Dingwall Owners Club

[RevOgre]

Did you happen to change this one over from the Darkglass? Curious how you find it differs.

I like the frequencies it has. Pairing it with the right cap on the tone is key. My ear likes .1uf

It has a baked in voice i find pleasing. I have it with FDVs and some whacky switching that isn't important but standard stuff i can solo neck and middle and forget the bridge exists because as far as I know it's just there to add a counter balance. I kid, I kid

 

[LuxuriousMistak]

31 hour drive to Saskatoon

Road trip! I actually would consider doing this if it were an option and I had someone to share the driving with.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

The tariff thing stinks. I have a deposit down, but I have not spoken to the dealer about possibly using that $500 on something else. Hope that won't be an issue if so.

Related but unrelated to it, I pulled my heavily modified NG3 off the market. I brought it to practice, and I think I don't really care for the FD3's and P Tone. As such, I was going to put the FDV's from my DBird (I put SFII's in it) into the bass. I hate the 6 way selector, and was going to convert the three s/p switches to on/offs for each pickup. That will then leave me with space for a the volume knob w push/pull for active - passive, a passive tone control, and a 3 band EQ. I was kind of kicking around trying something other than the Darkglass. Curious on everyone's thoughts on other aftermarket preamps people have tried and how they found them.

Here is the bass for reference. View attachment 7142609

I have an ACG/East EQ-01 filter-based preamp in my Super. It’s a different mindset than boost/cut EQ. I have had this type of pre in another bass and enjoyed it a lot. Not sure how it would work with 3 pickups vs 2.
If filter-based isn’t of interest - John East really makes super quality preamps.
I have a Darkglass in my Z and it works really well with the natural growl that the Z has. I love the DGTC but wouldn’t want it in all of my basses.
My Super is clean and precise. I can make it sound like dub reggae ish with only lows and low mids coming through and emphasizing the cutoff frequency on each filter (have the cutoff set differently on each filter so 2 eq peaks). The bass sounds really bright with the filters open all of the way and there are so many tones available overall.

 

[Selta]

I have an ACG/East EQ-01 filter-based preamp in my Super. It’s a different mindset than boost/cut EQ. I have had this type of pre in another bass and enjoyed it a lot. Not sure how it would work with 3 pickups vs 2.
If filter-based isn’t of interest - John East really makes super quality preamps.
I have a Darkglass in my Z and it works really well with the natural growl that the Z has. I love the DGTC but wouldn’t want it in all of my basses.
My Super is clean and precise. I can make it sound like dub reggae ish with only lows and low mids coming through and emphasizing the cutoff frequency on each filter (have the cutoff set differently on each filter so 2 eq peaks). The bass sounds really bright with the filters open all of the way and there are so many tones available overall.

Filter pres are fun! I put two EQ-01s in one of my Zs for several months. Basically went pickup > S/P toggle > Preamps > selector. Right now I have my eye on the Lusithand Double NFP + Single NFP to do that in a 3x, but I haven't thrown down the $400+ yet on making that reality.

 

[NaH]

Hey, I've been wanting these ever since they came out and after straining to see where I was the other night, you've pushed me over the edge.

Just need to measure what sizes to get for at least my stage instruments and decide on a color. Always assumed it would be green, as I don't like blindingly bright blue led's, but what's your take on the comparison? Thanks for such a great little write up inside this bigger conversation.

Here is green on my AB-1. Previous owner took this shot. I can take whatever pics you like if you need something different. I like the green. I, too, get annoyed by the blue LEDs that are just too bright, though I don't have any experience with blue luminlay.

 

[singlemalt]

Blue is similar, a soft glow. Nothing like LED. Plenty bright enough to be visible in low light situations, but none of that “Hey, check out my light Sabre bass!”

I’ve seen a few of the Alembic and Stratus with the LED and it was way too much.

 

[Bassheart365]

So the SJ5 I ordered from a Reverb seller is arriving Friday. It has a DG preamp. I I had a DG pre in a previous Z3 and never bonded with it. It seems like it's designed more for metal and/or prog, which I don't play. The bands I'm in mainly play R&B, modern rock, and some county and blues. I've fallen in love with the Neve in my new Z3. Sheldon describes it as a "polite" pre, and it remains musical even when the bass and treble pots are maxed out, and I agree with that characterization. I don't miss having a mid control at all. As we all know Dingwall is not selling the Neve separately. I was thinking of going with a Glockenklang. I had a glock in a previous SJ5 and preferred it to the DG but I thought the bass EQ was centered a bit low. I'm not up to speed on current options. Any other suggestions?

 

[Thumper]

My SJ4XXX with FDVs and DG is fantastic. No metal or Progressive tones are even achievable. My band is Hard Rock/Biker Rock/Dad Rock.

 

[Bassheart365]

My SJ4XXX with FDVs and DG is fantastic. No metal or Progressive tones are even achievable. My band is Hard Rock/Biker Rock/Dad Rock.

That’s good to hear. This is the first time I’ll have a DG-FDV combo so hopefully I’ll get along better with the tone capsule this time around.

 

[AB Nate]

So the SJ5 I ordered from a Reverb seller is arriving Friday. It has a DG preamp. I I had a DG pre in a previous Z3 and never bonded with it. It seems like it's designed more for metal and/or prog, which I don't play. The bands I'm in mainly play R&B, modern rock, and some county and blues. I've fallen in love with the Neve in my new Z3. Sheldon describes it as a "polite" pre, and it remains musical even when the bass and treble pots are maxed out, and I agree with that characterization. I don't miss having a mid control at all. As we all know Dingwall is not selling the Neve separately. I was thinking of going with a Glockenklang. I had a glock in a previous SJ5 and preferred it to the DG but I thought the bass EQ was centered a bit low. I'm not up to speed on current options. Any other suggestions?

I can’t help but wonder how SF2 and the DG would work for you in that situation.

I know pick ups are more expensive than a pre. Not suggesting this the logical solution… just a random thought.

Thick fundamental, clarity and clean control options.

In addition FWIW I also love the FDV DG combo in my SJXXX but I dial it in in a way you probably wouldn’t.

 

[Bassheart365]

I can’t help but wonder how SF2 and the DG would work for you in that situation.

I know pick ups are more expensive than a pre. Not suggesting this the logical solution… just a random thought.

Thick fundamental, clarity and clean control options.

I spec'd SFIIs in my new Z3 and love them. First time for me. But a pickup change would be a last resort to solve any dissatisfaction with tone. We will see.

 

[Bassinga]

My experience has been that the DGTC generally brightens up the bass and increases the output volume and when it's flat. I'm not sure if it has an internal gain control to regulate this (I should probably check).

But I will say that the DGTC definitely has the most usable frequency bands for a 3-band EQ. 70Hz is very usable on the bass IMO, 500Hz is the sweetspot for the mids and the 2.8kHz works great for brightening up the whole signal.

 

[IvanBassist]

My experience has been that the DGTC generally brightens up the bass and increases the output volume and when it's flat. I'm not sure if it has an internal gain control to regulate this (I should probably check).

But I will say that the DGTC definitely has the most usable frequency bands for a 3-band EQ. 70Hz is very usable on the bass IMO, 500Hz is the sweetspot for the mids and the 2.8kHz works great for brightening up the whole signal.

I wish it had a tone control. That’s what kills it for me.

 

[Mr_BK]

So the SJ5 I ordered from a Reverb seller is arriving Friday. It has a DG preamp. I I had a DG pre in a previous Z3 and never bonded with it. It seems like it's designed more for metal and/or prog, which I don't play. The bands I'm in mainly play R&B, modern rock, and some county and blues. I've fallen in love with the Neve in my new Z3. Sheldon describes it as a "polite" pre, and it remains musical even when the bass and treble pots are maxed out, and I agree with that characterization. I don't miss having a mid control at all. As we all know Dingwall is not selling the Neve separately. I was thinking of going with a Glockenklang. I had a glock in a previous SJ5 and preferred it to the DG but I thought the bass EQ was centered a bit low. I'm not up to speed on current options. Any other suggestions?

I have a SJ5XXX with a DG pre-amp. It sounds magical and sweet. I don't know if this is the FDV or the Ovangkol neck or whatever, maybe the combination of all factors.
The only thing I miss is a tone control in active and passive mode. A classic feature I do appreciate.

 

[LuxuriousMistak]

I have a SJ5XXX with a DG pre-amp. It sounds magical and sweet. I don't know if this is the FDV or the Ovangkol neck or whatever, maybe the combination of all factors.
The only thing I miss is a tone control in active and passive mode. A classic feature I do appreciate.

View attachment 7143595

Gorgeous bass!! Jason at FretNation sells a stacked tone/volume pot that allows for tone control in active and passive mode. I put one on my NG3-5 and love it so much I just bought another one for my NG3-6.

 

[Mr_BK]

Gorgeous bass!! Jason at FretNation sells a stacked tone/volume pot that allows for tone control in active and passive mode. I put one on my NG3-5 and love it so much I just bought another one for my NG3-6.

Thank you ... I will give that a look.

The Ovangkol neck with Wenge FB ist the really sweet detail of that bass:

 

[Mr_BK]

Gorgeous bass!! Jason at FretNation sells a stacked tone/volume pot that allows for tone control in active and passive mode. I put one on my NG3-5 and love it so much I just bought another one for my NG3-6.

I can't find it. Do you have a link or partnumber?

 

[Bassinga]

I wish it had a tone control. That’s what kills it for me.

Do you mean a passive tone control?

 

[IvanBassist]

Do you mean a passive tone control?

Yep.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

Filter pres are fun! I put two EQ-01s in one of my Zs for several months. Basically went pickup > S/P toggle > Preamps > selector. Right now I have my eye on the Lusithand Double NFP + Single NFP to do that in a 3x, but I haven't thrown down the $400+ yet on making that reality.

That’s how you make a filter pre system for a 3x! Really cool idea. I am interested in Lusithand and Underhill offerings.
In addition to using ACG EQ-01 before I used to have an Alembic Series 1 and Europa plus a Wal Mk2. I like the tone of the Wal more vs the Series 1. I did like the Europa setup (filter + 2 band EQ) too though.