Dingwall Owners Club

[been_effected]

Thanks man, thats awfully generous, but I'm staying in a hostel for the next month while hunting for a more permanent rental, and then I go to a conference in Albuquerque. Then I come back to LA and hope that I found something better than the hostel, otherwise I do that again. So I'm just really paranoid about having something costly, much less something I don't own. Granted, it's an 'upscale' hostel (Podshare) and they assure me theft is extremely uncommon, but still... just makes me really uneasy. Otherwise, I'd just be taking one of mine!


Out of 30+ instruments I've owned and flipped, I think I played maybe 4 before buying. I'm just too spoiled by the goodness of my Dingwalls to trust that I'll get on well enough with a cheapo 5er.


This could make for hilarious YouTube content, as long as you do some Glenn Fricker-style ranting and raving like a lunatic.

This is probably something you've already considered, but I'll just throw it out there - what if you investigate music gear insurance options? It might be cheaper to take out a replacement policy for $x should your bass be stolen, and take one of your own basses that you'd be less gutted if it was stolen/is easier to replace. And if you made the $x amount enough that you could buy a used bass quickly (eg: a used Combustion), then you'd likely be able to get yourself out of a hole if worse comes to worse.

This way, you can take your own bass with you, and if the thing you fear comes to pass, you have a way out. Just trying to think outside the square a little for you here.

 

[been_effected]

The preamps can achieve significantly different tonal characteristics.

Also, it’s my understand that the combustion’s went to ash exclusively. Where as the NG is alder.

And the NG3x is repping the d bird switch. I don’t think the combustion is too. Probably just the 3x switch. There is fairly significant differences between the 2

So..... nope. I don’t think they will sound much the same at all. Maybe in passive mode.

I had it confirmed the Combustion 3X is also shipping with the D-bird switch. And yeah like others have said, the logic here is while the Combustion will be a bit tonally different, I'd be able to make up for it with the fact I have DG pedals if I wanted more "aggression"

 

[been_effected]

With the 3x It'll probably sound much the same as an NG3... What woods, fingerboard and colours did you choose? My 6 Is supposedly gonna arrive at The Basscentre in January. Yours?

AB Nate is right - wood is default (ash), fingerboard is pao ferro, trans black body (so I get the quilted maple top as a result). I'm getting mine through George at Bass Gear Direct, last time I heard expected delivery was November/December but that may have changed. Guessing I'll hear from him once he receives a shipping notification from the factory.

 

[xnewyorka]

Do you have a demonstration video for us?!? I could probably save myself a good $20 g if I was to adopt this method.

I do, but I'm waiting for the Patent to get processed before I can share it publicly. Sorry about that. ;-)

 

[Selta]

Here I am sitting trying to figure out how to swing Bassheart365's Z3. heh.
I don't think I've seen a Combustion with a quilted top! I have to go looking for pictures of that!

 

[AB Nate]

I had it confirmed the Combustion 3X is also shipping with the D-bird switch. And yeah like others have said, the logic here is while the Combustion will be a bit tonally different, I'd be able to make up for it with the fact I have DG pedals if I wanted more "aggression"

Thanks for the clarification on that.
I think it’s a great way to go. I’m really looking forward to seeing your bass with the QM top. The EMG is no slouch and if you need the DG sound engage the pedal.
personally I like the combustion appearances better but my only concern with them is that I’ve felt some pretty weighty ash bodied bustins vs the alder. That same thing can be said for Z series basses. My Zs aren’t light

 

[AB Nate]

I do, but I'm waiting for the Patent to get processed before I can share it publicly. Sorry about that. ;-)

Ok. I’ll just wait for the pm then I guess. I promise I won’t share it.

 

[AB Nate]

Here I am sitting trying to figure out how to swing Bassheart365's Z3. heh.
I don't think I've seen a Combustion with a quilted top! I have to go looking for pictures of that!

I think I’ve only ever seen 1 photo..... maybe and it was a whalepool one.

 

[been_effected]

Thanks for the clarification on that.
I think it’s a great way to go. I’m really looking forward to seeing your bass with the QM top. The EMG is no slouch and if you need the DG sound engage the pedal.
personally I like the combustion appearances better but my only concern with them is that I’ve felt some pretty weighty ash bodied bustins vs the alder. That same thing can be said for Z series basses. My Zs aren’t light

You and me both, I can't wait. I can tell how much I can't wait if I measure how much time I spend in this thread. It's starting to turn into an exponential curve...

I'm not too worried about weight if I'm honest - I played Warwicks and Spectors for years. My Thumb and Euro weighed a tonne!

 

[AB Nate]

You and me both, I can't wait. I can tell how much I can't wait if I measure how much time I spend in this thread. It's starting to turn into an exponential curve...

I'm not too worried about weight if I'm honest - I played Warwicks and Spectors for years. My Thumb and Euro weighed a tonne!

I kinda feel the same way. I definitely would prefer a bass to be as light as possible but it’s what it is.... that I’m sure will change as I age.

 

[chadhargis]

Honestly, if you are literally just looking for a block of wood with strings on it in a budget I’d go into a music shop with zero expectation and not be looking for any brand inparticular.
Say you set a budget of $1000 as an example..... pick up every single bass under that price tag and walk away with the one that felt the best. No matter if it’s a P, J, 34” or 35” scale. 4 strings or 5.

THIS! ^^^^

I would have never purchased my Reverend had I not picked it up an a Guitar Center and played it. I thought about it for a month before I went back to buy it. I love that bass.

I should also add, that's how I ended up wit my Dingwall Combustion. I played a bunch of $3000-$4000 basses, then picked up the Dingwall out of curiosity. It played and sounded better than most of the uber expensive ones.

 

[NaH]

Here I am sitting trying to figure out how to swing Bassheart365's Z3. heh.
I don't think I've seen a Combustion with a quilted top! I have to go looking for pictures of that!

I'll pay for renting it from you for a couple of months. (Seriously - I would)

 

[NaH]

Thanks man, thats awfully generous, but I'm staying in a hostel for the next month while hunting for a more permanent rental, and then I go to a conference in Albuquerque. Then I come back to LA and hope that I found something better than the hostel, otherwise I do that again. So I'm just really paranoid about having something costly, much less something I don't own. Granted, it's an 'upscale' hostel (Podshare) and they assure me theft is extremely uncommon, but still... just makes me really uneasy. Otherwise, I'd just be taking one of mine!


Out of 30+ instruments I've owned and flipped, I think I played maybe 4 before buying. I'm just too spoiled by the goodness of my Dingwalls to trust that I'll get on well enough with a cheapo 5er.


This could make for hilarious YouTube content, as long as you do some Glenn Fricker-style ranting and raving like a lunatic.

Someone mentioned insurance, but wouldn't it also at a certain point be cheaper to upgrade your lodging and bring your own bass? (Granted you won't have a extra bass at the end of it).

 

[bebass]

It seems like the NGs are part of the Combustion series. What's the difference?

I saw you had a reply but I will add that now that both the Combustion series and the NG3 series have a 3x option, the difference is smaller. Yes, most of us, including me, love the Darkglass pre in the NG. But as was pointed out, if one already has a DG pedal, the differences are smaller and one could actually say the 3X Combustion is slightly more versatile for different music genre due to the more conventional EQ points of the EMG vrs the DG pre EQ points. I have been able to get similar sounds trying out the C3 with DG A/O and/or B7k as a NG3. And, of course, the basses are identical in playing. The new C3 colors/tops also offer an improved finish choice. Lots of great choices now.

 

[groovaholic]

Now I'm second guessing myself on the SRFF.

I need a bass for LA but I can't afford a new, or even used, Combustion except for the very rare cheap v1's. And if I'm making a bunch of compromises on a parallel fret bass, I'm not even willing to spend as much as I would on a v1 Combustion. So it's a dilemma. I might start looking for 35" scale 4 strings. At least then weight and string spacing aren't such issues.

While it’s no Dingwall, the ESP fan fret basses are nicer than the Ibanez SRFF.

The Nordstrand pickups DEFINITELY help:
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[J Posega]

This is probably something you've already considered, but I'll just throw it out there - what if you investigate music gear insurance options? It might be cheaper to take out a replacement policy for $x should your bass be stolen, and take one of your own basses that you'd be less gutted if it was stolen/is easier to replace. And if you made the $x amount enough that you could buy a used bass quickly (eg: a used Combustion), then you'd likely be able to get yourself out of a hole if worse comes to worse.

This way, you can take your own bass with you, and if the thing you fear comes to pass, you have a way out. Just trying to think outside the square a little for you here.

I've already got insurance but it doesn't make me feel any better.

Someone mentioned insurance, but wouldn't it also at a certain point be cheaper to upgrade your lodging and bring your own bass? (Granted you won't have a extra bass at the end of it).

This first 4 weeks is both for starting my research project and finding better housing.

It’s really difficult to try and find places to live when you’re all the way across the country. I don’t have many connections in the city, nobody with even a couch to spare for a couple weeks.

While it’s no Dingwall, the ESP fan fret basses are nicer than the Ibanez SRFF.

The Nordstrand pickups DEFINITELY help:
Invalid Link Removed

Played one once, great tone, but must’ve been close to 11 lbs or more.

Fret not, everyone. I impulse bought something this morning that I’m really excited for.

At least now I have reasons, 7 of them, for compromises on scale length, string spacing, weight, and all that. Gonna string it F# - C

 

[NaH]

I've already got insurance but it doesn't make me feel any better.



This first 4 weeks is both for starting my research project and finding better housing.

It’s really difficult to try and find places to live when you’re all the way across the country. I don’t have many connections in the city, nobody with even a couch to spare for a couple weeks.



Played one once, great tone, but must’ve been close to 11 lbs or more.

Fret not, everyone. I impulse bought something this morning that I’m really excited for.

View attachment 3178612

At least now I have reasons, 7 of them, for compromises on scale length, string spacing, weight, and all that. Gonna string it F# - C

Good on ya. I'm scared to jump to 6, much less 7. While I think that it would be fun to go to F#, I'll likely just do a drop A tuner one of these days.

 

[xnewyorka]

I've already got insurance but it doesn't make me feel any better.



This first 4 weeks is both for starting my research project and finding better housing.

It’s really difficult to try and find places to live when you’re all the way across the country. I don’t have many connections in the city, nobody with even a couch to spare for a couple weeks.



Played one once, great tone, but must’ve been close to 11 lbs or more.

Fret not, everyone. I impulse bought something this morning that I’m really excited for.

View attachment 3178612

At least now I have reasons, 7 of them, for compromises on scale length, string spacing, weight, and all that. Gonna string it F# - C

Did the stuff in the green aluminum can help influence that purchase decision?
Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[J Posega]

Good on ya. I'm scared to jump to 6, much less 7. While I think that it would be fun to go to F#, I'll likely just do a drop A tuner one of these days.

GC had one of the newer versions of this bass, which had wider Bartolini soapbars. It was only $100 less than new and I told my friend that had it been closer to $700 I would’ve snagged it. Well, this one was on Reverb for less than $700, free shipping. So it’s gonna get shipped to a FedEx store in LA near where I’m staying.

I figure F# tuning gives me everything I’m used to with my ABZ6 with the bonus of hitting those low, low, low notes when the guitarist is playing his 8 string. And, position shifting riffs that were quite a stretch to play in the lowest register on the ABZ sounds quite refreshing.

Going to order some D’addario strings for it since they now make a tapered .170

 

[AB Nate]

I've already got insurance but it doesn't make me feel any better.



This first 4 weeks is both for starting my research project and finding better housing.

It’s really difficult to try and find places to live when you’re all the way across the country. I don’t have many connections in the city, nobody with even a couch to spare for a couple weeks.



Played one once, great tone, but must’ve been close to 11 lbs or more.

Fret not, everyone. I impulse bought something this morning that I’m really excited for.

View attachment 3178612

At least now I have reasons, 7 of them, for compromises on scale length, string spacing, weight, and all that. Gonna string it F# - C

His other bass he had on this last tour was a 7 string I believe

Edit: sorry. I think it was this actually