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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
To echo retro, my C5 is Chinese and fantastic in fit and finish. No issues whatsoever.
So, I did a thing.
I really like the Dingwall video that does the pickups comparisons. I also like that John Fox did a series of 3 videos in the past where he took a Z3 and swapped in FD3, FDV, and SFII pickups in the same bass to do a comparison. Well, my brain works differently and I like to hear things directly side by side. So I chopped up the Dingwall video to make the play styles/positions side by side and then I took John Fox's 3 videos and did the same thing in to one video with subtitles. Anyway, not sure if this will help anyone, but hey, its out there now.
I really like the Dingwall video that does the pickups comparisons. I also like that John Fox did a series of 3 videos in the past where he took a Z3 and swapped in FD3, FDV, and SFII pickups in the same bass to do a comparison. Well, my brain works differently and I like to hear things directly side by side. So I chopped up the Dingwall video to make the play styles/positions side by side and then I took John Fox's 3 videos and did the same thing in to one video with subtitles. Anyway, not sure if this will help anyone, but hey, its out there now.
Very nice job sir! Man that Blueberry Z1 in the video looks awfully familiar....
Oh yeeeaaaaah, that's right, It's MINE!
This baby landed on my doorstep a few months ago via trade for one my twin NG2s and a few fistfuls of cash.
For a brief moment i had 3 dingwalls in my possession but I had to break up the twins for this beauty.
Unfortunately, it came at a weird time for me. I had a death in the family like the next day and some other relationship crap had me feeling real outta whack. I even stopped coming on TB for a while.
But I've been feeling more like myself again and been catching up on TB happenings.
And, I must say that I am estatic with this bass! It feels and sounds amazing. Everyday i get play it feels like NDD. Im truly lucky and blessed to have this thing. I never imagined I'd own a bass with this level of craftmanship.
A little patience, preserveance, and some well timed deals can certainly pay off.
For a brief moment i had 3 dingwalls in my possession but I had to break up the twins for this beauty.
Unfortunately, it came at a weird time for me. I had a death in the family like the next day and some other relationship crap had me feeling real outta whack. I even stopped coming on TB for a while.
But I've been feeling more like myself again and been catching up on TB happenings.
And, I must say that I am estatic with this bass! It feels and sounds amazing. Everyday i get play it feels like NDD. Im truly lucky and blessed to have this thing. I never imagined I'd own a bass with this level of craftmanship.
A little patience, preserveance, and some well timed deals can certainly pay off.
The third Allen head screw (the first two that sit side by side adjust the height of the saddle) locks/unlocks the shaft on the saddle (the thing the string sits on/breaks over) allowing it to move side to side. Loosen that screw then just simply slide the shaft left or right (I use the string itself to do it) to where you want it then lock it in place by tightening the screw again.
Seems obvious now that you describe it. Haha. Thanks, mate!
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,744
- 11,127
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
It’s rare to see a Z1 in that color. Or a Z1 in general. Nice bass!
Congrats man! That's a beautiful instrument.
Glad you're feeling a bit better as well.
Hey lotusland, just realized I missed this question.
And it’s a great question! Custom builds with unique woods and finishes are tough. Or rather, they’re like a box of chocolates. You never quite know what you’re gonna get. You have to keep your expectations in check and keep an open mind.
And to that, I must be totally honest and say the result was not quite what I expected. I’ve seen a large number of DW reverse bursts over the years and the vast majority had larger bursts that go near to the edges, like the one below with the same wood/finish specs. I thought mine would be the same, but instead it has a tiny little burst in the center with faaaar more buckeye burl showing than similar builds.
But you know what? I kinda expected the unexpected. I expected to be a little surprised, and you have to be when ordering custom builds with exotic wood tops. Dingwall doesn’t do bad finishes. And while it didn’t meet the expectations I had at order time, the result is just as beautiful. Maybe more! I’m super thrilled! And being different than my expectations actually kinda makes it more unique and exciting. I’m growing more and more in love with it every day (or every 5 minutes) I look at it.
Similar spec #1
Similar spec #2
Mine (again)
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I have Sadowsky brand flats on mine, but presumably they are something else that's been rebranded. My options were limited here without spending something like $200 importing something so I just thought I'd try them out. The B string is just long enough, but in general I would say they are just "okay". That said, I've had limited experience with flats so maybe I just prefer the zing of rounds (and the B of the long scale Dingwalls).
The SJ-5 was up in rotation for live play this morning. I continue to be amazed at the difference tightening that neck bolt made. I also debuted the Broughton Audio High/Low pass filter this morning. Three thumbs up. 
Seriously good kit. I've never used a LPF in my signal chain before, and I like it. 
Invalid Link Removed
I also debuted the Broughton Audio High/Low pass filter this morning. Three thumbs up. Seriously good kit. I've never used a LPF in my signal chain before, and I like it. Invalid Link Removed
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Hey lotusland, just realized I missed this question.
And it’s a great question! Custom builds with unique woods and finishes are tough. Or rather, they’re like a box of chocolates. You never quite know what you’re gonna get. You have to keep your expectations in check and keep an open mind.
And to that, I must be totally honest and say the result was not quite what I expected. I’ve seen a large number of DW reverse bursts over the years and the vast majority had larger bursts that go near to the edges, like the one below with the same wood/finish specs. I thought mine would be the same, but instead it has a tiny little burst in the center with faaaar more buckeye burl showing than similar builds.
But you know what? I kinda expected the unexpected. I expected to be a little surprised, and you have to be when ordering custom builds with exotic wood tops. Dingwall doesn’t do bad finishes. And while it didn’t meet the expectations I had at order time, the result is just as beautiful. Maybe more! I’m super thrilled! And being different than my expectations actually kinda makes it more unique and exciting. I’m growing more and more in love with it every day (or every 5 minutes) I look at it.
Mine (again)
View attachment 5308977
This bass looks so awesome... I love the other two you posted, too, but yours is just so unique. It has something very spacey/voidy to it
3 pickups are cool but I sometimes less is more.. Plenty of tone for me here!
Thanks bro!
Thanks, mate! I’m happy for its uniqueness for sure. Since I was “stealing” specs from another beautiful build I’m happy it has its own thing going on. Makes it feel more mine despite the idea theft
Quick questions:
Did you use a standard 34" set (JF 34xx) or a combination? On a 37" ABZ5 I use a mix of super long scale and standard scale (JF36xx and JF34xx).
Any issues with the nut slots being too small? On my ABZ5 open E and A, with their relatively light gauge (0.072 and 0.096), tend to rattle in the nut slot (especially the A) and I would probably need to fill the nut to help with that.
Asking because I should be getting a Super J in the few coming months and I am wondering if I should perhaps ask for a custom nut for the TIs.
Agreed (although I'm sure it was primarily designed for Payson basses rather than a DW replacement part).
I also admit I prefer the standard DW bridge - simple but effective. The Payson is a nice piece of equipment and looks really good on its own, but on my C5 at least, I find it a but bulky aesthetically. I also don't like that all the 5 screws are inline - I would have preferred them to be staggered to even out the tension on the screws.
@Scott McArron - I think you have the right attitude. Yours is amazingly unique. The previous comment about the “black hole” in the centre is spot on. Hard to tell from the pic but it seems to have a 3D vibe that draws the eye in - very cool! My Z3-6 was the same - not quite what was ordered but turned out totally amazing and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m probably obsessing now that it’s close to receiving time, but there’s a quick glimpse of my bass in this Dingwall IG video posted the other day at 00:31 where Sheldon is holding it, and it looks amazing! Dingwall Guitars on Instagram: "Take a look behind the scenes at the Dingwall Custon Shop. #custombass #fannedfrets #thehypeisreal"
I have the regular JFXXX set on my SJ5, and there are no issues with the length or the nut.
