never weighed a bass ever. Never had issues with any bass. I keep me fit so the bass is a non factor. To me the essential part is balance.
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
never weighed a bass ever. Never had issues with any bass. I keep me fit so the bass is a non factor. To me the essential part is balance.
Ok so I've owned my ABZ for about two months now. I've played a bunch of shows with it, but haven't had a chance to properly record with it yet. I've lately been doing mostly progressive metal (Dream Theater/Pain of Salvation/Symphony X type stuff) and punk/thrash. I have some more extreme sessions and gigs coming up, though, but I suspect it'll handle those just fine as well!
Thoughts so far:
1. Very rarely has a bass so quickly 'worked' for me sound-wise. It just fits what I play perfectly. My band mates and various sound techs are all really happy with how the sound works in a live mix, and most importantly I'm really happy with how what I play comes out. The craftsmanship is world-class - in the same category as Fodera and Marleaux.
2. The balance isn't perfect - there's a tiny bit of neckdive. I suspect with a proper grippy strap this will go away (I'm just using a crappy old Ibanez strap I had lying around for now). The weight is outstanding though, really light and comfortable.
3. Aesthetics - it's understated yet super modern. It looks like a damn racecar! (which from what I gather was the point...)
4. I've seriously started thinking of selling off a number of my other basses. I just don't use them anymore. I don't think I'll be getting any more Dingwalls, but this one has taken the role of my Fodera and Stingray, so those two are likely to go. My Marleaux 5 is probably also at risk of going.
Conclusion: I'm usually put off by hype. I wasn't convinced it would be all that great until I tried one out, and then almost immediately bought it (financing is great!) It just works so well for me and what I do. One of the best music-related purchases I've ever made.
Thoughts so far:
1. Very rarely has a bass so quickly 'worked' for me sound-wise. It just fits what I play perfectly. My band mates and various sound techs are all really happy with how the sound works in a live mix, and most importantly I'm really happy with how what I play comes out. The craftsmanship is world-class - in the same category as Fodera and Marleaux.
2. The balance isn't perfect - there's a tiny bit of neckdive. I suspect with a proper grippy strap this will go away (I'm just using a crappy old Ibanez strap I had lying around for now). The weight is outstanding though, really light and comfortable.
3. Aesthetics - it's understated yet super modern. It looks like a damn racecar! (which from what I gather was the point...)
4. I've seriously started thinking of selling off a number of my other basses. I just don't use them anymore. I don't think I'll be getting any more Dingwalls, but this one has taken the role of my Fodera and Stingray, so those two are likely to go. My Marleaux 5 is probably also at risk of going.
Conclusion: I'm usually put off by hype. I wasn't convinced it would be all that great until I tried one out, and then almost immediately bought it (financing is great!) It just works so well for me and what I do. One of the best music-related purchases I've ever made.
Man, I really wish that Ducati White D Roc Standard from a few pages back would be a finish option...been missing my D Roc Standard but never been very in love with any of the 4 options they currently offer. Im sure new finishes will come eventually, but with the current state and challanges of production and everything, Im not sure how long the wait might be.
My AB1 5 string is only 7lbs, 14oz (about 3.5 kilos) It is passive and only has the 2 older style pickups however, so it doesn’t have the weight of a preamp and pots and knobs and the extra pickup. It’s one of my lightest basses and balances perfectly. I’d imagine if you get the full wenge neck, a preamp, and the 3 pickup version it will be heavier, though.
You can definitely find/build light weight Dingwalls. The Combustions and NGs seem to come in a little heavier than the ABs I’ve seen.
Best to contact dealers and find out what slots they’ve got open. It can cut a significant amount of time off of that.
Weight of my 6 string Dingwall's
AB1 - Alder body / redwood top 8lb 15oz - or just tips 9lb with a low F#. Maple neck / wenge board. (Passive)
AB2 - Walnut body / redwood top 9lbs 4oz maple neck / mac ebony board
Z3 - Black Limba body / Spalted top - I can let you know in a couple weeks once I receive it. Wenge neck / ebony board
——————
Sold Dingwall’s
Z3 five string* dual density ash 8lbs 9oz wenge neck / board
ABZ sixer - Ash 9lbs 3oz - maple neck blacked out / wenge board
NG3s - I had two, 10lbs 4oz and 10lbs 10oz Maple neck and board on both.
ABZ five string* 8lbs 8oz - maple blacked out neck / wenge board
AB2 five string* walnut body / Cocobolo top 8lbs 7oz - Bubinga neck / wenge board
AB1 - Alder body / redwood top 8lb 15oz - or just tips 9lb with a low F#. Maple neck / wenge board. (Passive)
AB2 - Walnut body / redwood top 9lbs 4oz maple neck / mac ebony board
Z3 - Black Limba body / Spalted top - I can let you know in a couple weeks once I receive it. Wenge neck / ebony board
——————
Sold Dingwall’s
Z3 five string* dual density ash 8lbs 9oz wenge neck / board
ABZ sixer - Ash 9lbs 3oz - maple neck blacked out / wenge board
NG3s - I had two, 10lbs 4oz and 10lbs 10oz Maple neck and board on both.
ABZ five string* 8lbs 8oz - maple blacked out neck / wenge board
AB2 five string* walnut body / Cocobolo top 8lbs 7oz - Bubinga neck / wenge board
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Mine is very similar to this, except for a wenge neck, balances perfectly and weighs 8.19 lbs.
Love the natural!!! Gorgeous.
All my dingwalls balance perfect without strap at around 40 degrees… even my big 6. Maybe your balance is due to the light body wood.
i am a fan of levis suede bass straps.
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Johnfoxbass usually has a few build slots on order. For no extra cost, you can order through him and usually jump up 6 months or so. That is what i did. I ordered maybe july 2021 and got my bass june 2022 (and that was with delays)
In some ways, not having a “local” dealer probably worked out for the best, because I found JFB when he had my first Dingwall in stock (blue/purple D-Roc), and his outstanding customer service has mostly kept me with him since. I reserved my slot at the end of last August, and if not for the delays that have happened recently (which are fair, given the circumstances that have happened) I’d have only waited a year. As it is, I expect I’ll get my Z3 sometime around mid-December, still just 16 months.
Similar story with John Fox on my Z3 build. Thanks to those here that suggested I reach out to him at that time. Ordered December 2021 and I’ll have it December 2022. (This is including 3 months of manufacturing / Supply delays).
I went to place another order with him recently and he’s forecasting 2 years out, just like other shops. Call around. Needless to say that deterred me and I bought used.
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Okay, that makes total sense.Yeeeah I am not gonna do that since I am in the EUJohn is great, though.
I'm probably about a month away from confirming my specs.
I was originally going to get an ABI, but I've really been leaning towards just biting the bullet and going for a Z.
I was originally going to get an ABI, but I've really been leaning towards just biting the bullet and going for a Z.
I agonized over the various options for a good long while, and finally decided to go whole hog on my first custom Dingwall, and finalized it as a 6-string Z3 with all the trimmings.
Exactly what I did. An AB-1 with a number of custom appointments can easily approach 5k. Once you’ve committed to that number and realize you can pay towards the build during the wait time, you’ll notice that a Z might not be that much more than the custom AB1.
That’s where the madness begins! I got to the point where I know I’ll get the bass paid for well before it’s delivered, so I decided to go with a Sklar or a Z a lot like one. To paraphrase Sklar himself, my specs are all etched in mud until a final build sheet goes to Saskatoon anyway. That’ll be in a few month’s time.
Nothing at all wrong with AB models, but I just like the line and curves on the Z a bit more.
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Uhh... idk haven't weighed it, but it's the lightest of my basses, by some way.
