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Dingwall Owners Club

#41,221
japhy4529 said:
Hey, @AB Nate - I recognize you from the Spector forum. I've been on the hunt lately for a fanned fret 5-string bass. I was considering one of the new Korean-made Spector Dimension 5-strings, however, I've had an itch to try a Dingwall for a while now. Score one for me as I've just pulled the trigger!

View attachment 4203471

I have a few questions that I'm hoping the experts on here won't mind answering for me. I guess everyone starts as a noob, huh? :D

1. Curious when this bass was made. In reading the comments re: this particular bass, I see that it's probably one of the earliest AB2s. Is there a serial number lookup anywhere? Or would anyone know when the AB2 model came out?
2. I'm embarrassed to say that I'm not even sure if this one has active or passive electronics! Anyone know just by looking?
3. The pickups say "Dingwall." Any idea what these are? Obviously custom made, just wondering if they have a model name or if these were perhaps prototypes?
4. Strings. Are the Dingwall strings basically the way to go here or are there other options? If so, anyone know a good USA source or will I just need to order from Dingwall and pay extra for shipping? I did check out FretNation, but the strings are not currently in stock. I've bought a set of Dunlops fanned fret strings from FN for now, just so I have something to use when the bass arrives.

Thanks in advance. Cheers.
Click to expand...

It is close to mine, which was bought new in 2004. Yours might be slightly newer as they transitioned from mahogany and bubinga to using more walnut. It looks as if yours has a walnut body, but a bubinga top and neck, so I would think it is somewhere in the 2004- 2006 range.

The two switches are active/passive and the BluEQube, which is a mid cut/scoop. Mine has an Aguilar OBP-1 preamp and runs off of two 9V batteries.
 
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#41,222
Smallmouth_Bass said:
It is close to mine, which was bought new in 2004. Yours might be slightly newer as they transitioned from mahogany and bubinga to using more walnut. It looks as if yours has a walnut body, but a bubinga top and neck, so I would think it is somewhere in the 2004- 2006 range.

The two switches are active/passive and the BluEQube, which is a mid cut/scoop. Mine has an Aguilar OBP-1 preamp and runs off of two 9V batteries.
Click to expand...

You think that is a bubinga top? Just comparing the color between the neck and top I don't think so.
 
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#41,223
whirledpeas said:
Yep. I inquired several years ago if they would make me a meatier (thicker front to back) SJ4 neck. I was politely told that while they have a lot of options available, they are not a custom shop.

Definitely a different carve on the Supers than the Zs I’ve played. Different flavors of awesome.
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The neck carve on the Super P feels meatier than the one on my Super J. I originally spec’d the Super P with a J neck carve, but i’m glad i switched back to the default option
 
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#41,224
a close-up of the wenge neck :drool:
BC17EB5B-D55A-4F48-833C-59FC6DA8CEA9.jpeg
 
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#41,228
Ryno1330 said:
I can check with customer service but does anyonr know if you custom order a super P or J 5 is the neck profile similar to a Z3 or can you specify that profile (or thickness at minumum)?
Click to expand...
I think you’ve got yer answer as far as we know here. You never know what the future holds but dingwall having spec lists and not being a full custom shop, more production I have doubts we’ll see too many additional variables to each model.
japhy4529 said:
Hey, @AB Nate - I recognize you from the Spector forum. I've been on the hunt lately for a fanned fret 5-string bass. I was considering one of the new Korean-made Spector Dimension 5-strings, however, I've had an itch to try a Dingwall for a while now. Score one for me as I've just pulled the trigger!

View attachment 4203471

I have a few questions that I'm hoping the experts on here won't mind answering for me. I guess everyone starts as a noob, huh? :D

1. Curious when this bass was made. In reading the comments re: this particular bass, I see that it's probably one of the earliest AB2s. Is there a serial number lookup anywhere? Or would anyone know when the AB2 model came out?
2. I'm embarrassed to say that I'm not even sure if this one has active or passive electronics! Anyone know just by looking?
3. The pickups say "Dingwall." Any idea what these are? Obviously custom made, just wondering if they have a model name or if these were perhaps prototypes?
4. Strings. Are the Dingwall strings basically the way to go here or are there other options? If so, anyone know a good USA source or will I just need to order from Dingwall and pay extra for shipping? I did check out FretNation, but the strings are not currently in stock. I've bought a set of Dunlops fanned fret strings from FN for now, just so I have something to use when the bass arrives.

Thanks in advance. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Yes Sir,
I’m the Dingwall junkie that fell in love with a Spector.
Congrats on your new investment! It looks like a fantastic instrument at a fair price. The older wood specs don’t often come up. Seems like a walnut body/walnut top(?), bubinga neck/wenge board

as mentioned perhaps 2004-2008, somewhere in there. There is no serial number registry unfortunately but the back of the pick ups may have a date written on them.

the pick ups are 100% passive but there is definitely an active preamp in this. It could be an Aguilar pre or possible a glockenklang 2 band. Closest knob to the neck is volume, then pick up selector, then bass, then treble. the 2 switches as mentioned could be active/passive and the blue cube or they could be individual series/parallel switches. 1 per pick up and with that your active/passive could be a push/pull on the volume control. These basses seem to often have electronic upgrades done prior to seeing them back on the market Down the road. Us bass players can’t seem to help ourselves, always needing to fiddle with this or that.

You know all about Jason at fretnation and here are some other options.
You could check with Michael Lomax at shome music. He is a reputable dingwall dealer here on the forum. Same for Johnfoxbass. I’m not sure that John is selling strings though... just basses I think.

That said, I’m all over the Payson strings out of Texas. Killer strings, fast shipping, great service, custom gauges.
Newtone strings is a name that pops up for options, as well as Sansone. Haven’t tried either.

keep us posted man!

NaH said:
You think that is a bubinga top? Just comparing the color between the neck and top I don't think so.
Click to expand...

it sure looks like walnut grain to me.
 
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#41,229
been_effected said:
Any idea what the Super P carve feels like in relation to a Combustion carve?
Click to expand...
A bit rounder. A little extra meat on the top and bottom of the “C”, turning it more like a “D”. Really comfortable. Random thought. The Ibanez 6 string neck reminds me of a super 5 kinda.... just bigger.

edit: not really sure how that computes to 4 string.
 
Last edited:
#41,230
been_effected said:
Any idea what the Super P carve feels like in relation to a Combustion carve?
Click to expand...
I can only share my experience with the D-Roc 4, which I believe has the same profile as a Combustion 4.
I tried the D-roc at the Guitar Summit here in Germany and the neck was very very comfortable. Sheldon mentioned that the Super P carve was similar to that one and that made me decide changing back to the standard specs instead of the SJ profile
 
#41,232
IvanBassist said:
I can only share my experience with the D-Roc 4, which I believe has the same profile as a Combustion 4.
I tried the D-roc at the Guitar Summit here in Germany and the neck was very very comfortable. Sheldon mentioned that the Super P carve was similar to that one and that made me decide changing back to the standard specs instead of the SJ profile
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't think I'd be looking at changing, purely curious. I have a Combustion now and a Super P on order, but the Super P specs are still in flux. I've always loved the wenge neck on the Warwick SS2 I owned years ago, so I'm tempted to splash out for it on the P.
 
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#41,233
been_effected said:
Yeah, I don't think I'd be looking at changing, purely curious. I have a Combustion now and a Super P on order, but the Super P specs are still in flux. I've always loved the wenge neck on the Warwick SS2 I owned years ago, so I'm tempted to splash out for it on the P.
Click to expand...
The wenge neck feels extremely smooth and shifting positions is effortless. The extra cost was worth it
 
#41,234
Selta said:
This one is up in question for sure -- I'd email [email protected] or maybe sales@ and ask for details.

Looks active to me - note, the pickups are NOT active, just an active preamp.

Well, they're square shell Dingwall in-house made pickups. Probably FD2?

There's a few options; Payson strings are also nice. I tend to alternate between Payson and Dingwall. There's a least a couple of other options, but the names escape me at the moment.

That shop that has his AB2 isn't far from me. If you need eyes on it before buying, lemme know.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information.

I've already pulled the trigger and paid for the bass, but thanks for the offer to take a look at it. I really appreciate it!
 
#41,235
pbass6811 said:
Nice score! You started with a good one, bro! Looks like Selta did a pretty good job answering your questions. Emailing Dingwall tech is definitely gonna be the best way to answer question #1. You could try looking in the control cavity or under the pickups to see if there's a date written in there?

Looks like you, me, and @AB Nate are just gonna be bopping back and forth between the Dingwall group and the Spector group!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm really excited.

Yes, that's for sure! I'm definitely sticking with Spector, but it's nice to have some variety.
 
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#41,236
Smallmouth_Bass said:
It is close to mine, which was bought new in 2004. Yours might be slightly newer as they transitioned from mahogany and bubinga to using more walnut. It looks as if yours has a walnut body, but a bubinga top and neck, so I would think it is somewhere in the 2004- 2006 range.

The two switches are active/passive and the BluEQube, which is a mid cut/scoop. Mine has an Aguilar OBP-1 preamp and runs off of two 9V batteries.
Click to expand...

This is helpful, thanks. I'm pretty well versed in Spector basses. It's interesting to learn about another manufacturer. Thanks for the information.

I don't believe I've heard of an OBP-1 running on 18v. Interesting!
 
#41,238
japhy4529 said:
Hey, @AB Nate - I recognize you from the Spector forum. I've been on the hunt lately for a fanned fret 5-string bass. I was considering one of the new Korean-made Spector Dimension 5-strings, however, I've had an itch to try a Dingwall for a while now. Score one for me as I've just pulled the trigger!

View attachment 4203471

I have a few questions that I'm hoping the experts on here won't mind answering for me. I guess everyone starts as a noob, huh? :D

1. Curious when this bass was made. In reading the comments re: this particular bass, I see that it's probably one of the earliest AB2s. Is there a serial number lookup anywhere? Or would anyone know when the AB2 model came out?
2. I'm embarrassed to say that I'm not even sure if this one has active or passive electronics! Anyone know just by looking?
3. The pickups say "Dingwall." Any idea what these are? Obviously custom made, just wondering if they have a model name or if these were perhaps prototypes?
4. Strings. Are the Dingwall strings basically the way to go here or are there other options? If so, anyone know a good USA source or will I just need to order from Dingwall and pay extra for shipping? I did check out FretNation, but the strings are not currently in stock. I've bought a set of Dunlops fanned fret strings from FN for now, just so I have something to use when the bass arrives.

Thanks in advance. Cheers.
Click to expand...

I was debating that one but had pulled the trigger on an NG-2 before it was listed so wanted to at least get it in hand before thinking about another. When I saw it had sold I was sure it would pop up in here, haha!
 
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