Dingwall Owners Club

[Roland GR 88]

Good day guys, A question here for you.....does the shorter scale of the super j defeat the point of the novax frets ? I hear lots of comments about the 37" b-string length being ideal but with the super j being 35" does that put it in the category of just another great bass as opposed to something unique ? I'm trying to find out if that extra 2" makes that much of a difference. Thanks

 

[Janis K.]

Good day guys, A question here for you.....does the shorter scale of the super j defeat the point of the novax frets ? I hear lots of comments about the 37" b-string length being ideal but with the super j being 35" does that put it in the category of just another great bass as opposed to something unique ? I'm trying to find out if that extra 2" makes that much of a difference. Thanks

I asked myself the same question before I had the chance to try some different Dingwall models.
After comparing an Afterburner I, an Afterburner II (both 37"), a Super J and a Super P (both 35") I came to the conclusion that there definitely is a bit of a difference, but it's way(!) smaller than I expected. Here's what I found:

The 37"-models have just a bit more string tension and therefore are somewhat better suited for things like heavy downtuning and the tone is a bit more "piano-like".

The 35"-models however also have an earth-shattering b-string and the same perfectly even tension across all strings, so imho the fanned frets certainly seem to do their job.
The tone has less of that modern piano-like clarity and more of a "vintage" vibe, as expected of a more "vintage" kind of instrument.

For me personally the 35"-models were a better fit, that's why I own a Super P5 now.
The tone was just what I was looking for and I don't downtune much these days (although my Super P can handle a low A perfectly without even breaking a sweat, as I found out). Also I have pretty small hands, so the shorter scale helps somewhat with playability.

All in all I'd say it's a matter of taste, the 2" difference in scale is just one of many differences between the models.

 

[groovaholic]

All this talk of neck-swapping got me thinking; I've always wanted a maple fretboard Dingwall.

I have an AB 1.5 with the standard wenge fretboard.

Are there any ABZ-5 owners out there who have always wanted a wenge fretboard? We could swap necks!

PM me if you're interested in doing a swap like that.

Me Dingwall, please weigh-in if you think this would unbalance the tone profiles of both basses.

 

[OM3GA]

Nice one. hey pal, that's a Super J/P pr Super P/J whichever way around you like either way is more than a Super J fo'shu!

Fo sho! I do love the sound of a PJ.

Very nice! The Super P/J has a huge range of sounds with the preamp. What pre came in the bass?

I've always liked the asymmetrical body of the Jazz bass. Beautiful gloss black and maple, that's a classic look!

I'm not sure. I was reading that it should be Aguilar. It has the mini toggle for active/passive and it doesn't have the magnetic back.

Wow - that didn't take long! Enjoy.

I know right. I sure will enjoy. Thanks

Awesome looking bass! My only concern would be your well-being when your wife find out.

She actually helped me pick out the super j p/j. We'll see what happens when it arrives

This afternoon, my wife told me that she can't keep track of all the instruments I modify or repair for other people, trade, and/or own.

Anybody need a kidney? I feel a spending spree coming on...

Nice. I'm good on kidneys though

 

[BC82]

So I might've just went ahead and bought another one. Got it from the original owner. Hey sometimes diseases aren't curable

2006 Super J

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I changed my username from OM3GA. It was an old gamer name and didn't want to use my full name as forum name. Still waiting for that club # lol

Just a heads up. I know I lose my big (4) feedback rating but the future is in store to gain more

Still awaiting my Super J p/j stoked

 

[J Posega]

All this talk of neck-swapping got me thinking; I've always wanted a maple fretboard Dingwall.

I have an AB 1.5 with the standard wenge fretboard.

Are there any ABZ-5 owners out there who have always wanted a wenge fretboard? We could swap necks!

PM me if you're interested in doing a swap like that.

Me Dingwall, please weigh-in if you think this would unbalance the tone profiles of both basses.

Is that wedge fingerboard, walnut neck?

 

[groovaholic]

No, it's a maple neck with a wenge fretboard.
My bass is basically an AB-1 with AB-2 electronics.

 

[groovaholic]

 

[steve_rolfeca]

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I'm awful tempted. Love the look and feel of Wenge.

Chicken to mess with my lifetime warranty, though. And if one of our necks got damaged in shipping, that would be QUITE the bummer...

 

[IntrepidCellist]

Heh. I'd love a maple board on my Dingwall also, but my neck is a little older and a bit more "worn" than a shiny new ABZ maple neck.

 

[NollyPeriphery]

This beauty arrived yesterday, what a fantastic sounding instrument. The all-wenge neck imparts a lovely deep growl that works so well with the classic Precision character Sheldon has done such a great job of preserving with the Super P

 

[Bocete]

What a beauty, congrats!

 

[Jeff Roller]

Heh. I'd love a maple board on my Dingwall also, but my neck is a little older and a bit more "worn" than a shiny new ABZ maple neck.

This one slays me every time I see it!

The color must have been a one off or something, I haven't seen another Dingwall like it!

The quilt puts it way over the top as well!

 

[Levar]

Hey guys, take me to the club!
I just received it a few days ago and this is the most amazing unplugged-sounding bass I ever had! Waiting for a cable now to hear it, but no doubt it will be as great. The build quality is just awesome, I'm soo happy with it.

 

[spiritbass]

This beauty arrived yesterday, what a fantastic sounding instrument. The all-wenge neck imparts a lovely deep growl that works so well with the classic Precision character Sheldon has done such a great job of preserving with the Super P

It's not bad looking either. You seem to have a predisposition toward brightly colored basses!

 

[Jeff Roller]

Hey guys, take me to the club!
I just received it a few days ago and this is the most amazing unplugged-sounding bass I ever had! Waiting for a cable now to hear it, but no doubt it will be as great. The build quality is just awesome, I'm soo happy with it.

Not to be redundant, but this one kills me too. I love these X tops on AB1's, etc.!!!!

 

[Levar]

And a full bubinga one-piece neck!

 

[steve_rolfeca]

This beauty arrived yesterday, what a fantastic sounding instrument. The all-wenge neck imparts a lovely deep growl that works so well with the classic Precision character Sheldon has done such a great job of preserving with the Super P

Oh, Sheldon. I could sit and look at just that headstock for hours.

What a privilege to own one of these playable pieces of industrial art...

 

[BC82]

This beauty arrived yesterday, what a fantastic sounding instrument. The all-wenge neck imparts a lovely deep growl that works so well with the classic Precision character Sheldon has done such a great job of preserving with the Super P

Loving that wenge.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I love that pearl D inlay too.

That AB is really nice as well. It looks like a cross between an ABI and ABII, but instead of an ABI with a ABII electronics package (what I like to call an ABI.5), it's an ABII wood combo with what appears to be passive electronics.