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Dingwall Owners Club

#21,641
BigDrew said:
Hello all! I played a friends Dingwall the other day and was pretty blown away! I started researching them and was a bit confused. It sounds like most are made in Canada, but some are made overseas. Do you know which is which? Any insight into the different models (I get the P and J thing). Also, is there a good place in the US that has inventory? Thanks in advance!
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Hey,

A few things I do not believe were mentioned in the differences between the Zs and other Canadian models(AB,p,j).

-Minor but matching headstock on Z. Not other models.
-Major!!! Neck profile. It’s thinner, flat and amazing! Some prefer the larger thickness as we all have different hands and comfort but if you like a thin fast neck it is THE BEST! I do personally.
-Bridge is also very different construction as the Z has a recessed “sustain block” under the bridge pieces with individual bridge pieces attached.

As mentioned with electronics and wood selections most/all options are available on most all models. I’ve never seen an exotic P though. Just sayin.
Also, side thought. The different finishes can affect your tone as well. ABZ are natural finish vs the high gloss “poly?!?” Of a Z.

I’ve excluded prints on purpose as I think Sheldon and team can attest for the difference more so then most. Besides more wood beautification there is other differences that I don’t dare look further into. I do not need to validate any expensive(r)ideas.

If your looking around $2000 your looking at a Chinese made. A fantastic production bass.

Also, @bebass is on here a lot and he is an authorized dealer with stock moving through as often as possible. I’m sure he’s be happy to help.


Oh and funny you said most were made in Canada! How the tides have shifted.

Chinese = production
Canadian = boutique
 
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#21,646
AB Nate said:
Hey,

A few things I do not believe were mentioned in the differences between the Zs and other Canadian models(AB,p,j).

-Minor but matching headstock on Z. Not other models.
-Major!!! Neck profile. It’s thinner, flat and amazing! Some prefer the larger thickness as we all have different hands and comfort but if you like a thin fast neck it is THE BEST! I do personally.
-Bridge is also very different construction as the Z has a recessed “sustain block” under the bridge pieces with individual bridge pieces attached.

As mentioned with electronics and wood selections most/all options are available on most all models. I’ve never seen an exotic P though. Just sayin.
Also, side thought. The different finishes can affect your tone as well. ABZ are natural finish vs the high gloss “poly?!?” Of a Z.

I’ve excluded prints on purpose as I think Sheldon and team can attest for the difference more so then most. Besides more wood beautification there is other differences that I don’t dare look further into. I do not need to validate any expensive(r)ideas.

If your looking around $2000 your looking at a Chinese made. A fantastic production bass.

Also, @bebass is on here a lot and he is an authorized dealer with stock moving through as often as possible. I’m sure he’s be happy to help.


Oh and funny you said most were made in Canada! How the tides have shifted.

Chinese = production
Canadian = boutique
Click to expand...

You nailed it Nate. The unbelievably effortless neck on the Z and the recessed bridge really set it apart from the rest.
 
#21,648
Jason at BSO.com can set you up with TI flats for the longscale Dingwalls. It will be a mixed set with the extra longs you need. Just tell him what you need.

Be aware that the B will be .136 and not tapered at the ball end. I picked up a few shorter saddle screws at my local hardware to get lower at the bridge. The nut worked fine.

There will be some fiddling with intonation, since none of the strings are tapered at the end.

I really liked the TI jazz flats on my AB’s. They sounded so nice on the six string.
 
#21,649
AB Nate said:
Hey,

A few things I do not believe were mentioned in the differences between the Zs and other Canadian models(AB,p,j).

-Minor but matching headstock on Z. Not other models.
-Major!!! Neck profile. It’s thinner, flat and amazing! Some prefer the larger thickness as we all have different hands and comfort but if you like a thin fast neck it is THE BEST! I do personally.
-Bridge is also very different construction as the Z has a recessed “sustain block” under the bridge pieces with individual bridge pieces attached.

As mentioned with electronics and wood selections most/all options are available on most all models. I’ve never seen an exotic P though. Just sayin.
Also, side thought. The different finishes can affect your tone as well. ABZ are natural finish vs the high gloss “poly?!?” Of a Z.

I’ve excluded prints on purpose as I think Sheldon and team can attest for the difference more so then most. Besides more wood beautification there is other differences that I don’t dare look further into. I do not need to validate any expensive(r)ideas.

If your looking around $2000 your looking at a Chinese made. A fantastic production bass.

Also, @bebass is on here a lot and he is an authorized dealer with stock moving through as often as possible. I’m sure he’s be happy to help.


Oh and funny you said most were made in Canada! How the tides have shifted.

Chinese = production
Canadian = boutique
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the info! I don’t think I would have gotten that from their site!
 
#21,650
For the record, I actually also love the AB/Combustion necks. I've now owned most all except for Prima Artist and while the Zebra neck is definitely the thinnest, The others are certainly not thick. I find them comfortable even after long days or nights of playing.

I haven't checked in lately (lots of gigs, then lots of catching up at work after stretches on the road). I've really come to enjoy what the NG and Darkglass brings to the table. I took it out for a two and a half week spring tour, and most of the shows were multi-tracked. In reviewing, there's a hint of grit and cut to DGTC when you push it a bit, but with the low mids flat or rolled back and the high mids pulled back it can be really smooth too.

I have the v4 Combustion I mentioned also sitting at home right now. The owner has given it to me for a week or two to see if I'm interested in having it as a road-backup. The neck matches up to my NG3, but the body is a bit heavier and ash, and it has a rosewood fretboard, and the EMG preamp. I'm going to take it to rehearsal on Thursday to see how it acts with the band (I haven't even plugged it in yet). As of right now, the action isn't super low, so I'm going to see how far I can feasibly bring it down. If I do buy it, I'll be thinking about a refin (I don't really 'do' natural basses) and/or maybe another DGTC.

Weekend off this week, then it's VT, CT & one festival in town here. There are a few who have been sad to see the NG3 not the Rastaburst on stage in person. ;)
 
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#21,651
BurningSkies said:
For the record, I actually also love the AB/Combustion necks. I've now owned most all except for Prima Artist and while the Zebra neck is definitely the thinnest, The others are certainly not thick. I find them comfortable even after long days or nights of playing.

I haven't checked in lately (lots of gigs, then lots of catching up at work after stretches on the road). I've really come to enjoy what the NG and Darkglass brings to the table. I took it out for a two and a half week spring tour, and most of the shows were multi-tracked. In reviewing, there's a hint of grit and cut to DGTC when you push it a bit, but with the low mids flat or rolled back and the high mids pulled back it can be really smooth too.

I have the v4 Combustion I mentioned also sitting at home right now. The owner has given it to me for a week or two to see if I'm interested in having it as a road-backup. The neck matches up to my NG3, but the body is a bit heavier and ash, and it has a rosewood fretboard, and the EMG preamp. I'm going to take it to rehearsal on Thursday to see how it acts with the band (I haven't even plugged it in yet). As of right now, the action isn't super low, so I'm going to see how far I can feasibly bring it down. If I do buy it, I'll be thinking about a refin (I don't really 'do' natural basses) and/or maybe another DGTC.

Weekend off this week, then it's VT, CT & one festival in town here. There are a few who have been sad to see the NG3 not the Rastaburst on stage in person. ;)
Click to expand...

If you wind up with that v4 Combustion, I'd give Pat Wilkins a call and see if he can do a "rastaburst tribute" finish on it!
 
#21,652
Jeff Roller said:
If you wind up with that v4 Combustion, I'd give Pat Wilkins a call and see if he can do a "rastaburst tribute" finish on it!
Click to expand...

I've got the original though. ;) I was originally thinking sparkle/flame finish, but unless he can also finish the pickguard, that may be out due to the routing. Otherwise I'm thinking '68 Pontiac GTO CA green with gloss black guard.
 
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#21,659
BurningSkies said:
For the record, I actually also love the AB/Combustion necks. I've now owned most all except for Prima Artist and while the Zebra neck is definitely the thinnest, The others are certainly not thick. I find them comfortable even after long days or nights of playing.

I haven't checked in lately (lots of gigs, then lots of catching up at work after stretches on the road). I've really come to enjoy what the NG and Darkglass brings to the table. I took it out for a two and a half week spring tour, and most of the shows were multi-tracked. In reviewing, there's a hint of grit and cut to DGTC when you push it a bit, but with the low mids flat or rolled back and the high mids pulled back it can be really smooth too.

I have the v4 Combustion I mentioned also sitting at home right now. The owner has given it to me for a week or two to see if I'm interested in having it as a road-backup. The neck matches up to my NG3, but the body is a bit heavier and ash, and it has a rosewood fretboard, and the EMG preamp. I'm going to take it to rehearsal on Thursday to see how it acts with the band (I haven't even plugged it in yet). As of right now, the action isn't super low, so I'm going to see how far I can feasibly bring it down. If I do buy it, I'll be thinking about a refin (I don't really 'do' natural basses) and/or maybe another DGTC.

Weekend off this week, then it's VT, CT & one festival in town here. There are a few who have been sad to see the NG3 not the Rastaburst on stage in person. ;)
Click to expand...
I back-up for the rasta replacement ?
Selta said:
Today's the day! Today's the day!
Click to expand...
We await photographic proof....as always.
 
#21,660
Selta said:
Basically everything. You'll want to spend a bit of time on the Dingwall website (Invalid Link Removed for example) to compare them.
Click to expand...


I have the same issue, and I don't find reading the website too helpful to really get a grip on the differences. I've played an NG-2 in a store and ordered one shortly after trying it. It is truly a great bass and it definitely got me curious about the "real canadian thing"... nothing at all wrong with the NG2 :) only GAS showing it's ugly head again.
 

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