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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
Yes!
Here's my BEAD-Bird in action yesterday in the studio:
Sounds epic!!!! Mean AF!
Equality is a great thing. My fiancée said I should get something if she gets a fancy ring, so as an engagenent/birthday present, she's given me a gorgeous Whalepool Burst Combustion 5 string. This thing is amazing. I never quite understood the "plays itself" comment, but I'm there. I had a jam with a friend today and the string to string balance is exceptional, the fan frets almost feel more natural than parallel frets, the hipshot tuners stayed in tune for the whole time and that B string is simply amazing. I've also swapped out the strap buttons for locking ones. The only thing I'm curious about is if I'd like the front pickup in the middle position... On that note, I don't suppose anyone would be able to send me a scan of a 5 string NG2 pickguard?
Seriously, (at least for now) my GAS is sated.
OIt looks a little bit lighter in person.
Seriously, (at least for now) my GAS is sated.
OIt looks a little bit lighter in person.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Congratulations on both accounts.
Similarly, I based the amount to spend on my wife’s engagement ring on the end cost of my Z1 (the infamous Rastaburst)...if I was willing to spend that on me, then I’m willing to spend it on her. Seemed fair.
... now the Rastaburst is worth 3x as much as the ring... and that hasn’t lost any value.
I’m sure it’s been asked but just need clarification. The Combustion 3X and NG3 each have different pickup switch configurations, correct?
At this point it may depend on the year of production of the NG. If I was to speculate ngs factory shipped in 2018 may have come with the d bird switch. Possibly some of the upgrade kits too? Other then that I believe they should all be 3x switching moving forward . I believe the newer ones are back to the 3x switch.
Although I do wonder if some of the newer 3x combustion’s actually had that d bird switch now too come to think of it.
I haven’t seen any actual serial number or date clarification on this though so take this as a rough speculation.
Edit to this post. As per @PBass below.
I think what I meant to say I believe they started with d bird switches but I thought it was mentioned that the combustion’s models are going to the 3x
But I still think some early ones had 3x switches too!?! .... heck. I shouldn’t of touched this one.
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I don't believe that's correct. According to the site, the Combustion 3x/NG-3 both have the D-Bird switch. My NG-3 has the D-Bird switch.
I ordered the D-Bird switch in all of my incoming basses...
Yeah. Post edited above. Lol
I'm with ya'. I remember seeing that the fine folks at Dingwall were talking about going to the 3x switch in the Combustions. I don't think it's happened yet.
I'm sure that it's totally contextual, but I can't, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want a 3-pickup bass and NOT want the option of having them all on at once. I get that some folks don't play out, or maybe they play music that requires a specific type of tone that doesn't come from that setting. When I'm in my studio, I'm constantly using the switch, just to see how each setting records. Live? Let's just say I might have been able to save a few bucks by ordering my basses wired passive, all pickups on in series, and just had a volume and a tone knob. I leave the DGTC engaged on my NG-3, but I don't use much EQ.
With, ostensibly, the same settings, my passive D-Bird is as loud as my NG-3 with the TC on and the EQ set flat. I would say that's crazy, but it was the same deal when I had my v1 Combustion and my previous gen. ABZ, the ABZ was louder.
Anyways, I'm sure everyone has their reasons for not wanting it, but it seems like having a car with a V8, and being able to alter the cylinder configuration, but having all 8 cylinders available at one time isn't an option...
Because normally the sound gets thinner with each added pickup. The Strat also has three pickups, and no setting to use them all. It's the usual way. I have a Squier Bass VI, where you can choose for each pickup if you want it engaded. Guess what, the worst setting it all three on. Think Jazz Bass wiring, both pickups on full = scooped out mids, thinner sound. Turn one of them down just a tiny bit and the mids come back, either barky or broad. A third pickup would make things even more extreme, i.e. even more scoop.
The folks at Dingwall don't just put all three pickups together, they have a clever way of putting some of them in parallel and in series with the others. That way it actually gets louder and fuller. The D-Bird is my by far loudest bass on that setting - and I have some really hot active basses. I love that sound with all three on, with a pick its just massive sounding. I need to dial back the mids a tad, otherwise it's just too much.
That makes sense, since in a parallel connection the sum(Σ) resistance is less than the lowest resistor in the circuit, and only in series is it combined.
Now that I think on it, the 3 pup option (2 in parallel in series with 1) would actually have less total output following that rule. Though that's not accounting for the larger overall magnet space and such- maybe it's like driving your amp through more speakers- technically you're losing wattage by diverting it through more speakers, but the perceived volume is increased?
I can tell you exactly why I don't want the option, it's too dark and boomy for me with my setup. It works for some people but not for me, different strokes etc.
The 4 way switch is never gonna please everyone
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I'm with ya'. I remember seeing that the fine folks at Dingwall were talking about going to the 3x switch in the Combustions. I don't think it's happened yet.
I'm sure that it's totally contextual, but I can't, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want a 3-pickup bass and NOT want the option of having them all on at once. I get that some folks don't play out, or maybe they play music that requires a specific type of tone that doesn't come from that setting. When I'm in my studio, I'm constantly using the switch, just to see how each setting records. Live? Let's just say I might have been able to save a few bucks by ordering my basses wired passive, all pickups on in series, and just had a volume and a tone knob. I leave the DGTC engaged on my NG-3, but I don't use much EQ.
With, ostensibly, the same settings, my passive D-Bird is as loud as my NG-3 with the TC on and the EQ set flat. I would say that's crazy, but it was the same deal when I had my v1 Combustion and my previous gen. ABZ, the ABZ was louder.
Anyways, I'm sure everyone has their reasons for not wanting it, but it seems like having a car with a V8, and being able to alter the cylinder configuration, but having all 8 cylinders available at one time isn't an option...
As always, best to take a nuanced view. My NG3 has a 3X switch rather than a D-Bird switch. While I love and use the Bridge/Neck in series on all my "1" designate models, I find that mode is at the edge of 'as fat as I could want' and in some settings it came across as a bit congested in the reaches of low-low/mid. For instance I tend to record in Bridge/Neck Parallel.
My Combustion V4 has been re-worked to be Bridge/Middle ("2" designate models)... and while I wasn't sure I would love that (not being a bridge pickup-favoring player) I've come to REALLY like that...It's got the full thick tone with a bit more clarity than the standard "1" models i have.
I wouldn't personally want to have the 'all three' switch setting at the sacrifice of having a very usable option of Bridge/Neck option. Also, since I love the Bridge/Middle series setting...I'd be trading two positions I really love for that one 3-pickup position.
Probably best to look at both switching schemes and figure out which one has the MOST usable options for you as a player then pick the model or switch that suits you best.
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BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Hey y'all the adventure of spending one and a half times the cost of the bass in customizations to it is coming to a close.
Note that the bass has been hanging out in the neighborhood since early Friday morning and FedEx is having a leisurely time of delivering it to me sometime today. I think they might be working by way of pack-mule.
Sometime today the Combustion C2 Fretless piezo/electric lobstrosity will show up at my office.
Note that the bass has been hanging out in the neighborhood since early Friday morning and FedEx is having a leisurely time of delivering it to me sometime today. I think they might be working by way of pack-mule.
Sometime today the Combustion C2 Fretless piezo/electric lobstrosity will show up at my office.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
But the real question is, DOES IT DJENT?!
Whelp, it has a DGTC on board...and they love that $hit, so it must, right?
Lets add up some costs:
Dingwall Combustion (used): $900
Darkglass Tone Capsule: $170
Dunlop Strap-loks: $14
Custom pickguard: $80
First de-fret: $200
Luminlay: $136
Neck inlay removal-clean up and re-inlay, refinish, level etc: $530 (a bargain for the amount of actual work)
Graphtech bass piezo preamp: $130
Graphtech Bass piezo ABM bridge saddles/pickups: $110
Customization to existing ABM saddle hardware, modify body, customization to Graphtech hardware, design/implement new electronics setup for both pickups: $290
Meet the $2560 Combustion.
But still, given new Combustion pricing and the 'options' I've chosen... Is this worth $600 more than off the shelf? I think so.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Even better.... it will Root shock!
Totally hoping to use this regularly on stage. Not just for our 'acoustic' shows but I've got a double Hercules stand and an AB box ready to go!
But the real question is, DOES IT DJENT?!
Will it "Brr Brr DENG"?Even better.... it will Root shock!
The whole 3x debate I think really comes down to be situational.
It definitely has uses. Honestly though,
With the different configurations I’ve had I could always find a happy place for what ever the music was I am playing to.
My fretless set up is, for obvious reasons the most different Dingwall then the rest. That said I’m also trying to achieve a completely different sound then “the normal” Dingwall.
Of the different configured basses I don’t even think I have a favourite one. They just shine differently.
I must admit I only scratched the surface when I had the Zebra but it was probably the most articulated bass I’ve ever heard. For percussive styles, tapping and such it was perhaps the penultimate. I’m hoping the new build will be similar. The only electronics difference will be the switch so it will be interesting to hear
It had FDV/3x/DGTC.
Honestly the NG3 (d bird switch) was right behind it.
OTOH, the glockenklang configured basses have something musically magical about them. Less aggressive/digital?/mechanical?, more natural/open/musical
I often wonder if the glockenklang would have been a better suited pre for the fretless. The DG sounds fantastic but I still can’t help but wonder if the glock would have a more sweepable usefulness. With that, the FD3s fit the bill perfectly and more so the D bird switch was EXACTLY what this fretless needed.
My fav setting is M/B parallel but the other 3 are extremely relevant and useful where as I struggled to love any of the settings(aside from B solo) on the 3x switch. On a fretted bass, different story.
It definitely has uses. Honestly though,
With the different configurations I’ve had I could always find a happy place for what ever the music was I am playing to.
My fretless set up is, for obvious reasons the most different Dingwall then the rest. That said I’m also trying to achieve a completely different sound then “the normal” Dingwall.
Of the different configured basses I don’t even think I have a favourite one. They just shine differently.
I must admit I only scratched the surface when I had the Zebra but it was probably the most articulated bass I’ve ever heard. For percussive styles, tapping and such it was perhaps the penultimate. I’m hoping the new build will be similar. The only electronics difference will be the switch so it will be interesting to hear
It had FDV/3x/DGTC.
Honestly the NG3 (d bird switch) was right behind it.
OTOH, the glockenklang configured basses have something musically magical about them. Less aggressive/digital?/mechanical?, more natural/open/musical
I often wonder if the glockenklang would have been a better suited pre for the fretless. The DG sounds fantastic but I still can’t help but wonder if the glock would have a more sweepable usefulness. With that, the FD3s fit the bill perfectly and more so the D bird switch was EXACTLY what this fretless needed.
My fav setting is M/B parallel but the other 3 are extremely relevant and useful where as I struggled to love any of the settings(aside from B solo) on the 3x switch. On a fretted bass, different story.
