Dingwall Owners Club

[VolverseLoco]

Im gonna go out on a limb here, just to see if anyone who never played a Dingwall before, then got theirs, if they ever ran into this little speed bump I am running into. Naturally, most who have never played a fan fret may wonder if they can, and I can attest, for the most part it takes 15 minutes of adaptation time, but, not with the Ab note. I know people say with the 5 string they maybe have a problem at the 1st fret playing something but I don't have a 5 so I don't know what they are talking about. On my 4 string, I do fumble a lot when having to play the 1st fret G sting (Ab) and sometimes the 1st fret D string (Eb). Its like the hellacious slant of that 1st fret trips me up when rarely going for the Ab on the G string. I cant quite seem to get the note to come out clean. Anyone have trouble in the beginning at this fret/string position because of the fan fret?

 

[Sheldon D.]

I have a 2013 Combustion. My active output has quit. Batteries are hot. Passive works fine. I have never really worked any wiring for any of my basses, but was going to take a look inside. Is there a likely point of failure that would cause this?

If the batteries are hot, something's shorted. The Positive lead from the battery has likely come in contact with ground.

 

[ursus]

If anything, string spacing; going from my Sad Modern 5 19 mm to 18 mm sp was rne most obvious...didnt notice the fan fret switching when switching to the 18 mm string spacing NG3 5-string, took me 20 sec to adjust, didnt look at the fb

 

[seedokebass]

Im gonna go out on a limb here, just to see if anyone who never played a Dingwall before, then got theirs, if they ever ran into this little speed bump I am running into. Naturally, most who have never played a fan fret may wonder if they can, and I can attest, for the most part it takes 15 minutes of adaptation time, but, not with the Ab note. I know people say with the 5 string they maybe have a problem at the 1st fret playing something but I don't have a 5 so I don't know what they are talking about. On my 4 string, I do fumble a lot when having to play the 1st fret G sting (Ab) and sometimes the 1st fret D string (Eb). Its like the hellacious slant of that 1st fret trips me up when rarely going for the Ab on the G string. I cant quite seem to get the note to come out clean. Anyone have trouble in the beginning at this fret/string position because of the fan fret?

I don't seem to have that problem in that position, but I know what you mean. If I need that note I'm grab it further up the neck.

Would it be easier/more comfortable for you to play in a different position to make use of that note?

 

[Ryno1330]

Im gonna go out on a limb here, just to see if anyone who never played a Dingwall before, then got theirs, if they ever ran into this little speed bump I am running into. Naturally, most who have never played a fan fret may wonder if they can, and I can attest, for the most part it takes 15 minutes of adaptation time, but, not with the Ab note. I know people say with the 5 string they maybe have a problem at the 1st fret playing something but I don't have a 5 so I don't know what they are talking about. On my 4 string, I do fumble a lot when having to play the 1st fret G sting (Ab) and sometimes the 1st fret D string (Eb). Its like the hellacious slant of that 1st fret trips me up when rarely going for the Ab on the G string. I cant quite seem to get the note to come out clean. Anyone have trouble in the beginning at this fret/string position because of the fan fret?

Yep - me too. I have small hands and not super long arms and that combination makes the the first frets on the low strings tough but I can play them clean (most of the time live lol). But for me it's the first fret on the B, E and to a lesser extent A string.

Overall with the smaller frets and larger scale for me it's the most demanding bass I have. But for me the trade offs are more than worth it. My Z is insanely versatile and nothing sounds like a Dingwall. But certainly you're not the first or last that's had trouble.

The other thing I'll mention is it's definitely worse when playing seated (unfortunately a lot of the time currently), but using the strap button in the middle of the body things are much better playing standing.

 

[AB Nate]

Are they closer to the bridge than the normal b/m pickups ?
Or are we really "only" talking about a 3 pups model without the neck one ?

I thought that would be the case. Meaning option B

 

[AB Nate]

I have a 2013 Combustion. My active output has quit. Batteries are hot. Passive works fine. I have never really worked any wiring for any of my basses, but was going to take a look inside. Is there a likely point of failure that would cause this?

perhaps one of the battery wires?
Ie a break in your power supply loop

 

[VolverseLoco]

Yep - me too. I have small hands and not super long arms and that combination makes the the first frets on the low strings tough but I can play them clean (most of the time live lol). But for me it's the first fret on the B, E and to a lesser extent A string.

Overall with the smaller frets and larger scale for me it's the most demanding bass I have. But for me the trade offs are more than worth it. My Z is insanely versatile and nothing sounds like a Dingwall. But certainly you're not the first or last that's had trouble.

The other thing I'll mention is it's definitely worse when playing seated (unfortunately a lot of the time currently), but using the strap button in the middle of the body things are much better playing standing.

Wow, all I even do is play my Dingwall when seated. Never ever standing up, not even once. I need to try, eh? And YES! to the other person who suggested to grab that Ab from somewhere else on the neck. I may as well put the 'Under Construction" roadwork sign on the G string 1st fret and never detour there again..I do love the Dingwall though, nothing like her in the whole world..

 

[Andyman001]

Wow, all I even do is play my Dingwall when seated. Never ever standing up, not even once. I need to try, eh? And YES! to the other person who suggested to grab that Ab from somewhere else on the neck. I may as well put the 'Under Construction" roadwork sign on the G string 1st fret and never detour there again..I do love the Dingwall though, nothing like her in the whole world..

I'd check the nut height also, just to be sure its not a little high.

 

[1983L2000]

Yep - me too. I have small hands and not super long arms and that combination makes the the first frets on the low strings tough but I can play them clean (most of the time live lol). But for me it's the first fret on the B, E and to a lesser extent A string.

Overall with the smaller frets and larger scale for me it's the most demanding bass I have. But for me the trade offs are more than worth it. My Z is insanely versatile and nothing sounds like a Dingwall. But certainly you're not the first or last that's had trouble.

The other thing I'll mention is it's definitely worse when playing seated (unfortunately a lot of the time currently), but using the strap button in the middle of the body things are much better playing standing.

I have long arms and large hands, but this area (1st frets D/G) is the only one I still need to be conscious about and careful where my finger needs to land (when I need to venture there, but I naturally favor other positions). Low C, a bit of a stretch sometimes but never a problem (plus the smiles and grins when placed well = or badly lol).

 

[darren1970]

Does anybody here have D-roc 5 standard on order?

I paid deposit for one in February this year and still no news on when they're coming... not even from Dingwall camp.

I have one on order too ( from Bassdirect ).
I emailed Dingwall direct and was told they are planning on them starting to ship in March.

 

[geggy spoiger]

Where is everyone with their Canadian builds in terms of months?

I’ve read I think a month or 2 ago that some were at 22 months? My 16-18 month lead time was up at the end of October (the 18th month). I don’t have any problem with delays, especially this year! I’m just curious.

Happy holidays to all you D-heads

 

[Waltsdog]

Where is everyone with their Canadian builds in terms of months?

I’ve read I think a month or 2 ago that some were at 22 months? My 16-18 month lead time was up at the end of October (the 18th month). I don’t have any problem with delays, especially this year! I’m just curious.

Happy holidays to all you D-heads

Just over 23 right now, ordered 14th Jan 2019. Got word that it won’t ship til mid Jan.
Although the sheet from L&M confirming my order details dates from late Aug 2018 so it may have been on order since then.

 

[EMoneySC2]

Im gonna go out on a limb here, just to see if anyone who never played a Dingwall before, then got theirs, if they ever ran into this little speed bump I am running into. Naturally, most who have never played a fan fret may wonder if they can, and I can attest, for the most part it takes 15 minutes of adaptation time, but, not with the Ab note. I know people say with the 5 string they maybe have a problem at the 1st fret playing something but I don't have a 5 so I don't know what they are talking about. On my 4 string, I do fumble a lot when having to play the 1st fret G sting (Ab) and sometimes the 1st fret D string (Eb). Its like the hellacious slant of that 1st fret trips me up when rarely going for the Ab on the G string. I cant quite seem to get the note to come out clean. Anyone have trouble in the beginning at this fret/string position because of the fan fret?

I'm sitting here with my combustion 6, and I'm having a hard time figuring out how you're struggling with this. Are you trying to make sure your fingers are always 'aligned' to the fan of the frets? If you're strictly having your fingers point "away" from the body of the bass on the low frets, and "towards" the body on the high frets, you'll have a really tough time with the low-frets on the treble strings.

In my opinion, this is not the intention behind the ergonomic design of your bass. It's OK to let your hand sit "on" or even "behind" the nut on the treble side near the headstock. So, instead of pulling your elbow towards your body to angle your hand parallel to the 1st fret, let your elbow angle further away from your body and have the knuckle of your pointer finger sit "on" or "behind" the nut.

This play style is what I instinctually started doing when I got my first NG-2 5-string, and it's what I have done on all my Dingwall basses.

 

[IvanBassist]

Where is everyone with their Canadian builds in terms of months?

I’ve read I think a month or 2 ago that some were at 22 months? My 16-18 month lead time was up at the end of October (the 18th month). I don’t have any problem with delays, especially this year! I’m just curious.

Happy holidays to all you D-heads

21 months at the moment for me

 

[jakka1]

Where is everyone with their Canadian builds in terms of months?

I’ve read I think a month or 2 ago that some were at 22 months? My 16-18 month lead time was up at the end of October (the 18th month). I don’t have any problem with delays, especially this year! I’m just curious.

Happy holidays to all you D-heads

I got lucky and jumped into an open build slot. I was told my wait would be 8-10 months. I’m 4 months in, so 4-6 more to go.

 

[johnsonabq]

I have one on order too ( from Bassdirect ).
I emailed Dingwall direct and was told they are planning on them starting to ship in March.

Good to know. I'm going to cancel my ABZ and pick up a d-roc standard instead.

 

[geggy spoiger]

Just over 23 right now, ordered 14th Jan 2019. Got word that it won’t ship til mid Jan.
Although the sheet from L&M confirming my order details dates from late Aug 2018 so it may have been on order since then.

21 months at the moment for me

I got lucky and jumped into an open build slot. I was told my wait would be 8-10 months. I’m 4 months in, so 4-6 more to go.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[Waltsdog]

Thanks for your replies!

keep in mind that both mine and Ivan’s were caught up in the wenge delays this summer as well as the general situation.

 

[VolverseLoco]

I'm sitting here with my combustion 6, and I'm having a hard time figuring out how you're struggling with this. Are you trying to make sure your fingers are always 'aligned' to the fan of the frets? If you're strictly having your fingers point "away" from the body of the bass on the low frets, and "towards" the body on the high frets, you'll have a really tough time with the low-frets on the treble strings.

In my opinion, this is not the intention behind the ergonomic design of your bass. It's OK to let your hand sit "on" or even "behind" the nut on the treble side near the headstock. So, instead of pulling your elbow towards your body to angle your hand parallel to the 1st fret, let your elbow angle further away from your body and have the knuckle of your pointer finger sit "on" or "behind" the nut.

This play style is what I instinctually started doing when I got my first NG-2 5-string, and it's what I have done on all my Dingwall basses.

I had to really read into what you wrote here while holding my bass to see exactly what I was doing versus what you explain. So, if you must know, don't laugh..lol.., what brought all this non-sense on is I was learning how to play Madonnas 'La Isla Bonita'..The C# minor chord triad is repeated many times and that puts my index finger landing on the G# 1st fret trouble spot for me. Believe it or not, this is the only time since I got the Dingwall that I noticed this as I don't ever go for that note repeatedly in any other songs I play. Then the song alternates with notes of the B major chord triad in-between all those times I am right there playing the C# minor triad. I did notice myself trying to keep my index finger perpendicular with that fret (as I certainly was not trying to match the fret angle) and I did not have my knuckle/finger overhanging the nut like you say to do. When I did pay attention and correct that, the note came out much better.