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Dingwall Owners Club

#40,001
JaredF said:
So I went to a music store to get an F# setup on my bass.I bought a dingwall 5 string pack with a .170 string for the f# and a replacement nut so I would always be able to change it back to standard tuning.The "tech" tells me 6 days later that this can't be done on these basses or it will ruin the bass. I tell him no it won't, these Bass Guitars are known to be put in F# tuning. He tells me the .170 string will not fit under the headstock saddle and will dig into the wood behind the nut and I will not play correctly, and that the string spacing will be way different from the F# to the B string. My question to everyone in this group is...basically I'm wondering if something special needs to be done to make this work? Another shop did not even want to attempt this for me..is it really that big of a deal switch over to F# tuning? The photo below shows the new nut and how it fits on the neck..notice it is not flush..is that normal when you use a dingwall replacement nut? Any answers would be great! Thank you!
Click to expand...

First off, I have no experience with F# tuning, or a replacement nut from Dingwall.
But, that doesn't look right. I am making a nut for my L-2500 as I type this.
 
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#40,003
JaredF said:
So I went to a music store to get an F# setup on my bass.
Click to expand...

They are likely concerned by the process since it’s a bit invasive compared to a rod adjustment or string swap, and don’t want to be liable. Dingwalls seem to have a pretty good reputation for F#, and I have been told by a shop keep that folks usually order them setup that way direct from the factory. That said, it is not uncommon for players to have them setup after receiving standard B models. If you have never done the process yourself, I would strongly recommend that you take the advice given here and locate a good luthier to perform the switch. My first swap to F# was practiced/learned on a cheap $200 pawn shop Alvarez.
 
#40,004
Jack Deth said:
They are likely concerned by the process since it’s a bit invasive compared to a rod adjustment or string swap, and don’t want to be liable. Dingwalls seem to have a pretty good reputation for F#, and I have been told by a shop keep that folks usually order them setup that way direct from the factory. That said, it is not uncommon for players to have them setup after receiving standard B models. If you have never done the process yourself, I would strongly recommend that you take the advice given here and locate a good luthier to perform the switch. My first swap to F# was practiced/learned on a cheap $200 pawn shop Alvarez.
Click to expand...

When I went to pick the bass back up he said he could not find the nut I bought..so I'm thinking he messed up the nut and since it's a special nut,there was nothing he could do about it so he made up an excuse.
 
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#40,005
JaredF said:
So I went to a music store to get an F# setup on my bass.I bought a dingwall 5 string pack with a .170 string for the f# and a replacement nut so I would always be able to change it back to standard tuning.The "tech" tells me 6 days later that this can't be done on these basses or it will ruin the bass. I tell him no it won't, these Bass Guitars are known to be put in F# tuning. He tells me the .170 string will not fit under the headstock saddle and will dig into the wood behind the nut and I will not play correctly, and that the string spacing will be way different from the F# to the B string. My question to everyone in this group is...basically I'm wondering if something special needs to be done to make this work? Another shop did not even want to attempt this for me..is it really that big of a deal switch over to F# tuning? The photo below shows the new nut and how it fits on the neck..notice it is not flush..is that normal when you use a dingwall replacement nut? Any answers would be great! Thank you!
Click to expand...
I’ve got a few replacement nuts over the years, and they usually need to be sanded down a bit and shaped a bit to make them be an exact fit for the bass.

On setup for F# - the bass definitely can do it, but the tech you took it to is right that it’s not a drop in kinda thing. It takes a skilled tech or luthier to do that setup well.
 
#40,006
pbass6811 said:
I am awful sorry to disappoint you, my friend, but my fretless isn't a Dingwall. It IS Canadian though...:D

I'm leaving the fretless Dingwalls to my friend @AB Nate. ;):thumbsup:

View attachment 4140185
Click to expand...

Very nice. @AB Nate can't have all the Dingwall fretless, though he has a REALLY REALLY REALLY nice one. :woot:

Here is mine:
fretless.jpg
 
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#40,008
Flabzilla said:
With respect to F# string discussion this bass was ordered with that tuning, although currently strung B - C. Not sure if it helps, but...

View attachment 4140827


This one is currently in F#, don’t know if it came from the factory like that or not.

View attachment 4140828
Click to expand...

The nut on my fretless SJ5 is very much like your first pic with some wood shaven off. I found it surprising on a 5000$ bass but it made a level of sense with fretlesses requiring a lower nut.
 
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#40,009
Poobini said:
I got a D-Roc in the mail yesterday. I always thought the hype was purely manufactured, but man alive...

How did I go this long without playing a Dingwall?! I LOVE the pickups, partly due to the honeymoon phase, but still!!! They're amazing! Does anyone know if the same configuration is default/possible on an AB1 or ABZ? Or are the FD3Ns and the FDVs that different? I'm 100% on board with acquiring a Canadian-made Dingy in the not-so-distant future.
Click to expand...

You could specify FD3 (or SFII) on a canadian build for a tiny upcharge.
I feel like this page is under-referenced : Pickup Audio Samples
 
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#40,010
eloann said:
You could specify FD3 (or SFII) on a canadian build for a tiny upcharge.
I feel like this page is under-referenced : Pickup Audio Samples
Click to expand...

Pages like that in many sites (including Dingwalls it seems) cannot be reached from a mobile device using the mobile version of the site unless someone provides a link directly to it. I rarely get on my laptop anymore viewing full websites unless doing some heavy lifting, so regular browsing is always from my phone or tablet. I realize gear manufacturers don’t specialize in that, but without a full representation of their mobile site as well, I suspect they are loosing out on potential sales. I have found pages only Google can locate somehow as there are no menus to take you there.
 
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#40,011
pbass6811 said:
After some deliberate and careful consideration, I've decided to get out of the six-string business. I'm putting up my ABZ 6/3 for sale. Love the bass, but I'm just not bonding and flocking to it like I hoped I would. The only bass that gets played less than my 6er is my fretless. If any of yous guys was thinking about getting a 6er, this may be your golden opportunity!

ABZ 6/3(w/standard Dingwall tone "recipe")
-Ash body(Matte Black w/Red Grain)
-3-pc Maple neck w/"Blackout" option
-Wenge fretboard w/Luminlay side dots
-FDVs w/D-Roc switch
-DGTC
-S/P switches
-Hipshot hardware

I'm also selling my NG-3/5. It's all stock w/the D-Roc switch.

I'm gonna list them in the classifieds, but I wanted to give the club first shot. PM me for deets or if you're interested.

View attachment 4140105 View attachment 4140106 View attachment 4140107 View attachment 4140108 View attachment 4140115 View attachment 4140116
Click to expand...

Would you consider shipping to europe ?

Purely out of curiosity of course :)
 
#40,014
JaredF said:
Do these basses in these pictures also have a string retainer like the ng3s do?
Click to expand...

No, the NG's are the only ones that use the 'bar' retainer. Those appear to be Afterburner models. That Dingwall does set up and send Combustion basses that are F# ready tells me that it is indeed possible. Why not send an email to Dingwall Tech for a quick rundown on the proper process...then find a qualified tech.

...also a handful of the Dingwall dealers out there carry Dingwall nut blanks. I believe that Fret Nation is one of them?
 
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#40,015
JaredF said:
When I went to pick the bass back up he said he could not find the nut I bought..so I'm thinking he messed up the nut and since it's a special nut,there was nothing he could do about it so he made up an excuse.
Click to expand...

sounds like you should definitely consider someone else to do your work.

NaH said:
Very nice. @AB Nate can't have all the Dingwall fretless, though he has a REALLY REALLY REALLY nice one. :woot:

Here is mine:
View attachment 4140770
Click to expand...

Your definitely right. Lots of fretless Dingwall love around here including that amazing specimen of yours.
eloann said:
The nut on my fretless SJ5 is very much like your first pic with some wood shaven off. I found it surprising on a 5000$ bass but it made a level of sense with fretlesses requiring a lower nut.
Click to expand...

same. My fretless has little grooves for the strings as well behind the nut from factory
 
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