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Check out my new Dingwall Bass! (pics)

#41
Jazzdogg said:
I've been craving a Dingwall five-string for quite a while, but no matter how much I drool at the thought of owning one of these fanned-fret beauties, the distracting appearance of the end of the neck is a real turn-off for me; I'd much rather see it finished to match the body. To me, this seemingly minor foible is akin to an otherwise gorgeous woman with bad teeth - it's a deal breaker.

Other than that, nice axe!
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Well, to each his own.

I don't know about the "bad teeth" analogy though. That would imply that there is a flaw in the construction of the head stock, but you merely don't like the look of it. A better analogy would be a gorgeous woman wearing an ugly outfit or hat. Of course, 'ugly' and 'gorgeous' are in the eye of the beholder.
 
#42
Jazzdogg said:
I've been craving a Dingwall five-string for quite a while, but no matter how much I drool at the thought of owning one of these fanned-fret beauties, the distracting appearance of the end of the neck is a real turn-off for me; I'd much rather see it finished to match the body. To me, this seemingly minor foible is akin to an otherwise gorgeous woman with bad teeth - it's a deal breaker.

Other than that, nice axe!
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Have you actually played a Dingwall? Is this really such a big deal?
 
#43
I own some very top of the range Primas and Zs as well as some really one-off AB I's and AB II's, and I do not see a lack of beauty in the AB line.

I've seen many boutique basses sharing the same feature with the neck wood showing to the neck side of the neck pikup (at a price point that is much higher than the AB II) but calling it "bad teeth" is maybe the wrong analogy.

I would not call this AB I ugly, by any means, as well as this AB II

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#44
the blue ab-1 is gorgeous. the flame is tremendous... something we've all come to expect from sheldon dingwall. let's pretend the picture of the the ab-1 was a painting. is there something in that piece of art that makes you think the painting isn't done yet? perhaps that flash of bright wood right in the middle...?

sheldon makes amazing instruments. the ab-1 just looks unfinished. this of course takes nothing away from the fact that the ab-1 itself is a fantastic sounding, playing and for the most part, looking bass.
 
#45
I understand that carrying out the same finish at the end of the neck would improve aesthetics, BUT the cost would increase by an unfavorable amount, with no effect on tone while increasing the costs and complicating manufacturing procedures. If such a procedure were to take place, then the AB would not be as affordable as it is now.


The above statement regarding the the null effect of the appearance of that spot over the tone, holds true; unless you are a member of the Secret Brotherhood of Bass Tone Connoisseurs (SBBTC), sworn to eternal secrecy :ninja:, thus knowing that the basses that have finish in that specific spot have a better and extended frequency response, let alone better dynamics:p
 
#47
and for the record, i was speaking of AB-1s in general. the lovely example that the original poster is lucky enough to own looks fabulous with that walnut neck next to the green quilt...

i for one would be giddy if a nice walnut top that matched that neck was an option that was on the table for the AB-1. something about those brown basses...
 
#48
chunkstyle said:
and for the record, i was speaking of AB-1s in general. the lovely example that the original poster is lucky enough to own looks fabulous with that walnut neck next to the green quilt...

i for one would be giddy if a nice walnut top that matched that neck was an option that was on the table for the AB-1. something about those brown basses...
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Yeah, you might only be able to get that combination with a Prima or Z model. Expensive, but I'm sure it would be a kick ass bass.
 
#52
I received the green-burst LE Afterburner II today from UPS! At first, I was really worried because the box had a large hole in the side and had looked punctured. (I guess UPS doesn't know what all those stickers that say "Fragile" on them mean.) But, I looked the bass over from top to bottom and don't seem to find any damage to the guitar or gig bag. It looks REALLY beautiful! Great work Sheldon! I've only had about 10 min. of playing time with it plugged in and I'm really happy with the initial sound of the bass. The electronics are so versatile and I can't wait to play with them some more. The fanned frets don't seem like they will be a problem to get used to, at all. I might make some tweaks to the set up for my own personal tastes. Can't wait to put some serious time in on the bass and really take it through its paces.

Thanks to Gary from GuitarX and Sheldon again! Great work!
 
#53
Congratulations Rich, I am suppose to get my ABII this coming Monday. I just love that feeling of expectation right before some brand new toy shows up. I also know the absolute feeling of dread getting a UPS delivery that looks like they tied it to the back of the truck instead of putting it on the truck. Glad everything worked out okay. You'll be amazed that the more you play a Dingwall the more the bass will respond to your playing technique. Give it a bit of time and that puppy will make sounds no other bass can. The fanned frets are a non issue and require no getting use to and after a bit actually seem more natural to playing then normal frets. Congratulations again, and enjoy the heck out of it. JP
 
#54
JOEP054 said:
Congratulations Rich, I am suppose to get my ABII this coming Monday. I just love that feeling of expectation right before some brand new toy shows up. I also know the absolute feeling of dread getting a UPS delivery that looks like they tied it to the back of the truck instead of putting it on the truck. Glad everything worked out okay. You'll be amazed that the more you play a Dingwall the more the bass will respond to your playing technique. Give it a bit of time and that puppy will make sounds no other bass can. The fanned frets are a non issue and require no getting use to and after a bit actually seem more natural to playing then normal frets. Congratulations again, and enjoy the heck out of it. JP
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You can get a small taste of what a Dingwall B string sounds and plays like by tuning your current 34" 5 string's B up to D. :bassist:
 

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