Dingwall Owners Club

[TTA]

Have you checked this site?
https://dingwallguitars.com/pickup-audio-samples

It has all the current Canadian pickup offerings - FD3, FDV, SF2, PTone. Doesn't cover every possible combination but gives you a very good idea on each one.

I assume you're eyeing up a new build with all the specific questions on neck wood, CF inserts, and pickups. Most of these could be answered very quickly through your dealer, or if needed by emailing tech. Really confused about the insistent questions on CF inserts, but, to each their own.

i have looked at that, it is a nice resource. However it lacks the fd-3n i have on my ng, so and a/b comparison is tough. But it is nice to compare and contrast the canadian choices. I will have a fd3 bass in my hands next week so soon i will have a bit more info to work with. From what i gather on this thread… fd-3n are a hotter output version of the fd3. i suspect that might result in a slightly brighter high end, tight low end. Will be fun to see.

And i do have a custom option on order for april. So i am trying to educate myself.

“Most of these could be answered very quickly through your dealer, or if needed by emailing tech. Really confused about the insistent questions on CF inserts, but, to each their own.”

not sure i was being insistent as much as asking. I am seeing a lot of variable information. I asked here hoping someone could clarify… but i also messaged dingwall at the same time. Dealer said they would confirm with dingwall as they were not sure…

It is more a curiosity as the ng’s now have cf reinforced necks. I am dealing with a different brand of bass with a ski jump neck… so cf sounds like a great thing to me.


I am in a climate with some pretty severe and rapid weather swings (think freezing cold, dry to damp and well above freezing… and swinging like that a few times a week. So the dingwall design philosophy for necks is welcomed. My ng’s neck is the most stable of my 7 bases.

 

[TTA]

My build fund is almost where I want it to put down a deposit on a build, but the more I look around the Sklar really catches my eye. I love fancy tops to look at but I'm more of a solid color guy. There's some really pretty ones floating around Japan. They seem to be a bit on the heavier side compared to other models. I'm assuming due to the different body woods. I'm happy up to about 9.5lbs but 9 or just under is prefered. The AB1 is the other model I'm deciding on.

Some of the bursts for the z are just mind blowing… but i am with you on the solid colours… especially for the afterburner models. Must be the traditionalist in me.

 

[Derek Williams]

I’m sure this has been asked 1000 times. I have tried searching but it’s a bit overwhelming, 2300+ pages.
I just picked up my 2nd Dingwall Combustion, this one being a 5 string. I have a 4 string also.
They both have 2 pickups. I like to mod and tinker. So I’m wondering, is there a noticeable difference doing the 3rd pickup mod.
For those who may have done it, was it worth it .
I’m curious as to what the added pickup and the 6 position rotary switch would sound like or just
leaving the stock 4 position .
On another note, has anyone ever left the stock EMG pre in and Added the Darkglass TC . I wonder if it’s possible. DPDT ( on on on). Switch between EMG, DGTC and None. I don’t want to drill any new holes so maybe do a push pull for active/ passive.
Am I crazy, to much work for little to little benefit.
I really like the way they both sound now. They are versatile and can accomplish many sounds.
What are some of the must do Combustion mods if any?
Curiosity has the better of me.
Matt

I tried adding a third pickup to my NG2. I just added the pick-up and swapped the wiring with the middle pickup (so I didn’t need to swap out the selector switch) and tested it for a few days. I didn’t like it, in all cases I preferred the middle/bridge pickups, and easily swapped back.

I’d recommend perhaps moving your neck pickup to the middle position (with the pick guard removed) to get an idea of what new sounds you can get. From there you should have a better idea of you want to spend the money.

 

[J Posega]

My build fund is almost where I want it to put down a deposit on a build, but the more I look around the Sklar really catches my eye. I love fancy tops to look at but I'm more of a solid color guy. There's some really pretty ones floating around Japan. They seem to be a bit on the heavier side compared to other models. I'm assuming due to the different body woods. I'm happy up to about 9.5lbs but 9 or just under is prefered. The AB1 is the other model I'm deciding on.

I sold my Sklar so I could finish finding my AB1 build. The Sklar was a bit heavier than I would usually like, but I’m not gigging or anything AJ it didn’t matter. I would personally spec out a top tier AB because it’ll end up lighter and cheaper, unless you really want the mandolin frets, two pickups in the bridge position (which can also be achieved with a triple pickup arrangement), or you’re really married to the Sklar body lines.

 

[NaH]

I sold my Sklar so I could finish finding my AB1 build. The Sklar was a bit heavier than I would usually like, but I’m not gigging or anything AJ it didn’t matter. I would personally spec out a top tier AB because it’ll end up lighter and cheaper, unless you really want the mandolin frets, two pickups in the bridge position (which can also be achieved with a triple pickup arrangement), or you’re really married to the Sklar body lines.

I really love the mandolin frets. My Super PJ 4 has it as well. I was hoping to find/some day build an Afterburner with mandolin frets, but now only the Sklars can get them. I've typically preferred AB necks over Z/Sklar, though now that I've left my Sklar out just for quick random plays I find I'm getting used to it.

I think if I ever did a build, it would be one that is even harder to find in the wild - a fretless. I have one, but I love the new look with only edge lines.

 

[Nuage420]

I sold my Sklar so I could finish finding my AB1 build. The Sklar was a bit heavier than I would usually like, but I’m not gigging or anything AJ it didn’t matter. I would personally spec out a top tier AB because it’ll end up lighter and cheaper, unless you really want the mandolin frets, two pickups in the bridge position (which can also be achieved with a triple pickup arrangement), or you’re really married to the Sklar body lines.

Thanks for the advice, I love the lines on both and hadn't considered the pickup location. I'm 99% a neck pickup only player so may need to think on that one.

 

[NaH]

Thanks for the advice, I love the lines on both and hadn't considered the pickup location. I'm 99% a neck pickup only player so may need to think on that one.

You can get a 3x Sklar

 

[Selta]

i have looked at that, it is a nice resource. However it lacks the fd-3n i have on my ng, so and a/b comparison is tough. But it is nice to compare and contrast the canadian choices. I will have a fd3 bass in my hands next week so soon i will have a bit more info to work with. From what i gather on this thread… fd-3n are a hotter output version of the fd3. i suspect that might result in a slightly brighter high end, tight low end. Will be fun to see.

And i do have a custom option on order for april. So i am trying to educate myself.

“Most of these could be answered very quickly through your dealer, or if needed by emailing tech. Really confused about the insistent questions on CF inserts, but, to each their own.”

not sure i was being insistent as much as asking. I am seeing a lot of variable information. I asked here hoping someone could clarify… but i also messaged dingwall at the same time. Dealer said they would confirm with dingwall as they were not sure…

It is more a curiosity as the ng’s now have cf reinforced necks. I am dealing with a different brand of bass with a ski jump neck… so cf sounds like a great thing to me.


I am in a climate with some pretty severe and rapid weather swings (think freezing cold, dry to damp and well above freezing… and swinging like that a few times a week. So the dingwall design philosophy for necks is welcomed. My ng’s neck is the most stable of my 7 bases.

I get where you're coming from. Keep in mind one thing -- you can't order a Canadian build with FD-3Ns. So what an FD-3 "sounds like" vs FD-3N is pretty moot point. Even A/B'ing whatever you have coming with FD-3's vs your NG isn't really a great comparison unless everything else is very close spec-wise.

 

[Selta]

You can get a 3x Sklar

Or a Z without a fancy top and a solid finish. That's most of the way there too, if you don't want the mandolin frets. Where are you in the US? If Seattle area, we can set something up where you can play my Z, Prima, and any of my ABs to directly compare.

 

[Derek Williams]

I get where you're coming from. Keep in mind one thing -- you can't order a Canadian build with FD-3Ns. So what an FD-3 "sounds like" vs FD-3N is pretty moot point. Even A/B'ing whatever you have coming with FD-3's vs your NG isn't really a great comparison unless everything else is very close spec-wise.

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who does have a preference between the 2, as switching a Combustion to FD3s or FDVs should be a fairly painless upgrade (if it is an upgrade at all).

 

[Selta]

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who does have a preference between the 2, as switching a Combustion to FD3s or FDVs is a fairly painless upgrade (if it is an upgrade at all).

I "upgraded" each Combustion I had with FD3's. I left the 10th Anniversary NG3 stock, but I'm not sure what it came with. I do want to get a set of FDVs for my latest Z as well and do some mix-and-matching, but the preamp testing needs to come first... so many things to do and not enough time!

 

[NaH]

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who does have a preference between the 2, as switching a Combustion to FD3s or FDVs should be a fairly painless upgrade (if it is an upgrade at all).

I put in a P-Tone and FDV in a Combustion and I liked it better. At the end of the day, I took them out, sold the P-Tone, and bought a 3x AB1 that already had a P-Tone and 2 FDVs in it. I like the AB necks better than the Combustion. If you like the Combustion well enough and want FDVs in there, I have a Neck/Bridge set you could try. See my classified link in my signature.

 

[Derek Williams]

I "upgraded" each Combustion I had with FD3's. I left the 10th Anniversary NG3 stock, but I'm not sure what it came with. I do want to get a set of FDVs for my latest Z as well and do some mix-and-matching, but the preamp testing needs to come first... so many things to do and not enough time!

I just sold a bunch of stuff on Reverb… might be an excuse to treat myself playing with the Dingwall pickup samples, I was thinking of maybe trying a neck FD3, and bridge FDV. So many choices…

 

[NaH]

Or a Z without a fancy top and a solid finish. That's most of the way there too, if you don't want the mandolin frets. Where are you in the US? If Seattle area, we can set something up where you can play my Z, Prima, and any of my ABs to directly compare.

@Nuage420 (though I'm sure he'll see the post anyway)

 

[Derek Williams]

I put in a P-Tone and FDV in a Combustion and I liked it better. At the end of the day, I took them out, sold the P-Tone, and bought a 3x AB1 that already had a P-Tone and 2 FDVs in it. I like the AB necks better than the Combustion. If you like the Combustion well enough and want FDVs in there, I have a Neck/Bridge set you could try. See my classified link in my signature.

I definitely would, but not sure if I would save anything with the shipping to the UK. Thanks though.

 

[Nuage420]

Or a Z without a fancy top and a solid finish. That's most of the way there too, if you don't want the mandolin frets. Where are you in the US? If Seattle area, we can set something up where you can play my Z, Prima, and any of my ABs to directly compare.

I'm down in Georgia but thank you for the gracious offer. I'm only 5hrs from bass central so a trip there is probably a good idea. I'm very interested in the mandolin frets, I love low action but hate clank and buzz unless I'm intentionally causing it. If I find a good luthier I want to send my EHB to have the medium frets replaced.
I'm reading through everyone's responses in bits and pieces (thank you all btw) as I'm at work.

 

[NaH]

I definitely would, but not sure if I would save anything with the shipping to the UK. Thanks though.

Fair enough. Didn't catch that.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I'm down in Georgia but thank you for the gracious offer. I'm only 5hrs from bass central so a trip there is probably a good idea.

Hi, FYI - I doubt they have a Canadian Dingwall at Bass Central. I spoke with them a few months back - they had none on premises or in the build queue. Looks like they only stock imports and help people order.

 

[TTA]

I get where you're coming from. Keep in mind one thing -- you can't order a Canadian build with FD-3Ns. So what an FD-3 "sounds like" vs FD-3N is pretty moot point. Even A/B'ing whatever you have coming with FD-3's vs your NG isn't really a great comparison unless everything else is very close spec-wise.

Yeah wenge neck. Otherwise the same. Strings too i guess. I would need two fresh sets. Imho the ng is a bit too hot. I just keep the volume lower.. no big deal. Pro: makes it easy to drive a tube amp to the moon. Downside is my volume is on 20-30%. If it were on spinal tap they would be like “this one goes to 11”… and i would be like “this one starts at 11.”

even on passive… this is one hot bass. I am used to passive fso’s and rics.

 

[TTA]

I was searching, reading…in 2011 and 2016 there was no p-tone option for a six string. Is there one now?

and for a 3x… is the neck the most “p bass” location for it in regards to positioning?