Dingwall Owners Club

[Lowendtech]

My first Super J (pj pups, Aguilar pre), first Dingwall, was an early four string. That neck was tiny! So slim the headstock looked over large.

It felt much slimmer than the Fender J it replaced.

My first DW was a 2006 SJP that had a nut of 1.4” measured across the neck in the traditional way. It was like holding a pencil.

 

[Bassinga]

1) As far as I know, no. Tapering is more a function of movement, not tension. They may have a small impact on feel though since they seat better in saddles and allow for more movement.

2) I've not heard of such a big volume difference between strings on a Canadian Dingwall. My initial hunch would be battery if it's active, if you haven't checked that. I'm also not familiar with Pyramid strings -- I didn't even know they made ones that would fit Dingwall long scales.

3) I haven't really sat down with mine to test tapping with my finger, but that doesn't seem right to me. How hard are you tapping? Do you know which pickups are in it? Have you tried different pickup combinations (at least the four it should have on the rotary), and if so, is there any differences?

Overall I'd probably go through and set it up to factory spec. Sheldon has a small pile of setup videos on YouTube that go through it. That would at least get you a baseline (heh) to setup to and then diagnose problems with.

Hey thanks for the advice!

1) Noted

2) I'll change the batteries today and see if that helps.

3) I'm not tapping that hard, I notice it sometimes when I'm playing if my finger accidentally taps the pickup housing when I pluck. The pickups in it are the FDV3 pickups. I've tried all the pickup combinations and they all respond the same way.

 

[IvanBassist]

My first DW was a 2006 SJP that had a nut of 1.4” measured across the neck in the traditional way. It was like holding a pencil.

Just measured mine.

 

[Amajew]

Hey all, recent Dingwall ABI owner here. Bought it used and I'm really enjoying it. I have a couple of questions and observations which I need some insight on. Just for info, my bass is tuned ADGCF with a set of Pyramid Nickel strings (tapered) with gauges, .050, .065, 0.085, 0.110, 0.140.

1) Are tapered strings typically lower stiffness than non-tapered strings?
My current frame of reference is D'addario Nickel EXL strings on my Modulus Q5 tuned the same way but with a non-tapered .145. It feels quite stiff and I love it. Based on the Stringjoy string tension calculator, I was expecting a .135 to be great on the Dingwall but even a .140 feels a bit loose for my taste.

2) I've noticed that the lowest string (A string) is a bit lower volume (noticeable by ear but also verified in my DAW) than the rest. It also lacks the punch that the other strings have, as if the initial attack of the string is being softened by something. I've changed two strings at this point (from the same manufacturer). One was a .135 and one was is a .140 and I've noticed the same thing.
I didn't notice this with the Dingwall Nickel strings that the bass came with. I tapped the pickups with the steel allen key that came with the bass and I'm getting a response from all of the pickups under the shell, so it doesn't seem to be the pickups. Also, I tried raising the bass end of the pickups and it didn't make a difference. I only raised them by two quarter turns though.

3) I've noticed that if I hit the pickup housing with my fingers while playing, the sound comes through on the amp. Also, if the strings hit the pickup housing it also comes through on the amp with a weird scratchy sound. I've never experienced this before. Is it normal?

Sorry for the wall of text but I've tried to be quite descriptive. I figured I would ask here first before emailing Dingwall directly. Thanks all!

Are the Pyramid strings hex core?
If not that could be your problem. Hex core have noticeably more tension.
If they are it could be a dead string.
I currently use the exl170 diaddario strings. Love the tension on them.
Another great hex core string is the Ernie Ball power slinky strings. Played a friends bass with those and was amazed at how tight they felt.

 

[Bassinga]

Are the Pyramid strings hex core?
If not that could be your problem. Hex core have noticeably more tension.
If they are it could be a dead string.
I currently use the exl170 diaddario strings. Love the tension on them.
Another great hex core string is the Ernie Ball power slinky strings. Played a friends bass with those and was amazed at how tight they felt.

I don't think you can have hex core tapered strings.

Also, the D'addario strings don't fit on the 37" B of the AB models. I wish they did because they have been my go-to strings for more than a decade.

 

[cxcxcx]

Also, the D'addario strings don't fit on the 37" B of the AB models. I wish they did because they have been my go-to strings for more than a decade.

Unless things have changed that I’m not aware of, I think D’Addario has been making Dingwall strings since Covid caused supply issues with the previous supplier.

I’m in decade three of using D’Addario XL nickel. The standard issue nickel strings from Dingwall don’t seem to be much different from stock XLs aside from gauge and lengths.

 

[Bassinga]

Unless things have changed that I’m not aware of, I think D’Addario has been making Dingwall strings since Covid caused supply issues with the previous supplier.

I’m in decade three of using D’Addario XL nickel. The standard issue nickel strings from Dingwall don’t seem to be much different from stock XLs aside from gauge and lengths.

That's noted but I'm tuning down to A standard on my Dingy and the standard Dingwall strings are too light for my taste. I'd like a .135 or .145 for the A which unfortunately Dingwall doesn't produce.

Also, I think the regular D'addario super long scale strings taper at 38" which is a bit short.

 

[gustobassman]

Good morning everyone - it's New single and Video day.. Yes, my Z made it into the video. Just premiered 6 minutes ago. Enjoy!

 

[IvanBassist]

Good morning everyone - it's New single and Video day.. Yes, my Z made it into the video. Just premiered 6 minutes ago. Enjoy!

Crunchy tone!

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

Crunchy tone!

Very good song. I like the chorus melody. Catchy and still heavy.

 

[gustobassman]

Crunchy tone!

Thanks Ivan! This was recorded with an NG3 6'er with FD3's. Playing the same songs with the new Z have so much more "there" to them. It has FD3's and the Glock, but something about that dual density N. ash/alder body just gives it so much more punch and depth.

Very good song. I like the chorus melody. Catchy and still heavy.

Thank you!! We were really happy to get this one out.

 

[Lowendtech]

Can someone with a current D-Roc 4 please measure the p’up length end to end and let me know.
Thx in advance.

Quoting myself here for a question bump.
Much appreciated.

 

[wavemaker]

Quoting myself here for a question bump.
Much appreciated.

Would a 2022 D-Roc Custom be of any help or are you looking for something more recent and / or imports?

 

[Lowendtech]

Would a 2022 D-Roc Custom be of any help or are you looking for something more recent and / or imports?

I’m not aware of any differences in p’up dimensions between custom or import.
Anything within the last few years should be fine.

As long as it’s a 4 banger.

 

[wavemaker]

I’m not aware of any differences in p’up dimensions between custom or import.

Me neither, here you go:

Perspective is doing weird things here, though: I’d call my measurement 10.5 cm (4.1336 inches), pretty much on the dot - and I swear I didn’t overshoot with the yardstick!

 

[Lowendtech]

Me neither, here you go:

View attachment 5444190

Perspective is doing weird things here, though: I’d call my measurement 10.5 cm (4.1336 inches), pretty much on the dot - and I swear I didn’t overshoot with the yardstick!

Thanks very much. That helps a bunch.

 

[wavemaker]

No problem at all, happy to.

 

[Lowendtech]

So this is more of a passing info on the the DW community.
Some of you might go, “well duh”, but until I got them in my hands, it didn’t occur to me.

I bought the SFII set last week (thanks again Rev) with the intention to try one in the bridge position of my SPJ and/or maybe try them in a D-Roc.

Well, the p’ups in the SPJ/J are longer as they’re on a steeper angle vs the D-Roc and other 3X four stringers even though the string spacing is the same (19mm).

Now when I look at pics of the basses in question, it’s plainly obvious to my discerning eye that they’re different lengths but it never occurred to me before as I guess I wasn’t focusing on it enough.

Anywho, that’s my PSA for Friday.

There will be no SFII/FDV/P-Tone comparo forthcoming from my SPJ4.
So it’s D-Roc or bust. Which I don’t have atm

Now back to your regularly scheduled Dingwallishness.

 

[RevOgre]

So this is more of a passing info on the the DW community.
Some of you might go, “well duh”, but until I got them in my hands, it didn’t occur to me.

I bought the SFII set last week (thanks again Rev) with the intention to try one in the bridge position of my SPJ and/or maybe try them in a D-Roc.

Well, the p’ups in the SPJ/J are longer as they’re on a steeper angle vs the D-Roc and other 3X four stringers even though the string spacing is the same (19mm).

Now when I look at pics of the basses in question, it’s plainly obvious to my discerning eye that they’re different lengths but it never occurred to me before as I guess I wasn’t focusing on it enough.

Anywho, that’s my PSA for Friday.

There will be no SFII/FDV/P-Tone comparo forthcoming from my SPJ4.
So it’s D-Roc or bust. Which I don’t have atm

Now back to your regularly scheduled Dingwallishness.

Man... I had no idea either! I have an NG and Super P but it only has the split p so I never knew/checked

 

[macribas]

So this is more of a passing info on the the DW community.
Some of you might go, “well duh”, but until I got them in my hands, it didn’t occur to me.

I bought the SFII set last week (thanks again Rev) with the intention to try one in the bridge position of my SPJ and/or maybe try them in a D-Roc.

Well, the p’ups in the SPJ/J are longer as they’re on a steeper angle vs the D-Roc and other 3X four stringers even though the string spacing is the same (19mm).

Now when I look at pics of the basses in question, it’s plainly obvious to my discerning eye that they’re different lengths but it never occurred to me before as I guess I wasn’t focusing on it enough.

Anywho, that’s my PSA for Friday.

There will be no SFII/FDV/P-Tone comparo forthcoming from my SPJ4.
So it’s D-Roc or bust. Which I don’t have atm

Now back to your regularly scheduled Dingwallishness.

Oh come on, nothing that a router can't fix.