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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
I retrofitted my NG-2 four-string with a Payson which I really like. Unfortunately, I don't think they are available anymore. One of the reasons I wanted to try the four-string NG is because of its 19mm string spacing. I'm so used to it with my Supers. The NG kills.
It looks like this pic was taken before the string spacing was adjusted properly...
The Payson is a nice looking bridge. And it has some string spacing adjustments? I like the threaded intonation adjuster. It’s always a bit of hit or miss with my AB and Supers.
Slide it, tune, slide it tune, and repeat, but I always get it in the end. The screw adjuster would be an improvement.
Slide it, tune, slide it tune, and repeat, but I always get it in the end. The screw adjuster would be an improvement.
Each string sits in a groove on the saddle piece, which can be moved side to side, and locked with a set screw.
Actually, I wholeheartedly agree with this - adjusting intonation on my Supers is such an imprecise art. If the new bridge (so far only seen on the D-Rocs) are to become standard across the board I could certainly grow to appreciate it if the intonation is easier to set as a result of the “closed” design.
The individual bridges on my Combustion have spacing adjustment, the grooved pin that the string sits in can be unlocked and moved left or right and re-locked with an "Allen" grub screw. I have set my spacing to 17.5mm because that seems my "sweet" spot.
The individual bridge pieces have 3x grub screws, 2 for the height, the 3rd is the locking for spacing.
If the 3rd one is missing the grub screw it is probably because the screw has been put in from below, this stops screws falling our during transit.
I will say, these individual ones do have a "cheapness" about them.
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I posted this in the Zero-Mod thumb-rest for NG-2 thread, and I'm reposting it here too, for those who might benefit:
I just received mine and installed it onto my Dingwall NG-2. It feels very natural. Not quite as if it was part of the original design, due to having to use existing holes of the pickguard screws, but that extension from the screw to the thumb-rest isn't too intrusive, so it feels pretty good.
On the NG-2, that area between the pickups and the neck is the most natural spot my hand will stay at when playing, so I used to have to either rest on the neck, or on the pickup, which means it would feel either too forward or to backward. Now it's just perfect.
You can check out lucas303's photo of the actual mod here: Zero-Mod thumb rest for Dingwall NG2
I just received mine and installed it onto my Dingwall NG-2. It feels very natural. Not quite as if it was part of the original design, due to having to use existing holes of the pickguard screws, but that extension from the screw to the thumb-rest isn't too intrusive, so it feels pretty good.
On the NG-2, that area between the pickups and the neck is the most natural spot my hand will stay at when playing, so I used to have to either rest on the neck, or on the pickup, which means it would feel either too forward or to backward. Now it's just perfect.
You can check out lucas303's photo of the actual mod here: Zero-Mod thumb rest for Dingwall NG2
I don't own an Asian-made Dingwall but I would definitely buy a Combustion with that bridge. If it's not in the cards I might get a D-Roc Standard 5 even though I'm not a big fan of the shape - I kinda need another bass so I can stop switching tunings on my Super J and it has the features I'd want.
Although I'd rather stick with Dingwall, another option I'm considering is the new and affordable RedSub Coliseum sold by Gear4Music. A bit weird looking (especially the headstock) but roasted maple, compound radius, luminlay and a 36.25'' B string at THAT price (USD 313.50$ for the 5, 336$ for the 6) is tempting
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I believe it will so set the spacing first, then do the intonation adjustment. Its no more hassle than when changing strings.
Peter Lufrano
Blues. and nothing but the Blues.
I retrofitted my NG-2 four-string with a Payson which I really like. Unfortunately, I don't think they are available anymore. One of the reasons I wanted to try the four-string NG is because of its 19mm string spacing. I'm so used to it with my Supers. The NG kills.
View attachment 3671414
It looks like this pic was taken before the string spacing was adjusted properly...
Man, I wish I could find a few of these bridged to purchase. I'd replace all the bridges on my Supers....
I have an older Combustion and have a Payson Bridge ready to go on there. Just haven't done it yet.
I'm not sure on the geometry, but I was thinking that moving only one end the string changes the fan (if you move it too far at least) and that potentially makes it impossible to intonate correctly?
Maybe the bridge doesn't allow it to be adjusted far enough to make that a problem.
Totally agree. That is one awesome combo. I had this exact bass in my possession for a short while. It was the second best SP5 that I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Had the look I preferred for sure!
I really dig dark colored fret boards for aesthetics, but my alder/maple/maple SPJ5 has kicked a bunch of really nice basses to the curb.
I know tonal preferences are all subjective, but in spite of looks, I would humbly suggest one spec change - maple board.
Without getting into the whole tone woods matter/don’t matter debate, I will say that I have noticed a difference in higher frequency content (on alder body maple neck passive SP5s with only neck pickup). To my ears the maple sounds more open with more treble content present. I can roll it off when desired, but I couldn’t dial it in with the pau ferro or wenge boards. I thought the wenge got closer, but still not quite there. Can’t speak to the ebony option, but would love to do that comparison!
Something to consider when planning your dream SP5. Just my opinion. Worth the price charged!
Totally agree. That is one awesome combo. I had this exact bass in my possession for a short while. It was the second best SP5 that I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Had the look I preferred for sure!
I really dig dark colored fret boards for aesthetics, but my alder/maple/maple SPJ5 has kicked a bunch of really nice basses to the curb.
I know tonal preferences are all subjective, but in spite of looks, I would humbly suggest one spec change - maple board.
Without getting into the whole tone woods matter/don’t matter debate, I will say that I have noticed a difference in higher frequency content (on alder body maple neck passive SP5s with only neck pickup). To my ears the maple sounds more open with more treble content present. I can roll it off when desired, but I couldn’t dial it in with the pau ferro or wenge boards. I thought the wenge got closer, but still not quite there. Can’t speak to the ebony option, but would love to do that comparison!
Something to consider when planning your dream SP5. Just my opinion. Worth the price charged!
Barry Lamb was still with Dingwall when I was planning my SP4. We both like a bright tonal palette, and after hashing it out, I ended up spec'ing mine like his - maple/maple/swamp ash, except his is BEM. No brag, just the fact - it's the best precision I've ever played.
I can dig that too! There is a clean look to maple - and I won't dispute the sound qualities.Totally agree. That is one awesome combo. I had this exact bass in my possession for a short while. It was the second best SP5 that I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Had the look I preferred for sure!
I really dig dark colored fret boards for aesthetics, but my alder/maple/maple SPJ5 has kicked a bunch of really nice basses to the curb.
I know tonal preferences are all subjective, but in spite of looks, I would humbly suggest one spec change - maple board.
Without getting into the whole tone woods matter/don’t matter debate, I will say that I have noticed a difference in higher frequency content (on alder body maple neck passive SP5s with only neck pickup). To my ears the maple sounds more open with more treble content present. I can roll it off when desired, but I couldn’t dial it in with the pau ferro or wenge boards. I thought the wenge got closer, but still not quite there. Can’t speak to the ebony option, but would love to do that comparison!
Something to consider when planning your dream SP5. Just my opinion. Worth the price charged!
The string does not pass through the bridge. The ball simply and easily hooks into a slot and then the weight of the string holds it in place in the slot until you tension it, because the saddle acts as a fulcrum. Very slick! Seems like an ingenious (and patentable?) idea.
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