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Dingwall Owners Club

#53,222
NOLA Bass said:
The one thing I'd love to upgrade is my D-Bird Custom's bridge. The ABZ bridge is so superior.
Click to expand...
I felt the same way, even though I can appreciate the aesthetic of solo rails mounted on the curvature of the D-Bird’s raised middle portion.

I highly recommend exchanging only the bridge saddles for the newer, more rounded ones (I got mine from fretnation). They make a world of an ergonomic difference to me as a mainly pick player and have stopped any GAS for a different bridge.
 
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#53,223
Dunno if I mentioned it here, but oh my God is the truss rod on the ABII I got annoying.

I have tried multiple hex keys both that I own and that my neighbour has in their shed - not a single one fits the rod.
I did some research and I found that either a 6/94 in freedom units fits or like we normal people tend to say, a 3.5mm should be fine as well.

So I ordered a set... :cautious:

The ABII came with a dingwall pouch with some tools but they are not color coded (I think Dingwalls own tools are, right?) so I assume they were not the original ones that came with the bass.
 
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#53,224
Katoosie said:
Dunno if I mentioned it here, but oh my God is the truss rod on the ABII I got annoying.

I have tried multiple hex keys both that I own and that my neighbour has in their shed - not a single one fits the rod.
I did some research and I found that either a 6/94 in freedom units fits or like we normal people tend to say, a 3.5mm should be fine as well.

So I ordered a set... :cautious:

The ABII came with a dingwall pouch with some tools but they are not color coded (I think Dingwalls own tools are, right?) so I assume they were not the original ones that came with the bass.
Click to expand...

Neither of the Dingwalls I owned came with tools, either so it was somewhat a challenge to find the right Allen wrench for the truss. 9/64” is not a very common size (neither is 3.5 mm). I ordered a 3.5 mm just for it and then I discovered a 9/64” was probably the correct one.
 
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#53,225
Katoosie said:
Dunno if I mentioned it here, but oh my God is the truss rod on the ABII I got annoying.

I have tried multiple hex keys both that I own and that my neighbour has in their shed - not a single one fits the rod.
I did some research and I found that either a 6/94 in freedom units fits or like we normal people tend to say, a 3.5mm should be fine as well.

So I ordered a set... :cautious:

The ABII came with a dingwall pouch with some tools but they are not color coded (I think Dingwalls own tools are, right?) so I assume they were not the original ones that came with the bass.
Click to expand...

The Dingwall tool complement has shrink tubing on the allen keys. If you don’t have something like it already, it’s important to note that the proper key for the truss rod (yellow) has a longer/deeper reach than standard. Makes adjusting a Dingwall rod much more efficient. I’d be reluctant to even attempt to use anything but that style, as the correct factory-supplied tool is an imperative in avoiding damage to the finish and/or stripping the truss rod.

607B6EE3-34A1-4E7D-9DB1-13DCA717D06E.jpeg
 
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#53,226
beatdatthang said:
Neither of the Dingwalls I owned came with tools, either so it was somewhat a challenge to find the right Allen wrench for the truss. 9/64” is not a very common size (neither is 3.5 mm). I ordered a 3.5 mm just for it and then I discovered a 9/64” was probably the correct one.
Click to expand...
I saw you post about that, that's why I got these. I hope they fit when they arrive.

Does Dingwall sell these colour coded tools? Has anyone bought a set from them?
 
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#53,227
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#53,229
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#53,231
Katoosie said:
Thank you both.

My used ABII came with the NG set.
If the tools I bought don't fit, I'll get the domestic coloured set.
Click to expand...
I just measured the truss Rod hex key that came in my domestic (Canadian) kit, and it is indeed a 9/64 ’ths (3.6 mm) hex so a metric key won’t work.

edited for SAE typo.
 
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#53,233
wavemaker said:
I felt the same way, even though I can appreciate the aesthetic of solo rails mounted on the curvature of the D-Bird’s raised middle portion.

I highly recommend exchanging only the bridge saddles for the newer, more rounded ones (I got mine from fretnation). They make a world of an ergonomic difference to me as a mainly pick player and have stopped any GAS for a different bridge.
Click to expand...

yikes....I didn't even think of this ....guess I will find out how much of an issue it is in time with the new bridge.
 
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#53,234
wavemaker said:
I felt the same way, even though I can appreciate the aesthetic of solo rails mounted on the curvature of the D-Bird’s raised middle portion.

I highly recommend exchanging only the bridge saddles for the newer, more rounded ones (I got mine from fretnation). They make a world of an ergonomic difference to me as a mainly pick player and have stopped any GAS for a different bridge.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll look into this. I'm using a pick about 75-80% of the time in my band as well, so that might be just what I'm looking for.
 
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#53,235
wavemaker said:
I felt the same way, even though I can appreciate the aesthetic of solo rails mounted on the curvature of the D-Bird’s raised middle portion.

I highly recommend exchanging only the bridge saddles for the newer, more rounded ones (I got mine from fretnation). They make a world of an ergonomic difference to me as a mainly pick player and have stopped any GAS for a different bridge.
Click to expand...

Is this the right item? They look like what is already on my D-Bird Custom.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#53,238
Nuage420 said:
It is what's on yours already. That's a good replacement option for the imports which have sharper edges. But the customs already have the rounded USA Hipshot hardware
Click to expand...

Sorry, but that’s not exactly correct: My custom D-Bird (2019) came with saddles not quite as sharp as the import, but very sharp nonetheless. The replacement saddles are remarkably smoother all around. I think I posted a comparison picture in this thread when I replaced mine - maybe have a look through my post history.

edit: Found it. No comparison, unfortunately - I seem to have misremembered.

@NOLA Bass: You do indeed have the correct item.
 
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#53,239
Nuage420 said:
It is what's on yours already. That's a good replacement option for the imports which have sharper edges. But the customs already have the rounded USA Hipshot hardware
Click to expand...

Thanks! I still much prefer my ABZ bridge, but it isn't a deal breaker. I had an original D-Bird Custom when they came out and sold it (stupidly). Recently bought this one when it popped up. I recall those sharper edges you are talking about on the first one I had.
 
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