Dingwall Owners Club

[BurningSkies]

I always wonder... what's the tension on an E string on a 30" scale?

String Tension Calculator

 

[BurningSkies]

This sounds like a stupid question as I’m writing but I’ve never let that slow me down. I love the preamp in both my C2 and NG3....what I’ve found with both is I’m just flipping to passive and playing rather than the undecided knob turning. Anyone else just play passive?

I do on my Super-P.

But honestly, without a passive tone roll off for some kind of tone shaping I don't. Even before I played active basses I never ran the treble/tone without some roll, so having passive but no chance to tame highs doesn't work for me.

 

[singlemalt]

I really like the passive tone circuits on the Dingwalls.

Loved the blueqube on my earlier AB-1’s, and I think the hybrid on the Super P has the same kind of cool, two flavor thing.

I think the current AB is the first with just a straight tone control, no scoop side or scoop option like the blueqube. Not that I’m bitchin, it covers plenty of ground.

When I did have active options I rarely used them.

The Dbird with three pickups and a straight tone control has a huge variety of sounds.

 

[NaH]

This sounds like a stupid question as I’m writing but I’ve never let that slow me down. I love the preamp in both my C2 and NG3....what I’ve found with both is I’m just flipping to passive and playing rather than the undecided knob turning. Anyone else just play passive?

99% of the time I play passive.

 

[BurningSkies]

Check with Curt Mangan as well. I'm pretty sure he can do custom lengths.

Yep, they replied quickly but somewhat incompletely. At the headstock end their XL strings taper at 38.75" measured from the ball. On my Combustion, the B-string crosses the nut at just about 38.5", so that would work. I haven't measured my NG, Z1 or Voodoo to see if it would be the same (would depend on the amount behind the saddle). They didn't reply to my question about taper at the bridge end of the string so I asked again.


...Just replied...they don't do tapered ball ends. That could be a deal breaker for some...I know I like to have that feature.

 

[retroXvertigo]

Perhaps the Super series would keep you closer to those tighter scales

Yeah. I like 6 strings though. Conundrum.

 

[AB Nate]

Yeah. I like 6 strings though. Conundrum.

I understand. Same.

Have you considered the Ibanez EHB1506?

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

And I just remembered that I know a guy local that has an ABZ. He's pretty intense on COVID, but I'm sure he'd let me try his. Then I could put the reach question to bed. I'm playing a 30" Alien Audio most of the time lately, so my concern comes from that.

Honestly just by trying it, you wouldn't be able to get a great feel for it. I purchased my Sklar sig in March of 2020. Since I did have trouble with the 35" scale on a few different basses I immediately went for the reach extender. It felt great and no different than any 34" scale bass. FF to December when I took off the strap to do a set up, and inadvertently put it back on the rear strap button by mistake. Started playing it that way and I actually am a bit more comfortable with how the bass lays on me when standing. The funny part is, it's still easier for me to play than the Roscoe, Modulus, Peavey, and other 35" scale basses I've owned over the years.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Honestly just by trying it, you wouldn't be able to get a great feel for it. I purchased my Sklar sig in March of 2020. Since I did have trouble with the 35" scale on a few different basses I immediately went for the reach extender. It felt great and no different than any 34" scale bass. FF to December when I took off the strap to do a set up, and inadvertently put it back on the rear strap button by mistake. Started playing it that way and I actually am a bit more comfortable with how the bass lays on me when standing. The funny part is, it's still easier for me to play than the Roscoe, Modulus, Peavey, and other 35" scale basses I've owned over the years.

Not sure what you mean by trying it I wouldn't be able to get a feel for it?

 

[pbass6811]

Not sure what you mean by trying it I wouldn't be able to get a feel for it?

Even though I disagree, I understand what he's saying. A couple of minutes noodling around on an ABZ will give you a feel for playing a long scale, multi scale bass, but you won't really get a feel for what they're capable of in that short of a timeframe. I've put my ABZs in the hands of multiple players, most of whom have never touched a multi scale instrument, and I've yet to come across someone who couldn't play it. Some took to it better than others, but everyone has been able to crank out something familiar and all were amazed at how not-that-different it felt to play.

If the dude with the ABZ is willing to let you spend a bit of time with it, even better if he'll let you play a gig with it, it'll make sense to you.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Even though I disagree, I understand what he's saying. A couple of minutes noodling around on an ABZ will give you a feel for playing a long scale, multi scale bass, but you won't really get a feel for what they're capable of in that short of a timeframe. I've put my ABZs in the hands of multiple players, most of whom have never touched a multi scale instrument, and I've yet to come across someone who couldn't play it. Some took to it better than others, but everyone has been able to crank out something familiar and all were amazed at how not-that-different it felt to play.

If the dude with the ABZ is willing to let you spend a bit of time with it, even better if he'll let you play a gig with it, it'll make sense to you.

From my viewpoint, it's too different and too expensive to just buy one and see how it turns out. It's hard enough to find audio samples that aren't running though a Darkglass pedal of some sort. Basically I'd be trying his long enough to determine that for me it's not a "no". Maybe not that I would love it, but if it's an uncomfortable reach, then there are others basses out there that I can gel with better.

 

[dirkhh]

It's hard enough to find audio samples that aren't running though a Darkglass pedal of some sort.

Go back about a couple of weeks in this thread and there were many, many links to videos and audio samples where you can truly hear the Dingwall.

 

[singlemalt]

A lot of us bought our first Dingwall with no test drive. I live in the sticks, getting a tryout would have involved a four hour drive, one way, to Seattle.

I bought a used Super PJ four string out of the TB classifieds. I’d looked at the ads long enough to know the going prices. I figure it takes me months to really get to know a bass. I’ll try different strings, play with the set up, use it with different amps and effects.

I spent a year messing around with my Zon Vinnie before I threw in the towel. I’m glad I gave it a fair trial, but in the end, it went back up for sale. and sold for what I had in it.

The Dingwall Super was a home run from the first day. I’ve bought seven Dingwalls over the last 12 years or so, and still have three. Longscale AB-1’s in 4, 5, and 6 strings. Super 4 and 5 strings. All used. All were stellar basses. The four I’ve sold on went for what I had in them. I let them go when I decided I wanted to downsize and only play four string basses.

At this point I have a Super P, AB-1, and Dbird in rotation.

If a Dingwall didn’t come with a P or Ptone pickup installed, I would install one. Other than adding Lumilay dots, I haven’t done any other mods to a Dingwall.

I look at a used Dingwall as a sure thing. I’m not picky about finish or colors or features. I never thought I’d own a black and maple P bass, but here I am, and she’s a killer.

One last thing about reach, my AB-1, even without the rear flush mount strap lock, is an easier reach to the lower frets than my 35” Cirrus. The Dbird, because it has the flush strap lock on the back is even shorter feeling. The Super series feel very compact.

TLDR: buy used, take your time getting to know it. A sound investment.

 

[dirkhh]

A lot of us bought our first Dingwall with no test drive.
TLDR: buy used, take your time getting to know it. A sound investment.

Couldn't agree more. It's more than 4h to get to the next dealer that actually had one on stock. And... There's a pandemic. So i bought used. And then did it again.
Right now there's a 4 string for $1600 in the classifieds. And Canadian Dingwalls show up all the time.

 

[AB Nate]

Couldn't agree more. It's more than 4h to get to the next dealer that actually had one on stock. And... There's a pandemic. So i bought used. And then did it again.
Right now there's a 4 string for $1600 in the classifieds. And Canadian Dingwalls show up all the time.

And your still shopping. Hehehehh

 

[EMoneySC2]

I ordered a new NG-2 sight-unseen, never having tried a Dingwall before it worked out well for me!

 

[IronSpatula]

The first time I played a Dingwall was when I picked my pre-ordered NG up from the dealer. It was a really fun experience seeing how strange some things looked but still being able to play just fine.

Obviously it worked out well for me too, but I could see someone with small hands not jiving with a six string, at least. I have pretty big hands and still have to modify my fingerings in some areas of the neck compared to my other sixers with narrower spacing. A small price to play for the massive increase in tonal evenness across the instrument, though.

 

[NDC]

N. D. B. D. (New Dingwall Bass Day)

Dingwall AB1-5 (Afterburner 1-5)

• SPECIFICATIONS:
• Dingwall made in Canada FDV
• Dingwall passive controls; volume, pickup selector (bridge, both parallel, both series, neck), tone control
• 2 series/parallel toggles - £115 option
• Alder body
• Vintage White
• Maple neck
• Maple fingerboard - £260 option
• Super P/J front black 6mm pearloid dots
• Banjo frets
• Novax® Fanned-Fret System™
• 5 piece maple neck - satin finish, 34'' - 37", Ivoroid side dots
• Hipshot Ultralight tuners (black)
• Custom Dingwall bridge (black)
• Weight - 3.9kg/8lb 12oz
• Manufactured in Canada

 

[dirkhh]

And your still shopping. Hehehehh

Me? I don't know what you are talking about...

 

[AB Nate]

Me? I don't know what you are talking about...

I judge not my friend.

it’s a well worn path you travel. Hehehe