This is the only photo I can find. You'll have to look closely at the photo of the back near the battery compartment.
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
This is the only photo I can find. You'll have to look closely at the photo of the back near the battery compartment.
I have this on my abz and can attest it's really nice.
Also I have a six string, so must be a heavier neck, with no balance problems.
Also I have a six string, so must be a heavier neck, with no balance problems.
I spoke to one of the guys at San Diego Bass. Nice, knowledgeable guy, though the alternate strap anchor position was news to him. I think I need to find an excuse to go visit their shop since they have both the ABZ and Combustions in stock. It would be great to feel and hear these two in person before I plunk down my cash. I did some digging to find out what to expect in terms of tone differences, particularly with the different electronics. A tread on the Dingwall site has users saying they would lean toward the ABZ over the Combustion on average, though not specifying why other than reasons of build quality. The OP in that thread said he ended up going with a Combustion after playing both. I guess he fell too madly in love with his new baby, as he didn't reply to posts asking him for his thoughts on contrasting the two 
. Anyone here with experience care to chime in on the tonal differences and the "if money is not the deciding factor" leanings they have?
. Anyone here with experience care to chime in on the tonal differences and the "if money is not the deciding factor" leanings they have?
How much does the Warwick weigh? I picked up my buddy's fretless thumb and it was really heavy. One local bassist is playing a six string Warwick thumb and it weighs over 13 lb! That's way too much to hang on your shoulder. My old fretless aluminum neck Kramer weighs over 13 and neck dives like crazy. I should sell it, I haven't picked it in months.
I've noticed lately that I'm playing the AB 1 fiver most of the time, its the lightest fiver. Both the 5 & 6 string ABs balance perfectly, no neck dive at all. I do notice the long reach to the 1st position, but now that I'm used to having the B string I tend to play more up at the fifth fret. Going for the upper frets I tend to push the bass to the left.
I don't have the extra strap pin on mine, but I might have to try one.
Best wishes on you continued recovery! In your place, I'd be looking for the lightest bass I could love.
I've noticed lately that I'm playing the AB 1 fiver most of the time, its the lightest fiver. Both the 5 & 6 string ABs balance perfectly, no neck dive at all. I do notice the long reach to the 1st position, but now that I'm used to having the B string I tend to play more up at the fifth fret. Going for the upper frets I tend to push the bass to the left.
I don't have the extra strap pin on mine, but I might have to try one.
Best wishes on you continued recovery! In your place, I'd be looking for the lightest bass I could love.
On top of build quality, most lean toward the ABZ due to the better pickups. However, you can buy the same pickups separately or order your Combustion with the pickup upgrade through Dingwall. If you buy them separately they're $300.
I spoke to one of the guys at San Diego Bass. Nice, knowledgeable guy, though the alternate strap anchor position was news to him. I think I need to find an excuse to go visit their shop since they have both the ABZ and Combustions in stock. It would be great to feel and hear these two in person before I plunk down my cash. I did some digging to find out what to expect in terms of tone differences, particularly with the different electronics. A tread on the Dingwall site has users saying they would lean toward the ABZ over the Combustion on average, though not specifying why other than reasons of build quality. The OP in that thread said he ended up going with a Combustion after playing both. I guess he fell too madly in love with his new baby, as he didn't reply to posts asking him for his thoughts on contrasting the two
Hey,
I have a Combusion and an AB-II. The Combusion is heavily modified, while the AB-II can go into passive so I'll use the passive mode when comparing.
Preamp: The Combustion is made to be more traditional sounding, that was one of the original design goals. The ABZ is made to be a modern sounding beast, with Neo FD-3 pickups that have a modern sound and the dynamic range you may not believe was possible. Let not the notion of "passive" fool you with the ABZ, it will not sound like a passive bass at all. My fretless AB-II is still live and aggressive in passive mode, can't imagine how would a fretted AB sound.
The pickups: my Combustion has Neo pickups instead of Alnico. That upgrade was a big improvement, it definitely moved the Combustion to the agressive-sounding area and it did not lose much of anything. And that's ~300 bucks, mind you, if you decide to upgrade.
If you want a modern instrument, go ABZ. If you want traditional, a Combustion or a used SuperJ5 might be a better choice.
Some prefer the looks of a C, I am one of those, but I do think that an ABZ will give you more per buck then a Combustion. Don't take the hand-made-in-Canada label lightly, ABZs are boutique by all definitions.
- Bo
Thanks for the input gang. Singlemalt, I haven't weighed the Thumb, but it is a beast. Bocete, I've heard the modern/vintage comparison before. What would you estimate in terms of overlap area? How "vintage" a sound can be pulled from the ABZ vs how "modern" a sound can you pull from the Combustion? I've played in a few different styles of bands over the years, and I have a few options ahead of me for projects right now. Some of it is very "modern" heavy electro-industrial/ebm and some is right out of Rob Zombie. However, I also have some more folk/traditional projects ahead, and I think some slow blues jams are in my future. It is ultimately up to what I like, but I'd like a tool that won't box me into a style if I can avoid it.
ps - I must admit that the made in China vs Canada factor is swaying me just because I can be picky about where my funds go, and if I can't buy local or American, Canadian is next in line . . . even though I did get my injury in BC, I don't hold a grudge
ps - I must admit that the made in China vs Canada factor is swaying me just because I can be picky about where my funds go, and if I can't buy local or American, Canadian is next in line . . . even though I did get my injury in BC, I don't hold a grudge
Really? When I had one very briefly, I thought it sounded quite "modern" (hifi, less warmth). An Afterburner must be about as neutral-sounding as a bass can get if it's even more that way.
No matter what your choice is you'll probably be hooked for life. I purchased a Combustion, fell in love and am now saving up for an Afterburner of some sort.
I don't like those modern vs traditional comparisons for this reason right here. The ABs are not neutral sounding, they have a color of their own; I think the most important thing is the dynamic range. "Warm" guitars tend to be naturally slightly compressed and that gives them warmth while the Neo pickups are much, much far from that; the dynamic range is unbelievable. But they do have a sound/feel of their own.
Alberto Rigoni has some great ABZ clips in there, find them. You'll see it doesn't lack anything.
My AB-II can sound like a P, like a J, or like a modern humbucking bass depending on the pickup choice. It's all there, but that dynamic range is there for all the positions. My AB-II can pull off a great precision sound, and it can have even more beef and that thing the P has when I flick the neck pickup to series. My band loves that one.
Hey guys.. I just got this Z3 on the classifieds a few weeks ago & here are some pictures! I'll post up a review in the future & I'll be glad to offer help if there are any questions. It's quite a departure from my AB1-5 I would say..
Jase
Jase
Jasesng.....sweeeet bass! nice score.
I play in quite a few different types of music settings....P&W.blues,rock etc....My Combustion covers it all with ease.I usually hear "I hope you brought that Dingwall bass?"What I truly like about my Stock Combustion is that it has a sweet vintage or modern tone,thanks again Sheldon.
I play in quite a few different types of music settings....P&W.blues,rock etc....My Combustion covers it all with ease.I usually hear "I hope you brought that Dingwall bass?"What I truly like about my Stock Combustion is that it has a sweet vintage or modern tone,thanks again Sheldon.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Hey guys.. I just got this Z3 on the classifieds a few weeks ago & here are some pictures! I'll post up a review in the future & I'll be glad to offer help if there are any questions. It's quite a departure from my AB1-5 I would say..
Jase
Very nice! Grats!
I tink Michael Braun actually did a video with the different pu settings. I believe he's the original owner of the Z3 pic'd above too.
So I went a jammed with a friends band last night who've been looking for a bass player for some time. When I showed up with my Combustion the guitar player got a funny look on his face and said what the heck is that thing. Told him it was made by some guys in Saskatoon who drank too much and couldn't get anything straight. Played our first song and as soon as we were done he came up to me and said that was the best sounding bass he'd ever heard.
Spent the night switching between P & J style sounds and then dialed in some modern tones. When we got done he was blown away that a bass could change sound so much just with the on board eq.
Had an absolute blast playing with some guys young enough to be my kids. Lots of Zeppelin, Doors, ZZ Top and some pretty neat originals. Now I just need to find time to fit in band #3.
In my opinion (and apparently quite a few others) Sheldon definitely makes the best & most versatile basses in the market, no matter the price range.
Spent the night switching between P & J style sounds and then dialed in some modern tones. When we got done he was blown away that a bass could change sound so much just with the on board eq.
Had an absolute blast playing with some guys young enough to be my kids. Lots of Zeppelin, Doors, ZZ Top and some pretty neat originals. Now I just need to find time to fit in band #3.
In my opinion (and apparently quite a few others) Sheldon definitely makes the best & most versatile basses in the market, no matter the price range.
This was supposed to be my "beater" ABI for use in the more hostile venues. As it turns out, it's in near-mint condition with a couple of minor mods including FD-1 pups and a black neck tongue. Also sports the older one-piece maple neck and push/pull bluecube.
I'm a compulsive knob turner so the passive harness will work perfectly.
Riis
I'm a compulsive knob turner so the passive harness will work perfectly.
Riis
Hey guys.. I just got this Z3 on the classifieds a few weeks ago & here are some pictures! I'll post up a review in the future & I'll be glad to offer help if there are any questions. It's quite a departure from my AB1-5 I would say..
Jase
Nice! Congratulations!
