Bongo vs Dingwall

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I e had both and they are both solid basses, I don’t own either anymore but I will say the Dingwall has some interesting stuff to can do it to expand the tone even further, like an expanded pickup selector switch and you can also change the front pickup out for a split coil for a p bass addition.
From a craftsmanship standpoint they are both pretty great, i felt like i liked the DG tone capsule more than the 4 band on the Bongo but the general tone of both sets of pickups were great, the Bongo is very modern and the Dingwall had a surprising sweep to go from vintage ti modern.
They both play great, the fanned frets don’t take really anytime to get used to and it’s very comfortable. The bongo shape is weird looking at it but as soon as you wear it, it makes a lot of sense, it’s very, very comfortable.
I guess what I’m trying to say is you can’t really go wrong, I think the Dingwall has the edge for being more versatile though.

 

[Jazzdogg]

OP: Are there no basses made in Europe at a similar price point that you could try before you buy?

FWIW, I've been able to get tones from a Lakland 55-02 that are in the ballpark. I wonder which other "modern" sounding basses might be contenders, especially if they aren't endemic to North America.

 

[rockear]

OP: Are there no basses made in Europe at a similar price point that you could try before you buy?

Mayones is in Poland yeah? Maybe OP could find an Ori Enji to try, even though it sounds like it's over their budget. Or at least one of the Harley Benton multi scales, just to make sure they don't hate that aspect

 

[lowendrachel]

If it was my decision. I'd go with Bongo. I never liked the Chinese Dingwalls.

 

[WorbyBass]

Dingwall by a LONGSHOT! Especially to nail that stingray sound on STEROIDS!

"Made in the USA" means nothing to me anymore. I have seen some USA made that is crap and WAY overpriced. Don't get me wrong, a lot of great made in USA basses out there. But so are MANY others!! I've been in the Canadian factory twice, amazing bunch of guys there. ALL these guys love what they do.

It's all about how much is the builder willing to pay, you get what you pay for. Sheldon Dingwall went out HIMSELF to vet the factories. The woods he wants for HIS basses are shipped to the factory. That included Canadian maple for the necks, which are KILLER!! My 6 string Combustion arrived in -30C and it was IN TUNE! Sheldon even bought cryogenic gear to test finishes at low temperatures that could be faced in an airplane. The guy thinks of everything!!

Dingwall's final fret work and QC is done in Canada

Now lets get to the player experience. For that Stingray tone, Bridge and middle pickup in series is KILLER!! Without any distortion it is nice and meaty. Grab a pick or use double thumb technique and it is pretty in your face but with a lot of OOOOMPH!! Hit some distortion and you are next level in tone. The playability can not be overstated. I became a better player over night. The string to string balance is so much better. The volume levels between different techniques is better. With my Ibanez 6 string I found big swings between fingerstyle, pick, slap and tapping. With the Dingwall I do it all without heavy compression... or no compression at all!

Drop A? No problem! I do that every week with standard strings. Got down to F#... NO PROBLEM!! Although you will need new strings. You are not nicely going down below A without getting into mud city even on 35". Yes it can be done... but it can not compare to 37" tone.

The bass is more in-tune with itself. That really surprised me. I sometimes do some 4 note jazz style chords. They sounded like garbage on my Ibanez SR multi scale. But on the Dingwall they sound amazing. A little tone adjustment and I have jazz guitar tones!

MORE on Quality Control: The EMG preamp in my combustion 6 died about 9 months in, that's rare. I was heading to Saskatoon so I asked if I could drop the bass off. I expected someone to take it at the door and then mail it back to me at my charge. NOPE! Tyler took me to the back, cleared his bench and started fixing it right there. Then he said he would look the whole bass over since I was already there. WOW!! Do some research and you will find their support is next level. If I want a schematic, they email it to me. setup questions, maintenance questions... whatever! You get a reply in a few days, sometimes next day. I just bought a 13 year old Canadian made. I sent them the serial number to get more info, next day the had it all for me as well as advice on some matters. So cool!

 

[singlemalt]

I’d go Dingwall all day. And don’t discount the imports, Dingwall brings their A game to both imports and Canadian builds.

Being in Europe seems to really limit your purchase options. I’d keep my powder dry and hunt the used market. It might take a while, but it could be worth the wait.

You could always put up a few “ wanted” ads.

When I wanted to try the Dbird, I just asked around in the Dingwall owners threads, and had one in hand a week later.

Good hunting!

 

[newwavefrank]

My experience, FWIW:
I have 6 Stingrays currently. 1 5 string, the rest are 4's. two of those are fretless. They would be my number one's had I not acquired a couple of Kubicki Ex-Factor's. I bought a Bongo a few years ago thinking that if I liked Stingrays I would like the Bongo. That ended up being one of the few basses I have sold. I kept it less than 6 months. I can't even tell you why, but I just didn't connect with it. I also added a Dingwall NG2 a few years ago. If I were still playing 5's that would be my main bass. I adaplted in minutes to the fanned fret. I also like that I can use a 118 B string and it feels tight and matches the other strings. I did change out the pre amp. I was not a fan of the Darkglass

 

[Element Zero]

My experience, FWIW:
I have 6 Stingrays currently. 1 5 string, the rest are 4's. two of those are fretless. They would be my number one's had I not acquired a couple of Kubicki Ex-Factor's. I bought a Bongo a few years ago thinking that if I liked Stingrays I would like the Bongo. That ended up being one of the few basses I have sold. I kept it less than 6 months. I can't even tell you why, but I just didn't connect with it. I also added a Dingwall NG2 a few years ago. If I were still playing 5's that would be my main bass. I adaplted in minutes to the fanned fret. I also like that I can use a 118 B string and it feels tight and matches the other strings. I did change out the pre amp. I was not a fan of the Darkglass

A .118 B?!?!?!? What manufacturer?

 

[newwavefrank]

A .118 B?!?!?!? What manufacturer?

I honestly can't remember...it was a custom set from Kalium maybe? Point is you don't need a big floppy string when it's a 37" scale length

 

[Element Zero]

I honestly can't remember...it was a custom set from Kalium maybe? Point is you don't need a big floppy string when it's a 37" scale length

Oh I’m aware. Didn’t know anyone besides them was making a B that small

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have Stingray Special that I am very content with But I have a Gut feeling about the the Dingwall JT Signature with Neve pre

 

[_Obra_]

Nobody can really help you with the advice if you don't have the opportunity to try them.
The only truth is that you have a 50% chance of getting the one you like.

 

[Topkat13]

I think you’re dropping a lot of bread on a bass you haven’t played.

 

[cataract]

My Bongo 4HH is one of the finest instruments I’ve ever played. I still can’t believe how great it feels and sounds. It’s a BEAST and I love it.

 

[sawzalot]

I’ve owned both. I’m a MusicMan fan but I sold the bongo and still own the Dingwall. (And several other music man’s). The bongo headstock makes that bass REALLY long. String spacing is tighter. It definitely does have a unique sound. The Dingwall works in any situation, isn’t too big despite the 37” scale, the string spacing is just right, the neck never needs adjustment. You’ll probably be happy with either, but that headstock on the bongo is definitely a thing to be aware of, it’s longer than you think.

 

[Yahboy]

Bongo 5H or 5HH ?
The B string on 5HH sound toooooo thunderous than the rest when Solo neck pickup and blend pickups.

 

[JustFunk]

The only Bongo I would consider is the HH, near the Dingwall NG3 or the JT (looks nice! And interesting preamp data). All 5 strings.

 

[Cory rich40]

What does the darkglass tone capsule do exactly than remove the treble? I have the JT signature and wonder about the tonal differences. Does the tone capsule work better with an 18v preamp? If a Bongo had a preamp that died, it could be an interesting modification, but I would try it on a sterling bongo way before I would consider it on the real deal.

 

[JustFunk]

Bongo 5H or 5HH ?
The B string on 5HH sound toooooo thunderous than the rest when Solo neck pickup and blend pickups.

Actually, my B string is a .120. It would be floppy and boomy for most, but I can play with it without it to be boomy. It’s all about control. I guess that by changing it with a, saying, .135, it would be much better (didn’t try it still). If the Bongo B was really unplayable, I guess that the Bongo couldn’t receive the praise it received.

 

[_Obra_]

... A Bongo may be a musicman product, but having owned one in the past. While it was an incredibly well-made bass, it really sounded very different from a Stingray IMO.
...

I completely agree that Bongo sounds very different from Stingray. It's a mistake to assume that they sound the same or similar just because they were made by the same company. If you want a Stingray-like sound, you will be very disappointed with HH Bongo.
Bongo is a great bass and I love its design, but soundvise, I would look for an older one with one H on the ''sweet spot''.