Just feeling the need to share my struggles. I can't get the Afterburner to sound as aggressive as I would like, perhaps menacing is a better word. Playing it through a Darkglass Vintage Ultra dosent help either, it goes from smooth to distorted and I would like to be somewhere between. I was planning on changing the pickups to Nordstrand Big Singles but then I would have to route new pickup slots it turns out. Can't get new pickups from Dingwall either.
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
I looked through that picture folder, I can't see the volume pot clearly. Jeff at Dingwall would know for sure. tech@(you know where).com
Sorry to hear that. Seems you have to decide if that is the bass for you. There are other Dingwall options/configurations. If you like the bass, it seems there would be a host of pedals that you could try that would give you something a bit more 'wooly' or tubey sounding. Hopefully folks here will give you ideas. I use an FEA Photon Fuzz to add some grit. You can dial in a little or a lot. Also a good Compressor can thicken things up. The thing I like about my Dingwalls is that they are so clean...great tone to start with and incredible playability...from there i can change things up as needed with pedals and technique. If a bass starts out with a distinct sound, it's basically impossible to clean it up. Good luck!
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I've got an older Dingwall Afterburner (still available in the classifieds!) that looks like the one in your avatar and it sounds plenty mean, when played in an aggressive manner. Any chance you could upload a sample recording of yourself?
My go-to suggestion in these situations is that the player is expecting an aggressive sound but isn't playing aggressively - but it's hard to know without hearing.
...yep the ever controversial "PICK" attack. Such a huge tonal difference from fingers to a pick - i recently started using a thick felt style pick (whenever i use a pick that is)....D'addario makes it - but i cant remember for what instrument - thinkin a mandolin or something. Anyway, it gets rid of that initial clack when the pick hits the string...but still the tonal attack. Maybe its just in my OCD head - not sure.
I don't ever play with a pick, and my sound has got plenty of attack...yep the ever controversial "PICK" attack. Such a huge tonal difference from fingers to a pick - i recently started using a thick felt style pick (whenever i use a pick that is)....D'addario makes it - but i cant remember for what instrument - thinkin a mandolin or something. Anyway, it gets rid of that initial clack when the pick hits the string...but still the tonal attack. Maybe its just in my OCD head - not sure.
For me, aggressive fingers style is all about speed. Hit fast, not hard.
that’s a bummer. I bet the bass sounds great but just not for what you want or achieve. I have quite a significant tonal variety between my 3 fretted Dingwalls and I have to say that
FDV with (or without) the DGTC offers tones of “organic” snarl. Probably depends on the woods too but perhaps it’s time to find another Dingwall to offer you another flavour if you can’t start modding yours without major surgery?
A man of good taste.
Which magnets did you go with? What are your impressions?I went with an AlniCo V NP-4a & Big Split on my '09 SJ with the poles covered and the same NP-4a in my SP.
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How do you have the controls set? I recommend starting with them flat. If you have an older ABII with a 2 band OBP-1 pre-amp that means turning the bass control all the way off with the treble control at the center detent position. Aggressive tone is in the mids. A mid-scooped tone will dissappear in the mix.
What kind of strings are you using?? I find stainless rounds are the way to go if you want a more aggressive sound for my AB.
johnsonabq
Watch out where the huskies go...
What strings & amp are you using ?
May I humbly suggest trying Payson Reduced Core & a Reeves C225 amp. No need for pedal effects
with that set up, dynamic, organic , musical & hard hitting......a stunning combo, sounds superb in the mix.
Failing that try a Combustion. YMMV.
A man of good taste.
I went with an AlniCo V NP-4a & Big Split on my '09 SJ with the poles covered and the same NP-4a in my SP.
Alnico V for both. I love the sound! The stock Dingwall pickups have a very clear, even tone, and they do sound great, but I always found myself boosting the mids on whatever amp or pedals I was using, so I decided pickups with a more mid-forward voicing were the way to go. The Nordys are exactly what I wanted: more of that classic mid thump, but still very clear and balanced.
Your posts definitely inspired me to contact Nordstrand, so thanks! I'd highly recommend them to anyone looking to replace their Dingwall pickups.
Sweet! Would you be so kind to share some soundclips?
Not really equipped to do this right now, sorry. I could record some crummy phone clips but I don't think they would do any justice.
Aggressive is subjective, do you have any sound sample of what you are trying to achieve ?
I tried to go for this after selling (and missing) my last spector, it didn't work out lol :
You're welcome! I'm glad they're delivering the goods for you. I run nickel rounds (DR Pure Blues) on mine and get a good Dingwall grin going every time.
Found a photo on the internet of one like mine.
Also, there are installation photos put up by @Jeff Roller right here.
Dingwall NG2 to NG3 conversion
He has a black one that looks really cool with his yellow Combustion.
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Peter Lufrano
Blues. and nothing but the Blues.
Ah yes. That's the bridge I'm looking for. If you decide you wanna rehome that puppy, please let me know!
I feel overwhelmed with all the replys. Thank you all.
Allmost all my playing theese days are done into a presonus audiobox so buying a amp is not something I am looking for right now. Regarding strings I use Dingwalls roundwounds, could of course try the Payson reduced core.
I do really like the feel of the bass, it feels like home. But yeah, need to figure out what to do, unfortunately I dont have the funds to buy a new one without selling it first and after venting like this I must admit that dialing sound is not something I enjoy all that much nor excel at, I just want to play.
And sound is truly subjective and inneffable so I will upload a song I am working at, the bass was re-recorded minutes before posting this with both pickups in series and the obp-1 flat like Sheldon suggested (I honestly didnt know that was the setting for flat)
Do keep in mind that I havent even forced the misses to listen to this yet, normally I wouldnt share at this stage but it was the song that made me vent, so it is only fair.
Allmost all my playing theese days are done into a presonus audiobox so buying a amp is not something I am looking for right now. Regarding strings I use Dingwalls roundwounds, could of course try the Payson reduced core.
I do really like the feel of the bass, it feels like home. But yeah, need to figure out what to do, unfortunately I dont have the funds to buy a new one without selling it first and after venting like this I must admit that dialing sound is not something I enjoy all that much nor excel at, I just want to play.
And sound is truly subjective and inneffable so I will upload a song I am working at, the bass was re-recorded minutes before posting this with both pickups in series and the obp-1 flat like Sheldon suggested (I honestly didnt know that was the setting for flat)
Do keep in mind that I havent even forced the misses to listen to this yet, normally I wouldnt share at this stage but it was the song that made me vent, so it is only fair.
You're welcome! I'm glad they're delivering the goods for you. I run nickel rounds (DR Pure Blues) on mine and get a good Dingwall grin going every time.
Nickel Lo-Riders for me, but I really like the Pure Blues too. You ever try Sunbeams?
