Dingwall Owners Club

[Derek Williams]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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It's probably a different bass, but that blue one is giving me vibes of this one: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/dingwall-owners-club.394482/page-2341#post-26104711

So should make sure it's not refinished. I don't see any of the bad paintjob in this photo so it's probably not the same one though.

 

[Bassinga]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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Hey, so the stock configuration with two pickups allows you to use both pickups in parallel just like a jazz bass. So you get
1) Bridge only
2) Bridge/Neck in parallel
3) Bridge/neck in series
4) neck only

In terms of the differences between these two, the natural one is likely newer because of the pickup housing. I don't know much about the pickup voicings but my Dingwall with the same pickup housings as the natural one has FDV3 pickups which are clean and clear like a jazz bass.

Regardless of the music you play, the benefits of a Dingwall will indeed show in all types of music.

 

[MascisMan]

It's probably a different bass, but that blue one is giving me vibes of this one: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/dingwall-owners-club.394482/page-2341#post-26104711

So should make sure it's not refinished. I don't see any of the bad paintjob in this photo so it's probably not the same one though.

I think its different. The grain patterns on the body dont seem to match

 

[Chris Chong]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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+1 blue

 

[Derek Williams]

I think its different. The grain patterns on the body dont seem to match

yeah, I spent some time trying to match up the grain and I am pretty sure they are different too.

 

[Waltsdog]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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The blue ABZ is at the Bass Gallery in London, I think your definition of 'far away' might need a bit of an update if something in the same city as you is far away. Just go play it and any of the other 15 Dingwall's they have in stock.

At £2400 it is extremely overpriced IMO (It's maybe £300 more than the new cost of that spec ABZ and it's probably 10 years old or more) the one at Bassdirect is better value and newer.

 

[Waltsdog]

yeah, I spent some time trying to match up the grain and I am pretty sure they are different too.

Deffo a different bass, looks like my old one I sold in 2012 (we won't say for how much cos everyone will cry).

 

[macribas]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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I'd go for the one with newer style pickups because of aesthetics and because you're coming from an active 55-94. Also, you should try a wenge board. Can't speak about how different the pickups would sound.

 

[Lowendtech]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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I was looking at that natural ABZ when I was nervously contemplating trying yet another fiver and was seriously considering it. Until I found the murple AB-1 (last page).
If I were deciding on the two basses you posted, I would be more inclined to go in that route.
First, I really dig the Wenge f/b’s.
Second, the P/up shells are contemporary so swapping P/ups is accessible and easy to find.
And if you wanted to put it back to passive, it would be fairly straightforward as the Glock in it was not original (aftermarket install).
Also it’s a bit of a blank canvas. I’d probably get it painted (trans maybe) the colour of my choice.

Anywho, just my tuppence.

 

[AB Nate]

Hello! Need your advice and wanted to get insights from this forum. Looking to buy my first Dingwall and I’m torn between these two. I’m leaning towards the blue one because I love maple boards. And a more simplified controls as it is passive. But how different do the pickups of these two differ? I’m currently using a Lakland 55-94 and mostly using it in a jazz style config, that is pretty much the kind of sound I go for. Can any of the two do something close or similar?

Also one of the reasons I consider getting a Dingwall is that they are both 3.6kg and heard Canadian builds are amazing. The stores are faraway from me which is why I can’t give them a try. I don’t play metal music and mostly play in a function band if this helps.

Thanks in advance!
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I’d perhaps be a bit patient in your search. Definitely make the effort to go play any Dingwalls around you if you can. There are a few old units floating around that have had less then quality mods done to them. Be wary of this as that blue one does send red flags even though it doesn’t appear to be the one of recent convo(read back).
The natural one is probably a very nice instrument but as mentioned it’s also been modded(pre amp added after the fact). If it’s the one im thinking of there is no battery compartment.

the rounded shells allow you to swap any current dingwall pick up offering if you desire where as the square EMG style can be really hard to source or you can utilize the EMG line of pick ups.

for a “Jazz” sound the SF2s(super fattie 2s) are probably your best bet for pick ups. Most newer Dingwall’s are coming stock with FDVs and previously FD3s

there is lots of reading you can do in the pick up offerings by reading back or searching the web.
Have fun shopping!!!
If price isn’t your primary driving factor I’d keep searching vs those 2 ….

heck @Lowendtech is gonna have a murple AB 5 string coming for sale soon!!!!!
Lol.

yeah, I spent some time trying to match up the grain and I am pretty sure they are different too.

I got instant bad vibes from it but I think you’re right in that it’s not the same… damn close though. Close enough to have my hackles up.

 

[Lowendtech]

heck @Lowendtech is gonna have a murple AB 5 string coming for sale soon!!!!!
Lol.

Normally I would agree with this but I don’t know about that this time around.
The thing is 8.25 lbs, fits me like a glove (well maybe not like OJ’s glove) hangs perfecto, sounds freaking awesome and has a fantastic neck.
I don’t seem to be having the fretting hand thumb issues that have plagued me with previous fiver necks as well so maybe there’s hope this time around.
Time will tell. If it sticks, something else will have to go so we’ll find out soon enough.

 

[AB Nate]

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Normally I would agree with this but I don’t know about that this time around.
The thing is 8.25 lbs, fits me like a glove (well maybe not like OJ’s glove) hangs perfecto, sounds freaking awesome and has a fantastic neck.
I don’t seem to be having the fretting hand thumb issues that have plagued me with previous fiver necks as well so maybe there’s hope this time around.
Time will tell. If it sticks, something else will have to go so we’ll find out soon enough.

I hope so Rich!

Don’t make me start patrolling the classifieds!!!

 

[Lowendtech]

I hope so Rich!

Don’t make me start patrolling the classifieds!!!

Pretty sure you’d get some kind of “key word alert” or something similar.

 

[Lowendtech]

BTW, John Fox is a real gent. First time dealing with him and everything y’all have said about him is totally on point. Super nice and knowledgeable dude. Very solid experience, that. I’m pretty happy I was perusing his site at the time I was.

 

[AB Nate]

BTW, John Fox is a real gent. First time dealing with him and everything y’all have said about him is totally on point. Super nice and knowledgeable dude. Very solid experience, that. I’m pretty happy I was perusing his site at the time I was.

Keywords are dangerous. I don’t.
Especially keyword: murple

 

[trigger_happy]

Thank you so much for the helpful inputs everyone! I have the funds ready anyway so I guess I’ll hold on a bit until a good one comes in.

Definitely getting an ABZ 5 that’s for sure!

 

[singlemalt]

I’d keep looking, and concentrate on used Dingwalls already in Europe.

Most USA sellers are reluctant to take on international shipping.

The TB classifieds are a great tool for researching prices on the used market. Is there a used market tool in the UK? Something like Facebook or a UK bass forum? I’d think you’d see Dingwalls pop up on the used market now and again.

If you know the going prices, and move quickly, you can get a deal.

I’ve bought all my Dingwalls used, and every single one has been excellent. I’m not particular about colors, fret boards, or electronics. More like, “oh here’s a Super P for a great price…”. And the next week I’ve got a black Super P. Never thought I’d own a black bass, but it’s awesome.

I bought my first Dingwall sight unseen, no test drive, and never looked back. A used Dingwall at a good price will be easy to recoup your investment if you some how don’t jive with it, or want to trade out into a different model.

Good hunting!

 

[SemiDriven]

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The thing is 8.25 lbs, fits me like a glove (well maybe not like OJ’s glove) hangs perfecto, sounds freaking awesome and has a fantastic neck.
I don’t seem to be having the fretting hand thumb issues that have plagued me with previous fiver necks as well....

What's the downside?

Pullin' for ya!

 

[Lowendtech]

What's the downside?

No identifiable downside noted thus far. It has a decent chance of staying that way. They all seem to be getting along. Although I thought I heard some bickering about scale length something or other…

But it seems to be sorted. For now.

 

[Waltsdog]

UK bass forum?

Good hunting!

Basschat is the UK forum, lots of good stuff on there. The Dingwall sale pages on facebook tend to be decent for Uk/Euro based sales too but there have been a few scammers (obvious to spot when the prices are crazy low).