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Changing out Dingwall electronics - From Glock to ?

echo008

echo008

Supporting Member
Jan 30, 2004
2,612
2,036
Long Island, NY
#1
Hi...
Im thinking hard about replacing the preamp in my Dingwall. It currently has a 2 band Glockenklang and currently Im just not feeling it, maybe it has something to do with not having a more traditional blend to allow me to adjust neck to bridge tone, there is a pickup selector switch.
But even still Im finding the tone a bit too "HiFi" for my tastes. Dont get me wrong the bass sounds incredible and works in a mix very, very well. I was just looking for opinions from anyone who has changed out there Dingwall electronics?

Im finding I am using my Sadowsky outboard with the bass and its sounding better.... Any suggestions on "old school" sounding pre's?

On my Dingwall:
Vol
Pickup selector
Bass (+/- 14db @ 40 Hz)
Treble (+/- 18db @ 18 khz)

thanks
-Tom
 
#2
I had a Dingwall AB-II and was tempted to swap the electronics before I sold it, for the same reasons you mention. For what you're looking for, I'd consider a John East U-Retro Deluxe pre with passive tone control - easy drop in, and a wide range of tones, all usable. I have the U-Retro or J-Retro in a couple of other basses, and the passive tone control combined with the very musical EQ is the bomb for getting an old school sound. Plus, you can get the modern hi-fi thing too and everything in between.
 
#3
Thanks....
I guess it would need to be a drop in replacement Im not going to drill new holes or anything. The J retro looks nice but I dont see a 4 knob version without switches....

I was thinking about leaving it passive but without the "Blend" Im still not getting what I want, the bass is not meant to be something it isint, but I do dig the sound I just want more versatility between pickups. That and maybe nickel strings :)
please keep suggestions coming.
- Tom
 
#4
Dingwalls do have a sonic identity of their own and that identity provides ample and clear bass (not boomy but big and well defined bass), clean mids (with a nice upper mid presence), and nice highs (not thin but balanced).

The pickups play a major role in the projection of this tone. I'll only talk about the current lines of Dingwall pickups.

The FD-3's and the Mach II (normal of 4L) allow for the "Classic" Dingwall tone within the "normal" variations

The Super Fatties are more mid-oriented and that allows for tones closer to the classic ones (with the trademark Dingwall definition of lows and balanced highs)

Preamps offer the seasoning on the tone provided by the pickups (not the "meat and potatoes" part of the tone)

Glock preamp is a great preamp and complements the Dingwall pickups

May I ask, what sort of tone are you after? I suppose you own an AB II
 
#5
fullrangebass said:
Dingwalls do have a sonic identity of their own and that identity provides ample and clear bass (not boomy but big and well defined bass), clean mids (with a nice upper mid presence), and nice highs (not thin but balanced).

The pickups play a major role in the projection of this tone. I'll only talk about the current lines of Dingwall pickups.

The FD-3's and the Mach II (normal of 4L) allow for the "Classic" Dingwall tone within the "normal" variations

The Super Fatties are more mid-oriented and that allows for tones closer to the classic ones (with the trademark Dingwall definition of lows and balanced highs)

Preamps offer the seasoning on the tone provided by the pickups (not the "meat and potatoes" part of the tone)

Glock preamp is a great preamp and complements the Dingwall pickups

May I ask, what sort of tone are you after? I suppose you own an AB II
Click to expand...

Hello my bass has FD3's and tone chambers... I like the tone alot but I find myself messing with the EQ too much during rehearsals and gigs. I am after more of a Bridge J tone (fingerstyle)... I dont expect the Dingwall to get a fender sound but I like to be able to dial back and forth between PuPs to favor the bridge.

I think even if I changed Pickups I would still be looking for that functionality, and again I like the way the bass sounds but I want more of a deep "old school" fingerstyle type of tone.

- Tom
 

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