Dingwall -- (ignorant) What's The Big Deal?

[MochaFiend]

I see these basses more and more often. Are they just the most recent hot commodity that everyone feels they must have?

The MSRP for made in China seems rather high. These are boutique prices.

This week I saw Adam Neely playing an Afterburner instead of his NG, and he already has a completely bespoke Keisel fan fretted 5.

So what is it about the Dingwall that's making them so valuable? I've watched plenty of reviews and it sounds like a bass. Nothing special to my ears.

Unfortunately there isn't a dealer near me so I can't play one for myself without ordering and returning, so I'm hoping perhaps someone can fill in the blanks with some facts, not just fan hype. Thanks!

 

[4SG]

MochaFiend, I had the same thoughts until I wandered into a shop in Amsterdam that had several available to test drive. I found that the fanned frets take some getting used to. That said, the ergonomics, the weight, the balance, the finish, and the electronics were spectacular. If fanned frets are your thing, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better made stock instrument.

 

[MochaFiend]

MochaFiend, I had the same thoughts until I wandered into a shop in Amsterdam that had several available to test drive. I found that the fanned frets take some getting used to. That said, the ergonomics, the weight, the balance, the finish, and the electronics were spectacular. If fanned frets are your thing, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better made stock instrument.

So, presently I have two fan-fretted basses from Strandberg because my fan-fretted guitars were also Strandberg so that was an easy choice for me. That said, I think the Strandberg basses are incredibly lightweight and sound like crap. I play them because they're comfortable and fun, but they're not winning any awards on sonic profile. Part of the reason I'm asking is because if I can get that same comfort, light weight, and fanned frets in a bass that is actually great, that would be worth noticing. But the price is just... wow.

 

[ardgedee]

Are they just the most recent hot commodity that everyone feels they must have?

Dingwall's been making multiscale basses for a few decades, I wouldn't call them a recent thing.

 

[MochaFiend]

Dingwall's been making multiscale basses for a few decades, I wouldn't call them a recent thing.

Yes, but I'm referring to the (perceived) explosion in popularity, not the existence of a brand. Clearly, Nolly made a lot of waves for them, but I have to believe it's more than just the contribution of one bassist.

 

[silky smoove]

The MSRP for made in China seems rather high. These are boutique prices.

Only some of their basses are manufactured in China and finished in Canada. The bulk of their models are done entirely in-house in Canada, though by volume they do more MIC instruments given the current 2-3 year wait time on a custom shop build. They are all certainly boutique basses. You could argue that the MIC models are not, but the custom shop (i.e. Canadian-built) are certainly boutique.

This week I saw Adam Neely playing an Afterburner instead of his NG, and he already has a completely bespoke Keisel fan fretted 5.

He's had that Afterburner for years. Much longer than his Keisel.

Yes, but I'm referring to the (perceived) explosion in popularity, not the existence of a brand. Clearly, Nolly made a lot of waves for them, but I have to believe it's more than just the contribution of one bassist.

They've had a few high-profile endorsers such as Lee Sklar and John Taylor, but in general they've been popular for a very long time.

 

[MochaFiend]

Only some of their basses are manufactured in China and finished in Canada. The bulk of their models are done entirely in-house in Canada, though by volume they do more MIC instruments given the current 2-3 year wait time on a custom shop build. They are all certainly boutique basses. You could argue that the MIC models are not, but the custom shop (i.e. Canadian-built) are certainly boutique.

Right. The "ready to play" line. Which start at $3K-ish and go up. Even the John Taylor is MIC.

He's had that Afterburner for years. Much longer than his Keisel.

That was exactly my point. He played his Keisel for a bit, now it's in the closet and he's playing a Dingwall. So what's the Dingwall doing that the Keisel isn't?

 

[Docduval]

Right. The "ready to play" line. Which start at $3K-ish and go up. Even the John Taylor is MIC.

That was exactly my point. He played his Keisel for a bit, now it's in the closet and he's playing a Dingwall. So what's the Dingwall doing that the Keisel isn't?

Dingeall is probably paying him or gave him the bass for free. Not unheard of in the pro music world.

 

[Nebadon2000]

So what's the Dingwall doing that the Keisel isn't?

Selling Need to ask him

Not long ago Dingwalls MIC were selling 2K to 2500 but like all products recently have heavy increases

Boutique Basses start around 6K many now in 9/10K range and up

 

[silky smoove]

That was exactly my point. He played his Keisel for a bit, now it's in the closet and he's playing a Dingwall. So what's the Dingwall doing that the Keisel isn't?

Maybe he just likes it more. I wouldn’t overthink it.

Dingeall is probably paying him or gave him the bass for free.

He mentioned in an earlier video that he bought the bass used years ago.

 

[silky smoove]

Boutique Basses start around 6K many now in 9/10K range and up

Quite right. My Dingwall SJ4 and SJ5 were both around $6,000. Dingwall Prima and some Z models are into five digit territory. A $2-3,000 production bass feels about right given the rest of their line, and since they’re selling at that price point the market has decided that they’re worth it.

 

[pb9717]

10K is a car to me. That said, chinese instruments are now being produced at extremely high Quality levels. MTD, Eastman amongst others.

Enough so to warrant $3K asking ( and getting ) pricing. Congrats Sheldon.

 

[scuzzy]

Sadly, $3k is no where near boo-teak anymore. Double that number will get you closer.

 

[ardgedee]

Dingeall is probably paying him or gave him the bass for free. Not unheard of in the pro music world.

Extremely unlikely Dingwall is paying him (they're not Fender-wealthy, Duran Duran is not Taylor Swift-scale huge), although I can believe he might've gotten a freebie in exchange for an endorsement. That's how endorsements often work.

Yes, but I'm referring to the (perceived) explosion in popularity, not the existence of a brand. Clearly, Nolly made a lot of waves for them, but I have to believe it's more than just the contribution of one bassist.

I saw Dingwalls in The Bass Shop (I think?) (edit: Bass Northwest) in Seattle 25 years ago. Should've tried one at the time but I was too intimidated

I see your account is 4 years old. Maybe you weren't hanging around with enough equipment-crazed bassists to be aware of them before joining here? A lot of bassists' interests only extend from FEN to DER, and while there's nothing wrong with that it does make anything outside of 4-string Jazz and Precision basses seem weird.

Multiscales are certainly a minority taste, and maybe an acquired taste. I don't hate them but I don't want one either as I'm focusing on fretless for now... Dingwall will make multiscale fretlesses to order, I'm just not interested in complicating an already-complex challenge

 

[tom once dead]

I think its as simple as this. Dingwalls are good at what they do, and what they do is something many bass players are looking for.

As much as I think the whole Dingwall/Darkglass thing is a bit sterile and boring, I have to admit that for many players this is an easy ticket to a decent sounding tone.

 

[silky smoove]

I saw Dingwalls in The Bass Shop (I think?) in Seattle 25 years ago.

That would have been Bass Northwest

As much as I think the whole Dingwall/Darkglass thing is a bit sterile and boring

I agree, but fortunately it’s not ubiquitous with Dingwall players or marketing anymore. It’s still around for sure, but there are just as many clips of more “regular” sounding bass from both Dingwall and Darkglass. I say this as someone who’s primary rig is a Dingwall SJ into a Darkglass Anagram.

 

[Wasnex]

I see these basses more and more often. Are they just the most recent hot commodity that everyone feels they must have?

The MSRP for made in China seems rather high. These are boutique prices.

This week I saw Adam Neely playing an Afterburner instead of his NG, and he already has a completely bespoke Keisel fan fretted 5.

So what is it about the Dingwall that's making them so valuable? I've watched plenty of reviews and it sounds like a bass. Nothing special to my ears.

Unfortunately there isn't a dealer near me so I can't play one for myself without ordering and returning, so I'm hoping perhaps someone can fill in the blanks with some facts, not just fan hype. Thanks!

The only way your going to find out if a multi-scale instrument is for you is to try one. This is definitely one of those YMMV type situations.

Dingwall is not the only game in town. There other companies like Ibanez and Sire who make more modestly priced multi-scale basses. They are not exactly like Dingwalls, but they should be close enough for you to develop an informed opinion. Try to find opportunities to do some hands-on demos.

I had the opportunity to demo Dingwalls during two different years of Musik Messe. My perception was they are great basses, but I felt they were better in some ways and worse in others. I immediately felt comfortable on every Dingwall I picked up. But the longer I played, the more I started to notice the way playing ergonomics vary as you move up and down the neck. Ultimately, I concluded the compromise provided by multi-scale is not the best choice for me.

 

[Happy Face]

In the "old days" it was only Alembics that regularly commanded boutique pricing. Since then we've seen a parade of them.

Like the OP, I'm genuinely interested in learning what makes them so desirable. For both live and studio use.

 

[ardgedee]

That would have been Bass Northwest

I knew there were changes but I couldn't remember the name. Haven't been up that way in a very long time.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

I bought two used excellent condition Dingwall NG2 basses within the last year. I bought the first one about 10 months ago when I sold my Ibanez SR2405w. My two basses at the time were the Dingwall NG2 and an Ibanez EHB5MSBSP. I found myself always reaching for the Dingwall, even though the Ibanez was a really nice bass.
After a couple of months, I decided to trade the Ibanez in for another NG2 that came up for sale at a decent price. I did swap out the bridges for the Payson high-mass bridge. I also swapped out the knobs for the better Dingwall knobs. I upgraded one of them to an NG3 with the upgrade kit. Since I got them both at very reasonable prices, I didn’t mind sticking a little money into them for the upgrades.
I have owned several boutique basses and I’ve never been happier than I am with the two MIC Dingwall basses that I am currently playing. And I’ve owned Pedullas, a Stambaugh, a Skjold and a Benevente. That said, everyone has different tastes, but these basses check all of the boxes for me.