Seems like a lot of manufacturers are moving their string production to DR. I guess I shouldn't have said "a lot", I only really know of Fodera, KenSmith and Kubicki. If accurate, I've been mostly rocking DRs for years.
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
Seems like a lot of manufacturers are moving their string production to DR. I guess I shouldn't have said "a lot", I only really know of Fodera, KenSmith and Kubicki. If accurate, I've been mostly rocking DRs for years.
I saw that CanadaPost is restarting operations today. If you have anything coming from the Dingwall store it should be entering the system shortly. But with almost a month backlog, I wouldn't expect things to move smoothly for a while.
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,743
- 11,118
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
I am constantly going back and forth about the final specs for my current build. It’s still a loooooong way until I have to decide my specs for production, but I’m struggling to pick between a long scale ABZ 5 string or stick to a Super 5 string.
Currently, I don’t own any 5 string basses and the note clarity and string tension of the long scale basses is very tempting. Also, having a different bass than the “classic” ones I currently own would be cool.
With that being said, i think my hands feel more at home with a shorter scale.
Thankfully, a friend will let me borrow his NG3 for a few weeks. I hope that practicing with it for some days will help me to make a decision.
Any thoughts?
all feedback is welcome!
Currently, I don’t own any 5 string basses and the note clarity and string tension of the long scale basses is very tempting. Also, having a different bass than the “classic” ones I currently own would be cool.
With that being said, i think my hands feel more at home with a shorter scale.
Thankfully, a friend will let me borrow his NG3 for a few weeks. I hope that practicing with it for some days will help me to make a decision.
Any thoughts?
all feedback is welcome!
This feels like a stupid question directed towards you but have you actually played a Super 5? I loved everything about a Super J 5 I could try out, except for the string spacing - the fretboard felt extremely wide to me. My ABHS on the other hand is the most comfortable five string I ever hd the pleasure to play.
You’re more or less local, so please feel free to check my ABHS out!
You’re more or less local, so please feel free to check my ABHS out!
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,743
- 11,118
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
Yes. My friend owns a SJ5 and i played the SP1 5 string.
Both were very comfortable to play. However, I think the new SPs have 18mm string spacing for the 5 string version.
I’m playing in Cologne in March 2025 with Doctor Krápula
You should come to the show if you’re interested to chat!
I am constantly going back and forth about the final specs for my current build. It’s still a loooooong way until I have to decide my specs for production, but I’m struggling to pick between a long scale ABZ 5 string or stick to a Super 5 string.
Currently, I don’t own any 5 string basses and the note clarity and string tension of the long scale basses is very tempting. Also, having a different bass than the “classic” ones I currently own would be cool.
With that being said, i think my hands feel more at home with a shorter scale.
Thankfully, a friend will let me borrow his NG3 for a few weeks. I hope that practicing with it for some days will help me to make a decision.
Any thoughts?
The going back and forth is real. I'm on a different build every day, sometimes multiple times per day. Today it's a 4 string AB in Ferrari Green.
Making up one's mind is definitely challenging when pondering these matters.
Anyone know how long it takes sales to get back to people? I filled out the contact us form last week and still haven't heard anything back.
I usually hear from them within the next business day. But it’s the busy season.
I'm so glad that I locked my specs in 2 weeks ago. Whatever my mind wants to do now is irrelevant, there's no changing at this point 
Hopefully have it by March-ish and can post photos and what not then!
Hopefully have it by March-ish and can post photos and what not then!I’m not sure I have any insight for ya but I bet you end up with a super!! lol. Just my wager on the outcomeI am constantly going back and forth about the final specs for my current build. It’s still a loooooong way until I have to decide my specs for production, but I’m struggling to pick between a long scale ABZ 5 string or stick to a Super 5 string.
Currently, I don’t own any 5 string basses and the note clarity and string tension of the long scale basses is very tempting. Also, having a different bass than the “classic” ones I currently own would be cool.
With that being said, i think my hands feel more at home with a shorter scale.
Thankfully, a friend will let me borrow his NG3 for a few weeks. I hope that practicing with it for some days will help me to make a decision.
Any thoughts?
Jokes aside, Go with what feels right unless you want to force yourself to a challenge.
Challenge is good of course but familiarity and comfort definitely hold stature.
one recent observation. I’ve not been into the FDVs having only really experienced them in a long scale… until the recent SJ acquisition. They are killin it in the new super.
I even just A/Bed my SJ and a Z3 with the same FDV and DG combo, similar woods and the take away is quite different. I still prefer the FD3s in the long scale but am completely satisfied with the FDVs in the medium(even prefer them over FD3s)…. For my tastes of course.
This is the past 24 hour's "decision". The thinking is that I kinda like the extra scale length, I use the reach extender strap point and it's not that different than a 34" single scale bass. I like the extra tension in the strings, so stick with the longer scale. The body sticks out, but that's a good thing. People will remember you. I think I want a four string. I have an ABI and ABZ 5, so why get another? The real problem is that there isn't a wrong choice. I almost feel like telling them, just build me a bass. Whatever I get will be great.
I also have a SJ5 with FDVs and a Darkglass preamp. The tone is sweet magic.
Payson has been great about my requests for lighter gauge sets.
Just email him directly and tell him what you are after. Lots of choices, and he set me up with very light sets.
Fret nation knows Dingwalls and strings. Jason can suggest options you might not see and he will make up custom sets.
I finally tried some TI jazz rounds on my AB-1 four string. The extra long set. I’m very happy with these strings.
I’ll probably go back to the light Paysons, they checked all my boxes.
Just email him directly and tell him what you are after. Lots of choices, and he set me up with very light sets.
Fret nation knows Dingwalls and strings. Jason can suggest options you might not see and he will make up custom sets.
I finally tried some TI jazz rounds on my AB-1 four string. The extra long set. I’m very happy with these strings.
I’ll probably go back to the light Paysons, they checked all my boxes.
I bought a new Dingwall NG3 and keen to hear what everyone's optimal action is.
It's strung with D'addario NYXL 45-130 gauge Super Long strings in BEADG tunning.
The neck relief is at 0.006".
The string action may be a bit too high and currently sits at the following heights on the 12th fret:
B: 3.00
E: 2.5
A: 2.25
D: 2.00
G: 1.75
Should I aim to have a lower action?
It's strung with D'addario NYXL 45-130 gauge Super Long strings in BEADG tunning.
The neck relief is at 0.006".
The string action may be a bit too high and currently sits at the following heights on the 12th fret:
B: 3.00
E: 2.5
A: 2.25
D: 2.00
G: 1.75
Should I aim to have a lower action?
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Action is a profoundly personal thing, but I might shoot for a slightly lower action on the lower strings than what you’ve posted here. 1.75 to 3.00 mm (?) is a wide disparity in string heights that I would find uncomfortable. The next person to post may have completely different rationales and opinions. They wouldn’t be any more right or wrong than I am because we are all looking for different things and we’re not all playing the same music. I don’t play extreme/heavy music with my Dingwalls, and I’ve never even played one through a distortion pedal.
I personally set my strings around 2 mm at the 12th fret across all strings, maybe a tiny bit higher than 2 mm on the E and B, but not much. Regular BEADG tuning. Maybe about a .010 relief. I set my Z and AB1 this way, which is higher than factory spec. Both of my Dingwalls could take a much lower setup, but I have my preferences. I use the house brand Dingwall strings that come stock on the bass new, which is probably important to note.
Sheldon Dingwall has different stock setup measurements than I do. I always consider his expertise and experience, but there is no “wrong” in any of this. As long as common sense is used and the imitations of the instrument and the nature of physics is respected, one’s preference is the rule. There are such things as too high and too low - both extremes bring their own individual problems. I have never made pickup height or intonation adjustments on any Dingwall instrument I own - there’s no need to.
Sheldon has a bunch of setup videos out, but I prefer the written word for some of this stuff. He mentions his setup standards in the website article in the link below. It’s in the middle of the piece as you scroll down. The YouTube link describes his relief setting procedure. These are good starting points, but it’s about your comfort and the kind of playability you want. Sheldon has separate height standards for each model line, but you won’t have to face a firing squad if you don’t follow them exactly. They’re well thought out suggestions. As long as the instrument plays in tune and sounds the way you want it, you’re in good shape.
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Sheldon has a step by step set up video series on the Dingwall YouTube channel.
It’s all about the string set and your playing style.
I run super light strings. DR pure blues VW’s .040 or lighter sets from Payson strings.
Once I have it tuned to pitch, I adjust the truss rod for a whisper of relief at 12. Then I lower the G until it won’t play clean, and ease it back up until it plays clean. Then the other strings aiming for a subtle arc over the 24th. Then intonation and more fine tuning.
It ends up super low, and I play with a light touch or slap.
Too low and you’ll have issues with not being able to mute without fretting a note or buzzing. Depending on how hard you play.
So basically I try to find the limit of low for my playing and the strings I’m trying.
The hardware is excellent and you should have a tool set with the bass.
Lots of string options! Check with FretNation or Payson.
It’s all about the string set and your playing style.
I run super light strings. DR pure blues VW’s .040 or lighter sets from Payson strings.
Once I have it tuned to pitch, I adjust the truss rod for a whisper of relief at 12. Then I lower the G until it won’t play clean, and ease it back up until it plays clean. Then the other strings aiming for a subtle arc over the 24th. Then intonation and more fine tuning.
It ends up super low, and I play with a light touch or slap.
Too low and you’ll have issues with not being able to mute without fretting a note or buzzing. Depending on how hard you play.
So basically I try to find the limit of low for my playing and the strings I’m trying.
The hardware is excellent and you should have a tool set with the bass.
Lots of string options! Check with FretNation or Payson.
These are the specs I set my C5 up to. Not sure if this helps. And sorry the action is in Standard:
