Dingwall Combustion 5 (3 pickups) vs Spector Dimension HP 5

[bears]

Hi guys!

I've recently been exploring the world of 37-inch multiscale basses, and two primary options have caught my eye. This is the Dingwall Combustion 5 and the Spector Dimension HP 5. Both of these basses seem to be about what I want in a multiscale 5-string. They have tight-sounding low Bs, versatile pickups/preamps, and seemingly great build quality. The Dingwall has more options with the preamp bypass and 4-way pickup switch, but I'm not sure how this translates when it comes to real-world versatility vs the Spector. I'm the type of person who prefers to have a single bass that can do it all in combination with my Helix LT, so versatility is quite important for me. In either case, I would probably try to obtain one used if possible.

My first 34-37 inch bass has been the GOC Illumina 37.5, which, while it sounds great after a pickup swap, I'm really not a fan of the dual pickup positions. I think the variety of tones I was able to get on my Ibanez EHB1006MS was more impressive to me. This is why I was hoping to try a different 34-37-inch model from another brand to see how it compares.

So, I was wondering if anyone here has tried both of these basses and can offer a comparison between them. Or if you have just tried one, your general thoughts on the instrument. I wasn't able to find too much information regarding the Spector Dimension HP 5 with the EMGs in particular, so any firsthand experience with the bass would be great.

Thank you!

 

[Chris Chong]

If you like using blend knob to get your tone, a 4 way pickup selector feels limited. And if you don’t like 1 of the position, you are down to 3.

 

[c3powil]

I have the non-hp Spector Dimension. I like the Fishman system. It is plenty versatile, but not probably not as versatile as the Dingwall. If you want one bass to do it ALL then a combustion sounds like the move.

 

[dazmond]

If you go with the Dingwall, you can get 6 way pickup selector switch, or 4 way d-roc switch which is set up slightly different than the combustions. I like the looks of the Spector more, but they hang further away from your body making the reach a bit further. You could also add a third pickup or pickup slot to your existing bass as well as a selector switch.

 

[DangaDanga]

I have a GOC 37, Dingwall NG3, and a legator 37 scale with fishmans. I havent played the spectors but know the regular NS dimensions have fishmans. Personally they are my favorite electronic system and I get a lot more usable tones that cut through with it. The dingwall has the best neck and is also super versatile. I like the neck/bridge parallel most and middle/bridge series second on it. With a 6-way switch added there I tend to use those two positions the most when jamming with a band.

I'd say for advice comparisons if you can't play them then it's really hard to go wrong with a dingwall and if you want more fun can always add a 6-way switch. I can't speak on the spector but I recommend the fishman setup. Lastly I put 3 pickups along with a darkglass in my GOC and love it. If you like how it plays then that could be a consideration if you know someone who can do mod work.

 

[silky smoove]

I’ve never owned a Spector, but got to play an HP 5 a while back. I own a Dingwall SJ4 and have an SJ5 on order. I’ve also played a fair few Combustion/NG basses.

With that said, my impression of the Spector was that it was any other Spector bass just stretched out to a longer scale and then fanned. By comparison, all of Dingwall’s basses feel like they’re designed around the multiscale concept. The Spector I played wanted to neck dive a bit, and had this “tacked on multiscale” feel to me. In fairness, I’m not a big fan of the Spector ergonomics at all, and in particular the short upper horn doesn’t work well for me, so my impression of the HP 5 may have been biased.

 

[Sid the Kid]

The Dingwall (with the neck and bridge pickups in parallel) has a similar bright and aggressive tone to your Ibanez. The Spector is definitely more of the dual soap bar sound despite the scale length. My Dingwalls all sound like the online demos, minus the Darkglass, where the Spectors were a more generic tone.

I had a Spector 4 HP4 and one of the OG Haunted Moss Dimension 4 strings and I did not care for either of them. The Combustion has a more organic and useful tone in addition to being more ergonomically playable and lightweight.

 

[WorbyBass]

I'm the type of person who prefers to have a single bass that can do it all in combination with my Helix LT, so versatility is quite important for me. In either case, I would probably try to obtain one used if possible.

Dingwall! There is a good reason why you see these in EVERY genre. You hear about metal the most, but that is nowhere near what they can all do. I can use my 6 string in my avatar in a Sunday morning church service AND in a metal gig AND in an R&B gig AND whatever else.

One thing that OFTEN gets overlooked is how those small frets play a BIG part in the overall tone. First I find that it is a little more woody sounding. Also, the width in your hands is a little less because the strings are a little closer to the actual fretboard. It feels faster to play because there is less fret material in the way.

When I got my first Dingwall (the 6 string) I was blown away. I sounded so much better right away. I could also PLAY better right out of the gate. Double thumbing was nowhere near as hard as before on my Ibanez 6 string basses. The volume balance between different techniques is so much better. I can go from slap to fingerstyle to 2 hand tapping to a pick and it levels out very well. This is all going through the same setup I used for my Ibanez basses. Needless to say, the Ibanez got sold in a year and now I own 3 Dingwall's ... well I'll get that back down to 2 at some point.

 

[AccursedBass]

I’ve owned both. Currently own the Spector. The Dingwall is a nicer bass IMO.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Yet to play the Dingwall, but I have two Spector Dimension HP five strings. The DC/DC + DTC is a somewhat love it or hate it configuration and I ended up putting a LHZ in both with a P/DC in one and PX/DCX in the other. DCX/DCX + LHZ is also a really nice, flexible combo. Also swapped out stock tuners for Gotohs and did some “last percent” nut adjustment and am really happy with where they ended up.

IMO they’re now arguably the best 37” multiscale you can get without stepping up towards custom / boutique money, especially if you like the NS-2 / NS5 sound.

While I’d love to try a Dingwall, I’ve got two really flexible instruments (and EMGs are an easy swap) and I appreciate the egos and narrower string spacing on the Spectors.

 

[Lolingman]

I own a Dingwall JT 5, owned a NG3 but moved from it because I leaned more to the Rupert Neve pre. Played a Dimension in store and found it pretty uncomfortable for me. I think Dingwalls just sit and play so effortlessly that it would be tough to switch to any other multi scale. I’d love to try the Charvel multi if they ever release it.