Dingwall NG3….In A Jazz Ensemble

[jjk2007]

Currently out on a cruise ship headed back towards home and the Wife and I spent last night checking out the 7 piece jazz band for a couple of sets. I’m not up to date on my jazz book but they played some catchy tunes and one song was ‘Caravan’ which many people know from the movie Whiplash.

I’ve seen plenty of Dingwall vids and I even have a buddy who has a 4 string NG3 that I’ve had my hands on for a hot minute….but I don’t think I’ve messed with a 5. But….finally really hearing one in person was a real treat. Rich but punchy low end, smooth mids and a sweet top end that spoke out without being harsh. I was about 10’ from the bass player who was going through a GK Fusion 2X10 combo. He was oozing some serious tone out of that setup. They weren’t playing super loud but they were moving some air. The thing that impressed me most was the low B. It sounded so natural compared with the other strings. I have yet to hear a low B as impressive as this one and yes, I’ve heard many. I talked to the guy after they wrapped up and he said he had no need for another bass after this one. He said he bought it used and the previous owner converted the rotary p/u selector to a 6 way adjust. I looked at the Wifey and said “I want one!” Anyhow….I know I’m preaching to the choir but I was impressed! Here’s a shot of our guy in action.

 

[Element Zero]

Nice! I’ve yet to see or hear one of these out in the wild. Workin on a bunch of 80’s/90’s/00’s country tunes for some upcoming gigs right now with my NG3. I’ve no doubt the band leader (who’s a great bass player too on his old Modulus but plays lead guitar and sings in this band) is gonna loose his mind when he hears this thing.

 

[singlemalt]

That’s the kind of drummer I like!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Dingwall's get a lot of praise and have become popular and are often associated with heavy music, but they are great basses for all genres.

I have yet to play or hear a better B-string.

 

[Chicken Wing]

Great post and cool experience.

Dingwall is doing a good job of broadening their appeal past metal/djent with the likes of Lee Sklar and John Taylor representing the brand.

 

[buldog5151bass]

FWIW, GK seems to have the contract on just about every cruise ship.

 

[jjk2007]

FWIW, GK seems to have the contract on just about every cruise ship.

Yeah, there is also a good cover band on the ship that is doing the poolside music. There is a GK 410 combo supplied for them.

 

[BassBrass]

bass always sounds better when there are no low drums

 

[blacktocomm]

My buddy has one. I don’t dig the fanned frets, but it’s definitely one of the nicest, most resonant sounding basses I’ve ever played.

 

[Pep]

I have one in a 4 string and love it, especially the fanned frets. I thought I’d have some problems with them but it was just the opposite. The natural finger position as you move up the neck is towards the bridge which makes playing it much more comfortable than a traditional neck.

 

[Winton]

Nick Campbell also has been sporting his Dingwall.

 

[sawzalot]

My combustion is the one bass that I can take to a gig and I know it’ll sound good even if all I have is a passive DI. And nothing beats the low B.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Awesome! I think Dingwall basses are seriously cool. Someday I’d like to try one. I’m exclusively a 4-string guy nowadays, but I would certainly try a Dingwall 5er to see what it’s like.

Side note- I LOVE cruises. In two weeks I am going on my fourth cruise and I absolutely can’t wait. I always appreciate the talent onboard.

 

[Suho]

I had heard about Dingwall basses for a while but had never tried or heard one, and was blissful in my ignorance.

Then, I heard a clip. It wasn't long, but the sound was just so compelling I had to get one. I bought a Combustion Nashville 6 string. It has the Neve Designs preamp, which is amazing.

Getting the Dingwall has infused a new excitement and enjoyment to my Bass playing on par with when I first started playing. No lie. I love it. Aside from the fan frets, it has incredibly low action. I have unintentionally modified my playing style when using it. The only thing I don't use it for is slap. I prefer my jazz Bass for that. I'm more into playing funk and non-extreme styles these days. It slays.

 

[jthisdell]

FWIW Caravan was written about 78 years before the movie Whiplash

 

[Herrick]

Dingwall's get a lot of praise and have become popular and are often associated with heavy music, but they are great basses for all genres.

I have yet to play or hear a better B-string.

Agreed. It's unfortunate there's a bit of a stigma about the "Dingwall sound" (at least with the NG3s) but it's largely the effects used in all those demos that give the bass that sound.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Agreed. It's unfortunate there's a bit of a stigma about the "Dingwall sound" (at least with the NG3s) but it's largely the effects used in all those demos that give the bass that sound.

Yeah, that sound is the Darkglass heavy distortion sound! I'll admit, the first time I heard it, I was like "Whoa, what's that!". Now, it's more like "That again?". It's still a good sound, don't get me wrong. It's just that the mystique is gone.

 

[jjk2007]

FWIW Caravan was written about 78 years before the movie Whiplash

Yeah…I got that. My son and a couple of his friends have gotten into drums over this last 1-2 years. They have watched Whiplash a few times and would have had no clue about Caravan if it weren’t for that movie. That was also how the band introduced that song for context. I do appreciate a good history lesson though…..

 

[jthisdell]

Yeah…I got that. My son and a couple of his friends have gotten into drums over this last 1-2 years. They have watched Whiplash a few times and would have had no clue about Caravan if it weren’t for that movie. That was also how the band introduced that song for context. I do appreciate a good history lesson though…..

Just another opportunity for me to feel old.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It's interesting. Go back a generation, and leaders qanted to see the F on your headstock. Now most leaders just care about a quality instrument.