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5 String suggestions ($3-4k)

#41
JEDI BASS said:
Yeah the extra long distance between frets 1 thru 5 on the low B, and the extra wide neck on my 6er, plus the busy basslines I had to play in that area of the neck..... all led to pain in my palm from the extreme stretching. The 5er has a skinnier neck and is not a problem if I don't play it exclusively. The passive Afterburners are not bland at all, IMO. I think they sound like a modern jazz on steroids.... growly, snarling, rabid jazz bass with piano-like clarity. Turn a knob and it gives P bass-like sound, plus a couple other tones....very versatile!! My Lakland is more mellow, so I use the Dinger on tunes where the B can shine or I need more "NASTY".

Hey, goto basstasters and listen to the soundclips that include an Afterburner II (has preamp) [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] . If the Dinger slap clip doesn't stand out from the rest, then maybe Dingwalls aren't for you. :)
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Thanks mate, had a listen. Compared to the other basses on the list, does sound clearer, however i've never liked that site for comparing anything too seriously as I think every single clip sounds sterile :hiding:

They're definitely on the list of things to checkout though.
 
#42
A good indication of how good they sound..... try finding one for sale. It took me 2 years to find my first (funds and timing were a factor too). And more time than not, there will be ZERO on ebay, and when there is one, it's usually a new one from a store. Sometimes it'll be someone upgrading to a higher model Dingwall.
 
#43
popinfresh said:
Thanks mate, had a listen. Compared to the other basses on the list, does sound clearer, however i've never liked that site for comparing anything too seriously as I think every single clip sounds sterile :hiding:

They're definitely on the list of things to checkout though.
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Well, every Dingwall owner has stories of taking their bass to a store and laying to waste every bass in the place. Happened to me at 2 stores. I even had workers at one place trying to steal the design concepts.... the owner built his own line of Fender clones and wanted the dimensions. I had done an A/B against his best G&L 5ers and MM 5ers. The open B ringing like a church bell was enough, playing chordal stuff sealed their fates. Killed a bunch of Warwick and Fender 5ers at another store. I think I heard TAPS playing as I walked out :D. Don't get me wrong, I own Fenders and have owned many, MANY other brands. They'll all work, especially live when most don't/can't hear subtle differences anyways. But, bassist know and can hear the differences. And, in the studio..... well you know. :)
 
#44
The AB I and AB II are prime basses for their price (great value for money). Esp the AB II is very versatile too.

As far as comparing my Dingwalls to other basses, one story is worth saying. I was tring my avatar Z1 at a high end music store (several basses of 3 very high end boutique brands present at the store that moment). Several people were there and once I started playing, the phone rang. The manager picked up the phone and once the questions were answered the person on the other line asked what was going on at the store. The manager replied "We are listening to a grand piano. Call this instrument any other way and you are insulting this very fine instrument". We kept on comparing the basses side by side and everyone was asking to listen to my Z1 again and again
 
#46
spade2you said:
Dingwalls are great, but I think the Canadian dollar is actually holding up, unlike the American dollar, which would make a lot of American basses a steal. Cliff can also do fanned frets if desired. Cliff and I are in the process of spec'ing out a fanned 7.
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Ah, makes sense. They were all around the $3kUS mark for the afterburners I think, the SJ's were more =/ I think that's a bit too much for what i'm looking to spend.

Right now I'm talking to CB about getting a custom bass built, i'm leaning more and more to a bass made for me. We seem to be on the same page when it comes to tone so i'll see what he can do anyway. Also might go up to a 6 string, but that's another story.
 
#49
Tslicebass said:
+1 on CB basses
I have a fretted being built right now and a fretless in the works. Custom specs, great customer service and communication. All the options you could want. Great basses for a great price.
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Well looks like at the moment I may be going with a CB custom.. Somewhat based on Les Claypool's ebony bass..

Though it's quite a wait, so i'll be looking at Lakland/G&L/Sadowsky to fill the 5 string hole whilst it gets built if I go that route.
 
#51
JEDI BASS said:
VERY affordable current bid on a Dingwall on ebay, right now, an AB 5er....probably will go for a little over $1100, maybe.
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Bugger, will keep an eye on it definitely, but I don't think i'll be able to get the money by then (need to sell my thumb). See how things pan out, would be an interesting bass to try whilst my custom is built though. I may see what I can get price wise from a shop for the thumb..
 
#52
popinfresh said:
Well looks like at the moment I may be going with a CB custom.. Somewhat based on Les Claypool's ebony bass..

Though it's quite a wait, so i'll be looking at Lakland/G&L/Sadowsky to fill the 5 string hole whilst it gets built if I go that route.
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I would have to say go with a CB, but I could be a little biased :)

AND, if you're worried about the wait.... I think Cliff has an extra bass being built with the current build!!!!
When I called to order my six string custom Ball from him, I bought a five string SC that he had made extra at the time! Made the wait a lot easier:bassist:
 
#53
popinfresh said:
Bugger, will keep an eye on it definitely, but I don't think i'll be able to get the money by then (need to sell my thumb). See how things pan out, would be an interesting bass to try whilst my custom is built though. I may see what I can get price wise from a shop for the thumb..
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Dude, if you sell your thumb..... how you gonna slap??;) Don't sell the other either, you won't be able to grip the neck. :D

Seriously though, I too will be contacting CB again. This time I'll place an order. I want a custom fanned-fret that's a little less radical than the Dingwalls. The low B and string tension will not be as good, but playability (hand pain being a factor of course) will be more to my liking.
 
#54
popinfresh said:
Thanks mate, good to hear. What are the Afterburner's like compared to the higher up models in your opinion? As i'd no way be able to afford a Z1-3.
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Not a chance of an Afterburner being bland. I've never heard anyone say this until this thread.

My bands DEMAND I play my AB over all my other basses. They speak with authority all the way down to low B. I use mine for Roots/Dub to amazing effect, but its slappable, pickable and all techniques you could wish to use. Even the passive AB-1 covers a wide range of tones, from a upper-mid fretless growl to a warm fat old school sound. The Series setting is a complete monster!
 
#55
BurningSkies said:
Not a chance of an Afterburner being bland. I've never heard anyone say this until this thread.

My bands DEMAND I play my AB over all my other basses. They speak with authority all the way down to low B. I use mine for Roots/Dub to amazing effect, but its slappable, pickable and all techniques you could wish to use. Even the passive AB-1 covers a wide range of tones, from a upper-mid fretless growl to a warm fat old school sound. The Series setting is a complete monster!
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Yeah, but parrallel is my favorite setting, the only one I use in my band. Dang, all this talk about DWs.... I'm gonna take mine to practice next time (it's been neglected for a while) and RE-fall in love with it again. :)
 
#56
Thumb NT can be tweaked differently with PUs and appropriate strings. I have several NTs and they sounds quite differently due to replaced PUs/electronics.
I didn't find more sound on many more expensive basses and still strongly believe Thumb NT does rock extremely well.
 
#57
I agree the thumb is an awesome bass. I love this bass in particular, but it's just not working in a band setting which is a shame, and I think i'm going off the 'thumb sound' just a little (I was initially after an SSII in the first place anyway).

If I can sell the thumb off real soon I may be looking at a Dingwall AB1, but i'll be trying out some sadowsky's/lakland/G&L etc before I make a decision at least. No offense meant to any Dingwall owners at all but unfortunantly a major turn off is their looks. They look like a Rondo bass to me, for whatever reason. And it seems an awful steep price for a bass that's made from cost cutting materials and designs (they even mention on their site the use of soft maple and the headstock design is to cut costs, yet they're an expensive bass still). I don't have a problem with making a bass easier/cheaper, but you'd think the price would go down as well =/. But i'm willing to give one a shot on sound and positive reviews.
 
#58
Oh, and just found some old recordings. These are my favourite recorded tone so far.

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No position is my clean, and lose my grip is dirty in verse/outro/bridge whatever and clean slap in chorus.

Basically, heading to this sort of sound, but more aggressive/growl and open sounding. This was using TE V8, Schroeder 410 and EB Sterling.

Actually makes me miss the Schroeder listening to these (haven't in a loonng time)! might have to get another =/
 
#59
popinfresh said:
I agree the thumb is an awesome bass. I love this bass in particular, but it's just not working in a band setting which is a shame, and I think i'm going off the 'thumb sound' just a little (I was initially after an SSII in the first place anyway).

If I can sell the thumb off real soon I may be looking at a Dingwall AB1, but i'll be trying out some sadowsky's/lakland/G&L etc before I make a decision at least. No offense meant to any Dingwall owners at all but unfortunantly a major turn off is their looks. They look like a Rondo bass to me, for whatever reason. And it seems an awful steep price for a bass that's made from cost cutting materials and designs (they even mention on their site the use of soft maple and the headstock design is to cut costs, yet they're an expensive bass still). I don't have a problem with making a bass easier/cheaper, but you'd think the price would go down as well =/. But i'm willing to give one a shot on sound and positive reviews.
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Not offended here. But you must understand that maple is a cheap wood, and just so happens to be one of the best, most often used woods in luthiery. I've owned many exotic wood basses, and the sound? Not as good as maple honestly IMO, for rock anyways. The headstock design you speak of is the brilliant recessed tuner design... the tuners are countersunk to give the proper string angle over the nut. Smart, functional, and saves the buyer a few bucks via cheaper construction costs, not thousands but a few. Also, all my current more expensive basses (Lakland, Dingwall, Rick, Fender, some vintage) have maple necks, not a coincidence. :)
 
#60
popinfresh said:
If I can sell the thumb off real soon I may be looking at a Dingwall AB1, but i'll be trying out some sadowsky's/lakland/G&L etc before I make a decision at least. No offense meant to any Dingwall owners at all but unfortunantly a major turn off is their looks.

They look like a Rondo bass to me, for whatever reason. And it seems an awful steep price for a bass that's made from cost cutting materials and designs (they even mention on their site the use of soft maple and the headstock design is to cut costs, yet they're an expensive bass still). I don't have a problem with making a bass easier/cheaper, but you'd think the price would go down as well =/. But i'm willing to give one a shot on sound and positive reviews.
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I own many high end basses (I state that for having an informed opinion) and though I love the Dingwall looks, I understand that taste over looks is totally SUBJECTIVE.

I am not Sheldon Dingwall but AFAIK, the AB I and AB II lines are Custom basses made in the same workshop as the higher models by the same strict criteria as the higher end models (owning 2 AB I's and 2 AB II's allows me to have informed opinion over the issue).

The difference lies with fewer features (no graphite bars in the neck, fewer curves on the body and some other different and/or simpler design features to cut cost). By no means they are the "Rondo" version of Dingwall basses (no offense here). The wood choices for the AB lines is by no means degrading to the quality of these instruments (looks and sound support that); and the headstock design may not be as complicated as in the higher models yet it is no run of the mill slab approach.

Value-for-money for such an instrument is great IMO and IME

And if you check the price of the Z1, Z2, Z3, Prima Artist and Super J4 and J5 basses, you will realize that the lower price of the AB lines reflects that. If you still think it is out of your budget, a little patience will reward you with the new budget line that Dingwall is finalizing (there is a relevant thread)

I apologize if I sound a bit harsh, but IMO the statements were a little degrading for such fine instruments, as well as uninformed (as to the related procedures and relevant costs)
 

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