Just got notice that Dingwall needs me to finalize the specs on my upcoming build. This comes about a month or two before I was expecting to hear from them. I should have been better prepared... so many options swimming through my head right now.
I know the body is going to be some variety of dark Blue. My main dilemma is figuring out what wood combo to go with Alder/maple/wenge board or Ash/Maple? Not sure if all wenge is still in short supply or not, so not sure if that is going to be an option or not.
Any insights on what the magic tone wood combo is for Dingwall Ps? I'm not worried about fancy tops or wood grain on this one... #1 priority is tone. I know it will play awesome and look awesome regardless.... that's a given. Weight is also a factor. I would like it to be around 8 lbs. or less.
I think I am leaning towards Alder/maple/wenge board with matching headstock. PJ. Black Hardware. But who knows... I may change my mind several times again.
Lots of opinions will be given on this open of a statement/request!! Lol.
Here’s mine
alder for the body.... and then it gets messy.
my P is Wenge/wenge and it is off the charts awesome but...
what are you going for? Ultimately? Vintage tone, modern P with addition support from the bridge? Quite a few factors to consider.
what I have found with mine, and I’m on a bit of a P kick right now, is that there is ALOT of diversity to be found with the P and tone knob all on its own. Wanting to have a P bass I’ve decided I don’t want the bridge pup. It takes away from the woody/wooly gritty type sound my ears crave right now. That said I have a J to take things in that direction so it seems I can have both without compromise for now.
neck woods:
I don’t think anything negative can be said about the wenge/wenge combo for stability, note definition etc. but I will say, and don’t hate me for this guys, I have a MIM fender P hanging out at home for now and I really love how it captures the P bass prowess.
it’s old with rust on it, ancient strings, road ware(usually not my thing) but man.... it just works. The neck is maple/rosewood. With that and for that reason, if I was to spec a new P I’d be very tempted to go with that neck wood combo. Substitute PF instead of required.
again though, I have modern AF covered with my long scales and a great jazz tone covered with my jazz so I guess for the variety factor I like the idea of getting away from modern with the P.
and more so, the wenge/wenge is no slouch by anymeans. This bass can go from round and soft to crispy clank... I really don’t know.
I think I’ve offered you no help but vented out my own inner turmoil with this stuff. Thanks for the council. I’m certain I’ll need another session.
