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Dingwall Owners Club

#23,021
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#23,022
J Posega said:
David Schwab, aka SGD, aka Coney Island Guitars is a scammer of the highest order. He's like the f***ing Emperor Palpatine of scammers. This thread details his abhorrent, inexcusable actions.
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Holy cow - glad I have never encountered him in my travels! I feel sorry for all those poor folks who got the shaft.
 
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#23,023
bebass said:
We have an expensive 5-string parallel fret bass that plays like butter, but I was shocked A/B ing it with the 5-string Dingwall. The low B just wasn't there. What helped IMMENSELY was using a hex core for the low B string and standard round wound for the remaining strings.
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Yeah, I'm not saying the top shelf single scale 5 string I played this weekend was inadequate. It was a superbly constructed and practically played itself. But it made me appreciate my Z3 all the more. I'm I correct in assuming the "parallel" fret bass you are taking about is a 35" scale?
 
#23,024
Bassheart365 said:
Yeah, I'm not saying the top shelf single scale 5 string I played this weekend was inadequate. It was a superbly constructed and practically played itself. But it made me appreciate my Z3 all the more. I'm I correct in assuming the "parallel" fret bass you are taking about is a 35" scale?
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It is actually a 34" scale AC Guitars Retro B. The hex core (I used a DR string) for the low B makes it entirely usable whereas I did not like the regular round wound on it; way too floppy (for me) - especially after becoming used to the Dingwalls.
 
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#23,025
BurningSkies said:
It's funny. I've gotten 3 new basses this year. It's been sort of an unexpected set of circumstances.

First was the NG-3 that I bought so I could 'retire' the Rastaburst from general road work. It's been fantastic, and I've found a real appreciation for these basses.

Second was a standard Combustion (v4) that a local friend/player decided was not the bass for him. I didn't really expect to buy it but when a friend deal for a Dingwall comes up locally, you take it. It's given me a respect and appreciation for the true 'entry level' of Sheldon's line. I have it set up as close to the NG as possible. So far it's only been to rehearsal and used at home, but I'm going to try it out on stage this weekend.

Third bass this year? Steinberger Spirit XT-25. I never thought I'd ever buy a parallel fret bass again. I never thought I'd have a Gibson made anything (besides maybe a vintage LP-Jr.), and I never thought I'd have a 34" 5-string ever again. But I got an offer to fly to the islands for a gig in a few weeks to run riddim for a band, and the offer was too good and seemed like a great chance to 'step out' and take a few chances on stage. Also, there's enough cash in the gig to have a decent payday but also grab this. They promised me a bass on stage and I certainly don't trust that I'll get there to find one or find one that's worth playing (or a 5 string!).

The Steinberger has been strangely addictive and fun to play. It totally messes with both my right and left hand positions. I specifically have only used it to learn the material for this gig so I don't learn it 'Dingwall style' then have a hard time breaking my muscle memory on the gig. The fit and finish is certainly not Dingwall quality, but given the bass was sub-500$, I'm not surprised nor complaining. It does sound better than I expected. It has an action that's as good or better than expected. And for a specific genre and era of reggae, it really is pretty spot on. I've been churning 80's style Radics and Sly&Robbie stuff with it, and it's brilliant.

Will it replace any of my Dingwalls? No. But I can fly with it without checking my bass and without fear of damage. It may end up on the road with us as a backup, given the bulletproof passive electronics, 3pc neck and super compact size.
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I have the same Steinberger Spirit XT-25. It is an odd feel to play, but I echo everything else. I bought it purely as an emergency backup. While I wouldn't want to play it for a full evening, it was meant to get me out of a bind should I ever need it and my thinking is similar; it is small and easy to carry and should it ever disappear, I wouldn't be heartbroken about it.
 
#23,026
I've never played a 35" scale bass that I liked. The high strings end up ice-picky and unpleasantly stiff (partly because manufacturers don't understand how amazing balanced tension strings are). From a cheap Dean, to low-middle tier Ibanez, US Peavey Cirrus, some custom stuff.

The G is is always unpleasant and if it's a six, then the C is always even worse, the ergonomics aren't there, for some reason it's like an extra inch of scale length means a couple extra pounds in body weight (presumably to help combat the neckdive because they just extend the neck out longer). Blech.

Honestly, I don't even play the basses in music shops anymore unless they have a 'rival' fanned fret bass or a really nice fretless.
 
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#23,027
Smallmouth_Bass said:
I have the same Steinberger Spirit XT-25. It is an odd feel to play, but I echo everything else. I bought it purely as an emergency backup. While I wouldn't want to play it for a full evening, it was meant to get me out of a bind should I ever need it and my thinking is similar; it is small and easy to carry and should it ever disappear, I wouldn't be heartbroken about it.
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I just decided I'd have sleepless nights for a month if I was going to depend on a provided bass that I have no idea what would be there, if it was playable, if it was a 5, especially since it will be on a Sunday afternoon on an island. It took me about half an hour to decide how to 'best play' the thing. It shifts the neck over by about 3 frets...so, muscle memory is thrown off by that on both hands. Once I sort of got situated and started working this material though, it's the only way I've known these songs.

But I'm psyched that I'll be able to walk on with the thing and overhead it. I'll pack a couple cables, a tuner and a strap. My full pack for this gig will be a backpack with some clothes and the gig bag. I've requested an 8x10/SVT as my first choice and the second option was 2x 410 w/GK 1001.
 
#23,028
J Posega said:
I've never played a 35" scale bass that I liked. The high strings end up ice-picky and unpleasantly stiff (partly because manufacturers don't understand how amazing balanced tension strings are). From a cheap Dean, to low-middle tier Ibanez, US Peavey Cirrus, some custom stuff.

The G is is always unpleasant and if it's a six, then the C is always even worse, the ergonomics aren't there, for some reason it's like an extra inch of scale length means a couple extra pounds in body weight (presumably to help combat the neckdive because they just extend the neck out longer). Blech.

Honestly, I don't even play the basses in music shops anymore unless they have a 'rival' fanned fret bass or a really nice fretless.
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In an odd way, playing the Steinberger 34" scale bass made me interested in the shorty Dingwalls. I feel that if I can get along with a standard scale 34" B, I could probably do a 35" Dingwall happily too.
 
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#23,030
BurningSkies said:
In an odd way, playing the Steinberger 34" scale bass made me interested in the shorty Dingwalls. I feel that if I can get along with a standard scale 34" B, I could probably do a 35" Dingwall happily too.
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I'm sure you could. The shorties are just a different flavour of goodness. Maybe we'll finally have that chance to get together next month when I get back to Cuse.
 
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#23,031
J Posega said:
I've never played a 35" scale bass that I liked. The high strings end up ice-picky and unpleasantly stiff (partly because manufacturers don't understand how amazing balanced tension strings are). From a cheap Dean, to low-middle tier Ibanez, US Peavey Cirrus, some custom stuff.

The G is is always unpleasant and if it's a six, then the C is always even worse, the ergonomics aren't there, for some reason it's like an extra inch of scale length means a couple extra pounds in body weight (presumably to help combat the neckdive because they just extend the neck out longer). Blech.

Honestly, I don't even play the basses in music shops anymore unless they have a 'rival' fanned fret bass or a really nice fretless.
Click to expand...
Yes, I completely agree, a 35" 6 string is even worse. Playing a 35" C string is literally painful it is so tight.
 
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#23,033
singlemalt said:
It’s okay if you show us the Steinberger. Just one picture, maybe two. :thumbsup:
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Ok. But I'll balance it. ;)

Steiny.jpg


39223097_2062027917164047_2572304176121905152_n.jpg


Nickel finish worn off the strings:
39410290_2064849466881892_3762103695861350400_n.jpg


What I usually look like:
DSC_1231.jpg


DSC_1196.jpg


DSC_1148.jpg


Enough balance?
 
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#23,037
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#23,039
What are your thoughts on FD3 vs FDV pickups? I think I prefer the FD3 tone. Maybe I associate that with the 'Dingwall sound' because that is what I'm used to over the years. I think the mid-range bump is great. I also think there are more 'colors' or overtones in the FD3? Disclaimer, I don't have a lot of experience with FDV. But I'm pleased as punch with the 3 FD3's on the AB2HS. Many of the sound 'engineers' add so much compression and kill the mids that I'll take every advantage I can to be heard!
 
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#23,040
reddavid said:
What are your thoughts on FD3 vs FDV pickups? I think I prefer the FD3 tone. Maybe I associate that with the 'Dingwall sound' because that is what I'm used to over the years. I think the mid-range bump is great. I also think there are more 'colors' or overtones in the FD3? Disclaimer, I don't have a lot of experience with FDV. But I'm pleased as punch with the 3 FD3's on the AB2HS. Much of the time sound 'engineers' add so much compression and kill the mids that I'll take every advantage I can get to be heard!
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I switched out FD3s for FDVs just for the heck of it on one of my Dingwalls. Ended up switching back. FD3s all the way for me.
 
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