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Dingwall Owners Club

#35,104
Smallmouth_Bass said:
Both my SJ5 and ABII have the hybrid treble control. It came on the SJ5 (2008 model) and it was a retrofit on the ABII (2004 model). I use it all the time and I find it a very useful feature.
Click to expand...

I'm a happy owner of a maple-maple Glockenklang SJ5 (with a pseudo-P Super Fatty pickup in the neck position), but there's always been a bit of ABII curiosity. Any thoughts on the sonic differences? Others' thoughts welcome, of course....
 
#35,106
Just acquired my third Dingwall (well, a few days ago) just in time for UK Corona Lockdown! Yay :roflmao:

Despite being a staunch 5 string player for the past few years I thought I’d pick up this Super P4 from Bass Direct. Plays like a dream and fits into the current herd nicely. The vintage white is nice and creamy, just the way I like it. Maple neck, wenge board, tort guard.

Now to get used to 4 strings again...

6D61334F-C21D-4D87-B4F8-37EC064FA6D8.jpeg
 
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#35,110
AB Nate said:
I think the 2 main differences are
Pick ups and frets.

stock the SKLAR will have Super Fatty 2s (SF2) and the mandolin frets(smaller)

I also believe the body wood of the sklar is a different spec’d combo. I want to say it’s Ash/Alder but don’t quote me on that part. Edited:correction mentioned by @pbass6811 below.

the Z2 can be spec’d however, aside from the Mando frets. That is exclusive to the solar is my understanding.
Click to expand...

Correct on both fronts. The Sklar mid is voiced lower plus the rotary pickup selector is wired differently. 1. Bridge 2. Bridge/Middle in parallel 3. Middle 4. Bridge/Middle in series.
 
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#35,113
In a general sense how does the tone of an ABZ with the darkglass preamp compare to a combustion with the same preamp?

And do the necks feel different?

And while I'm on a role does anyone know who will cut a black pearl pickguard (hopefully somewhat reasonably) for a Combustion?

Thanks!
 
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#35,114
Ryno1330 said:
In a general sense how does the tone of an ABZ with the darkglass preamp compare to a combustion with the same preamp?
And do the necks feel different?
Click to expand...

The pickups in the NG-3(FD-3n) seem to have a bit more bite and aggressive tone compared to the FDVs in the ABZs. At the same settings, my NG-3 has a bit more harmonic content in the upper mids and the highs are a bit zingier. In other words, to me, it has more growl. It's also a wee bit louder, at the same settings. The ABZ, OTOH, has a much richer bottom, a more controlled midrange, and a sweeter top end. Having said that, it doesn't take much to get the ABZ into NG-3 territory. Tonewise, I would say they're on different sides of the same circle...

From a feel standpoint, the NG-3 feels super solid, well-built, and the neck is very comfortable. You'd think it was the pinnacle of Dingwall quality...

Until you played an ABZ.

What I find most amazing, is that my ABZs, including my 6er, are significantly lighter than my NG-3, but they FEEL even sturdier! Normally, we associate quality with heft, if it's heavier, it must be higher quality. That is absolutely NOT the case with Dingwall basses. The ABZ neck is thinner, front-to-back, which makes it quite a bit more comfortable to me. Not that the NG-3 neck is a tree trunk, it's just that the ABZ neck is thinner and faster. I routinely go from one to the other and the difference is fairly significant. Again, the NG-3 neck is good, just not ABZ good.

Putting FD-3n's in an ABZ isn't the worst idea ever, putting FDV's in an NG-3, is slightly less of a good idea. I'd still buy an ABZ with FD-3n's, I'd probably pass on an NG-3 with FDV's.

That was probably no help, but them's my thoughts...
 
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#35,116
pbass6811 said:
The pickups in the NG-3(FD-3n) seem to have a bit more bite and aggressive tone compared to the FDVs in the ABZs. At the same settings, my NG-3 has a bit more harmonic content in the upper mids and the highs are a bit zingier. In other words, to me, it has more growl. It's also a wee bit louder, at the same settings. The ABZ, OTOH, has a much richer bottom, a more controlled midrange, and a sweeter top end. Having said that, it doesn't take much to get the ABZ into NG-3 territory. Tonewise, I would say they're on different sides of the same circle...

From a feel standpoint, the NG-3 feels super solid, well-built, and the neck is very comfortable. You'd think it was the pinnacle of Dingwall quality...

Until you played an ABZ.

What I find most amazing, is that my ABZs, including my 6er, are significantly lighter than my NG-3, but they FEEL even sturdier! Normally, we associate quality with heft, if it's heavier, it must be higher quality. That is absolutely NOT the case with Dingwall basses. The ABZ neck is thinner, front-to-back, which makes it quite a bit more comfortable to me. Not that the NG-3 neck is a tree trunk, it's just that the ABZ neck is thinner and faster. I routinely go from one to the other and the difference is fairly significant. Again, the NG-3 neck is good, just not ABZ good.

Putting FD-3n's in an ABZ isn't the worst idea ever, putting FDV's in an NG-3, is slightly less of a good idea. I'd still buy an ABZ with FD-3n's, I'd probably pass on an NG-3 with FDV's.

That was probably no help, but them's my thoughts...
Click to expand...
Nope great info thanks.
 
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#35,117
AmazingMumford said:
I'm a happy owner of a maple-maple Glockenklang SJ5 (with a pseudo-P Super Fatty pickup in the neck position), but there's always been a bit of ABII curiosity. Any thoughts on the sonic differences? Others' thoughts welcome, of course....
Click to expand...

I love my chambered AB2. Probably one of my favorites of what I own. It has a bit more acoustic presence, slightly fuller, perhaps less compressed.
 
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#35,118
AmazingMumford said:
I'm a happy owner of a maple-maple Glockenklang SJ5 (with a pseudo-P Super Fatty pickup in the neck position), but there's always been a bit of ABII curiosity. Any thoughts on the sonic differences? Others' thoughts welcome, of course....
Click to expand...

Well, taking into account mine are both older models (SJ5 is chambered rather than thin bodied & ABII has no scroll hole, mahogany body, bubinga neck/wenge fingerboard), I would say the SJ5 is more even across the board and sounds fatter and punchier. The B-string is decent/good and in character with the sound of the other strings.

The ABII sounds a little more compressed (more than my ABI5 - alder body, maple neck, wenge board), but that B-string...!! The strings are more responsive on the extra long scales as well, which can be unforgiving on sloppy technique.

I think the ideal bass would the B-string or bass strings of the super long scales with the treble strings of Super Series basses. Unfortunately a 37" to 32" fan would likely be unplayable.
 
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#35,119
CameronJohnson said:
Just acquired my third Dingwall (well, a few days ago) just in time for UK Corona Lockdown! Yay :roflmao:

Despite being a staunch 5 string player for the past few years I thought I’d pick up this Super P4 from Bass Direct. Plays like a dream and fits into the current herd nicely. The vintage white is nice and creamy, just the way I like it. Maple neck, wenge board, tort guard.

Now to get used to 4 strings again...

View attachment 3757870
Click to expand...
That Super P with the block inlays though....:hyper::bassist:
 

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