Dingwall Owners Club

[PaulS]

So I took a ride to John Fox Bass in NH yesterday to lay hands on some Dingwalls. He had 3 DRoc standards, a bunch of 4 & 5 string Chinese NG3s (?) and some customs as well. I think the DRoc is what I’d like to get but I didn’t like the colors of the two that were available for sale. He did have exactly what I wanted, but it was already sold.
I didn’t find the fanned frets an issue at all, especially because I don’t think I’ve ever ventured beyond the 15th fret in public. The 4 strings felt fantastic and maybe I’m interested in them but I don’t need another 4 string bass at this point. It could be my imagination or my unfamiliarity with 5 strings in general, but the 5 string versions of the same bass seemed to sound different. With the possible exception of some very expensive basses, the 37” B string sounded better than shorter strings. My simple, quick test is to play low E & F on the B and E strings. Very consistent on the Dingwalls.
Meanwhile, I gather that John Fox is persona non grata with the hierarchy of Talk Bass. I got John’s version of that sad story, but I don’t really understand the conflict. It’s a shame, because I think he would be an asset to the TB community. I’m going to post about my visit. Not sure if that’s controversial.

Glad you got to meet up with John. He’s a great guy and was super patient with me when I went to see him. He let me play so many amazing basses, lol. Just kept handing them to me.

 

[retroXvertigo]

Yea I got spoiled with light basses. My headless 5 is 6.4lbs. I don't mind 8s but I think 9 is my new max.

My current 6 string ABZ is 8lbs 6oz.

Although it might be higher now with that .170 on it

 

[retroXvertigo]

Someone in LA just listed 3 four string Supers on Reverb. I wish I could afford any of them.

I'm really wanting a super P.

I was tempted to go after that white one.

 

[goldendomer04]

I'm really wanting a super P.

I was tempted to go after that white one.

I couldn’t help myself…. *slap face*

That white one was a little nicer, but almost exactly what I was hoping to order at a later time. The weight and Jazz neck made me go glassy-eyed today.

 

[shade_1313]

I've been checking out the Neck Illusions fret markers to spice up my NG3's. I've seen a few posts on here with them - are they difficult to install/remove? Can you "feel" them at all? Some of the patterns look pretty neat.

The AB2 slayed again last night. I've been getting a lot of compliments on my sound after gigs lately. I'll admit it took me a little while to get used to the tone of the all-wenge neck, this was a first for me. Super stoked now though.

How often do you guys oil your wenge boards? I don't change strings much since I'm using flats.

I got some to play around with. Got nearly all of them installed and realized that I was supposed to start with 1, not 3 like dots do. Which certainly explained why the blocks didn’t seem to quite sit neatly in their section of board. They all removed extremely easily, then stuck down in the right spots as though nothing had happened. I’m still deciding if I like them or not, since the blue and purple swirl is much brighter than the blue/purple color shift paint.

 

[Father Gino]

Glad you got to meet up with John. He’s a great guy and was super patient with me when I went to see him. He let me play so many amazing basses, lol. Just kept handing them to me.

Same here. I was ready to leave and he kept digging out more basses. “I shouldn’t show you this but…” I think it fuels his addiction. He’s got all of these basses and his great joy is showing them to people who are interested. That’s really a small subset of the population. He doesn’t really want to sell most of them, but he has to so he can get more. He’s got 50 guitars as well.

 

[Nakoatron]

After spending some time with both my ab1 and ab2 with different electronics I have to say.. the glock preamp is the winner for me. It’s got a more usable low end for my tastes and the treble knob just brings out that airiness I was missing. The ab1 with TC sounds great, but I think it may need a swap to glock.

 

[AB Nate]

Here's a quote from the Dingwall pamphlet that came with my AB2:

"Oiled bodies and fingerboards can be cleaned with a few drops of quality lemon oil on a paper towel. We use Formby's Brand. The back of the neck should receive a light coat of paste wax every couple of months. Using a paper towel, wipe on just enough to coat the neck lightly and buff off after 1 or 2 minutes. We use Kiwi Neutral shoe polish, which is a high quality water resistant wax. NEVER use furnish polish."

That is from about 12 years ago, and I have to admit that I have never done any of this. I do wash my hands every time I play, though. (Don't want any tortilla chip grease on my equipment for sure...)

what neck does your AB2 have? Walnut? Wenge board?

I agree about the hand washing. My hands get dirty throughout the day and I’ve seen maple necks/boards absorb some nasty grime. Some it seems no amount of lemon oil in the world will remove.

the wenge is naturally sealed and waxy to begin with. I give it the odd touch of oils or cleaner on periodic spa days. Usually a damp towel is all that’s needed on wenge

 

[Pablo504]

After spending some time with both my ab1 and ab2 with different electronics I have to say.. the glock preamp is the winner for me. It’s got a more usable low end for my tastes and the treble knob just brings out that airiness I was missing. The ab1 with TC sounds great, but I think it may need a swap to glock.

To me it feels like I can hold up the world with that low B...

 

[Pablo504]

what neck does your AB2 have? Walnut? Wenge board?

Exactly, mine has a five piece walnut neck with wenge board.
One of the things I love about this bass besides how well it plays is the aroma of these beautiful woods... even after 12 years it smells like it just came out of the shop.
Aromatherapy maybe...

 

[AB Nate]

Exactly, mine has a five piece walnut neck with wenge board.
One of the things I love about this bass besides how well it plays is the aroma of these beautiful woods... even after 12 years it smells like it just came out of the shop.
Aromatherapy maybe...

My first Dingwall was as AB2 with that combo. I loved it soo much.

 

[Pablo504]

My first Dingwall was as AB2 with that combo. I loved it soo much.
View attachment 4651852

Wowww that is gorgeous...

 

[AB Nate]

Wowww that is gorgeous...

It was my main player for years. The only reason it left was to support the purchase of my first Z…. It snow balled from there.

 

[jellew]

It was my main player for years. The only reason it left was to support the purchase of my first Z…. It snow balled from there.

In your opinion, how does the ab hold up to the z?

 

[AB Nate]

In your opinion, how does the ab hold up to the z?

Different. Both amazing.

The AB being chambered, 2 pups and this one having the 2 band glock had a totally different design the a Z with 3x, solid 2 piece ash body and 3 band glock.

I love the ergonomics of the Z and in this particular comparison the versatility in comparison to the AB.

The reality with the Ab was I found a tone and sat on it for 6-8 yrs.

The Z neck just plays incredible fast compared to anything else I’ve ever played.

 

[AB Nate]

In your opinion, how does the ab hold up to the z?

Fwiw I really try and avoid the terms “better” and “upgrade”

they are often not fair statements when used in sale adds or mods that people do.

I prefer the Z more for some features it has in comparison but I have lost no love for the Ab by any means.

 

[retroXvertigo]

Fwiw I really try and avoid the terms “better” and “upgrade”

they are often not fair statements when used in sale adds or mods that people do.

I prefer the Z more for some features it has in comparison but I have lost no love for the Ab by any means.

What Z features do you prefer?

 

[AB Nate]

What Z features do you prefer?

I think this would be in order of priority

The Neck.

The Ergonomics and how it hangs on me.

The bridge

the matching headstock.

the body shape

edit: I’ll add I also prefer the neck joint on the Z compared to most ABs. I don’t often love the maple block up to the neck pick up. When it’s darker(blackout, wenge, walnut etc) I don’t mind it.

 

[jellew]

Different. Both amazing.

The AB being chambered, 2 pups and this one having the 2 band glock had a totally different design the a Z with 3x, solid 2 piece ash body and 3 band glock.

I love the ergonomics of the Z and in this particular comparison the versatility in comparison to the AB.

The reality with the Ab was I found a tone and sat on it for 6-8 yrs.

The Z neck just plays incredible fast compared to anything else I’ve ever played.

I would like to try a Z someday. Really curious on how it sits, hangs, plays and sounds.

Appreciate the reply and the general knowledge you share in this thread.

 

[retroXvertigo]

I think this would be in order of priority

The Neck.

The Ergonomics and how it hangs on me.

The bridge

the matching headstock.

the body shape

What's different about the neck?

I like the AB neck, but I wouldn't mind a bit more girth to it. (That what she said)