Dingwall Owners Club

[AB Nate]

Ok, it’s confession time. I’ve strayed. Temptation kept whispering in my mind. I resisted for years, but I kept hearing it, over and over, “Cirrus”.

And I’m like, “A PEAVEY?!!! Get back devil, that’s just crazy talk!”

“Cirrus, cirrus, Cirrrrrruuuusssss, ...”

What can I say, I’m a sucker for redheads, I mean redwood. Long skinny red...

Any way, these things are seriously undervalued on the used market.

So, a mint 1998, with case, case candy, and a couple nice Peavey hats (sealed the deal) flame redwood, alder body, neckthrough, Cirrus four string found its way to the house. It was like it had been in a time capsule. Perfect.

It’s only been a month, but I’m pretty pleased. I set it up with rounds. It’s super hot active pickups and preamp. A total departure from the Super P’s.

A torrid affair. If I close my eyes it feels like an AB. So sleek and sexy.

Wanna see a picture?

Fine. I like red heads too

 

[bebass]

Ok, it’s confession time. I’ve strayed. Temptation kept whispering in my mind. I resisted for years, but I kept hearing it, over and over, “Cirrus”.

And I’m like, “A PEAVEY?!!! Get back devil, that’s just crazy talk!”

“Cirrus, cirrus, Cirrrrrruuuusssss, ...”

What can I say, I’m a sucker for redheads, I mean redwood. Long skinny red...

Any way, these things are seriously undervalued on the used market.

So, a mint 1998, with case, case candy, and a couple nice Peavey hats (sealed the deal) flame redwood, alder body, neckthrough, Cirrus four string found its way to the house. It was like it had been in a time capsule. Perfect.

It’s only been a month, but I’m pretty pleased. I set it up with rounds. It’s super hot active pickups and preamp. A total departure from the Super P’s.

A torrid affair. If I close my eyes it feels like an AB. So sleek and sexy.

Wanna see a picture?

I purchased a new USA Cirrus when they first came out - still have it and likely will keep it until they bury me with it. And I even played the import version at NAMM.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Sometimes we're our own hardest critic. You totally could have done that gig.

Amen!! At least a couple of songs. I don't blame you for demurring, but next time, have the faith in yourself!!! We're all counting on you!

 

[xnewyorka]

lnteresting on the neck profile, I had no idea. Thanks for the info. The only thing I noticed was the body style and I figured there had to be more to it than strictly looks.

The AB body is a single piece of wood (unless you get a top.) The Z body is two different pieces of wood. The density of each piece is different (hence "dual density") to give different tonal characteristics on the bass side vs. the treble side.
The pickups on the Z are closer to the bridge, and they are at a different angle, so that the high string pickup is about 1/4" closer to the bridge, while the low string pickup is about 1/2" closer to the bridge. This seemingly small difference makes a VERY noticeable difference in the perceived brightness of the instrument. I can say this from experience, having just done a side-by-side comparison of a new Z3xxx-5 with new strings and FDV pups and DG TC pre against a new ABZxxx-5 with new strings and the exact same pups and pre. Both have maple neck as well, though the ABZ has a wenge FB. (Not sure if the wenge FB would make the open strings sound any darker though.)

Another big difference is the weight. My ABZ is 7 lbs. 15 oz., and my Z3 is 9 lbs. 6 oz. My second Z3 is exactly 9 lbs. It does not have the wenge "contrast layer" under the top that the heavier Z3 has. Still, the lighter Z3 is more than a pound heavier than my comparably equipped ABZ. I personally don't care about the weight (as long as it's under 11 lbs.), but I know many on TB do seem to care a lot about it.

And yes, the neck feel is slightly different between the two. But if you put a gun to my head and asked me to pick which one I liked better, I'd probably have to flip a coin - they both feel fantastic. I suppose maybe I'd pick the ABZ profile by a hair, just because my hands are size XL-XXL and the extra 1mm of thickness makes it "fit like a glove" for me. But obviously the difference wasn't enough to stop me from buying a second Z3.

[EDIT: Read further down this thread for a correction to the statement about AB's being a single piece of wood for the main body.]

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Ok, it’s confession time. I’ve strayed. Temptation kept whispering in my mind. I resisted for years, but I kept hearing it, over and over, “Cirrus”.

And I’m like, “A PEAVEY?!!! Get back devil, that’s just crazy talk!”

“Cirrus, cirrus, Cirrrrrruuuusssss, ...”

What can I say, I’m a sucker for redheads, I mean redwood. Long skinny red...

Any way, these things are seriously undervalued on the used market.

So, a mint 1998, with case, case candy, and a couple nice Peavey hats (sealed the deal) flame redwood, alder body, neckthrough, Cirrus four string found its way to the house. It was like it had been in a time capsule. Perfect.

It’s only been a month, but I’m pretty pleased. I set it up with rounds. It’s super hot active pickups and preamp. A total departure from the Super P’s.

A torrid affair. If I close my eyes it feels like an AB. So sleek and sexy.

Wanna see a picture?

Blasphemy!! Just kidding, I love basses and love to see pictures of the them. Just because I only date Dingwalls doesn't mean everyone else should!

 

[Musicman1901]

The AB body is a single piece of wood (unless you get a top.) The Z body is two different pieces of wood. The density of each piece is different (hence "dual density") to give different tonal characteristics on the bass side vs. the treble side.
The pickups on the Z are closer to the bridge, and they are at a different angle, so that the high string pickup is about 1/4" closer to the bridge, while the low string pickup is about 1/2" closer to the bridge. This seemingly small difference makes a VERY noticeable difference in the perceived brightness of the instrument. I can say this from experience, having just done a side-by-side comparison of a new Z3xxx-5 with new strings and FDV pups and DG TC pre against a new ABZxxx-5 with new strings and the exact same pups and pre. Both have maple neck as well, though the ABZ has a wenge FB. (Not sure if the wenge FB would make the open strings sound any darker though.)

Another big difference is the weight. My ABZ is 7 lbs. 15 oz., and my Z3 is 9 lbs. 6 oz. My second Z3 is exactly 9 lbs. It does not have the wenge "contrast layer" under the top that the heavier Z3 has. Still, the lighter Z3 is more than a pound heavier than my comparably equipped ABZ. I personally don't care about the weight (as long as it's under 11 lbs.), but I know many on TB do seem to care a lot about it.

And yes, the neck feel is slightly different between the two. But if you put a gun to my head and asked me to pick which one I liked better, I'd probably have to flip a coin - they both feel fantastic. I suppose maybe I'd pick the ABZ profile by a hair, just because my hands are size XL-XXL and the extra 1mm of thickness makes it "fit like a glove" for me. But obviously the difference wasn't enough to stop me from buying a second Z3.

Thanks so much for such an in depth comparison! I appreciate it.

 

[BurningSkies]

Ok, it’s confession time. I’ve strayed. Temptation kept whispering in my mind. I resisted for years, but I kept hearing it, over and over, “Cirrus”.

And I’m like, “A PEAVEY?!!! Get back devil, that’s just crazy talk!”

“Cirrus, cirrus, Cirrrrrruuuusssss, ...”

What can I say, I’m a sucker for redheads, I mean redwood. Long skinny red...

Any way, these things are seriously undervalued on the used market.

So, a mint 1998, with case, case candy, and a couple nice Peavey hats (sealed the deal) flame redwood, alder body, neckthrough, Cirrus four string found its way to the house. It was like it had been in a time capsule. Perfect.

It’s only been a month, but I’m pretty pleased. I set it up with rounds. It’s super hot active pickups and preamp. A total departure from the Super P’s.

A torrid affair. If I close my eyes it feels like an AB. So sleek and sexy.

Wanna see a picture?

Sure. Love to see your AB or Super P.

 

[BurningSkies]

Thanks so much for such an in depth comparison! I appreciate it.

Note, ABs are not specifically one piece bodies. Plenty of 2 and 3 piece ABs produced.

 

[xnewyorka]

Note, ABs are not specifically one piece bodies. Plenty of 2 and 3 piece ABs produced.

Are there any that are "dual density" like the Z's? Or do you just mean bookmatched pieces of the same wood?

 

[The_Owl]

Does anyone here feel like Dingwall “ruined” other basses for them? I haven’t had my Dingwall long but since I got it I’ve had no desire to play any of my other basses. The fanned frets don’t feel like a huge change to me but the individual scale length for every string is a game changer. All my other basses string tension feel “blah”

Pretty much, yeah.

 

[BurningSkies]

Are there any that are "dual density" like the Z's? Or do you just mean bookmatched pieces of the same wood?

They’re not dual density, at least since I started paying attention in 2004 or so...but often 2 or 3 piece standard body blanks. I can’t speak to the earliest ‘soft maple’ version of the AB1. I don’t believe the mahogany or walnut AB2’s were one piece either.

My AB1 was very obviously a 3 piece body.

 

[Musicman1901]

What do you guys think about the Darkglass vs Glockenklang preamps? Significant pros or cons for one vs the other?

 

[xnewyorka]

What do you guys think about the Darkglass vs Glockenklang preamps? Significant pros or cons for one vs the other?

From all the YouTube demos, I expected I would be a DG guy all the way. Then I got a Z2 with a Glock and I love how it sounds. I have DG's in my Z3's. They all sound great. Other than personal preference for the tone of one or the other, if having a passive tone rolloff directly on the bass is a dealbreaker for you, then you have to go with the Glock.

I assumed the DG was going to sound a lot better with distortion, but they both sound great.
I assumed the Glock was going to sound a lot better playing clean, but they both sound great.

What I really hope to do, when time permits, is to figure out how to record high quality audio from a DI or mic'd cabinet and publish some video or audio recordings comparing the various models of basses and preamps. I have enough variety here that I think I could put together something really useful for folks who want to hear the difference between Glock and DG, or between maple vs. wenge neck, maple vs. wenge fingerboard, Z3 vs. ABZ vs. NG2, FDV vs. FD3 vs. Super Fatty, etc. I just need to learn how to use the recording equipment! (Fireface 802, ProTools 12.) If anybody in the NJ/PA/NYC area knows how to hook this stuff up and use it, and wants to come over and help, PM me!

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Does anyone here feel like Dingwall “ruined” other basses for them? I haven’t had my Dingwall long but since I got it I’ve had no desire to play any of my other basses. The fanned frets don’t feel like a huge change to me but the individual scale length for every string is a game changer. All my other basses string tension feel “blah”

Yes. I used to play other basses along with Dingwalls. I simply see no reason to play any other basses at this point. I certainly appreciate other basses, and love to look at them, but I have no desire to buy any more basses that are not Dingwalls!

 

[BurningSkies]

There are other basses?

 

[singlemalt]

I’ve got pictures to prove it.....

 

[BurningSkies]

No compute.

 

[bebass]

What do you guys think about the Darkglass vs Glockenklang preamps? Significant pros or cons for one vs the other?

I quite like both but find more interest in the Darkglass. A bit more top-end pristine type sound with the Glock. A bit more mid-shaping with the Darkglass as it has a low mid and a high mid.

 

[Jeff Roller]

Ok, it’s confession time. I’ve strayed. Temptation kept whispering in my mind. I resisted for years, but I kept hearing it, over and over, “Cirrus”.

And I’m like, “A PEAVEY?!!! Get back devil, that’s just crazy talk!”

“Cirrus, cirrus, Cirrrrrruuuusssss, ...”

What can I say, I’m a sucker for redheads, I mean redwood. Long skinny red...

Any way, these things are seriously undervalued on the used market.

So, a mint 1998, with case, case candy, and a couple nice Peavey hats (sealed the deal) flame redwood, alder body, neckthrough, Cirrus four string found its way to the house. It was like it had been in a time capsule. Perfect.

It’s only been a month, but I’m pretty pleased. I set it up with rounds. It’s super hot active pickups and preamp. A total departure from the Super P’s.

A torrid affair. If I close my eyes it feels like an AB. So sleek and sexy.

Wanna see a picture?

Not blasphemy at all.
I purchased one for a friend in Russia a couple of years ago (seller was freaked out about shipping overseas)....

It was a fabulous bass and way undervalued in my opinion!

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I quite like both but find more interest in the Darkglass. A bit more top-end pristine type sound with the Glock. A bit more mid-shaping with the Darkglass as it has a low mid and a high mid.

I only have experience with the Glock, as I have had one in my ABZ that I sold last year, and now in both of my current AB1s. I have experimented with them a lot, and I find that the tones are very useable over most of the ranges of the three controls. But I always seem to end up back at the center detents for all three controls!