Dingwall Owners Club

[BurningSkies]

Cool, thanks for the intel!

"Nerd droppings"

 

[tombowlus]

"Nerd droppings"

I saw them at Coachella!

 

[AB Nate]

*fanned fret bass production starts in 1993.

Dingwall stated 94 here but perhaps maybe that’s when they officially dedicated to this path vs when they did a first run?

Curious: How light could/would a Super PZ weigh?

And, in general, what are the weight "savings" by going dual-density as opposed to single-density? Up to a pound? Asking for an "older friend".

the Z classification as in ABZ or PZ referred to light weight ash. Supposed to be the lightest models offered. Of course this is different then the Z series as they are often some of the heaviest models.

the dual design body’s for the website:



The use of high density Swamp Ash on the bass side increases sustain, clarity and punch of the B and E strings. Low density Swamp Ash on the treble side keeps the G and D strings nice and warm sounding.

The dual density concept used in the Lee Sklar and Prima Artist series was such a success it led us to trying it in a slightly different way on the Z-series bodies.

Swamp ash is a highly sought after, great sounding wood. The problem for luthiers is that it is also very inconsistent weight wise. Not only from board to board, but from one end of a board to the other! This is why you see such a variance in the weights of swamp ash basses.

Using our dual density concept we separate the dense, heavy blanks from the lightweight ones. The heavier blanks get used for bass sides only and light ones get used for the trebles. Not only does this provide the tonal benefits of the dual density system, but also all of our swamp ash basses are very consistent in weight and tone.

 

[AB Nate]

"Nerd droppings"

I saw them at Coachella!

is that really a Band????

good name if so. Lol

 

[BurningSkies]

Dingwall stated 94 here but perhaps maybe that’s when they officially dedicated to this path vs when they did a first run?

Yeah...questionable source there.

The Voodoo was introduced at NAMM 1993 (Winter NAMM so, January).

This guy was apparently there as a witness to the whole sordid affair:

"The first complete bass I built was the prototype for the original Voodoo Bass that evolved into our current Z-series. That was completed at 7:30 AM on January 13th 1993."

Bass Musician Magazine’s Year of the Luthier – Sheldon Dingwall

I know that the first Production voodoo basses made it to customers before the end of 1993.
Fernand Bos purchased his late 1993.

 

[tombowlus]

Dingwall stated 94 here but perhaps maybe that’s when they officially dedicated to this path vs when they did a first run?


View attachment 4151418



the Z classification as in ABZ or PZ referred to light weight ash. Supposed to be the lightest models offered. Of course this is different then the Z series as they are often some of the heaviest models.

the dual design body’s for the website:



The use of high density Swamp Ash on the bass side increases sustain, clarity and punch of the B and E strings. Low density Swamp Ash on the treble side keeps the G and D strings nice and warm sounding.

The dual density concept used in the Lee Sklar and Prima Artist series was such a success it led us to trying it in a slightly different way on the Z-series bodies.

Swamp ash is a highly sought after, great sounding wood. The problem for luthiers is that it is also very inconsistent weight wise. Not only from board to board, but from one end of a board to the other! This is why you see such a variance in the weights of swamp ash basses.

Using our dual density concept we separate the dense, heavy blanks from the lightweight ones. The heavier blanks get used for bass sides only and light ones get used for the trebles. Not only does this provide the tonal benefits of the dual density system, but also all of our swamp ash basses are very consistent in weight and tone.

I played that bass at NAMM, and it was one of the best-sounding Dingwalls I have ever played. Just killer! In fact, I am currently working on a build with Sheldon and I specifically referenced that Voodoo as far as the tone I am after.

 

[BurningSkies]

I played that bass at NAMM, and it was one of the best-sounding Dingwalls I have ever played. Just killer! In fact, I am currently working on a build with Sheldon and I specifically referenced that Voodoo as far as the tone I am after.

Interested to see it, Tom! Is it going to have the body decal and the whole deal?

 

[AB Nate]

Yeah...questionable source there.

It’s dingwalls official Instagram. I’d assume it would be accurate

 

[tombowlus]

Interested to see it, Tom! Is it going to have the body decal and the whole deal?

I am going for a 4-string build, so that means no Z body options (including the Voodoo). It will be an ABI (probably with a northern ash body) and other wood/electronics choices will be aimed at getting in the tonal ballpark to that Voodoo 5 - but it won't look anything like it.

 

[AB Nate]

I played that bass at NAMM, and it was one of the best-sounding Dingwalls I have ever played. Just killer! In fact, I am currently working on a build with Sheldon and I specifically referenced that Voodoo as far as the tone I am after.

It’s a super cool bass. I like the understatedness of its appearance. Gives it that old school dingwall look with all the modern refinements.

 

[tombowlus]

It’s a super cool bass. I like the understatedness of its appearance. Gives it that old school dingwall look with all the modern refinements.

Yeah, I was really hoping for a 4-string Voodoo, but they don't do any of the Z-series instruments in a 4-string variant.

 

[BurningSkies]

I am going for a 4-string build, so that means no Z body options (including the Voodoo). It will be an ABI (probably with a northern ash body) and other wood/electronics choices will be aimed at getting in the tonal ballpark to that Voodoo 5 - but it won't look anything like it.

Cool. Still looking forward to seeing it.

 

[tombowlus]

Cool. Still looking forward to seeing it.

Thanks! Me, too! And I would be all over a Voodoo 5 if I wasn't already so darned happy with my Z3.

 

[AB Nate]

Yeah, I was really hoping for a 4-string Voodoo, but they don't do any of the Z-series instruments in a 4-string variant.

I guess there just wasn’t the demand.
Perhaps as dingwall gains even more popularity it could come back down the road?!

 

[tombowlus]

I guess there just wasn’t the demand.
Perhaps as dingwall gains even more popularity it could come back down the road?!

To be clear, you can still order a 5 or 6-string Voodoo.

 

[AB Nate]

To be clear, you can still order a 5 or 6-string Voodoo.

Yep. Just mean the 4 string being taken off the roster. It’s wasn’t all that long ago they removed the option from the list(3-4 years? Time seems to be getting harder to keep track of these days), I assume due to lack of interest, but in the last couple years the custom dingwall market seems to be gaining yet more momentum.

 

[tombowlus]

Yep. Just mean the 4 string being taken off the roster. It’s wasn’t all that long ago they removed the option from the list(3-4 years? Time seems to be getting harder to keep track of these days), I assume due to lack of interest, but in the last couple years the custom dingwall market seems to be gaining yet more momentum.

Ah, got it. I have an older Afterburner prototype 4-string and I have a D-Bird, but I wanted a 4-string Dingwall with the same tone and tonal flexibility as something like my Z3 and/or that Voodoo 5. I am sure that Sheldon and crew will knock it out of the park!

 

[BurningSkies]

Ah, got it. I have an older Afterburner prototype 4-string and I have a D-Bird, but I wanted a 4-string Dingwall with the same tone and tonal flexibility as something like my Z3 and/or that Voodoo 5. I am sure that Sheldon and crew will knock it out of the park!

Yes, would expect them too. These days the AB sits in a different 'zone' than it used to. Its got more options and features that really do make it akin to a Z-series bass but with a different body type, and of course the straight-pull headstock.

 

[J R Knots]

Have a question.

Been having G.A.S. for a Fretless Dingwall since I got my first Dingwall last year.

It may not happen real soon but you don’t see the availability as much with Fretless as you do with Fretted Dingwalls (even there the supply is limited).

Just wondering if anyone has taken theirs to a good luthier to have them remove the frets and what experiences they have had.

I did this years ago with a Fender Jazz bass but it was not the piece of Art that the Dingwalls are.

I should probably just have one built but just weighing the options.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[EMoneySC2]

Have a question.

Been having G.A.S. for a Fretless Dingwall since I got my first Dingwall last year.

It may not happen real soon but you don’t see the availability as much with Fretless as you do with Fretted Dingwalls (even there the supply is limited).

Just wondering if anyone has taken theirs to a good luthier to have them remove the frets and what experiences they have had.

I did this years ago with a Fender Jazz bass but it was not the piece of Art that the Dingwalls are.

I should probably just have one built but just weighing the options.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Paging @BurningSkies