Dingwall Owners Club

[singlemalt]

I was sorely tempted by the Music Man Dargie’s Delight in metallic green, with the martini glass inlays.

There’s been a number of Dingwalls in green I’ve thought long and hard about buying, but the timing wasn’t right.

 

[BurningSkies]

It looks cool, but not something that I would consider purchasing. Plus, I barely have a need for an dirt now, much less have some on-board in the bass' electronics.

Well, I'm not really looking for a 4 string. And while I like some comics I'm not sure that it dovetails with my bass-world-view. I think they're really cool though and I'm sure that there will be a whole lot of people psyched on it.

 

[Challanger2]

I have an irrational dislike of anything signature for my own gear which is ironic considering I use a Combustion modified to NG spec but I definitely see the appeal. That being said I think Dingwall does a much better job with their signatures than say Ernie Ball (I hope Sterling doesn't catch wind of this)

Dingwall threads the line of mostly practical, appealing to the players specs and throwing some spice into the mix with a full package you couldn't really find elsewhere. Ernie Ball's signature stuff has always bugged me bc its either for the traditionalist (Joe Dart, Cliff Williams) or for the super prog guys who want a tight string spacing 6 string Bongo (John Myung)

I'm the exact opposite, I love signature models, since you can get specs that are not that common. I'm working on clearing my non-dingwalls out of my collection, the only 3 I plan on keeping are my ibanez SR305 (first bass, sentimental value), and my two BC Rich Paolo Gregoletto signatures (one 4 string, one 5 string). What I like about them is that they have two musicman humbucker emg pickups, but instead of an active EQ, they have a tone knob. Since I never use a preamp anyways, its a nice change of pace. The spalted maple plus white binding is also super nice.

 

[gearhound22]

I'm the exact opposite, I love signature models, since you can get specs that are not that common. I'm working on clearing my non-dingwalls out of my collection, the only 3 I plan on keeping are my ibanez SR305 (first bass, sentimental value), and my two BC Rich Paolo Gregoletto signatures (one 4 string, one 5 string). What I like about them is that they have two musicman humbucker emg pickups, but instead of an active EQ, they have a tone knob. Since I never use a preamp anyways, its a nice change of pace. The spalted maple plus white binding is also super nice.
View attachment 4171577

Big fan of that bass and the OCS Vortex one just wish that one wasn't made in china!!

 

[DingwallDingus]

I'm the exact opposite, I love signature models, since you can get specs that are not that common. I'm working on clearing my non-dingwalls out of my collection, the only 3 I plan on keeping are my ibanez SR305 (first bass, sentimental value), and my two BC Rich Paolo Gregoletto signatures (one 4 string, one 5 string). What I like about them is that they have two musicman humbucker emg pickups, but instead of an active EQ, they have a tone knob. Since I never use a preamp anyways, its a nice change of pace. The spalted maple plus white binding is also super nice.
View attachment 4171577

It's more of a shallow pride thing for me, something about the artists signature on the headstock or back just doesn't do it for me personally but I completely agree on the specs thing. I adore the NG-2 specs and I hadn't heard about the baked in distortion circuit in the Hellboy until just now which is interesting.

Really the thing that bugs me most about signature models are the ones that are just another x bass with a custom finish maybe. It's better when they offer something the manufacturers other instruments can't.

 

[Waltsdog]

What did you gain by omitting the bridge solo selection? Both neck in series and parallel? I never use bridge solo either.

I didn't omit any selections, the new bridge pickups I think are wired in series (I have not looked) as standard. Or it's just a bigger sounding pickup that the one my SJ. Either way the solo bridge pickup is now usable compared to the older ones which were a bit weedy.

 

[Challanger2]

It's more of a shallow pride thing for me, something about the artists signature on the headstock or back just doesn't do it for me personally but I completely agree on the specs thing. I adore the NG-2 specs and I hadn't heard about the baked in distortion circuit in the Hellboy until just now which is interesting.

Really the thing that bugs me most about signature models are the ones that are just another x bass with a custom finish maybe. It's better when they offer something the manufacturers other instruments can't.

That's fair. I had a Ibanez GBV36 signature that I sold after getting my first dingwall to help pay for the second. It was a 6 string with 14.5mm spacing, which was super interesting. But my band ended up just pretty much doing covers in D standard/Drop C, so I never had a reason to bring out the 6 string. Most signature models are just in name only like you said, with maybe a custom finish. I appreciate when they have different play-ability specs or electronic packages though. After playing Dingwalls though, the only signature I see myself getting in the near future is a NG2 or NG3.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I don't have anything against signature models, it's really more about the instrument than a name on the headstock. I've only ever owned one: a Fender Roscoe Beck V. It was a great bass and the only reason I don't still have it is it was too heavy.

 

[BurningSkies]

I don't have anything against signature models, it's really more about the instrument than a name on the headstock. I've only ever owned one: a Fender Roscoe Beck V. It was a great bass and the only reason I don't still have it is it was too heavy.

Guys names have been on headstocks for years. Lee Paul, Orwell Gibson, Geo Fender, even have a bass or two with that done in paint pen, Sherwood or Shamus or something or other.

 

[Waltsdog]

Just curious. Among this crew who here has interest in the hellboy and plans to get one?

Those graphics are a real dealbreaker for me, hate to say it but the finish makes it look cheap IMO.

I'm also in the same camp as @DingwallDingus, not being a fan of signature stuff as 9 times out of 10 it's just a way to sell you the same old thing for more money.
I know the hellboy has extra bells and whistles, but it's one hell of an up-charge (going by the prices i just looked up it's $500 usd or so) for a distortion circuit and what I assume is a polarising finish.

 

[DingwallDingus]

Those graphics are a real dealbreaker for me, hate to say it but the finish makes it look cheap IMO.

I'm also in the same camp as @DingwallDingus, not being a fan of signature stuff as 9 times out of 10 it's just a way to sell you the same old thing for more money.
I know the hellboy has extra bells and whistles, but it's one hell of an up-charge (going by the prices i just looked up it's $500 usd or so) for a distortion circuit and what I assume is a polarising finish.

Honestly graphics like that just aren't really all that great for a signature model in my opinion. It would be like if I had a signature bass and it was holoflash, no one is going to care for that but me and maybe a select few other people.

Same type of deal with the John Myung Bongo, a very niche thing being 6 strings and such a tight string spacing. I get the whole "hey let's do something out of left field" mentality but there has to be a balance.

 

[IronSpatula]

I’m not gonna lie, I wish Dingwall would do a narrow-spaced six. I’d be happy with 16.5-17mm but if they went as narrow as the John Myung Bongo I’d be super interested. Apparently I’m a weirdo...

 

[DingwallDingus]

I’m not gonna lie, I wish Dingwall would do a narrow-spaced six. I’d be happy with 16.5-17mm but if they went as narrow as the John Myung Bongo I’d be super interested. Apparently I’m a weirdo...

Nah nothing against that man, the 19mm spacing on the Combustion just feels right to me. I think it's funny because my dad who is a Fender guy thinks it feels super tight and hates it. It's all in your preference and what you're used to, I play double thumb a lot these days and can't envision a smaller spacing being too great for that but I'm sure there is somebody who loves it.

Also about the bongo thing, it was about the sum of the parts. 6 string, narrow spacing, and now the split board color. Only thing I can think of that would polarize further would be an out there custom finish.

 

[Nuage420]

Just curious. Among this crew who here has interest in the hellboy and plans to get one?

I actually really like the graphics. And I'm a fan of Hellboy comics and movies. For the right price used I'd snag one up.

 

[packrat]

Well, how about the Sklar signature basses? or the NGs, with the darkglass pre? Those seem reasonable signature models that are awesome instruments.

 

[DingwallDingus]

Well, how about the Sklar signature basses? or the NGs, with the darkglass pre? Those seem reasonable signature models that are awesome instruments.

Yeah they definitely are two of the best signature basses ever. I'm slightly kicking myself over not getting an NG instead but I got there in the end anyway. Main reason I didn't was I wasn't a fan of the original run of colors.

Regarding the Sklar I'd love to try the mandolin frets and the super fatties, not big on the look but it's all preference in that realm.

 

[J Posega]

Yeah they definitely are two of the best signature basses ever. I'm slightly kicking myself over not getting an NG instead but I got there in the end anyway. Main reason I didn't was I wasn't a fan of the original run of colors.

Regarding the Sklar I'd love to try the mandolin frets and the super fatties, not big on the look but it's all preference in that realm.

Having recently gotten a Sklar, I can say that it is really nice. The bass sounds and plays great. Totally different feel compared to my SP5. I'm due to track some bass for a friend soon, I'll try to do some sound comparison clips.

 

[pbass6811]

Yeah they definitely are two of the best signature basses ever. I'm slightly kicking myself over not getting an NG instead but I got there in the end anyway. Main reason I didn't was I wasn't a fan of the original run of colors.

Regarding the Sklar I'd love to try the mandolin frets and the super fatties, not big on the look but it's all preference in that realm.

I'm, pretty much, in agreement with ya'. I'm not a huge proponent of sig models, although there have been a few cool ones. I do like the Hellboy, but I'm not interested in getting one.

Having said that, if I do decide to spring for a Z3, I'll probably just spring for a Sklar for a few reasons...
1. Like you, I really want to try Mando frets and the Super Fatties. Plus I think the Sklar already comes with a Detuner?
2. I'll have, basically, 2 years to figure out how to pay for it.
3. If I'm gonna play a sig bass, a Lee Sklar sig would be a great sig to work with.

Other than the NG I had, I can't really think that I've ever owned a sig bass. I DID have a Warwick Stage I Streamer that was built for T.M. Stevens and I currently have a Spector Forte 5 that was built for Kelly Lemieux of Buckcherry, but that's not really a sig bass. I probably WOULD play a Spector Euro 5 Alex Webster sig, but only the non-blood drip version. It's got some killer specs.

 

[DingwallDingus]

I'm, pretty much, in agreement with ya'. I'm not a huge proponent of sig models, although there have been a few cool ones. I do like the Hellboy, but I'm not interested in getting one.

Having said that, if I do decide to spring for a Z3, I'll probably just spring for a Sklar for a few reasons...
1. Like you, I really want to try Mando frets and the Super Fatties. Plus I think the Sklar already comes with a Detuner?
2. I'll have, basically, 2 years to figure out how to pay for it.
3. If I'm gonna play a sig bass, a Lee Sklar sig would be a great sig to work with.

Other than the NG I had, I can't really think that I've ever owned a sig bass. I DID have a Warwick Stage I Streamer that was built for T.M. Stevens and I currently have a Spector Forte 5 that was built for Kelly Lemieux of Buckcherry, but that's not really a sig bass. I probably WOULD play a Spector Euro 5 Alex Webster sig, but only the non-blood drip version. It's got some killer specs.

Speaking of that Alex Webster sig, I heard that like the NG2 when it came out some non metal players latched on to the no drip version which is cool.

 

[pbass6811]

Speaking of that Alex Webster sig, I heard that like the NG2 when it came out some non metal players latched on to the no drip version which is cool.

Not to stray too far from Dingwall content, but...

There's a demo on YT of the drip version, and the dude is playing everything BUT metal, and it sounds killa'!