• 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

#28,302
Thumper said:
I really like the middle/bridge in series, it's what I imagine a Stingray sounds like (never having owned or played one). It's such a "in-your-face" tone. With the series/parallel switches engaged I imagine it would cut through any mix.
Click to expand...

I'm a long time Stingray player and I`ve bought that NS-2 specifically because it sounds so close to a Ray, or so I thought in the store. That series tone coupled with a beefy boost to bass and high mids, comes quite close to a Stingray tone. It can absolutely cover the same ground.

The most glaring difference is in the E / A string grunt that a Stingray has... the Dingwall does not offer that, to that extent at least. Also, the highest sizzle of a Ray with the treble EQ turned all the way up, you can't copy that with the Dingwall. My Ray is a 2-band, so more extreme in both bass and treble than the 3-band Stingrays.

The NS-2 has its own kind of grunt, and plays quite different. It feels like a scalpel, while the Ray feels like a heavy machete. Both play exceptionally well, but still, they are very different basses.
At the end of the day, they both have their unique voice while doing basically the same thing ;)

The real merit of the NS-2 over the Ray is the tone settings knob - the middle PU only is just sooo good.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DiabolusInMusic, AB Nate and GregC
#28,303
djaxup said:
I'm a long time Stingray player and I`ve bought that NS-2 specifically because it sounds so close to a Ray, or so I thought in the store. That series tone coupled with a beefy boost to bass and high mids, comes quite close to a Stingray tone. It can absolutely cover the same ground.

The most glaring difference is in the E / A string grunt that a Stingray has... the Dingwall does not offer that, to that extent at least. Also, the highest sizzle of a Ray with the treble EQ turned all the way up, you can't copy that with the Dingwall. My Ray is a 2-band, so more extreme in both bass and treble than the 3-band Stingrays.

The NS-2 has its own kind of grunt, and plays quite different. It feels like a scalpel, while the Ray feels like a heavy machete. Both play exceptionally well, but still, they are very different basses.
At the end of the day, they both have their unique voice while doing basically the same thing ;)

The real merit of the NS-2 over the Ray is the tone settings knob - the middle PU only is just sooo good.
Click to expand...

The NG-2 has a Darkglass Tone capsule. The EQ points are not near what the Stingray does. Rather than having a treble or mid control, it has a low mid and high mid, and doesn't touch the treble range.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Waltsdog
#28,304
BurningSkies said:
The NG-2 has a Darkglass Tone capsule. The EQ points are not near what the Stingray does. Rather than having a treble or mid control, it has a low mid and high mid, and doesn't touch the treble range.
Click to expand...

They still sound quite similar. Similar enough that basically only seasoned Stringray or Dingwall players could distinguish them in a blind test. Just like a properly set J-Bass can sound pretty close to a P-Bass, but not reach 100%.
The 3-Band Rays sound even more like an NS-2.
I mentioned in my post that you need to boost bass and high mid (not treble).
 
#28,305
djaxup said:
They still sound quite similar. Similar enough that basically only seasoned Stringray or Dingwall players could distinguish them in a blind test. Just like a properly set J-Bass can sound pretty close to a P-Bass, but not reach 100%.
The 3-Band Rays sound even more like an NS-2.
I mentioned in my post that you need to boost bass and high mid (not treble).
Click to expand...
I have to respectfully disagree. The B/M definitely has a lot of character, but it doesn't sound much like a Stingray in my opinion. It's got a similar attack to the tone, but the character of the mids differ quite a lot. Much more high mid presence in the B/M compared to the typical MM pickup, which tends to have a more low mid focused tone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BurningSkies
#28,306
djaxup said:
They still sound quite similar. Similar enough that basically only seasoned Stringray or Dingwall players could distinguish them in a blind test. Just like a properly set J-Bass can sound pretty close to a P-Bass, but not reach 100%.
The 3-Band Rays sound even more like an NS-2.
I mentioned in my post that you need to boost bass and high mid (not treble).
Click to expand...

“Also, the highest sizzle of a Ray with the treble EQ turned all the way up, you can't copy that with the Dingwall.”

You apparently could tell. I was explaining why.
 
  • Like
Reactions: djaxup
#28,309
So just for fun, I tried tuning my regular gauge Dingwall steels to C# standard tuning to play along with some BTBAM. My ABHS handled it like a breeze, even the low G#. Now I really wanna try some Payson steel strings again, as they have higher tension and gauges. Just cant buy gear right now...
 
#28,311
The_Owl said:
So just for fun, I tried tuning my regular gauge Dingwall steels to C# standard tuning to play along with some BTBAM. My ABHS handled it like a breeze, even the low G#. Now I really wanna try some Payson steel strings again, as they have higher tension and gauges. Just cant buy gear right now...
Click to expand...

I just saw Sheldon released a vid on drop tuning. Not my thing but I’m sure is useful for many a Dingwall player
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peter Lufrano
#28,316
Hi everyone! I'm going to have to scratch the itch and try one of these basses. Does anyone on here have a Combustion 4 or an NG2 4 string that they would be interested in parting with? I don't know how keen I am on some of those crazy loud colors for the NG2's, and I think I'm preferring the sound of the Combustion 4's pickup spacing. Still, if you have something you are willing to part with, drop me a PM. Thanks! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peter Lufrano
#28,318
bigsnack said:
Hi everyone! I'm going to have to scratch the itch and try one of these basses. Does anyone on here have a Combustion 4 or an NG2 4 string that they would be interested in parting with? I don't know how keen I am on some of those crazy loud colors for the NG2's, and I think I'm preferring the sound of the Combustion 4's pickup spacing. Still, if you have something you are willing to part with, drop me a PM. Thanks! :bassist:
Click to expand...

I think there is also a D-Bird on Reverb.
 
#28,319
More Dingwall work for Maurillo Mina at Mo's Shop. Preparing my new-to-me 2016 ABHS 6 for installation of Nordstrand Jazz pickups, to be housed in new shells ordered from Dingwall. He has added shielding to the pickup cavities. I decided to keep it passive. I highly recommend Mo for any mods you have in mind. BTW, I absolutely love the solid bubinga body on this bass. Punch and sustain for days. Not to mention it is just plain gorgeous!

ABHS.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: S-Bigbottom, Salciniclas, Larchi and 10 others
#28,320
Bassheart365 said:
More Dingwall work for Maurillo Mina at Mo's Shop. Preparing my new-to-me 2016 ABHS 6 for installation of Nordstrand Jazz pickups, to be housed in new shells ordered from Dingwall. He has added shielding to the pickup cavities. I decided to keep it passive. I highly recommend Mo for any mods you have in mind. BTW, I absolutely love the solid bubinga body on this bass. Punch and sustain for days. Not to mention it is just plain gorgeous!

View attachment 3377740
Click to expand...

Mo must be cursing Sheldon by now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AB Nate, Bassheart365 and Peter Lufrano

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back