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Dingwall bass
- Thread starter Cory rich40
- Start date
I had an NG-3 for a while and I personally think they are a bit overpriced for what they are.
At the time, the new price was 2800 for a 6 string and the second hand ones in mint condition moved for around 2200-2300. You get some stiff competition in that price range. I was not blown away by the overall quality of the NG-3 - although I had nothing to complain about either. But just from using and handling it, I would have guessed it is a bass that retails at around 2k.
In the end, I did not get comfortable on that particular neck and the sound was way too aggressive for my taste. A great bass for metal, but not really super versatile.
At the time, the new price was 2800 for a 6 string and the second hand ones in mint condition moved for around 2200-2300. You get some stiff competition in that price range. I was not blown away by the overall quality of the NG-3 - although I had nothing to complain about either. But just from using and handling it, I would have guessed it is a bass that retails at around 2k.
In the end, I did not get comfortable on that particular neck and the sound was way too aggressive for my taste. A great bass for metal, but not really super versatile.
Just based on the YouTube stuff I've seen the Dingwall Combustion sounds VERY aggressive soloed. That's not to say in a mix it wouldn't sound great though. Based on those videos I'm in no rush to go out and try/buy a fanned fret bass.
Chinese (or any of the other Far East production sites) production comes down to just how much money does a brand want to invest to have those instruments to a certain level of quality.
Past that, once you have a skilled/trained staff in place to reliably and dependably meet your QC and production/time targets, CAD/CAM and digitally controlled production machinery doesn't care what country it's in, and Capitalism will always seek the lowest production cost.
And that will always beat out politics and attitudes. And ultimately, you'll vote with your wallet.
Past that, once you have a skilled/trained staff in place to reliably and dependably meet your QC and production/time targets, CAD/CAM and digitally controlled production machinery doesn't care what country it's in, and Capitalism will always seek the lowest production cost.
And that will always beat out politics and attitudes. And ultimately, you'll vote with your wallet.
Well I’ve made my decision. I’m not trading anything. Will I just flat out buy one at a later time? Maybe.
I’ve only laid hands on one Dingwall. A new Chinese build , don’t remember the model. First thing I noticed was , I could feel the seam in the multi lam neck. I didn’t play it for very long after that. $2k+ shouldn’t have a QC issue like that. I’d like to try some others , but my initial impression was definitely a letdown.
I have the 31st Dingwall Combustion ever made. I like it so much that I sold an AB1 and kept the Combustion. There are always a few Combustions available on Reverb or on TB if you're patient. There are currently a handful for sale for under $2k but you can occasionally see them under $1800.
My experience if helpful:
1. MusicMan player 2013 to 2023
2. Bought a used “off shore build” Dingwall Combustion off Reverb. Received in 2 days, played at a show within 1 week. Ever since I got it, it's my #1 Bass! Quality is excellent: gorgeous finish, neck plays amazing, sounds fantastic, weighs 8.5 lbs. Purchase price $1,700. Mods: basic set up, remove pickguard, all black HipShot USA hardware, Canadian knobs, short active/passive switch, middle pickup added. Approx cost of mods including labor $1K?
3. I say, DO NOT SELL your MM basses!
4. Per the Dingwall tech (he answered the phone!) all offshore builds return to Canada factory for final setup.
5. Quality differential between custom builds (cost? $5K?) and the “Chinese” is nothing at all like the San Luis Obispo MM basses vs. Guitar Center versions ($600?) I would not even consider other than a SLO MM. I definitely will keep my MM basses.
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The combustion I just ordered will be the most expensive bass I own. Yeah, made in China combined with the previous sentence did not compute for me either.
Weirdly, I also have no expectation of it being one of my main players. This is purely a wish list novelty toy for me. I said "some day" the first time I discovered Dingwall, and here I am in a some day scenario.
Weirdly, I also have no expectation of it being one of my main players. This is purely a wish list novelty toy for me. I said "some day" the first time I discovered Dingwall, and here I am in a some day scenario.
Yeah, we quickly bash Indonesian made basses in general, but some good ones come from there. I would like a chance to try one of the Dingwalls.
I bought a used 12 pound Stingray for $1100. That Stingray played and sounded amazing - I thought I'd adjust to the weight, but I didn't. Less than a year later I traded it straight across for a used Dingwall R-Roc Standard. Best trade I ever made.
My used (off Reverb) “Chinese” Combustion became my #1 Bass immediately.
Absolutely LOVE MM! Stingray just too large for me…played SLO built Sterlings for 10 years, recorded with Bongo. Will always cherish my MM’s, but now playing Dingwall.
I meant more OP specifically. I've seen the general waffling back and forth. I think that the COO and price points just change the percentage chance what you pull out of the box is an absolute dog. A squire affinity? Decent chance you'll want to put it right back in the box but some are absolutely workable giggable instruments. An AmProII? More than likely it's at least fine if not pretty rad without too much TLC.
I was picky about it for a while, and I do mostly have American instruments just because I could afford it at the time and they were available, but I've had Japanese, Mexican, and American Fenders that were all great. Indonesian and American Custom G&L's that both were giggable (and were gigged) up till GAS struck for something else. I have never gotten to have a Music Man or a Spector, and if I had them local enough to where I could go futz about with them like OP can with Dingwalls I wouldn't let the country of origin prevent me from seeing what all the hypes about.
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lol My first bass was a Fender Squier Jazz-- I keep it for sentimental reasons...it served me well for 3 years of gigs!
I agree that the higher the cost the less chances are you will end up with a dud regardless of country of origin. The most criticisms I’ve seen though are the whole fender USA vs Fender Mexico battle. A lot of folks claim that Squire has better quality instruments than Fender Mexico. Well, Fender’s top of the line bass amps are out of Mexico and they are awesome. I think most of Fender’s guitar amps are out of Mexico too. However my worse experience so far was a $1400 Ibanez Ashula. The batteries were dead on arrival. After that the batteries only lasted a week and that was without being plugged in. I returned it and never bothered with Ibanez again. That partially influenced my decision with the Korean Spector. I know the same thing could happen with music man basses but I’ve owned 3 so far and never had one problem
I have all of them. I own a Dingwall NG2 that I changed the pre amp to aquilar. I do love the low b because I can use a thinner string and it sounds great. I bought and then sold a Bongo. Sounded great but just didn't connect with it. I own 2 Stingray classic 4's, a fretless Stingray 4, a fretless Stingray special 4, and a Stingray classic 5. Personally I think the Stingray classics or special sound better than the Dingwall (with either preamp) I think the Dingwall might be next, then the standard Stingray 3 band. I would suggest making the drive WITHOUT taking your basses with you. Try the Dingwall. Then you can't impulse buy and do something you might regret. If you really want it the next day or later then drive back. FWIW I would just sell one (if you decide you want to make the switch) and not trade as you won't get as much in trade.
imo you can get close-ish to the Stingray (especially a special) tone with a Dingwall, but not the Bongo
I had an NG3 and D-Roc and now have a Z3 (best guitar or bass I've ever played), and also own a Bongo + used to have a Stingray... If you end up trading one, keep the Bongo imo
I had an NG3 and D-Roc and now have a Z3 (best guitar or bass I've ever played), and also own a Bongo + used to have a Stingray... If you end up trading one, keep the Bongo imo
