Dingwall Owners Club

[NaH]

Does the shop do wenge/wenge fretless? I’m thinking Super J5, flamed maple top in cherryburst or honeyburst, fretless all wenge neck. Next year maybe. Depends on the job situation.

All those interviews a couple weeks ago led to “we chose a candidate with more experience,” even though I have PhD level experience and they told me they’ve hired plenty of people without a background like mine straight out of a bachelors program.

At least they called you back. I had two interviews, last one on Aug 6th, then >nothing<.

 

[NaH]

Has anyone got the dingwall factory to refinish one of their basses?

There was a droc with the skylar racing decals I’d love to get done on mine

Saw someone do that with vinyl. You could do it yourself.

 

[NaH]

Awhile ago... maybe 2 years now? I tried to sell both of my "Classic" AB1s. I think I ended up dropping the price clear down to ~$1300 without a single bite. At that price there was no point in selling, so I gave up. They're fine basses and I am glad to have them, but, they don't get much in the way of play time.

They sell for a bit more now...

 

[gearhound22]

Saw someone do that with vinyl. You could do it yourself.

This is the one I like! Mine is plain blue

 

[NaH]

This is the one I like! Mine is plain blue
View attachment 4382325

Ok - that is a bit more complicated, but still doable.

 

[akizh]

Folks, I'm in a wonderful position where I have to choose between an ABZ/II and a Z (my preferences). I currently have a beautiful SJ5 3x w/FD3s, which I love, but I want to round out my Dingwall stable with a 37" B. I do a fair amount of home recording and gig about 6 times a year - lot's of different musical styles. Have a couple of Warwicks (Corvette, Starbass) and I love that tone, and can get similar, fantastic tones from the SJ5. So, for those with an ABZ/ABII AND and Z - which do you pick up more, and why? I know the neck profile is one consideration, but are there significant tone differences? Perhaps more pertinent in the ABII/Z context unless the ABZ/Z tone differences are significant? It's a tough decision without being able to get my hands on these back to back. Appreciate your feedback as I look to finalize my build sheet in the coming days!

There's a main difference between AB and Z on the wood, Z has dual density body and has more option on the treble/bass side combination.
To me, a Z3 with northern ash/swamp ash sounds a little bit punchier than a ash ABZ. However, the Z3 has ziricote fingerboard while that ABZ has maple fingerboard, so not a really accurate comparison here.
The other experience is the Sklar I played in 2020 NAMM, which has norther ash/alder combination on body. That treble strings sounds sweeeeeet, and it still got punch and clarity on the lows, so I went with northern ash/alder on my Z2. I would suggest that if you're going to play in many different music style, ash/alder body is a very good and versatile choice.

Another different is weight, ABZ has swamp ash body so should be lighter than Z. On Dingwall's website says that average weight of ABZ is 8lbs, which is quite light in bass, it's as light as a strat.
The Z3 I mentioned above aren't heavy at all, but if weight is your concern, do consider the ABZ.

 

[Katoosie]

Just a question @monsterthompson
Did you grab that dwall I linked, by any chance?

 

[monsterthompson]

Just a question @monsterthompson
Did you grab that dwall I linked, by any chance?

I didn’t. I’m still enjoying the bass I just got

 

[AB Nate]

In BC...but the way things are going there with a certain current issue might be AB soon lol

good luck where ur at man.

 

[AdamR]

Joining the dingwall club !

 

[SemiDriven]

My resolve is slipping, and I just requested a price list from Dingwall.

How can we help? (your resolve slip more)

 

[japhy4529]

There's a main difference between AB and Z on the wood, Z has dual density body and has more option on the treble/bass side combination.
To me, a Z3 with northern ash/swamp ash sounds a little bit punchier than a ash ABZ. However, the Z3 has ziricote fingerboard while that ABZ has maple fingerboard, so not a really accurate comparison here.
The other experience is the Sklar I played in 2020 NAMM, which has norther ash/alder combination on body. That treble strings sounds sweeeeeet, and it still got punch and clarity on the lows, so I went with northern ash/alder on my Z2. I would suggest that if you're going to play in many different music style, ash/alder body is a very good and versatile choice.

Another different is weight, ABZ has swamp ash body so should be lighter than Z. On Dingwall's website says that average weight of ABZ is 8lbs, which is quite light in bass, it's as light as a strat.
The Z3 I mentioned above aren't heavy at all, but if weight is your concern, do consider the ABZ.

A Z3 can also be built with a wenge neck and fingerboard if desired (I have one with a dual density ash body and wenge neck/board). I'm mentioning this as @hoopchala has Warwicks and that is a common wood used with those basses.

 

[hoopchala]

A Z3 can also be built with a wenge neck and fingerboard if desired (I have one with a dual density ash body and wenge neck/board). I'm mentioning this as @hoopchala has Warwicks and that is a common wood used with those basses.

Great point, that's exactly what I have on my Warwick Corvette, and SJ5, and will be the neck on my new bass as well. Thank you everyone for your input - this will be the only time in my life that I do this so go big or go home...Z3 will be the bass of choice.

 

[BurningSkies]

At least they called you back. I had two interviews, last one on Aug 6th, then >nothing<.

In all honestly, our academic HR system would suggest that you're still in the running. Hiring process here is SOOOOO SLOOOOW that often people take other jobs before our HR even can get an offer out.

 

[BurningSkies]

Joining the dingwall club ! View attachment 4382509

Nice one! I'm sure you'll love it. I have a NG3 5-string that's been a solid excellent member of my family for many years now.

 

[shade_1313]

How can we help? (your resolve slip more)

At this point, I don’t even know what I’d want to get for a first Canadian build. There are, as I’m sure you can all understand, just so MANY tempting choices. Do I want a custom D-Roc 5, or a Super P, or go whole hog on one of the ABs in a six-string? Yes. But which for the first? And what can I comfortably afford to put money away for, in the waiting period? And even when I know which model, what color or other finish? It’s mind-boggling and daunting to consider.

 

[AB Nate]

Joining the dingwall club ! View attachment 4382509

Welcome about. Dingwall and Spector make for a pretty substantial arsenal!

A Z3 can also be built with a wenge neck and fingerboard if desired (I have one with a dual density ash body and wenge neck/board). I'm mentioning this as @hoopchala has Warwicks and that is a common wood used with those basses.

All Canadian models can have these woods so it’s not really a determining factor.

At this point, I don’t even know what I’d want to get for a first Canadian build. There are, as I’m sure you can all understand, just so MANY tempting choices. Do I want a custom D-Roc 5, or a Super P, or go whole hog on one of the ABs in a six-string? Yes. But which for the first? And what can I comfortably afford to put money away for, in the waiting period? And even when I know which model, what color or other finish? It’s mind-boggling and daunting to consider.

good luck. Perhaps figure out what your missing the most first and build off that.

A C string or a slimmer neck profile, or a Slappin P machine… ?

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

At this point, I don’t even know what I’d want to get for a first Canadian build. There are, as I’m sure you can all understand, just so MANY tempting choices. Do I want a custom D-Roc 5, or a Super P, or go whole hog on one of the ABs in a six-string? Yes. But which for the first? And what can I comfortably afford to put money away for, in the waiting period? And even when I know which model, what color or other finish? It’s mind-boggling and daunting to consider.

I think it's better to know what you want if you are going full on custom.

I had a teacher who said that a lot of people asked him why he didn't get a custom bass made and his response was that he didn't need one, that all his needs were fulfilled with the production models he had (which were a P-Bass with an added J bridge pickup and a Stingray 5).

While I am sure it can be an amazing experience to have a custom bass made, I would do the research, try as many instruments as you can to figure out what you like and don't like. For some, that can be a lifetime (and expensive!) experience.

 

[jjmf]

There's a main difference between AB and Z on the wood, Z has dual density body and has more option on the treble/bass side combination.
To me, a Z3 with northern ash/swamp ash sounds a little bit punchier than a ash ABZ. However, the Z3 has ziricote fingerboard while that ABZ has maple fingerboard, so not a really accurate comparison here.
The other experience is the Sklar I played in 2020 NAMM, which has norther ash/alder combination on body. That treble strings sounds sweeeeeet, and it still got punch and clarity on the lows, so I went with northern ash/alder on my Z2. I would suggest that if you're going to play in many different music style, ash/alder body is a very good and versatile choice.

Another different is weight, ABZ has swamp ash body so should be lighter than Z. On Dingwall's website says that average weight of ABZ is 8lbs, which is quite light in bass, it's as light as a strat.
The Z3 I mentioned above aren't heavy at all, but if weight is your concern, do consider the ABZ.

I find one difference is the superior playability of the z line up - the neck is slimmer & more precise vs the ab /abz lines… if a 6 string - i would definitely say i prefer the z’s

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I don't have a ton of playing time on any Z's, but I have played a Z3 and a Sklar and found the necks to be super thin back to front. I much preferred the contour of the Afterburner necks. Everything else on the Z's was top notch.

The other thing that I generally prefer is a straight headstock. While I don't know if there is any physical advantage to one over the other, I've heard so many stories of snapped off Gibson tilt-back headstocks, that it seems to be a weak point; having a glued on piece rather than the straight wood from end to end doesn't seem as structurally sound. Plus, I like the aesthetic of everything being straight.