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Dingwall Owners Club

#50,281
Got to see and hear Rob van der Loo live last night.

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The Hellboy sat wonderfully in their mix. It was very audible for the vast majority of the time, without standing out to the detriment of the mix. Just really clear and defined, and superbly suited for what he was playing. Epica gained a couple fans in me and my son, last night.
 
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#50,285
Oh boy, I just saw the ABZ 5 with burled maple top, reverse burst, and wenge neck/fb in the classifieds. What a beauty! It's more than a little rich for my blood, but it leads me to ask:

What does a "stock" ABZ 5 (but with 3 pickups and DG preamp) offer over an NG3 5? I'm interested in playability and tone differences, not looks. I understand the ABZ also has nicer tuners and bridge, but let's leave that out too.

The differences I see:

Pickups: FDV vs FD-3N
Body: Swamp Ash vs Alder
FB Wood: Wenge vs Maple
FB Radius: Compound 7.5"-25" vs Simple 9.45"
Weight: 8 lbs vs 8.75 lbs

Did I miss anything? How much of a sonic difference does all this make? Is one more suitable to some styles of music? Let's say I replace the NG's pickups with FDVs, then how close do they get?

And maybe I'm blind, but what is the list/street price on these two basses?

Thanks!
 
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#50,286
smeet said:
Oh boy, I just saw the ABZ 5 with burled maple top, reverse burst, and wenge neck/fb in the classifieds. What a beauty! It's more than a little rich for my blood, but it leads me to ask:

What does a "stock" ABZ 5 (but with 3 pickups and DG preamp) offer over an NG3 5? I'm interested in playability and tone differences, not looks. I understand the ABZ also has nicer tuners and bridge, but let's leave that out too.

The differences I see:

Pickups: FDV vs FD-3N
Body: Swamp Ash vs Alder
FB Wood: Wenge vs Maple
FB Radius: Compound 7.5"-25" vs Simple 9.45"
Weight: 8 lbs vs 8.75 lbs

Did I miss anything? How much of a sonic difference does all this make? Is one more suitable to some styles of music? Let's say I replace the NG's pickups with FDVs, then how close do they get?

And maybe I'm blind, but what is the list/street price on these two basses?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

With the FDV's, not much difference. The wenge would be more for your fingers' enjoyment and wouldn't make a significant difference 'in the mix'...
 
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#50,287
smeet said:
Oh boy, I just saw the ABZ 5 with burled maple top, reverse burst, and wenge neck/fb in the classifieds. What a beauty! It's more than a little rich for my blood, but it leads me to ask:

What does a "stock" ABZ 5 (but with 3 pickups and DG preamp) offer over an NG3 5? I'm interested in playability and tone differences, not looks. I understand the ABZ also has nicer tuners and bridge, but let's leave that out too.

The differences I see:

| ABZ | NG |
Pickups | FDV | FD-3N |
Body | Swamp Ash | Alder |
FB Wood | Wenge | Maple |
FB Radius | Compound 7.5"-25" | simple 9.45" |
Weight | 8 lbs | 8.75 lbs |

Did I miss anything? How much of a sonic difference does all this make? Is one more suitable to some styles of music? Let's say I replace the NG's pickups with FDVs, then how close do they get?

And maybe I'm blind, but what is the list/street price on these two basses?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don’t think that simple feature lists are much help once you get up into this price and quality bracket.

I originally lusted after an SP back in 2013, but to my surprise, when I tried one at a dealer, I was impressed but unmoved. Ditto for the SJ, but a first-gen Combustion spoke to me, suggesting that a nicer and lighter version of the same bass might be just the ticket.

Partly because of hero worship, I shifted my sights to the Sklar, but couldn’t afford it.

After talking to Dingwall HQ, I ended up pulling the trigger on a passive ABZ. The weight difference at the time was greater, more like 7.5lb VS 9lb, and the compound radius fingerboard and the neck carve on the ABZ felt better to me. The bullet-proof hardware on the Canadian-made model was another factor in my decision.

But here’s the thing- All of these basses are miles beyond mass-market mid-priced Fenders, G&L’s, etc., but there’s no telling which one you’ll actually like the best from a list, or even what someone else tells you about their experience.

I’ve met other people who preferred the more D-shaped neck on the early Combustions.

Also, I did eventually put in the effort to lay hands on a Sklar and a regular Z, convinced that I would prefer the slimmer, slinkier feel. But guess what?

I didn’t. The chunkier, plain and simple ABZ turned out to be my sweet spot.

YMMV. IMO, you’ve just got to get out there, and try them for yourself. There’s no accounting for variations in taste, physique, fitness, hand size, technique, and all the other things that make us unique as people and players.
 
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#50,290
Katoosie said:
Picked up two packs of these right before work.

View attachment 4826707
Does anyone have annnnnnny clue if they would fit my 4 string d-roc?
Click to expand...
I don't think they're long enough. My memory su is but I think I checked when I had my DROC and was trying different strings and the taper came before it reached the nut. I know I didn't use them and that's probably why.
 
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#50,291
Nuage420 said:
I don't think they're long enough. My memory su is but I think I checked when I had my DROC and was trying different strings and the taper came before it reached the nut. I know I didn't use them and that's probably why.
Click to expand...
Their site says 37 3/4 inch.

Might work, but if it doesn't its no big loss. I got them for my spector.

Thank you though :)
 
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#50,294
singlemalt said:
All the DR strings I’ve tried make it on the longscale four strings. The E just clears the nut.

Stretch the E out and check before you cut. If it’s short, returning new strings for exchange shouldn’t be a problem.

Pure Blues are a nice set, and come in a variety of gauges.
Click to expand...
It's not such a big deal on my dingwall so if it doesn't cut it, it will not be the end of the world.

I hope it fits, though :)
 
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#50,295
I did it again. I showed up to the American Legion with my NG3-6. First time it didnt make a good impression, mostly locals, this time lots of folks from other areas stood around it taking pictures. "How can you play that thing son, I'm gonna watch you to see how you play that thing". Just to draw a more complete visual, Im 65, they're still calling me "son". It was a good gig after all. You haven't lived if you haven't seen folks line dancing to Gaslighting Abby.
 
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#50,296
Npunk42 said:
You haven't lived if you haven't seen folks line dancing to Gaslighting Abby.
Click to expand...
There are sentences you expect to read on the internet, and there are sentences you don't expect to read on the internet. This is one of the latter :p

That's a deeper cut by SD and a great song. I love the bassline. I always thought the Two Against Nature record was better than its reception would have you believe.
 
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#50,299
steve_rolfeca said:
I don’t think that simple feature lists are much help once you get up into this price and quality bracket.

I originally lusted after an SP back in 2013, but to my surprise, when I tried one at a dealer, I was impressed but unmoved. Ditto for the SJ, but a first-gen Combustion spoke to me, suggesting that a nicer and lighter version of the same bass might be just the ticket.

Partly because of hero worship, I shifted my sights to the Sklar, but couldn’t afford it.

After talking to Dingwall HQ, I ended up pulling the trigger on a passive ABZ. The weight difference at the time was greater, more like 7.5lb VS 9lb, and the compound radius fingerboard and the neck carve on the ABZ felt better to me. The bullet-proof hardware on the Canadian-made model was another factor in my decision.

But here’s the thing- All of these basses are miles beyond mass-market mid-priced Fenders, G&L’s, etc., but there’s no telling which one you’ll actually like the best from a list, or even what someone else tells you about their experience.

I’ve met other people who preferred the more D-shaped neck on the early Combustions.

Also, I did eventually put in the effort to lay hands on a Sklar and a regular Z, convinced that I would prefer the slimmer, slinkier feel. But guess what?

I didn’t. The chunkier, plain and simple ABZ turned out to be my sweet spot.

YMMV. IMO, you’ve just got to get out there, and try them for yourself. There’s no accounting for variations in taste, physique, fitness, hand size, technique, and all the other things that make us unique as people and players.
Click to expand...


Yeah I get you, I prefer the angles and vibe of the Afterburner series, the super light weight of the ABZ was what did it for me. The Z looks awesome and all but doesn't speak to me the same way as the ABZ does in terms of vibe.

Compared to the NGs I've tried, the biggest difference is the neck (compound radius, wenge), the weight, and the satin finish. I find the solid bridge of the ABZ might give a bit more sustain too.

NG is a great instrument but when all the improvements are taken together the ABZ is definitely superior.
 
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