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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
I got my C6/3 through bassdirect
the deposit was made on the 2nd of february 2019
the bass was sent from BD the 1st of october same year
though it's my impression that BD place orders on the dingwalls beforehand, so it's likely that it's been in the pipeline since late 2018, at least.
I'm using a Payson .145 for drop a tuning (A-E-A-D-G). For me, the .145 is not as taut as I would like.
Disclaimer: I'm a new Dingwall NG-3 5 owner.
--jack
Agreed. We do a small section in one set that requires A standard, I've never needed to adjust anything to get my Dingwalls to sound like that's the tuning they were setup for. I tuned down, they sounded great.
Once my other ABZs show up, I'll, most likely, tune my NG-3/5 to A standard and leave it there. I'll revisit the string gauge issue at that point.
Ok, @AB Nate, @Flabzilla, and any other 6-stringers out there, I've played a few 6ers, but I've never owned, or even wanted, one until I decided to order the one that's incoming, hopefully, next week. I'm guessing that that is the reason I'm actually a bit more apprehensive going from 5 to 6, than I was going from 4 to 5. Other than just sitting down and playing the damn thing, is there anything else that might make this a lil less daunting? I've never shied away from getting a new bass, taking it out of the box, and rolling to a gig before, but this feels different. Could be in my head...
For those who have 'blacked-out' their Combustion/NG hardware - would there be a black string retainer for a four-string out there? Inquiring, lazy minds such as mine are curious. 
I'm no Nate or Flab, but jumping from 4 to 5 is waay harder than jumping from 5 to 6. I could play/gig with 6'ers no problem, and I'm mainly a 5 string guy.
To make a go of the six string, I had to put all the others away. Otherwise, it just wasn’t happening. It was all about developing new muting habits and rewiring the brain. There’s a lot of strings on a wide, flat neck to keep quiet. Left hand has to be more flat, right hand more floating thumb or palm muting.
Wearing the bass a bit higher helps, as well as a gruv gear wrap. A good compressor helps to.
It’s totally worth it. Chords are a blast. Super fun looping three or four parts. With pitch shifting, octave up or down, the range is off the charts! The Dingwall six strings are in a class all their own.
After eighteen months of all six string, I was lost on a four, the neck just felt tiny. I kind of miss the sixer.
Wearing the bass a bit higher helps, as well as a gruv gear wrap. A good compressor helps to.
It’s totally worth it. Chords are a blast. Super fun looping three or four parts. With pitch shifting, octave up or down, the range is off the charts! The Dingwall six strings are in a class all their own.
After eighteen months of all six string, I was lost on a four, the neck just felt tiny. I kind of miss the sixer.
For those who have 'blacked-out' their Combustion/NG hardware - would there be a black string retainer for a four-string out there? Inquiring, lazy minds such as mine are curious.
I’m not proud of this but I roughed mine up with a wire wheel and then Sharpie’d it black.
That’s on a beat up NG3 though.
I’m not proud of this but I roughed mine up with a wire wheel and then Sharpie’d it black.
Be proud - that's creative thinking! It's already crossed my mind to just 'black out' the top side of it...
Dude, if you've played a 6er, I wanna hear from you! I appreciate the insight! That's what I'm hoping happens for me...
Excellent suggestions! I actually raised all of my basses back up to where I used to play them after D-Bird left, LOL! I had also planned on adding more Fret Wraps. They ain't cheap, but I like 'em.
Putting away the other basses is gonna be the issue. I'm hoping I get it with enough time to run through the show, but part of the show is really meant for a 4. They'll all be tuned differently, so they're all gonna get used during gigs. Even though I've been a 5-string player for most of my "career", not having a 4-string is really wreckin' my flow right now, LOL! I really need the fine folks at Dingwall to get my ABZ4 finished up.
I'm just gonna hafta put on my big boy undies and make this work...
I think my main issue with a 6 was getting used to the neck width, was uncomfortable for a while, so getting the bass so my wrist wasn’t so bent helped. I’ve noticed that the way I mute changes depending on what bass I’m playing, I think it subconsciously changed when there were more strings to stop ringing.
It took me a while to stop (mostly) getting lost on the fretboard when swapping between 4,5 and 6 but I think that just took practice. The one I have to watch out for is going from the B-C 6 to the F#-G 6. How people deal with the alternate tunings I’ve seen around here is beyond me. Hope that’s of some use to you.
I went down the Dingwall rabbit hole for my Country Band, all that B string stuff. Sadly that ship has sailed, the lead singer has COPD, and is on oxygen, the prognosis is not good. The lead guitarist, who has been gigging with another band for a year is quitting them because he has lost most of his hearing, and wants to keep what's left. The drummer doesn't want to gig anymore anyway. Sigh....
So what now? I am in a Hard Rock band, set list is 50 songs, NOT ONE requires a 5er. Between my 3 5ers, I have over $10,000 invested, but can't see myself selling or using them.
I am playing 4s for the HRB, it's easier to play the fast stuff on a 4, especially as I continue to age (68 in 3 1/2 months), so a 1.625" neck really works for me. Plus, they weigh 7 lbs 6 ozs and 7 lbs 12 ozs respectively, which my back is loving, my 5ers are 9 lbs 2 ozs, 9 lbs 2 ozs, and 9 lbs 3 ozs, I feel them after 3-4 hour practices.
Any recommedations/suggestions? Has anyone here strung a 5er E-C and stayed with it? Man, I hate seeing my SJ5XXX (not to mention the SKB 3005 or Lull T5) sitting on a stand unused....
So what now? I am in a Hard Rock band, set list is 50 songs, NOT ONE requires a 5er. Between my 3 5ers, I have over $10,000 invested, but can't see myself selling or using them.
I am playing 4s for the HRB, it's easier to play the fast stuff on a 4, especially as I continue to age (68 in 3 1/2 months), so a 1.625" neck really works for me. Plus, they weigh 7 lbs 6 ozs and 7 lbs 12 ozs respectively, which my back is loving, my 5ers are 9 lbs 2 ozs, 9 lbs 2 ozs, and 9 lbs 3 ozs, I feel them after 3-4 hour practices.
Any recommedations/suggestions? Has anyone here strung a 5er E-C and stayed with it? Man, I hate seeing my SJ5XXX (not to mention the SKB 3005 or Lull T5) sitting on a stand unused....
Not that you need another bass, but I had an ABZ5 and ABZ6 that were both less than eight pounds, they were magnificent.
I recently acquired a non-Dingwall fiver strung E-C, and I was an instant convert to that stringing, it is heavenly. I wish I had tried it years ago.
I’m sorry to hear about the band and the mates thumper. FIL has COPD and it’s just crap.
I had a respiratory hit this December with some bronchitis and it was a scare of some bad stuff to come if I don’t start taking better care of myself.
perhaps ditching one of the 5s for a 4 is an option? A painful one no doubt but..... maybe?
I spent the day missing my SJ. I get it.
Solid advice above.
I started on a 4 technically but it was short lived before I moved to 5 and never went back. Now I pick up a 4 and I’m a bit lost..... the E should be a B.... but it’s not.....
I miss having the C now when I play a 5 but it’s definitely an easier transition from 5 to 6. I don’t do it much but it happens..... and the reality is, I don’t use the C as much as I feel I should since I have it except when tapping and I’m not in any project that appreciates it but some chording does come to play.
still I like having it and I miss it when I don’t.
you’ll be alright Phil
For those who have 'blacked-out' their Combustion/NG hardware - would there be a black string retainer for a four-string out there? Inquiring, lazy minds such as mine are curious.
I had trouble finding one for my 5 string, eventually found one on ebay that was a couple mm different. Measure the one you have and scour all the parts websites to see find something the right size. 4 string should be easier as it’s smaller.
My problem was finding one big enough for the 5.
Before I found that one I just sprayed the silver one black with plastidip. Painting the one you have is the least effort.
Thanks Nate, do take care.
I just can't see spending big $ on a 4, it's just a mindset and my own issue. My current 4's are great, I have 3 well under 9 lbs and 1 I'm putting together (ThunderJazz, JazzBird, or whatever it's called, it will have ThunderBucker PUPs in a Jazz body) which will be close to 8.5 lbs.
At this point, I'm leaning towards converting the SJ5XXX and one of the others to E-C, and if it doesn't work out, have them as backups.
E-C was what I liked. I could buy four string sets for the Super P 5 and add a C for about $3.
String choices are unlimited.
I had way more fun with a high C than resting my thumb on the low B.
String choices are unlimited.
I had way more fun with a high C than resting my thumb on the low B.
Solid advice above.
I started on a 4 technically but it was short lived before I moved to 5 and never went back. Now I pick up a 4 and I’m a bit lost..... the E should be a B.... but it’s not.....
I miss having the C now when I play a 5 but it’s definitely an easier transition from 5 to 6. I don’t do it much but it happens..... and the reality is, I don’t use the C as much as I feel I should since I have it except when tapping and I’m not in any project that appreciates it but some chording does come to play.
still I like having it and I miss it when I don’t.
you’ll be alright Phil
This is a great point Nate! So a little background, I am also a guitar/bass instructor and I find that players will set a reference point as the G string or the E string. Myself, I reference on the E string, which made my switch to 5 string very easy, but I am just all thumbs with 6s. However, in my experience, those who have a reference of the G string find 6 string transitions easier, but struggle with 5s. I don't really have a rationale for why this is, but I have found it to be mostly true.
So that said, I find understanding your reference point may help the transistion. As said above, muting will be the big challenge.
I hope the transition goes very well!
