I owned a couple AB2s and got a Combustion because I got a good deal on one and felt I could mod it to 3x without freaking out. I didn't mind the tone - for me it was the neck that just felt chunkier, even though it is said it is a similar shape. My AB2s were never at risk. They just look better and I like the acoustic air I get out of them. I finally sold the Combustion.
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
I owned a couple AB2s and got a Combustion because I got a good deal on one and felt I could mod it to 3x without freaking out. I didn't mind the tone - for me it was the neck that just felt chunkier, even though it is said it is a similar shape. My AB2s were never at risk. They just look better and I like the acoustic air I get out of them. I finally sold the Combustion.
I’m making my way through the thread, but I have some specific questions…
I’m considering getting a Combustion 5-string. Could somebody break down the differences between the “regular” Combustions and the NG models? Preamp features, available pickup switching, neck measurements, playability, tones. I’m assuming I would want a 3-pickup model, but any advice there would be appreciated too.
If it matters, I would be playing it clean for the most part, and want more traditional tones than metal/modern tones. I would hope for some warmth, a good fat P style tone and good low mid punch. I was thinking the NG3 might be the ticket. Is there just one configuration for that model?
I’m considering getting a Combustion 5-string. Could somebody break down the differences between the “regular” Combustions and the NG models? Preamp features, available pickup switching, neck measurements, playability, tones. I’m assuming I would want a 3-pickup model, but any advice there would be appreciated too.
If it matters, I would be playing it clean for the most part, and want more traditional tones than metal/modern tones. I would hope for some warmth, a good fat P style tone and good low mid punch. I was thinking the NG3 might be the ticket. Is there just one configuration for that model?
The current differences between the 2 models are:
Body wood
C- Ash. NG- Alder
Fingerboard options
C-maple or PF. NG- Maple
Finish
C- Natural to transparent colours w/ a quilt veneer option. NG- Solid colours
Preamp
C- EMG 3 band NG- Darkglass tone capsule.
Pick up layouts in 2X
C-B/N. NG- B/M
pickups and 4 way rotary switches are the same, maple neck is the same
that said, they are east to modify. For example, you can get a 6 way custom switch or a Droc selector switch. Canadian pick up options are an easy swap.
Tonally, both can be quite diverse but the NG does have more of an Edge. With strings, action and pick up the edge can be adjust to a minimum.
A consideration maybe to get a P tone pick up installed as well.
I am interested to hear about differences between 37" and 35" dingwalls.
Who here has played both? Say, a super P/J and any of the Canadian models. How does that compare.
Are those 2" a big deal?
Who here has played both? Say, a super P/J and any of the Canadian models. How does that compare.
Are those 2" a big deal?
I currently have a 5 string Canadian long scale and a 4 string Super J. There is a difference in sound, that extra clarity of the the longer scale is not there. But the Supers are really nice, they sound great, they are so smartly designed (you can actually play up high) and built like you would expect from a Canadian Dingwall.
Huge deal. But the Super series are a totally different flavor compared to the 37” basses. Much closer to the basses they’re based (no pun intended) on, but with the quality and attention to detail you’d expect from the Canadian shop. I’ve had half a dozen long scale Dingwalls, from a Combustion up to a Sklar, but my Super P5 will be with me for life. I’ll add a permanent long scale to the collection eventually, though.
Like @TheEmptyCell said, it is a huge deal.
I have an ABZ, Droc 5 std and a Super JP and I love them all, the B string on the ABZ/Droc is superior. The JP's B string is excellent compared to any other B string i've tried, but the ABZ's is the best out of the bunch with the Droc being a very close 2nd. The JP is a very close but not as close as the Droc to ABZ third...
The ABZ rings like a bell and has a definition about it that the Super JP doesn't. I still love the JP though and it's not going anywhere anytime soon (how often do we all say that...
)Hope that helps.
A big deal? Maybe, depends on your likes and goals. They are a very obvious difference.
Reach: the supers are a way more compact(left elbow close to body ergonomic) vs the reach of the long scale.
spacing: the Supers have 19mm on the 5 string vs 18mm of the LS
J VS P: this is a more noticeable difference then often discussed. I gravitate to the J visually but feel more comfortable on the P body.
TONE!!!:
The long scales are clearer and more articulate. The B crunches with more note definition. There is no “loss” for quality of tone on the Super. Again, just a difference one. Clarity for days but the Super B has more thud,boom,push to it. Still, very defined but perhaps more low “presence” vs “definition”.
Like the thump of a shotgun blast vs the crack of a high calibre rifle.
I do find the long scale more appropriate for my style and inklings to technical metal. Every super I’ve owned and played thou has been an amazing pleasure. I’d get a super six if it was available I think and it would get more play time then my 5s
Everybody has covered the scale differences in the above posts.
I would emphasize the string spacing. Super series is 19mm for both 4&5 strings. When I had both AB 5&6 strings (18mm spacing) and Super Series, switching back and forth, the string spacing tripped me up more than the scale difference.
I prefer the 19mm, and my four string AB has 19, same as the Super P.
Now, switching between the AB and the Super, I really notice the scale length. The Super feels like a short scale, which it kinda is, with the 32” G. Very compact and fast.
My first Dingwall was a Super J with the PJ pups and the Aguilar pre. The day it arrived, I recycled the packing materials, getting my Fender jazz ready to sell and ship. The Dingwall smoked that J right out of the gate.
The Super J was lighter, tighter, and sounded so much better. The P tone was killer. I put the broken in TI flats from the jazz on it and gigged it that night. Killer sound and feel. Supers are FSO, but with every bit of fat and flab trimmed away. It’s like a built up muscle car.
The Super P is still wearing flats, the AB and Dbird get rounds, but I put Payson flats either when the mood strikes. I’ve about killed my Payson reduced cores after many months on the Dbird, so it’s getting the flats for a while.
TL DR, the string spacing might be a big deal for ya, YMMV.
I would emphasize the string spacing. Super series is 19mm for both 4&5 strings. When I had both AB 5&6 strings (18mm spacing) and Super Series, switching back and forth, the string spacing tripped me up more than the scale difference.
I prefer the 19mm, and my four string AB has 19, same as the Super P.
Now, switching between the AB and the Super, I really notice the scale length. The Super feels like a short scale, which it kinda is, with the 32” G. Very compact and fast.
My first Dingwall was a Super J with the PJ pups and the Aguilar pre. The day it arrived, I recycled the packing materials, getting my Fender jazz ready to sell and ship. The Dingwall smoked that J right out of the gate.
The Super J was lighter, tighter, and sounded so much better. The P tone was killer. I put the broken in TI flats from the jazz on it and gigged it that night. Killer sound and feel. Supers are FSO, but with every bit of fat and flab trimmed away. It’s like a built up muscle car.
The Super P is still wearing flats, the AB and Dbird get rounds, but I put Payson flats either when the mood strikes. I’ve about killed my Payson reduced cores after many months on the Dbird, so it’s getting the flats for a while.
TL DR, the string spacing might be a big deal for ya, YMMV.
Looks like I'm officially a member of this gang now.
Here I am picking it up from the shop last week!
And here it is at the first rehearsal yesterday!
It's an ABZ 5, natural finish, Glock preamp, wenge neck. Simple and beautiful. It plays fast and the inlays make it even *look* fast, amazing. The whole racecar vibe is evident in every aspect of this thing. I never knew ash could look so spectacular.
The sound is clear, punchy, and very versatile. Cuts right through the mix and has a really clear, defined voice. The bass itself is ultra light and very comfortable too. I also own a 2022 Fodera and a pair of Marleaux basses and quality-wise this is right up there with all of them, no difference can be detected in that regard, proper custom shop quality and well worth the fairly hefty pricetag.
Anyone considering a Dingwall and maybe worrying about adjusting to multiscale shouldn't - it took me less than half an hour of noodling about for it to feel just as natural as standard frets. And best of all, I've not noticed any issues at all in jumping back and forth between multiscale and standard.
So yeah, all in all this ticks all the boxes and I'm happy I made this choice. First gig using it is on Saturday!
Here I am picking it up from the shop last week!
And here it is at the first rehearsal yesterday!
It's an ABZ 5, natural finish, Glock preamp, wenge neck. Simple and beautiful. It plays fast and the inlays make it even *look* fast, amazing. The whole racecar vibe is evident in every aspect of this thing. I never knew ash could look so spectacular.
The sound is clear, punchy, and very versatile. Cuts right through the mix and has a really clear, defined voice. The bass itself is ultra light and very comfortable too. I also own a 2022 Fodera and a pair of Marleaux basses and quality-wise this is right up there with all of them, no difference can be detected in that regard, proper custom shop quality and well worth the fairly hefty pricetag.
Anyone considering a Dingwall and maybe worrying about adjusting to multiscale shouldn't - it took me less than half an hour of noodling about for it to feel just as natural as standard frets. And best of all, I've not noticed any issues at all in jumping back and forth between multiscale and standard.
So yeah, all in all this ticks all the boxes and I'm happy I made this choice. First gig using it is on Saturday!
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,744
- 11,128
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
Another Congrats Ivan!Thanks
There’s a new bass in the works
I bet it’s a super!!!!
I picked this one up yesterday. Had flats on it. Put on some rounds and only got to play it for about 30 minutes but oh my. It sounds fantastic. My first Dingwall. Can’t believe how powerful it sounds.
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,744
- 11,128
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
Can’t confirm, nor denyAnother Congrats Ivan!
I bet it’s a super!!!!
Haha ! I wouldn’t expect you too!Can’t confirm, nor deny
Super deal Ivan! That’s just Super
Congrats!! I had itchy fingers for it. Had to go grab my darkray and remind myself I was happy with my purchase
