johnsonabq
Watch out where the huskies go...
Just something I pulled off the website to post. No new basses here. 
Maybe sometime in January though.
Last edited:
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
Just something I pulled off the website to post. No new basses here. Maybe sometime in January though.
johnsonabq
Watch out where the huskies go...
Update:
Maybe sometime in January though.
Ix-nay on the anuary-jay.
Patience grasshopper.
Hey DW fellows.
I’ve got some thoughts racking my brain as some of you may already know.
Some back history.
I have a:
-Z3 6
-Z3 5
-SJ 5
With a fretless Z3 6 on the way.
The Z3 6 is absolutely my fav and the direction I always gravitate to. I started playing dingwalls on an AB2 5. So I’ve always been long scale and 18mm spacing. It’s the scale I’m most at home with.
The Z3 6 is not my fav because of preamp or wood combo or sentimentality. It just sounds amazing and feels amazing and it feels like home and I often find myself missing the C when not on it.
That said my 5 Strings also have these same qualities minus a string. They are incredible and among the best of the best and each so very different from each other.
So, what I keep telling myself is that I need to go down to one 5 string as it’s all I truly need if that.
Now this poses some major problems summed up into which one to keep if I commit to the idea of parting with one and how much regret will I face either way.
I will say this.... tone is the least of factors... I think. To say one is better then the others I think is false. They truly all sound soo different but soooo good. I’ve come to the conclusion that, for me, I don’t need to chase tone. I think it’s absolutely rediculous to be fraught over swapping preamps or pick ups or or or. I’m very content with tonality on all and any of these basses can be made to suit and the reality is as much as WE love to hone our sound, these instruments are at a level where no one will have any issues with the way the bass sounds, just how bad I am at playing it! Lol. Even if I heard a bass that sounded better, at this point it won’t matter. I don’t know that it’s possible but it won’t matter. It’s more about feel IMO. Heck, I’m not in the elite so who am I to be a tone elitist anyways.
The Z3:
-sounds incredible with amazing tonal diversity.
-long scale 18mm. Most familiar with this scale.
-also most similar to my other Zs obviously so less adjustment.
The only thing I would change on this bass is make the FB Zirocote or Ebony.
-if I sell I will list at $9500ish. CAD
The SJ:
-sounds incredible with amazing tonal diversity focus significantly different then the rest of the fam. Pulls off modern jazz to vintage and the entire spectrum flawlessly. Even crank the mids and boost the bass and drop the treb on the glock and you’d be surprised at how well it sounds like a P in the neck position.
-medium scale. 19mm spacing. Plays amazing but I do “adjust” and feel I lack a little in certain attributes when switching over to this bass. The lack is mainly on speed and string jumping close to the headstock. Not a huge issue as I’m not playing speed,tech, on it but it’s a thing. I do find when I go back to a long scale the issues slip away.
-I spec’d This bass.... and I think I did a pretty killer job. Not tooting horn here but considering at the time I was less educated on wood and electronic properties it turned out amazing. Got lucky I guess!
That said, I love the build of this bass. The Zirocote FB is a big highlight to me. I personally like it as a FB better then wenge. I would spec another bass the same or very similar.
-If playing “easier” lines I love the ease of playing this bass. For the more technical stuff I like the others.
-if I sell I will list at $6000ish.CAD
Also, just to be absolutely clear. IMO I don’t think the SJ is a lesser bass by any means then the Z series. It’s just a build platform that was never home for me. Same with Ps or Birds or whathave you.
I’m sure there are a few other factors that weigh on my brain but it’s just a constant mess floating around my head as to why I have these wonderous things but spend as much time figuring out which one to pick up as I do playing them and then I have one in my hand and I think maybe I should be playing that one right now. Ultimately, maybe I should just sell them both and focus on playing the 6 fretted and fretless and be done with it.
I think for me it was a mistake growing a collection or building diversity as not all that long ago I was a one bass guy for years.
I guess I could put both of them back in there cases and just try and forget about them for a while as another option.
Fug. Some honest wisdom from the forum would be appreciated.
I’ve got some thoughts racking my brain as some of you may already know.
Some back history.
I have a:
-Z3 6
-Z3 5
-SJ 5
With a fretless Z3 6 on the way.
The Z3 6 is absolutely my fav and the direction I always gravitate to. I started playing dingwalls on an AB2 5. So I’ve always been long scale and 18mm spacing. It’s the scale I’m most at home with.
The Z3 6 is not my fav because of preamp or wood combo or sentimentality. It just sounds amazing and feels amazing and it feels like home and I often find myself missing the C when not on it.
That said my 5 Strings also have these same qualities minus a string. They are incredible and among the best of the best and each so very different from each other.
So, what I keep telling myself is that I need to go down to one 5 string as it’s all I truly need if that.
Now this poses some major problems summed up into which one to keep if I commit to the idea of parting with one and how much regret will I face either way.
I will say this.... tone is the least of factors... I think. To say one is better then the others I think is false. They truly all sound soo different but soooo good. I’ve come to the conclusion that, for me, I don’t need to chase tone. I think it’s absolutely rediculous to be fraught over swapping preamps or pick ups or or or. I’m very content with tonality on all and any of these basses can be made to suit and the reality is as much as WE love to hone our sound, these instruments are at a level where no one will have any issues with the way the bass sounds, just how bad I am at playing it! Lol. Even if I heard a bass that sounded better, at this point it won’t matter. I don’t know that it’s possible but it won’t matter. It’s more about feel IMO. Heck, I’m not in the elite so who am I to be a tone elitist anyways.
The Z3:
-sounds incredible with amazing tonal diversity.
-long scale 18mm. Most familiar with this scale.
-also most similar to my other Zs obviously so less adjustment.
The only thing I would change on this bass is make the FB Zirocote or Ebony.
-if I sell I will list at $9500ish. CAD
The SJ:
-sounds incredible with amazing tonal diversity focus significantly different then the rest of the fam. Pulls off modern jazz to vintage and the entire spectrum flawlessly. Even crank the mids and boost the bass and drop the treb on the glock and you’d be surprised at how well it sounds like a P in the neck position.
-medium scale. 19mm spacing. Plays amazing but I do “adjust” and feel I lack a little in certain attributes when switching over to this bass. The lack is mainly on speed and string jumping close to the headstock. Not a huge issue as I’m not playing speed,tech, on it but it’s a thing. I do find when I go back to a long scale the issues slip away.
-I spec’d This bass.... and I think I did a pretty killer job. Not tooting horn here but considering at the time I was less educated on wood and electronic properties it turned out amazing. Got lucky I guess!
That said, I love the build of this bass. The Zirocote FB is a big highlight to me. I personally like it as a FB better then wenge. I would spec another bass the same or very similar.
-If playing “easier” lines I love the ease of playing this bass. For the more technical stuff I like the others.
-if I sell I will list at $6000ish.CAD
Also, just to be absolutely clear. IMO I don’t think the SJ is a lesser bass by any means then the Z series. It’s just a build platform that was never home for me. Same with Ps or Birds or whathave you.
I’m sure there are a few other factors that weigh on my brain but it’s just a constant mess floating around my head as to why I have these wonderous things but spend as much time figuring out which one to pick up as I do playing them and then I have one in my hand and I think maybe I should be playing that one right now. Ultimately, maybe I should just sell them both and focus on playing the 6 fretted and fretless and be done with it.
I think for me it was a mistake growing a collection or building diversity as not all that long ago I was a one bass guy for years.
I guess I could put both of them back in there cases and just try and forget about them for a while as another option.
Fug. Some honest wisdom from the forum would be appreciated.
I’m pretty certain I could guess at most replies to my previous statement above and with rereading it I think I just realized I needed to do a little airing out. Nothing changed just need to let the thoughts out.
I think someone said one time that you should write your thoughts down if your having troubles with them. Maybe they didn’t and I just said it.... lol. I don’t know but Thanks for reading anyways fellows
I think someone said one time that you should write your thoughts down if your having troubles with them. Maybe they didn’t and I just said it.... lol. I don’t know but Thanks for reading anyways fellows
My first and main question would be, do you need the money from selling either/both? If the answer is "no", I wouldn't bother selling right now. Especially right now, it's about the worst time to be a seller. Tax time in the US would be better to help you get near your asking prices.
I know what you mean about having choices. I walk into my music room to write, record, or practice and I probably spend a few minutes noodling on each Dingwall before I finally settle into the task at hand. But I don't find that to be a problem -- as you, each brings a certain joy and excitement to play, so having multiple flavors is great. It also may be that on a given day, a certain bass will call out for what I need to accomplish more than the other. Not because, as you've pointed out, that it is "better", but it is different in a way that speaks to me in that moment. There's a lot to be said to have the right tool that will just get out of your way so you're not tweaking to get what you want or need.
I wish I could make a serious offer on the Z, though. That one is stunning. Good luck with whatever you end up deciding!
I know what you mean about having choices. I walk into my music room to write, record, or practice and I probably spend a few minutes noodling on each Dingwall before I finally settle into the task at hand. But I don't find that to be a problem -- as you, each brings a certain joy and excitement to play, so having multiple flavors is great. It also may be that on a given day, a certain bass will call out for what I need to accomplish more than the other. Not because, as you've pointed out, that it is "better", but it is different in a way that speaks to me in that moment. There's a lot to be said to have the right tool that will just get out of your way so you're not tweaking to get what you want or need.
I wish I could make a serious offer on the Z, though. That one is stunning. Good luck with whatever you end up deciding!
I secondd all of the above, if you don’t need the cash then keep hold of them. You never know when a new project or just inspiration to play one of them will come along. It is also most definitely a bad time of year to sell as well.
That said if you move the decimal point one place to the left I’ll take the Z
That said if you move the decimal point one place to the left I’ll take the Z
I found it difficult, in terms of muscle memory, to alternate between my SJ5 and my Z3 on gigs. Both in terms of scale spacing and string spacing. Since your Z 6s are both long scale with 18mm spacing, I'd sell the SJ5, especially if it is not being played much.
I standardized on long scale. Simplified things nicely. 1 fretless. 1 workhorse. 1 go to church on Sunday bass. Simple!
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I was feeling halfway human today and Mrs Skies was out with friends... time to move some of the furniture around on the fretless Combustion... trying it the ‘Z2’ positioning. Changed out the EMG preamp for a Darkglass Tone Capsule. It’s going to look a lil funky until I can get a pickguard cut...
Started out like this:
Now this:
The pickup move was the easy part. Pull the neck pickup out of place, check the mounting hole size, move into place and mark, drill carefully...and you don't even have to unsolder the lead, the cable channel is perfect for both positions.
The Darkglass too a little more time, the pot thread/shafts are a bit bigger than the EMG and I had to drill out the EQ pot holes a lil' bit. That went smoothly and I removed the EMG, and really left everything in place, and just wired in the new module. Honestly once I'd extracted the EMG and got the DG pots in place it was about 5 minutes.
Started out like this:
Now this:
The pickup move was the easy part. Pull the neck pickup out of place, check the mounting hole size, move into place and mark, drill carefully...and you don't even have to unsolder the lead, the cable channel is perfect for both positions.
The Darkglass too a little more time, the pot thread/shafts are a bit bigger than the EMG and I had to drill out the EQ pot holes a lil' bit. That went smoothly and I removed the EMG, and really left everything in place, and just wired in the new module. Honestly once I'd extracted the EMG and got the DG pots in place it was about 5 minutes.
All good points here.
I don’t think the financial factor is the driving force. The idea of money in hand over a bass in closet is nice as I get older and have been “trimming” up.
I definitely, wholeheartedly agree that some days some basses sync with you differently or better or....
Hey! I already was Santa this year! Jokes!I secondd all of the above, if you don’t need the cash then keep hold of them. You never know when a new project or just inspiration to play one of them will come along. It is also most definitely a bad time of year to sell as well.
That said if you move the decimal point one place to the left I’ll take the Z
I think what you mention about other projects coming up is where some of this is coming from. I finally have a project at hand now that calls for the jazz more then ever before and I’ve been playing it for this project. It sounds amazing. It feels awesome. I tried the “zebra” and, ha, I wanted to play metal.... hahahahaha. My inspiration is different BUT I then grabbed the 6 and everything I’ve been doing with the jazz felt “ at home” on the six. Which brought me to think if this is the case.....
A logic that I’ve been mulling on....
Again..... that same logic. But I love the jazz. But I think standardization just makes a lot of sense......
Funny thing is, when I switch from my AB2 5's to my Super 4, I feel I can play faster. Perhaps switching to a super 5 would feel different... hmm.
I say it comes down to usage. If after a while, you find you're not picking up, that is when it makes more sense to sell. Also, any certain features of either instrument that will make you pick up THAT one over others?
I agree. That 1mm makes a significant difference. You also have to consider across 5 strings that adds up.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
And here’s me, with a SP/J and a Z3, and I’m way more comfy with the Super.
Go figure.
Maybe we should swap. Lol.
I'm basically a one bass guy (my old bass hasn't been played since I got your NG3...was that the Santa reference? Haha), but I thought if I had more than one it would be for diversity. Very interesting.
When I read some of the pro tips from pro recording artists in another thread a while back, they always seemed to show up to the job with two or three different basses, usually a P and a J, and something else. Usually with flats on one, or flats ready to be installed. But you could definitely argue that DWs are way more diverse than your average bass, especially if you have some diverse strings kicking around, and know how to get P tones etc. out of your Z (and you can 'check' both those boxes).
Sometimes when I get to overthinking, a simple test is sometimes best. I think if you're set on liberating one of them, maybe you should find a trusted friend with a secure residence, and get him to babysit each one for couple weeks. Find out which one you miss more. This idea started out in my head as a bad joke, where I nominate myself as the trusted friend, but in all honesty, someone that wouldn't even be interested to open the case would be preferable. It might help.
I can confirm that this approach does not work for everyone. I have many beautiful instruments that have sat untouched in their cases, some as long as 20+ years, and I still can't get myself to find the time to photograph them and post them for sale, although I know I should, both for financial prudence and marital harmony.
I'm definitely a one bass kind of person. If I'm not playing an instrument, I don't need to keep it around. My ABHS is literally all the bass I could ever need.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Sell the 5 string Z. You've got a 5-string Z hiding in your 6-string. The SJ is a different scale/feel/tone. Even if you're not 100% on it, it's great to have that as an option.
This has been more my leaning until recently. If I was pro recording I think you would be exactly right and it would be a no brainer. Up until maybe 2014ish I was a one bass guy for years and it was never a thing. Then all of a sudden I became a bass buying and selling loonatic with perhaps an end result of have 1 or each type thing. Now I’m right back down to just a couple of key tools. I think the evolution and exploration was worth it(maybe not financially) but I think through this discussion I am coming back to leaning on one bass( or at least bass “type”?)
But..... refer back to point A. Your logic is not not wrong here. ....
