Here's a link to the Combustion sound clips at the Dingwall site Invalid Link Removed
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
Here's a link to the Combustion sound clips at the Dingwall site Invalid Link Removed
A few weeks ago I was set to buy a blueberry blue ABZ 4 from a local guy but at the last minute he backed out. Ever-determined, I stubbornly just bought that 7lb little whale pool blue abz 4 from bass central...and now, the wait....
And a swift response from no less than the man himself! ...on a customer level, this is why I was comfortable opting for a dingwall 
Thank you sir Sheldon!
Thank you sir Sheldon!
Make sure to play it naked at least once a week and feed it to fuzz every day. That's what I do with mine, and all my other nice basses, although the ABZ is only a few months old at this point. So far, so good!
See?
How are those Nordies treating you? I've been looking for a way to "J" up the tone of my AB-Z Lately. Do you have any sound samples?
Here's a short review of my AB-1 for all out there:
My discovery of Dingwall Guitars stemmed from my dissatisfaction of the B string of previous basses I've owned (Fender MIA Standard/S-1 Switch era & Yamaha RBXJM6 MK1).
I tried very hard to like & keep the Fender & passed it through a series of hardware swaps (Graphtech saddles, Nordstrand NJ5-F pickups, Hipshot A-style brass bridge). None of which helped its distant sounding B string in any way.
My idea of a functional B string:
- Note definition
- similar dynamic character to the accompanying strings (responsive to a variety of plucking, picking & slapping styles)
- able to accommodate low string action & still possess the qualities above.
So it was back in 2008 where I was looking through good 'ol TB searching for a 5 string bass that could guarantee a solid B string bought sight-unseen. I will emphasize that there wasn't much choice available in the music shops where I'm from (Singapore) but we have recently seen a wider variety of quality basses brought in by independent dealers.
The design of the AB1 intrigued me. It had specifications that I preferred (passive electronics, 18mm string spacing) & an individualistic attention to detail (custom Hipshot bridge with steel riser screws for precise saddle height shaping, counter-sunk custom Hipshot Ultralites that remove the need for a string tree). Practical attributes like a 5-piece maple neck to withstand harsh climates, a Neutrik locking input jack (make sure you tell the blokes about it before they unplug your bass!)
I finally caved in & ordered one with a natural finish while BassCentral had their Dingwall blowout sale. When it arrived it was easy to see why they are so proud of their poly finish used on the bodies; rather inviting in its clarity, provides enough grip against your forearm without being sticky.
The Sound
In general: I lack the expertise to explain this in a scientific manner but I would say (in parallel setting/tone 100%) it has a . It does not sound very deep or wide in this setting (akin a J Bass with neck pickup bias?). I use a Glockenklang outboard pre to attenuate the lows if need. I also happen to keep a low setup on this bass so it could account for a shyer low-end.
I have met an industry professional who scoffed at the fanned fret design, calling it a gimmick. But after giving the bass a good run he took back his words saying it performed much better than his personal bass that cost beyond twice as much.
Construction/Hardware:
The neck has been remarkably stable in humid weather & I've only had to adjust it after long bouts of rain. To be honest I've forgotten when I made the last adjustment & the neck is still in the cut.
I must highlight that the neck joint allows fantastic playability in the higher registers because there's no protruding block for your thumb to scale on.
The Dingwall strings are just excellent that they last so long (stuck with it for 8 months till intonation went awry). You'll have to change it more often if you like to keep things super bright, but for finger style, it just gets more centered as the months roll by.. I also appreciate that the black painted bridge hasn't showed any sign of rust.
There was a guy who borrowed my bass during a jam & in a drunken jest, thrusted the bass upwards rockstar-style & the headstock hit the ceiling projector. <Room in shock & silence> Thankfully there was only a small dent on the corner of the headstock & a detuned A string.
Nitpicks:
While I love how the passive tone control sounds across the board, the perceived volume of the bass is decreased as the tone is dimmed. This can be a problem when you're switching from a bright bridge tone to a round dubby neck pickup between tunes.
The overall tone of the bass also changes between having the volume knob at full & just dimming it slightly. The former being much brighter sounding than the other. While I kind of enjoy this characteristic in a passive bass, it does require an extra thought process when you have your bass DI'ed in concert situations. No sweat for recording or backline-only gigs.
Hope you enjoyed the read; I will back with a writeup of the Z3 & an incoming SJ5. Cheers!
My discovery of Dingwall Guitars stemmed from my dissatisfaction of the B string of previous basses I've owned (Fender MIA Standard/S-1 Switch era & Yamaha RBXJM6 MK1).
I tried very hard to like & keep the Fender & passed it through a series of hardware swaps (Graphtech saddles, Nordstrand NJ5-F pickups, Hipshot A-style brass bridge). None of which helped its distant sounding B string in any way.
My idea of a functional B string:
- Note definition
- similar dynamic character to the accompanying strings (responsive to a variety of plucking, picking & slapping styles)
- able to accommodate low string action & still possess the qualities above.
So it was back in 2008 where I was looking through good 'ol TB searching for a 5 string bass that could guarantee a solid B string bought sight-unseen. I will emphasize that there wasn't much choice available in the music shops where I'm from (Singapore) but we have recently seen a wider variety of quality basses brought in by independent dealers.
The design of the AB1 intrigued me. It had specifications that I preferred (passive electronics, 18mm string spacing) & an individualistic attention to detail (custom Hipshot bridge with steel riser screws for precise saddle height shaping, counter-sunk custom Hipshot Ultralites that remove the need for a string tree). Practical attributes like a 5-piece maple neck to withstand harsh climates, a Neutrik locking input jack (make sure you tell the blokes about it before they unplug your bass!)
I finally caved in & ordered one with a natural finish while BassCentral had their Dingwall blowout sale. When it arrived it was easy to see why they are so proud of their poly finish used on the bodies; rather inviting in its clarity, provides enough grip against your forearm without being sticky.
The Sound
In general: I lack the expertise to explain this in a scientific manner but I would say (in parallel setting/tone 100%) it has a . It does not sound very deep or wide in this setting (akin a J Bass with neck pickup bias?). I use a Glockenklang outboard pre to attenuate the lows if need. I also happen to keep a low setup on this bass so it could account for a shyer low-end.
I have met an industry professional who scoffed at the fanned fret design, calling it a gimmick. But after giving the bass a good run he took back his words saying it performed much better than his personal bass that cost beyond twice as much.
Construction/Hardware:
The neck has been remarkably stable in humid weather & I've only had to adjust it after long bouts of rain. To be honest I've forgotten when I made the last adjustment & the neck is still in the cut.
I must highlight that the neck joint allows fantastic playability in the higher registers because there's no protruding block for your thumb to scale on.
The Dingwall strings are just excellent that they last so long (stuck with it for 8 months till intonation went awry). You'll have to change it more often if you like to keep things super bright, but for finger style, it just gets more centered as the months roll by.. I also appreciate that the black painted bridge hasn't showed any sign of rust.
There was a guy who borrowed my bass during a jam & in a drunken jest, thrusted the bass upwards rockstar-style & the headstock hit the ceiling projector. <Room in shock & silence> Thankfully there was only a small dent on the corner of the headstock & a detuned A string.
Nitpicks:
While I love how the passive tone control sounds across the board, the perceived volume of the bass is decreased as the tone is dimmed. This can be a problem when you're switching from a bright bridge tone to a round dubby neck pickup between tunes.
The overall tone of the bass also changes between having the volume knob at full & just dimming it slightly. The former being much brighter sounding than the other. While I kind of enjoy this characteristic in a passive bass, it does require an extra thought process when you have your bass DI'ed in concert situations. No sweat for recording or backline-only gigs.
Hope you enjoyed the read; I will back with a writeup of the Z3 & an incoming SJ5. Cheers!
Tick..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Tock.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Tick......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Tock!!!!
Huminahuminahumina...mmmmmm me likey! Too busy obsessing to take pics right now but soon! This thing is awesome! Very green whalepool blue burst and just 6.5lbs!!! I thought an empty box arrived! 
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Alright, excuse the briefness of this writeup as my laptop is freshly fried and I'm using my phone
THIS IS THE BEST BASS I'VE EVER OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, so that's not the whole writeup haha but I will keep it pretty sysinct.
Fit n finish is as nice as anything I've ever seen. Love the hybrid natural wood/poly on the body. Very high class feeling and looking. Finish coloration itself is very unique and has a lot of character change in various lighting conditions. Smooth lines everywhere breath pure sex haha It's very ergonomically shaped and just looks badass, as everyone here is well aware. Access to upper frets is brilliantly clean thanks to the cut as well as that heel-less joint. The neck itself is a thing of beauty, dressed very well and supremely low action on a disgustingly awesome, thin profile. Flat headstock with recessed tuners is brilliant and shows again where aesthetics and functionality blend beautifully in the design. Also noted, I do a lot of chordal stuff all across the bass and in the upper register and this bass is actually easier for me to do that on than my regular basses....I have small hands! For once, that's a good thing! The natural curve of my wrist as I move up the board helps with this perfectly. I feel as if this bass were custom built specifically for me! Haha
Tuners, bridge, electronics; all beyond supreme. Elegant simplicity. I especially love the rotary pup selector! So simple to get a great selection of tones on the fly. I can cop my bquad, mtd, growler, ric, '72 jazz, and '57 p no problem! ---- I will note however that output-wise this is by large, the quietest passive bass I have ever owned. Just an observation, not a nitpick for me though as I use a TcElectronic head and this guy has his own preset on there Oh and this is my first locking jack bass and I gotta say, I wish this was what everyone used on their designs. So simple and such an improvement.
Back to the fanned design again, I keep getting people thinking its a gimmick! It's one of the most simple and impressive enhancements to tone and playability I've ever experienced! Tension is perfect and even! Notes ring more true and pronounced, especially harmonics. Volume across the strings is even! It's brilliant! Not to mention that with the D-Tuner I put on there, the tension of the drop D is finally about that of a standard E!
Oh and then there's the matter of the weight! 6.5lbs!!!!! Makes everything I own feel like I'm strapping a Buick around my neck. I've suffered from neck and shoulder problems for years and this in combination of the weight and fanned frets, is the first bass I've been absolutely comfortable playing in eons!!
To recap, best feel, best look, best sound, ....just best bass I've ever owned!
Here's some crappy pics I took in a rush before my gig last night.
THIS IS THE BEST BASS I'VE EVER OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, so that's not the whole writeup haha
but I will keep it pretty sysinct.Fit n finish is as nice as anything I've ever seen. Love the hybrid natural wood/poly on the body. Very high class feeling and looking. Finish coloration itself is very unique and has a lot of character change in various lighting conditions. Smooth lines everywhere breath pure sex haha It's very ergonomically shaped and just looks badass, as everyone here is well aware. Access to upper frets is brilliantly clean thanks to the cut as well as that heel-less joint. The neck itself is a thing of beauty, dressed very well and supremely low action on a disgustingly awesome, thin profile. Flat headstock with recessed tuners is brilliant and shows again where aesthetics and functionality blend beautifully in the design. Also noted, I do a lot of chordal stuff all across the bass and in the upper register and this bass is actually easier for me to do that on than my regular basses....I have small hands! For once, that's a good thing! The natural curve of my wrist as I move up the board helps with this perfectly. I feel as if this bass were custom built specifically for me! Haha
Tuners, bridge, electronics; all beyond supreme. Elegant simplicity. I especially love the rotary pup selector! So simple to get a great selection of tones on the fly. I can cop my bquad, mtd, growler, ric, '72 jazz, and '57 p no problem! ---- I will note however that output-wise this is by large, the quietest passive bass I have ever owned. Just an observation, not a nitpick for me though as I use a TcElectronic head and this guy has his own preset on there
Oh and this is my first locking jack bass and I gotta say, I wish this was what everyone used on their designs. So simple and such an improvement. Back to the fanned design again, I keep getting people thinking its a gimmick! It's one of the most simple and impressive enhancements to tone and playability I've ever experienced! Tension is perfect and even! Notes ring more true and pronounced, especially harmonics. Volume across the strings is even! It's brilliant! Not to mention that with the D-Tuner I put on there, the tension of the drop D is finally about that of a standard E!
Oh and then there's the matter of the weight! 6.5lbs!!!!! Makes everything I own feel like I'm strapping a Buick around my neck. I've suffered from neck and shoulder problems for years and this in combination of the weight and fanned frets, is the first bass I've been absolutely comfortable playing in eons!!
To recap, best feel, best look, best sound, ....just best bass I've ever owned!
Here's some crappy pics I took in a rush before my gig last night.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Glad you like it! That's a beauty, for sure!
And I must say, I have a soft spot in my heart for 4-string Dingwalls.
Enjoy!
And I must say, I have a soft spot in my heart for 4-string Dingwalls.
Enjoy!
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Great Llamalor!
I'm glad you're digging it! I always think that 4 string Dingwalls are a bit of a rarity, and that more players should catch a ride on that train.
Your pictures are nice too! I happen to have an AB-1 in whalepool (or as my girlfriend says whalepoop), and its a really looker.
Why don't you go and ask Sheldon about the pickup volume on the Dingwall message board. My experience is that my two Dingwalls are just as loud as any of my other passive basses, and that they're both LOUDER when the bass is switched to series mode.
I'm glad you're digging it! I always think that 4 string Dingwalls are a bit of a rarity, and that more players should catch a ride on that train.
Your pictures are nice too! I happen to have an AB-1 in whalepool (or as my girlfriend says whalepoop), and its a really looker.
Why don't you go and ask Sheldon about the pickup volume on the Dingwall message board. My experience is that my two Dingwalls are just as loud as any of my other passive basses, and that they're both LOUDER when the bass is switched to series mode.
I was thinking about doing that actually. In series mode its about equal volume to most of my jazzes and the like. It honestly doesn't bother me so much because it does have its own preset on my amp and I've got plenty of headroom to play with
But yeah, I'm a very happy camper with this thing! As for my other basses, well....they'll stick around. But I feel they might become more a part of the feng shiu than regular players now thanks to this guy
But yeah, I'm a very happy camper with this thing! As for my other basses, well....they'll stick around. But I feel they might become more a part of the feng shiu than regular players now thanks to this guy
+1 to the fact that the output ought to be higher. My ABI in series mode has as much output as most of my active basses.
