Dingwall Owners Club

[J Posega]

I have found that lately (and I'm not sure why), that my thumb is sore from pressing too hard on the back of the neck. I've never needed to press hard and hadn't had an issue before so I definitely think this is a subconscious thing for some reason. When I play my Sklar, I tend to wrap my thumb (I've heard it is not good to do that and I've heard - who cares - do what you need to) around the neck, so it hasn't really been an issue there. I've been leaving my Sklar out on the stand to play at home so I have been playing it more. Maybe I'm just getting used to the thinner neck? I usually play my ABs for actual sets and that is where I am doing it.

Any tips? I'm guessing the main answer will be "practice not doing that".

The only answer is practice not doing that. Consider what other things you're doing with your hands that may be affecting your thumb. I was having really bad issues last year with tendinitis from the job I had at the time, but it especially flared up when I played bass or video games.

 

[AB Nate]

I have found that lately (and I'm not sure why), that my thumb is sore from pressing too hard on the back of the neck. I've never needed to press hard and hadn't had an issue before so I definitely think this is a subconscious thing for some reason. When I play my Sklar, I tend to wrap my thumb (I've heard it is not good to do that and I've heard - who cares - do what you need to) around the neck, so it hasn't really been an issue there. I've been leaving my Sklar out on the stand to play at home so I have been playing it more. Maybe I'm just getting used to the thinner neck? I usually play my ABs for actual sets and that is where I am doing it.

Any tips? I'm guessing the main answer will be "practice not doing that".

if you play enough of something new, wether it be a thin neck or high chording or just grinding a riff way down low on a phat six string your hand is gonna go, “WTH are you doing to me?!”

just work slow and methodically as these strains arise and stretch lots. As mentioned, practice! I’ve experienced this thumb pain previously. I don’t recall the transition but it was what you’ve described. I also beat the crap out of my hands at work exacerbating some issues and have become a little more mindful of the abuse.

one technique that may open up other strains but help this one is practice simple tapping exercises. It’ll focus your energy in that hand pushing on the fretboard vs the back of the neck

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Circling back to the switches, I think the only thing I’d change on the D Roc 4 way is position one from the bridge solo (completely useless to me) to bridge/neck in parallel.

 

[shade_1313]

Circling back to the switches, I think the only thing I’d change on the D Roc 4 way is position one from the bridge solo (completely useless to me) to bridge/neck in parallel.

Yeah, that would be an excellent change. I’m not generally a bridge solo fan, so I don’t really use it.

 

[anton72]

Yeah, that would be an excellent change. I’m not generally a bridge solo fan, so I don’t really use it.

Agree, I don’t use the bridge pickup solo on my ABZ and D-Roc either, I’d utilize it with more usable combination.

 

[eloann]

I have found that lately (and I'm not sure why), that my thumb is sore from pressing too hard on the back of the neck. I've never needed to press hard and hadn't had an issue before so I definitely think this is a subconscious thing for some reason. When I play my Sklar, I tend to wrap my thumb (I've heard it is not good to do that and I've heard - who cares - do what you need to) around the neck, so it hasn't really been an issue there. I've been leaving my Sklar out on the stand to play at home so I have been playing it more. Maybe I'm just getting used to the thinner neck? I usually play my ABs for actual sets and that is where I am doing it.

Any tips? I'm guessing the main answer will be "practice not doing that".

Try playing standing (if you're not already) and engaging your abs.
The reasoning (straight from a physiotherapist specialised in rehab for musicians) is focusing on a core muscle should encourage the rest of your body to remain relaxed.

 

[IvanBassist]

Try playing standing (if you're not already) and engaging your abs.
The reasoning (straight from a physiotherapist specialised in rehab for musicians) is focusing on a core muscle should encourage the rest of your body to remain relaxed.

I’ve noticed that when I sit/stand with a straight back (in other words, i engage the back muscles) I can play a lot more effortlessly

 

[Nuage420]

I’ve noticed that when I sit/stand with a straight back (in other words, i engage the back muscles) I can play a lot more effortlessly

Yep, sit close to the edge of the seat and posture the legs in squat/deadlift position and roll your buttocks up so your back bows a little and bring your shoulder blades together.

A little bit of exercise goes a long way as well. The core is everything. You don't have to go meat head gym rat or anything. 20-30 minutes of body weight exercise with half of it focused on core and you'll notice a lot of discomforts go away.

 

[P Cheen]

Not that anyone asked, but my custom BEAD sets came in the other day.

I’m currently using a custom set of D’Addario XL 60-80-100-130TXL and it is perfect lengthwise and tension-wise. It feels like a 45-105 set in a standard 34” bass in E. My only problem is the E string (100) is a bit dull and lackluster. I might’ve just got a bad 100.

I also got a 5-string set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickels, hoping to use only the 65-85T-105T-130T. The problem with this one is the taper length on the 105T string, it’s a whole 2 inches (maybe a bit more) and extends to almost the line of the bridge pickup. Meanwhile the 85T and 130T’s tapers are perfect for a 4-string Dingwall.

 

[Derek Williams]

I also got a 5-string set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickels, hoping to use only the 65-85T-105T-130T. The problem with this one is the taper length on the 105T string, it’s a whole 2 inches (maybe a bit more) and extends to almost the line of the bridge pickup. Meanwhile the 85T and 130T’s tapers are perfect for a 4-string Dingwall.

I just put on my first set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickels a few hours ago. I think they sound great, might be my favourite so far. I am using Babicz bridge so that might make a difference, but I found the taper to be fine:

 

[spiral]

Here is my new D-roc standard 5. It came with the glow in the dark side dots which are not mentioned anywhere on the official website nor have I seen another one (standard version) with this feature.
Any info would help to solve this mistery.

 

[AB Nate]

Here is my new D-roc standard 5. It came with the glow in the dark side dots which are not mentioned anywhere on the official website nor have I seen another one (standard version) with this feature.
Any info would help to solve this mistery.
View attachment 4621952

Where did you get it from?

I assume it was aftermarket mod. I think Johnfoxbass had one of these and he’s good at this mod.

 

[spiral]

Where did you get it from?

I assume it was aftermarket mod. I think Johnfoxbass had one of these and he’s good at this mod.

I got it brand new from BassDirect UK. There was no mention of glow in the dark dots at any time.

 

[DingwallDingus]

Still missing my Dingwall like crazy, playing a Squier Classic Vibe 4 string has really made me miss the ergonomics (and low B!) of the Combustion. Also I realized I really really hate how slap/double thumb feels on anything else I've tried as the NG-2 layout is a perfect feeling ramp for me and nothing else comes close.

Trying to figure out if I want my pickups wired in series or parallel when I get it back.

 

[AB Nate]

I got it brand new from BassDirect UK. There was no mention of glow in the dark dots at any time.

just heard back from John fox.
It is a standard option

that’s sweet

 

[Jeff Roller]

just heard back from John fox.
It is a standard option

that’s sweet

I was just about to respond that the Dingwall shop offers them!

I installed them on two of my Dingwalls after market of course.

 

[Nuage420]

Still missing my Dingwall like crazy, playing a Squier Classic Vibe 4 string has really made me miss the ergonomics (and low B!) of the Combustion. Also I realized I really really hate how slap/double thumb feels on anything else I've tried as the NG-2 layout is a perfect feeling ramp for me and nothing else comes close.

Trying to figure out if I want my pickups wired in series or parallel when I get it back.

I've only had two basses with series parallel options and I never liked the series. It always seemed to add way too much and would need to turn my volume down, just seemed to defeat the purpose.

 

[AB Nate]

I've only had two basses with series parallel options and I never liked the series. It just always seemed to add way too much and would need to turn my volume down, just seemed to defeat the purpose.

The series options really help cut when on a busy loud mix.

 

[J Posega]

I've only had two basses with series parallel options and I never liked the series. It always seemed to add way too much and would need to turn my volume down, just seemed to defeat the purpose.

The series options really help cut when on a busy loud mix.

My first ABZ5--which was probably from the late 2000s (rectangular FD3 pickups)--had a volume trimmer installed on the pickup switch so you could turn down the volume when you had it set to series. I'm guessing there's a good reason they eliminated that feature. I know I adjusted mine, but I think I recall setting it right back to where it was because it turned out I liked the boost, and just used a boost pedal when I switched to other pickup settings (if I needed more volume from them).

 

[Nuage420]

My first ABZ5--which was probably from the late 2000s (rectangular FD3 pickups)--had a volume trimmer installed on the pickup switch so you could turn down the volume when you had it set to series. I'm guessing there's a good reason they eliminated that feature. I know I adjusted mine, but I think I recall setting it right back to where it was because it turned out I liked the boost, and just used a boost pedal when I switched to other pickup settings (if I needed more volume from them).

And the boost pedal is what I was thinking is the solution. I'm ordering the 6 way knob for the DW I have coming in and I think I'm going to run that all parallel with each pickup solo that was posted up. Except bridge... that will be BM.