Awesome! Appropriate D-Roc strap height
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,744
- 11,127
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
How’s the sound of the D & G string when using only the bridge pickup? Is it too trebly/thin?Ok, so I put the P-Tone in and left the tone control alone for now so there wasn’t any other variables.
My thoughts?
It’s way better imo.
More girth/heft/grunt/bottom.
I had both P/ups wired in series, so that’s constant. P/up height is set to within .001” of the FDV that I took out.
The difference is immediately and profoundly noticeable. I’ve never had much use for bridge p/ups. Always too thin and nasal. Not this. It also makes the N/B parallel setting another animal.
Highly recommended.
That’s all for now. Gotta put the tone control in.
It’s worth noting that the p/ups have pretty different ohm readings. By about 5k️ and the magnets are as well.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
Not at all. It seems well balanced with plenty of “implied bark and bite”, (I have TI flats on mine, so disclosing).
There’s a nice roundness to the D & G mids that wasn’t there before. I bet it’d sound great with a set of nickel rounds.
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,744
- 11,127
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
Can’t wait for my Super PJ to arrive
Only 2 more months, in theory
Wanted to jump in here, just say I'm actively looking to get back into the Dingwall club! Had an ABII 5er, the full on wenge deal years ago, traded it to get into my Modulus phase which lasted quite a while.
Anyway, I (like others I'm sure) are looking for a Canadian 5 string, they seem really difficult to find, especially with either the Glock or Darkglass pre. I'm happy for Sheldon & Co. though, been away from the scene for many years and seems like they're pretty much mainstream nowadays.
Are the MIC instruments really worth the money, though? Having played an older model Canadian bass, which back then traded for less than even the used MIC instruments now, I know they are 'set up' at the Canadian shop, but just curious. There seem to be much more NG3s and Combustion models available on the secondhand market.
What are the main differences in the ABZ vs. Afterburner series? Looks like the AB is just a more 'refined' bass with better fit and finish, options, etc.
Hope to join soon!
Anyway, I (like others I'm sure) are looking for a Canadian 5 string, they seem really difficult to find, especially with either the Glock or Darkglass pre. I'm happy for Sheldon & Co. though, been away from the scene for many years and seems like they're pretty much mainstream nowadays.
Are the MIC instruments really worth the money, though? Having played an older model Canadian bass, which back then traded for less than even the used MIC instruments now, I know they are 'set up' at the Canadian shop, but just curious. There seem to be much more NG3s and Combustion models available on the secondhand market.
What are the main differences in the ABZ vs. Afterburner series? Looks like the AB is just a more 'refined' bass with better fit and finish, options, etc.
Hope to join soon!
Having owned Canadian and Combustion series instruments, the MIC stuff is miles ahead of many other companies American built thanks to the care of an individual setup done in the Canadian shop. They aren't a globally owned, diversified conglomerate, so Sheldon has made sure the MIC offerings are as amazing as possible.
To say AB is "better" than ABZ in any way is absolutely wrong, though. AB1s come with an alder body standard, ABZ swamp ash with an open pore finish. It's more a personal preference thing, since the hardware, pickups, electronics, and options are the same now, as I've even seen some ABZs with maple tops in the last couple years.
Thanks for the feedback- I believe back 'in the day' when I had an ABII, the ABZ models were 'passive' only, but I could be wrong and were made a little differently. I just last the few weeks started looking back into these great instruments, and seeing an 'active' ABZ model confused me a little, and that may be why. Not 100% sure on any of this though, tbh. I do like the notion of the swamp ash, open pore ABZ setup frankly.
It was my first time seeing the MIC instruments as well, and it's pretty awesome there's so many options available. They certainly look nice- need to see if I can find one here locally to test out!
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I'd agree with this. Also as someone who's had an AB1 and still has a really custom Z and a Voodoo Prima...I also love both my Combustion and my NG3. I feel like they totally live up to the Dingwall name. I got the NG so I could stop taking my Z on the road and was unsure of that transition after the Z and AB...and found that the playability and tone are exemplary. I could get just as low action and speed and comfort. Also, as an aside, my band actually preferred the tone of the NG over the Z.
Gotta agree with the above. I own everything from a "lowly" NG3 up to a newer Prima Artist. There isn't a slouch anywhere in the lineup -- each serves a different purpose, especially at different price points. There's no way that a MIC will disappoint, unless just overall dingwalls aren't your "thing".
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
For me it was the fact that the 'Canadian' basses are becoming fewer and farther between and are more of a road investment...and therefore a risk. The NG and Combustion (and D-Roc Standard) are really a great price point for a true performance grade instrument without the kind of worry that comes with putting a $10,000 in a trailer or unattended on a stand on stage.
Also at that 2K or less pricepoint, while not cheap, you won't feel too leery about doing stuff you want to to your instruments. I had Luminlay side dots added to my NG and I've messed with switch configs and pickup changes. My Combustion has had pickup placement moved, different pickguard, custom electronics (two preamps on board!) bridge alterations and even defret/inlay/neck-finishing done to it. I would never do any of that to the Rastaburst.
I've not yet had the pleasure of playing a Canadian Dingwall but I can tell you my NG2 is as fine an instrument as my American-made Strat Professional. I can't really imagine how a bass could be any better built.
Yessir. HOWEVER, the basses made in China are extensively and meticulously adjusted by Dingwall techs in Canada before they’re shipped to your door.
I've played Afterburners (both 1 and 2), Sklar, a Super, and a Combustion. I personally prefer the Canadian made basses (the AB2 being my favorite) and have since sold my Combustion. The neck feel of the Combustion seemed chunkier to me. There are still used Canadian ones out there in the same range as the Combustion/NGs, though now they are generally the older ones.
I had only owned Canadian Dingwalls and they were all excellent.
The Dbird I bought blows me away. Every bit a Dingwall.
The Dbird I bought blows me away. Every bit a Dingwall.
I have a NG3 and just upgraded to a very nice Canadian made Z3. For a foreign made instrument the NG3 is very good. In my opinion I wouldn't pay $2,500 for a new one though and would buy a used Canadian made one instead. A small part of it is that I am unlikely to buy anything substantial that is made in China probably ever again if I can help it, and another part of it is I've owned other brands that cost a similar amount that are made in Japan, or even handmade by a luthier in the US for a similar price that I feel are as good or better. Also as far as a Z3 vs NG3 the thinner neck and better finishes were very important to me.
I am not saying the import basses aren't nice - they can be flawless and every bit as good as a Canadian model, I just think that with price increases and current events I would go Canadian. Good luck with your choice.
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I did not get a "Made in China" bass that was worthy of its price until the fourth one arrived. First two NGs had paint defects "dirt in the paint", the 3rd "Combustion" had a chunk of fret-board missing but the 4th "Combustion" is a real keeper
All 4 of them had the pickups set way too high "according to Sheldon's videos" so I have to disagree that they are setup meticulously despite the fact you do get to pay for this.
The 4th one that I have now is a very decent bass, it's a lot heavier than the others but has a great tone, sustain and it'll not neck-dive "ever". I have recently been trying out Payson strings and I can say it sounds as glorious as it looks now.
It has been a bit of a trial for me getting to this point, but it does demonstrate a bad bass "can" get to a customer, my worry is that they "did not" get looked at let alone checked over & setup in Canada like they say.
I did get there in the end despite a lot of extra waiting, disappointment and no apologies it's not stopped me wanting an SJ or SP as the slightly smaller scale may ultimately be for better me.
PS. I am not a Dingwall basher, I love the basses & the company but they do still have some QC issues like all the others.
So you cannot purchase something you like unless you ignore all of its perceived flaws, or refrain from sharing your opinion?
