Loading up the car for a day trip to San Diego to go bass shopping. Since there seem to be many reasons to buy one, any last minute suggestions on why NOT to buy a Dingwall?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
none whatsoever. A Dingwall is a bass that will make you play better, sound better and will even make you look better
Well, as long as it will make me look better. I hate having to ask "does this bass make my butt look big?"
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
If you pick it up and find you're uncomfortable. Or if you find you don't like the way it sounds. These are valid reasons not to buy it. 
If not quite sure, you're best bet would be to buy a used Combustion just to get a feel for the fanned fret config. & tone. I see them used for $900-1000 so the purchase won't break the bank. Give it a whirl for a couple months.
*If you love it, either keep it as a backup or sell it (if finances so dictate) and keep your eyes peeled for an upscale model.
*If you find it's not to your liking, you can sell the Combustion without taking too much of a hit, if any.
Happy hunting!
Riis
If you pick it up and find you're uncomfortable. Or if you find you don't like the way it sounds. These are valid reasons not to buy it.
obvious man is obvious
I'm hoping the pix do it justice. It looks so different than I expected based on the website photos I saw. For theater of the mind, it is a black ABZ.
I didn't like the neck shape of finish feel on the Combustion, so I didn't even plug in. The various other higher models in the shop, like the Z, didn't light my fire either. There was something magical and right about the ABZ, which is good because that was the top of my budget.
My only concerns are the clicks / pops created when the PU selector switch is turned, most noticeably between positions 2 and 3, and the heel at the base of the headstock making the 1st fret position a bit stranger to play than it already is. But the whole reason I went for this beast was to use the low b higher up instead of the 1st fret position.
I must say the thin neck and light weight make this bass feel like it isn't there, and the playability is so great that it feels like cheating.
Big thanks to Chris at Bass San Diego for all his help, and tolerating the insanity that happened while me and my crew were in there . . . Yeah, one of my friends conducted a wedding for two visitors who walked in while we were there. He is certified to do those things through the ULC, and he was holding my bass when he said "by the power vested in me, and Adam's new bass, I pronounce you man and wife."
While there, I did fall in lust with the Wizzy 12 M-line. I may bring one home in the near future. I did get home too late to plug into my amp for long, but I noticed the quick low-volume test results showing an amazing low b and string-to-string clarity and punch. There is plenty of snarl and growl in that bridge pickup to compete with my Warwicks. I may need to make a hard decision to downsize.
I didn't like the neck shape of finish feel on the Combustion, so I didn't even plug in. The various other higher models in the shop, like the Z, didn't light my fire either. There was something magical and right about the ABZ, which is good because that was the top of my budget.
My only concerns are the clicks / pops created when the PU selector switch is turned, most noticeably between positions 2 and 3, and the heel at the base of the headstock making the 1st fret position a bit stranger to play than it already is. But the whole reason I went for this beast was to use the low b higher up instead of the 1st fret position.
I must say the thin neck and light weight make this bass feel like it isn't there, and the playability is so great that it feels like cheating.
Big thanks to Chris at Bass San Diego for all his help, and tolerating the insanity that happened while me and my crew were in there . . . Yeah, one of my friends conducted a wedding for two visitors who walked in while we were there. He is certified to do those things through the ULC, and he was holding my bass when he said "by the power vested in me, and Adam's new bass, I pronounce you man and wife."
While there, I did fall in lust with the Wizzy 12 M-line. I may bring one home in the near future. I did get home too late to plug into my amp for long, but I noticed the quick low-volume test results showing an amazing low b and string-to-string clarity and punch. There is plenty of snarl and growl in that bridge pickup to compete with my Warwicks. I may need to make a hard decision to downsize.
All multiple-pole switches pop when switching signal. The trick is to mute the strings briefly as you're switching.
Thanks Sheldon! I figured that if there was a work-around that made sense, you'd have already found it and fixed it. It is also a very minor issue that I noticed because I was testing all the knobs and how the interact. One of the guys I brought along used to work building guitars, so I knew he'd have an eye for build issues that I might overlook. He was impressed as he tried all the knobs to see how they interacted. There is a large range of tone to work with here.
...there is one more downside to this bass. It has taken away any excuse I might have for my playing being off. I can't even blame the amp. I just have to step up my game.
I remember trying my ABZ5 in the store for the first time and I too was bewitched to the point where there was no way I was going to leave that bass back on that stand, it was instantly mine, then along came another and another and now I'm waiting on the 4th one to be built.
Don't think of it as downsizing, more like freeing up funds to deal with DAS.
Now, how bout some pictures?
Now, how bout some pictures?
Horrible camera work.
I actually cried playing it today. It is going to be a huge part of the rehab of my left hand and arm. I've been able to play lines that weren't options on my other basses. I'm inspired and driven.
I actually cried playing it today. It is going to be a huge part of the rehab of my left hand and arm. I've been able to play lines that weren't options on my other basses. I'm inspired and driven.
Welcome to the Dingwall family. That ABZ must sound huge coming through that Mesa rig.
All the best in the rehab on your arm.
All the best in the rehab on your arm.
Nice! Congrats and welcome to a whole new obsession.
I get to make a pilgramage to Bass NW this week. I have to go to Seattle for work. I've got the walking route saved in my itouch. A quarter mile from the job!
They night have a Sklar I can fondle. Looking to try out the TC RH-750.
I'll take the camera along and get some pictures.
I get to make a pilgramage to Bass NW this week. I have to go to Seattle for work. I've got the walking route saved in my itouch. A quarter mile from the job!
They night have a Sklar I can fondle. Looking to try out the TC RH-750.
I'll take the camera along and get some pictures.
I went for another look at a Combustion last week, but made the mistake of trying an ABZ. Smitten. Still deciding though.
