Dingwall Owners Club

[alembicbones]

I agree. Listing a 13 year-old 2 pickup ABII for $5,600 borders on ridiculous.

While not in the market for this bass, I'm going to the Bass Shop this morning and will check out this bass in person. Bass Shop pricing can be a little funky sometimes. Certain items have a really enticing price and some are a bit over the top. I think this is because most of their used basses are on consignment. The high price on this one might be due to the seller's wishes. Also, skip Reverb and go directly to their website. Much better price there.

Bones

 

[Bassheart365]

I pretty much only play a Dingwall and a P-Bass these days, after decades of trying everything and a longtime run with Sadowsky. Those two axes supply everything I’m hearing in my head these days and I’m happy to play both.

With that in mind, my musical pursuits carry me across genres and styles, and there’s simply places where a Dingwall 5 may not be a universally accepted choice, and there’s places where a P might not be the best choice.

I've been playing bass for over 35 years and believe it or not have never owned a P-Bass. I've always gravitated toward the two-pickup design of the Fender Jazz bass. So I went to my local music store recently and played a few new Fender Precision basses (US models only). Maybe it was the amp I was playing through, but I did not bond with any of them. My guess is they sound better when played "in the mix" rather than solo. I feel like I need a P-Bass, but I need to try one out when I play with my band.

 

[Laklandfan]

I agree. Listing a 13 year-old 2 pickup ABII for $5,600 borders on ridiculous.

Agreed. I’m glad I’m not the only one. I really like the bass, but it’s close to double what I’d be looking to spend for a used Dingwall. For almost 6k, I’m looking at getting in line for a nice AB or even Z. I’ve seen quite a few dingwalls on the verb for 5k+.

 

[cxcxcx]

I've been playing bass for over 35 years and believe it or not have never owned a P-Bass. I've always gravitated toward the two-pickup design of the Fender Jazz bass. So I went to my local music store recently and played a few new Fender Precision basses (US models only). Maybe it was the amp I was playing through, but I did not bond with any of them. My guess is they sound better when played "in the mix" rather than solo. I feel like I need a P-Bass, but I need to try one out when I play with my band.

The remarks I can offer with the same amount of time playing depend on preference as well as practical application. Some bass forum tropes that are based in supposition rather than truth will have to be challenged as well. Not saying you’re presenting any, but they come up an awful lot and should be addressed.

It took me years and an outrageous amount of money to figure out that the sound I truly love at the end of the day is a Precision - from the flatwound sounds of the 60’s, the more present flat/rounds sounds of the 70’s, and the rounds and pick sound of New Wave, Punk, and Pop of the 80’s and on. I like the Marcus sound, the Nathan sound, the Jaco sound, and other modern tones. I pursued that stuff for years, but I finally found where my home is. This is entirely experiential and of absolutely no use to a fan of other types of music, but it’s been my landing point.

Precisions absolutely are lower tech and old school compared to new school offerings, but the omnipresence of the design over the last 75 simply speaks for itself, and is not going away. The common criticism is that Precisions are boring. A Fodera isn’t boring, neither is a Dingwall, an Alembic, a Ritter, a Spector, or anything else. They’re tools. Players that use those tools can produce fascinating material or be totally boring. That’s on the player, not the bass.

Sound reinforcement has gone through a few revolutions in the last few decades, and sound issues that use of a P-Bass presented largely aren’t problems anymore. That said, a P-Bass is not the first choice as a pretty-sounding instrument to play alone with. It’s got a series pickup that can throw out a lot of midrange honk. Plenty of boutique and boutique-style basses do solo-at-home well, as does a Jazz. However, if you take the same P and play it with a band, magic happens. It’s all there and you get an idea of why those basses are gold standards.

Even then, the live experience with a P may not be a revelation. This is because of the old observation that what you hear a few feet from your amp is not what your bandmates or audience hears. It needs to bloom a bit. What you’d need to try next is getting some recordings done with a Precision. Then, you’ll hear something going on. There’s reasons why the P is so popular in studios, and it has little to with standard bass forum claims of engineer or producer laziness or tradition. The precision bass sound just slots in mixes very nicely. It doesn’t step on the top end or low end of the mix. It just fits in its own place.

Anyway, it’s not my intent to try and sell Precisions on a Dingwall thread. Anybody can play anything they want and it’s no skin off my nose. I really enjoy my Dingwalls because I think the extra extended scale of 36” or 37” is best for the B and E on a 5 string, but if you have D and G strings at those longer scales on a parallel fret bass, they get tinny sounding. The Dingwall design solves that.

The Canadian models are expensive, but you do get what you pay for and they are absolutely magnificent in terms of build and execution. Literally a joy to play and a “where have you been all my life” experience. I say the same thing about a good Precision too, but few if any are built to Dingwall standards aside from the P styles Dingwall makes.

This all works out well because I do run into situations where a P would be a more appropriate choice than a Dingwall. Other gigs require a 5 string, and there’s other times nobody cares. Both instruments get you from point A to point B, but I’m happy to play whatever bass it is that serves the music at hand best.

 

[Nuage420]

I am planning on listing the D Bird custom next weekend. I need to get a Droc for that upper fret access. I'm super bummed about it as I'm in love with everything else about it.
If anyone is interested before this weekend shoot me a message, wanna give y'all first crack.

Also if anyone would wanna trade a white Droc Custom for the D Bird holla atcha boy.

 

[alembicbones]

Talked to the guys at the Bass Shop today about the ABII. It's nice but overpriced. The consigner wanted to shoot for the moon. I'm guessing it sits for an extended period of time.

Bones

 

[cxcxcx]

Talked to the guys at the Bass Shop today about the ABII. It's nice but overpriced. The consigner wanted to shoot for the moon. I'm guessing it sits for an extended period of time.

Bones

The consigner will come down. Some used Dingwall sellers think they have unicorns with 17 year delivery times, but most serious Dingwall buyers already have a Canadian shop bass on order anyway.

There’s a Music Go Round Minneapolis with similar pricing for a similarly spec’ed piece. I don’t recall if they discount much. Frankly speaking, I’m surprised the staff there didn’t confuse the Canadian AB with a Combustion and price it at 2k. It has happened before at other used dealers with less-than-astute staff.

Once the consigner in Seattle gets into a figure that’s more appropriate and reasonable for the bass in question, it’ll likely sell in short order. It’s a nice instrument.

 

[Bassheart365]

Once the consigner in Seattle gets into a figure that’s more appropriate and reasonable for the bass in question, it’ll likely sell in short order. It’s a nice instrument.

I've owned an couple of ABs circa 2010 or so. The woods tended to be very high quality back then. Both had bubinga bodies and necks, and wenge fingerboards. One was a 5 and the other a 6. They were both about 10 lbs. Dingwall doesn't offer a bubinga option anymore because it's on the endangered list. But ultimately I decided 3 pickups is a requirement for me and sold them before the pandemic. Th 6-string went for $4k and the 5-string for $3,500

 

[AB Nate]

I've owned a couple of ABs circa 2010 or so. The woods tended to be very high quality back then. Both had bubinga bodies and necks, and wenge fingerboards. One was a 5 and the other a 6. They were both about 10 lbs. Dingwall doesn't offer a bubinga option anymore because it's on the endangered list. But ultimately I decided 3 pickups is a requirement for me and sold them before the pandemic. Th 6-string went for $4k and the 5-string for $3,500

And I still wish I bought that 6er….

 

[ThisYouCanTrust]

Dingwall doesn't offer a bubinga option anymore because it's on the endangered list.

Bubinga for musical instruments is exempt from CITES since 2019.

 

[Bassheart365]

Bubinga for musical instruments is exempt from CITES since 2019.

Yes it appears that the international shipment ban has been lifted on already finished musical instruments (due to pressure by an international lobby), I'd be surprised if we ever see bubinga again in a new Dingwall bass.

 

[Bassheart365]

And I still wish I bought that 6er….

Haha, you remember the "heavy-solid!" Beautiful piece of bubinga body wood.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Yes it appears that the international shipment ban has been lifted on already finished musical instruments (due to pressure by an international lobby), I'd be surprised if we ever see bubinga again in a new Dingwall bass.

I guess I should hold on to mine then! (neck only and top only, body is mahogany)

 

[Bassheart365]

@AB Nate Turns out I was way off on the year (2016!) as well as price on the bubinga heavy solid Here it is



I sold the (2010?) bubinga-top 5 for $3700 last year after used prices went way up.

 

[ThisYouCanTrust]

@AB Nate Turns out I was way off on the year (2016!) as well as price on the bubinga heavy solid Here it is

View attachment 5011439

I sold the (2010?) bubinga-top 5 for $3700 last year after used prices went way up.

Oh my ..

 

[AB Nate]

@AB Nate Turns out I was way off on the year (2016!) as well as price on the bubinga heavy solid Here it is

View attachment 5011439

I sold the (2010?) bubinga-top 5 for $3700 last year after used prices went way up.

Yup. I definitely had eyes on it. IIRC you got it for an amazing price to begin with and then it was still a very justifiable price. I wasn’t in position at the time, not that I am now either, but….. I hope to one day end up with a nice bubinga DW.

Maybe Sheldon will bring it back but it’s doubtful like you said. I imagine it’s more headache then it’s worth

 

[Laklandfan]

The consigner will come down. Some used Dingwall sellers think they have unicorns with 17 year delivery times, but most serious Dingwall buyers already have a Canadian shop bass on order anyway.

There’s a Music Go Round Minneapolis with similar pricing for a similarly spec’ed piece. I don’t recall if they discount much. Frankly speaking, I’m surprised the staff there didn’t confuse the Canadian AB with a Combustion and price it at 2k. It has happened before at other used dealers with less-than-astute staff.

Once the consigner in Seattle gets into a figure that’s more appropriate and reasonable for the bass in question, it’ll likely sell in short order. It’s a nice instrument.

 

[Pablo504]

The remarks I can offer with the same amount of time playing depend on preference as well as practical application. Some bass forum tropes that are based in supposition rather than truth will have to be challenged as well. Not saying you’re presenting any, but they come up an awful lot and should be addressed.

It took me years and an outrageous amount of money to figure out that the sound I truly love at the end of the day is a Precision - from the flatwound sounds of the 60’s, the more present flat/rounds sounds of the 70’s, and the rounds and pick sound of New Wave, Punk, and Pop of the 80’s and on. I like the Marcus sound, the Nathan sound, the Jaco sound, and other modern tones. I pursued that stuff for years, but I finally found where my home is. This is entirely experiential and of absolutely no use to a fan of other types of music, but it’s been my landing point.

Precisions absolutely are lower tech and old school compared to new school offerings, but the omnipresence of the design over the last 75 simply speaks for itself, and is not going away. The common criticism is that Precisions are boring. A Fodera isn’t boring, neither is a Dingwall, an Alembic, a Ritter, a Spector, or anything else. They’re tools. Players that use those tools can produce fascinating material or be totally boring. That’s on the player, not the bass.

Sound reinforcement has gone through a few revolutions in the last few decades, and sound issues that use of a P-Bass presented largely aren’t problems anymore. That said, a P-Bass is not the first choice as a pretty-sounding instrument to play alone with. It’s got a series pickup that can throw out a lot of midrange honk. Plenty of boutique and boutique-style basses do solo-at-home well, as does a Jazz. However, if you take the same P and play it with a band, magic happens. It’s all there and you get an idea of why those basses are gold standards.

Even then, the live experience with a P may not be a revelation. This is because of the old observation that what you hear a few feet from your amp is not what your bandmates or audience hears. It needs to bloom a bit. What you’d need to try next is getting some recordings done with a Precision. Then, you’ll hear something going on. There’s reasons why the P is so popular in studios, and it has little to with standard bass forum claims of engineer or producer laziness or tradition. The precision bass sound just slots in mixes very nicely. It doesn’t step on the top end or low end of the mix. It just fits in its own place.

Anyway, it’s not my intent to try and sell Precisions on a Dingwall thread. Anybody can play anything they want and it’s no skin off my nose. I really enjoy my Dingwalls because I think the extra extended scale of 36” or 37” is best for the B and E on a 5 string, but if you have D and G strings at those longer scales on a parallel fret bass, they get tinny sounding. The Dingwall design solves that.

The Canadian models are expensive, but you do get what you pay for and they are absolutely magnificent in terms of build and execution. Literally a joy to play and a “where have you been all my life” experience. I say the same thing about a good Precision too, but few if any are built to Dingwall standards aside from the P styles Dingwall makes.

This all works out well because I do run into situations where a P would be a more appropriate choice than a Dingwall. Other gigs require a 5 string, and there’s other times nobody cares. Both instruments get you from point A to point B, but I’m happy to play whatever bass it is that serves the music at hand best.

Very, very well said. We are completely on the same page...

 

[Pablo504]

I've owned an couple of ABs circa 2010 or so. The woods tended to be very high quality back then. Both had bubinga bodies and necks, and wenge fingerboards. One was a 5 and the other a 6. They were both about 10 lbs. Dingwall doesn't offer a bubinga option anymore because it's on the endangered list. But ultimately I decided 3 pickups is a requirement for me and sold them before the pandemic. Th 6-string went for $4k and the 5-string for $3,500

I had my AB2 built in 2010, and it is an outstanding instrument. It was one of only a handful in SoCal back then, and has Sheldon's initials on it. Very high quality build. I am considering a new 3 pickup shop build, but my setup is so sweet with this one, I will definitely keep it...

 

[madmaskbass]

Heavy Solid bubinga 6 with wenge neck is my dream Dingwall. I know there is a few around. Think I would settle for something else though but I love the HS world must be because that is my build type lol.