Dingwall Owners Club

[AB Nate]

Using the medium scale nickels on my SJ I had two very pronounced observations when comparing the Payson and Dingwall string models:

1. I greatly preferred the Dingwall strings when they were new to halfway through their usable life compared to the Paysons. I found the Dingwalls retained a more usable top end during this part of their life cycle.
2. I greatly preferred the Payson strings when they were halfway dead to fully dead compared to the Dingwalls. I found the Paysons retained more upper midrange presence during this part of their life cycle.

I tend to change strings before they're fully dead as I prefer the sound of fresh rounds whenever possible and when situationally appropriate. With that in mind I'm using Dingwalls as my go-to since I'd rather prioritize the part of a string's life cycle that I prefer and just change them out when they hit the point of their life cycle that I like less.

As an aside, I also tried the Kalium nickels, and while I was able to customize a set that was more tension-balanced than either Dingwall or Payson offerings, ultimately I liked the tone of the Kalium strings the least. They seemed to have less bottom and top going on with a big focus on the midrange. This would work well in certain genres, particularly heavy ones, but for what I do I really didn't dig them despite using and trying to like them for somewhere around 6 gigs.

I only tried one set of long scale Kalliums And I found them to shine tune Eb. They came to me with a purchased bass and perhaps that’s how they were spec’d but I didn’t like them at all in standard tuning.

Funny thing is they ended up on one of “whitest” basses I’ve owned. It’s only kinda coincidentally funny due to your bass.

 

[wavemaker]

Speaking of series/parallel switches... Has anyone had them added to their Canadian model after the fact? I got my Z3 used and would've had them added if it were my build.

Wondering if anyone has recommendations for either the switches Dingwall uses or some that'd match the hardware + if there's a wiring schematic for my tech to follow + if there's a template my tech could use to install them in a way that looks close to the work the custom shop does so it looks clean.

Emailed Dingwall tech as well, but not sure if they'll be able to share much.

I had my ABHS retrofitted, which originally came active but without toggles. While it’s definitely possible, it may be a challenge for your tech as it’s a fairly tight squeeze inside the cavity.

I‘ve also been in contact with Ryan (tech@dingwall). He‘s great and will get you sorted.

 

[AB Nate]

For those that are using Payson strings.....

What do you like about them over Dingwall strings?

The dingwall strings are pretty great. More so the nickels IMO.

I like the tension of the Payson mediums I’ve tried for more faster playing music. I like the dingwall nickel mediums for a bit more slinky playing. Both sound great in those respects IMO. I lean towards tight tensioned strings and play hard giving the paysons the edge.

long scale, the nickels feel soooo good.

I mainly use SS thou and that’s where I find the paysons to take a clear win vs the Dingwalls. I find a couple days of break in and they are right where I like them for feel and sound. I requested Payson make a .035 high C which I understand he has but I have yet to try. I have no problem dropping 1ish step tunings with them either.
For the lower tunings I’ve used a .145 with great results.

 

[Waltsdog]

Is there a price/options list floating around somewhere?

I emailed a dealer and was told to just send them my specs to get a quote, but I'd like to have some idea of what all the options are so I can weigh them, rather than going back and forth over dozens of emails as I waffle about on specs.

Dropped you over the most recent price list

 

[Snake101st]

I‘ve also been in contact with Ryan (tech@dingwall). He‘s great and will get you sorted.

Sweet, thanks to you, AB Nate, and everyone else who gave input - I emailed the tech team, let's see what they come back with

 

[singlemalt]

I wish the Dingwall strings had a lighter gauge option, and that’s what I can get with the Payson strings. I really liked the Payson reduced core sets. The medium lights were also very nice. Now, I get a set of individuals that works perfectly for what I like.

When I was experimenting with downtuning for lighter and looser, I’d use stock Dingwall A-G with a .030 ish C and tune E-G. That was over the line of loose, any touch would fret, so muting was an issue. Overshot the mark.

The Payson flats are very nice on the Dbird. They don’t sound like TI flats and they are just a bit stiffer than TI’s. They do sound great and are a drop in fit.

On my four string AB, I can use DR Pure Blues, which come in a .040 set with lighter E-D strings. They are labeled Victor Wooten, or VW’s. This is about as close to what I want as any stock set I’ve found.

The Payson strings let me have a bit lighter and looser. I finally found the Goldilocks set. Payson has a wide selection gauges.

Check with a Jason at FretNation, and he can suggest lots of string options that will fit your Dingwalls.

 

[macribas]

This strap looks interesting. Appears to have a Dingwall logo on it. View attachment 5333311

Cool! That's me on the picture. Where did you find it?

This is a different strap from the one you can currently order. I have two of those.

This new one has a suede stripe in the middle, and It has a tag with a Chilean flag on the back. I kind of like mine better so I didn't ask about it.

 

[retroXvertigo]

Cool! That's me on the picture. Where did you find it?

This is a different strap from the one you can currently order. I have two of those.

This new one has a suede stripe in the middle, and It has a tag with a Chilean flag on the back. I kind of like mine better so I didn't ask about it.

I believe it was in a Dingwall Instagram story.

 

[MascisMan]

The dingwall strings are pretty great. More so the nickels IMO.

I like the tension of the Payson mediums I’ve tried for more faster playing music. I like the dingwall nickel mediums for a bit more slinky playing. Both sound great in those respects IMO. I lean towards tight tensioned strings and play hard giving the paysons the edge.

long scale, the nickels feel soooo good.

I mainly use SS thou and that’s where I find the paysons to take a clear win vs the Dingwalls. I find a couple days of break in and they are right where I like them for feel and sound. I requested Payson make a .035 high C which I understand he has but I have yet to try. I have no problem dropping 1ish step tunings with them either.
For the lower tunings I’ve used a .145 with great results.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[MascisMan]

The Payson flats are very nice on the Dbird. They don’t sound like TI flats and they are just a bit stiffer than TI’s. They do sound great and are a drop in fit.

Curious how they differ from TI flats in your experience?

 

[wavemaker]

Oof… There’s a D-Bird Custom available in Japan and it’s making me feel things. It has definitely seen some shows but … is it weird that I find this

almost more appealing than a pristine example? I don‘t think I’d feel the same way about, say, a Z in that condition but somehow, that kind of player’s wear kind of fits the theme of the model for me.

 

[5StringPocket]

I only tried one set of long scale Kalliums And I found them to shine tune Eb. They came to me with a purchased bass and perhaps that’s how they were spec’d but I didn’t like them at all in standard tuning.

Funny thing is they ended up on one of “whitest” basses I’ve owned. It’s only kinda coincidentally funny due to your bass.
View attachment 5337276

I like that pick guard. It's a nice way to tie in the fingerboard and dress up the bare maple neck heel. Custom order?

 

[J Posega]

I like that pick guard. It's a nice way to tie in the fingerboard and dress up the bare maple neck heel. Custom order?

That's a Combustion, they don't have the extended neck heel.

 

[singlemalt]

TI flats just have their own thing going on. After the painfully bright break in period, they seem to loosen up and mellow. I like the dynamic range. TI’s like a light touch, but you can dig in. Really dig in, and they get kind of a sneezy thing going. Big, clear dynamic range. I really like them on the longscale AB, but you’ll need a special mixed set for that length.

They slap with their own flavor. I really like how soft and bendy they feel. Funny thing is since I’ve found my light set up, the TI’s now feel fairly stiff, and that’s the Super P. Especially after I had Boomer .030 nickel rounds on it.

The Payson flats do a very good job. On the Dbird, they feel just the tiniest bit stiffer than the TI’s on the Dbird. Probably has to do with the longer scale.

I don’t think there is another string out there like the TI flats, probably because of the expensive construction. They just have their own thing going on. I never really liked the TI flat B string. It’s a whopping .136 with no taper at the ball end. I’d run five strings E-C. TI flats last forever, so I don’t even blink at the price.

Id like to try the La Bella low tension flats, but they don’t seem to make a long enough set. I really liked these on a buddy’s short scale.

Im not complaining about the Payson flats. They sound and feel great, and go right on a Dingwall longscale. No problem recommending them, and I switch them out between the AB and Dbird.

Most other flats I’ve run into are just way too stiff and bright, I’m thinking chromes and other common flats.

 

[Katoosie]

Oof… There’s a D-Bird Custom available in Japan and it’s making me feel things. It has definitely seen some shows but … is it weird that I find this
View attachment 5337536
almost more appealing than a pristine example? I don‘t think I’d feel the same way about, say, a Z in that condition but somehow, that kind of player’s wear kind of fits the theme of the model for me.

It's nice
I like it a lot.

 

[Element Zero]

Cool! That's me on the picture. Where did you find it?

This is a different strap from the one you can currently order. I have two of those.

This new one has a suede stripe in the middle, and It has a tag with a Chilean flag on the back. I kind of like mine better so I didn't ask about it.

Yeah yeah the strap is cool… but my brotha. An Angra Rebirth tshirt?!?!?!

 

[Element Zero]

@macribas The discovery of Rebirth, Temple Of Shadows, and Aurora Consurgens was absolutely life changing. My roommate and I back in the day listened to those 3 ALL THE TIME completely baked out of our gourds and then lost our minds listening to the ridiculousness lol. Memories.

 

[tombowlus]

That 37-inch BEAD four string came completely out of left field! I know people have asked for this for a while now, what a cool surprise to see it realised!

That thing felt and played great!

 

[groovaholic]

I don‘t think I’d feel the same way about, say, a Z in that condition

A Z-bass with years of play-wear is also glorious
Mine definitely has some battle-scars, but the best-playing instruments tend to get played A LOT - and it's no exception.

 

[NeonVomit]

Lol. Made me think of this little gem.

Dingwall Custom Shop Afterburner II Natural Ziricote X-Top Ferrari Green Back | Reverb Canada

Right, I've made my decision.

Natural top, vomit green back. Or maybe red. Basically any intense solid colour. That contrast is WILD.