Beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholder. My wife and I have been married for 20 years and she has yet to trade me in on two 25 year olds.
And I concur that the overall design of the bass is absolutely gorgeous.

I think if anything, I was surprised by this particular wood selection. I do understand that wood is extremely expensive and I didn't expect to see the northern ash equivilent of 5A quilted maple. I was hoping for at least something akin to the back of the bass......more aestically pleasing to my eye, especially at this price break point.

I have a custom build going right now for a very unique bass which is priced at approximately half of a Super P5 passive. The piece of wood sent to the builder was not even hand picked as the bass is being faced. I will post a pic for conversation's sake.

I am an extremely positive person. In this case, my only concern was purchasing sight unseen. I was under the impression that the bass was factory sealed, however, these don't appear to be factory pictures and a google search pointed me to the vendor's site. I missed this part of the conversation during purchase. Clearly my fault and not the vendor's. And again, this may not be the bass.

In looking at the pics, it may very well be poor photography. There is an unatural color cast to the pics which seem to be in the same light spectrum of the grain.

There is a 48 hour return policy but it get's really pricey.

We'll just wait until Thursday and see what we have.

To be clear, I am not bad mouthing the situation. Making conversation, and nothing more. I am still very excited about the bass.

[spiritbass]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Do passive builds dictate wood selection?

Not to my knowledge. The only reason I knew it was passive was that it has three knobs instead of four. Sheldon utilizes swamp ash for the body and northern ash for the top. This is why your top will look differently than the body.

I am glad to find that you are a positive person. Some people seem to be unaware of (negative) self-fulfilling prophecy - expecting bad things and bemoaning their fate when these things keep happening. CLUE - despite the all-too common use of the word, there is no such thing as "luck".

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by spiritbass

Sheldon utilizes swamp ash for the body and northern ash for the top. This is why your top will look differently than the body.

THank you Ken ! It makes me feel a whole lot better knowing that the northern ash faces are hand picked. And by hand picked I just mean that anything truly ugly/sub standard would likely be kicked to the curb or painted. I'll chalk it up to bad photography and wait until the bass arrives.

As info, I only compared the face to the back in terms of aestetics.

I did verify that this is in fact the bass. She will be here Thursday and I am beside myself. I'll take her to rehearsal Thursday night and put her through the paces.

I believe that people make their own luck. I abhor negativity in general and work diligently to avoid it. In this case, my intent was to express potential concern and posting for general consensus. Mostly to see if my perception was unfair or unrealistic.

[Grand Wazoo]

Zoomie people would give a kidney for that bass. Stop nagging bro once you plug it in and you get the "OMFG" effect that everyone gets when they try a Dingwall you will spend your nights awake patrolling the area where the bass is stored, just to make sure no one gets near it.

Now as for it being passive, let me tell you I and a lot of people I know with a Dingwall which is active tends to play 90% passive and use active very seldom. These super fatty pickups are very hot and they tend to sing more naturally when passive.

All Sheldon's basses reveal a different look in real life as they do in a picture, so wait until you see it in the flesh to appreciate it because with Sheldon being a perfectionist, he would have not sent out a bass out of his workshop with a shoddy looking top.

so... wait and see.

[spiritbass]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

THank you Ken ! It makes me feel a whole lot better knowing that the northern ash faces are hand picked. And by hand picked I just mean that anything truly ugly/sub standard would likely be kicked to the curb or painted. I'll chalk it up to bad photography and wait until the bass arrives.

As info, I only compared the face to the back in terms of aestetics.

I did verify that this is in fact the bass. She will be here Thursday and I am beside myself. I'll take her to rehearsal Thursday night and put her through the paces.

I believe that people make their own luck. I abhor negativity in general and work diligently to avoid it. In this case, my intent was to express potential concern and posting for general consensus. Mostly to see if my perception was unfair or unrealistic.

Cool. I'm done waxing philosophical (for now!), I promise. As nifty as digital phography is, it can only convey a sense of true cosmetic beauty - the subject always appears better when viewed with your own eyes. Looking forward to hearing about your impressions of the Super J.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

Zoomie people would give a kidney for that bass. Stop nagging bro

Hahahahaha.

I think that this is across-the-pond-speak for, " you better shut your filthy mouth!"

Mrs. Zoomie says that other than her, my taste in things visually pleasing is open to question as I rock both of these !





Thank you both.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by spiritbass

Cool. I'm done waxing philosophical (for now!), I promise. As nifty as digital phography is, it can only convey a sense of true cosmetic beauty - the subject always appears better when viewed with your own eyes. Looking forward to hearing about your impressions of the Super J.

You sir, are preaching to the choir.

I opened a business from scratch in May 2008, during the worst economy that this country has seen since the great depression. Everyone (with the exception of a close friend and my Father in Law, told me that I was an idiot. Bottom line, I did a million dollars in business my first year. I just refused to listen to anyone and made hay.

If you want good luck, pedal faster.

Come on Thursday !

[BuffaloBob4343]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Hmm.

Last night I was looking through my doodle notes from the store when I came across a serial number. While I can't remember where I left my car keys, I have this weird thing where I remember numbers.

A little searching came up with these. I sure hope that I am wrong, because if this is in fact the bass, I'm gutted.

Hopefully the photographer was having a really bad day.

I will re-check the serial number against my receipt when I get to work.

I like it! I like unique basses anyway and I think the grain is unique. But I also rather doubt that coloring is accurate. I'm sure it will not have that yellowish tint to it.

[AmazingMumford]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBob4343

I like it! I like unique basses anyway and I think the grain is unique. But I also rather doubt that coloring is accurate. I'm sure it will not have that yellowish tint to it.

+1. The effect is very subtle; the top is anything but another generic, even-grained, cookie-cutter, "Huh? Did I doze off?", "Stamped Out In Indonesia" clones; and I'm quite certain that it will look like a creamy blond J to anyone off stage. Stare at her in Zen-like contemplation for half an hour, and the beauty will reveal itself. Trust someone who got a photo of a fire engine red bass that was previously a beautiful natural quilted redwood and who then became quite excitable for about six hours.

Of course, there is always the refinish route if it really bothers you, although I know you were looking for something naked and don't want to incur additional cost. A wide range of finish types, tones, and shades would totally kill with that bass...and I love that fretboard!!

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by AmazingMumford

Stare at her in Zen-like contemplation for half an hour, and the beauty will reveal itself.

My wife has been staring at me for twenty years. Apparently it doesn't work for people as she she just keeps shaking her head while looking on in utter incredulity.

The creamy blond look would make sense to me as it would mask grain highlights. It's a great look on an instrument. And I too prefer grain character without pefectly uniform grain.

While I fully support the use of pro after market finishers, I suspect that I would have a very difficult time sending a bass of this caliber to be refinished. Sure, paint a Fender hot pink if that's your thing, but not something like this.

Setting aside the potential color shift issues in the photos, I too like the finger board and the way it ties in with the lighter color in the baltic amber pick guard. Clearly a unique look.

Come on Fed X. You're killing me. Still have another 36 hours or so until delivery and time is all but standing still.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Hahahahaha.

I think that this is across-the-pond-speak for, " you better shut your filthy mouth!"


Thank you both.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nagging

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nagging

Now that was uncalled for.............mostly.

[Zoomie]

6:45 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery KINGSPORT, TN

A day early !

Can you dig it ? Why yes. Yes I can.

[spiritbass]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

6:45 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery KINGSPORT, TN

A day early !

Can you dig it ? Why yes. Yes I can.

Zoomie =

[Zoomie]

And she is here safe and sound !

I have to admit holding my breath when I unzipped the case.

And the verdict? You guys called it. She is beautiful. That horrible yellow cast is gone. Further, the orginal pics washed out the grain contrast.

Here are a couple of crappy cell phone pics. I tried to show the grain but it's a cell phone. Still, as you can see, the bass is stunning!





So I am sitting with this beautiful bass in my office. 10 feet from me is a brand new Kilo and an acceptable 410. And not a cord for miles ! I am seriously considering rigging up a couple of cords with 2 coat hangers and some electrical tape.

I feel a NDD (New Dingwall Day) bad cough coming on which will force me to take the rest of the day off.

[Grand Wazoo]

See I told ya! You damned fool!

That top is actually very interesting, far from boring and with a nuance of its own.

Enjoy it when you take it home and plug it in, but so far what can you make of the neck, the action and the body resonance?

[spiritbass]

Whoever took the pics for the site where this was listed needs a better camera or photography chops. Your cell phone pics show the grain MUCH better. It seems to have a touch of both flame and spalt. Beauty!

[BuffaloBob4343]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

And she is here safe and sound !

I have to admit holding my breath when I unzipped the case.

And the verdict? You guys called it. She is beautiful. That horrible yellow cast is gone. Further, the orginal pics washed out the grain contrast.

Here are a couple of crappy cell phone pics. I tried to show the grain but it's a cell phone. Still, as you can see, the bass is stunning!





So I am sitting with this beautiful bass in my office. 10 feet from me is a brand new Kilo and an acceptable 410. And not a cord for miles ! I am seriously considering rigging up a couple of cords with 2 coat hangers and some electrical tape.

I feel a NDD (New Dingwall Day) bad cough coming on which will force me to take the rest of the day off.

It has an almost spalted look in spots. That sir, is a very unique instrument! That top treatment, with the Baltic Amber PG and the fb wood just kills. Congrats! Now go unbunch your panties!