Dingwall Combustion NG2

[EMoneySC2]

In short, Dingwall is selling all it makes.

Very true. On the Dingwall forums Sheldon has said that he's selling 6 times as many NG-2 and Combustion V4s than he anticipated. Sheldon also mentioned that he has doubled the size and frequency of the NG-2 and Combustion V4 orders, so it is at least better than it could have been.

 

[John Dupont]

I've had my Dingwall for a couple months now....it is by far the best bass I've EVER played. AND I can get any tone I want.

 

[Thumper]

Jon, I have that same PUP configuration coming in a SP5XXX, passive but with the 3 series/parallel switches. Love the looks of your ABI(?). Have you done a review?

Doc, I would recommend you consider a SJ5, but they are expensive and as rare as hens teeth. I knew I'd have a looong wait for a used one, and current builds are 8-9 months.

And as previously mentioned, TI flats on these sound fantastic, plus the feel is almost fretless like, in fact, I'm now planning to sell my fretless.

 

[nervous]

This is a key reason why I went for my standard combustion in swamp ash and transparent white. Plus I wasn't fond of the grungy tone the ng2 demo vids had at the time. I am more of a traditional bassist and the standard seemed a better fit.

So tell me, between the NG and the standard is there that big a tonal difference? How would the differences be described? I hear "aggressive" used in conjunction with the NG but sometimes that's a matter of gain, style, amplification, etc. sometimes modern can be used as aggressive.

 

[Volunteerk9]

Whew! I don't think I could subject myself to those awful colors..

The Ferrari red is sexy.

 

[Tim1]

So tell me, between the NG and the standard is there that big a tonal difference? How would the differences be described? I hear "aggressive" used in conjunction with the NG but sometimes that's a matter of gain, style, amplification, etc. sometimes modern can be used as aggressive.

I have never tried an ng2 so sadly cannot comment. But I was instantly struck by how natural sounding the standard is, the active emg preamp provides a nice variety of tonal range but it is not artificial or harsh sounding like I remember emg from years ago. Especially it does not have the glassy highs of old. Fits great in a mix and I do feel this was the best option for me with playing mainly blues/rock/soul. I really could not be more pleased with it, I am not usually a great fan of active basses but this one is voiced so well you would swear it is passive with no artificial boost. I normally use the series option so could be tempted to try moving the pickups to the ng2 position. I had thought I would swap between one or the other more as in a jazz but this has not been the case.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Here's a guy getting funky.

 

[Altitude]

I love the way pickups sound in the sweet spot. Hard to say whether that's where they are on that bass with the tailpieces all over like they are, but I think I like it.

 

[NOLA Bass]

The super neat thing, IMO anyway, is that the Combustion V4 and NG2 are routed the same. So, if you pickup a vanilla Combustion V4, you can move the pickups to be in the same position as the NG2 (and vice versa, you can move an NG2 to the Combustion position). This is really cool, as it adds more variety... like the NG2 pickup position but the Combustion preamp? Buy a Combustion and move the pickups.

The only caveat is that you'd need a new pickguard.

So, I am a 4 string player, but use a 35" scale 4 string as my band tunes CFBbEb. I am really intrigued by the fanned frets and what I'm hearing in the clips of the NG-2. My main issue is I don't normally play a 5 string. I'm not sure I want to drop a low B all the way to a low F and when I'd ever use that (who knows maybe I would), but not really yearning for a high string either. I'd love a 4 string version and hear a Combustion 4 is coming out at NAMM. Maybe that with a Darkglass installed would get the Combustion 4 string very close in range to the NG-2.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Played mine in my church gig this morning. I used mostly the number 4 setting (closest to neck only), which is the most subtle, and this beast is certainly not shy in a mix! And that 18 volt preamp really does things when you turn those knobs. It is actually very flexible and controllable. But just wants to punch through. If you like feeling like you're being kicked in the chest with each attack, this one is easy to get that from.

 

[Selta]

So, I am a 4 string player, but use a 35" scale 4 string as my band tunes CFBbEb. I am really intrigued by the fanned frets and what I'm hearing in the clips of the NG-2. My main issue is I don't normally play a 5 string. I'm not sure I want to drop a low B all the way to a low F and when I'd ever use that (who knows maybe I would), but not really yearning for a high string either. I'd love a 4 string version and hear a Combustion 4 is coming out at NAMM. Maybe that with a Darkglass installed would get the Combustion 4 string very close in range to the NG-2.

I *think* there may be a 4 string NG2 as well.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I personally think the regular Combustion is more versatile and maybe worth a look for the OP. They definitely look pretty sweet :

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[nervous]

 

[Snakeman1066]

these videos are NOT helping my gas any....but I just ordered a Lakland so i'm sure the ol' lady would kick my butt if I tried to get one of these any time soon!!!!

But absolutely on my GAS list!!!!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I personally think the regular Combustion is more versatile and maybe worth a look for the OP. They definitely look pretty sweet :

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I may have to try one again because the time I played one at Bass Central, I thought it was nice, but it did not make a big impression on me.

 

[nervous]

The super neat thing, IMO anyway, is that the Combustion V4 and NG2 are routed the same. So, if you pickup a vanilla Combustion V4, you can move the pickups to be in the same position as the NG2 (and vice versa, you can move an NG2 to the Combustion position). This is really cool, as it adds more variety... like the NG2 pickup position but the Combustion preamp? Buy a Combustion and move the pickups.

The only caveat is that you'd need a new pickguard.

Does Dingwall sell Combustion pickguards separately?

 

[Tim1]

I may have to try one again because the time I played one at Bass Central, I thought it was nice, but it did not make a big impression on me.

The new v4 Combustions have the improved neck profile as do the ng2s. Might be that you tried an earlier version.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

When I played a Dingwall, I did not know the coils had all of these options. Overall, the tone is very active and aggressive. EMG definitely left its mark.

 

[Selta]

Does Dingwall sell Combustion pickguards separately?

Yup. I don't know the cost off the top of my head, but I've asked in the past and Sheldon said they do.

 

[Tim1]

When I played a Dingwall, I did not know the coils had all of these options. Overall, the tone is very active and aggressive. EMG definitely left its mark.

An interesting observation. My experience of the emg active circuitry in the combustion has been quite the opposite. I find it to be very natural and non agressive. As I said, Sheldon said that it was developed in conjunction with Bobby Vega and it seems very different to my memory of other emg designs.