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Dingwall Owners Club

#60,741
Selta said:
I'd talk to a knowledgeable dealer and come prepared with examples of things you like and things you dislike. Bring as many video, or better, high quality audio, examples. Photos of finishes you like. What band(s)/recording/performance do you do and where does the NG do well and not well for you in those situations?

Also, there's absolutely nothing wrong if the NG3 just works for you. They're very capable instruments on their own. If it works for you and you're itching for a 2nd Dingwall, going with a Combustion or a JT might be a cheaper (and faster) ticket. They'll still be different from your NG in many ways, but avoid the cost of entry on a Canadian.

In the end, it's a decision only you can make for yourself. Lots of folks here have experience with overseas vs Canadian - myself included - but it's pretty difficult to simply tell someone else precisely what to do, especially if they're so enamored by an NG already.

All that aside, my opinion... I wouldn't just carbon copy an NG with a Canadian model. The differentiation just wouldn't be enough, unless you really really want the same exact thing just in a special finish or fancy top wood. For me, the Z neck is absolutely where it's at and that currently isn't available in a production model. Plus the top wood choices and finish choices make it a no brainer for me.
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I had no intention to buy an NG until I tried the one I have now. I wanted a Canadian afterburner from the start because I wanted it to be exceptional. I got my NG in a trade. I simply love it, hence why I wanted to copy it.

Will reading your reply, I realized that there are a few things I can change in the specs so it could be similar but with a slightly different feel.

My Ultimate Dingwall would be a Z4 but they don't produce them. It would be nice if Z basses would be available as a production model too!

Thanks for your suggestions
MultiScaleMale said:
Have you seen the Fastlane model? Kinda production, kinda custom. Not sure if the model is going to go ahead or not.

EDIT: My bad, you're talking Z, I'm thinking ABZ but that's an Afterburner. So, disregard.
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the fastlane looks good but if it ever becomes available, when will it become available.

The Z is not available in the 4 string version, hence I am looking at the afterburner.
 
#60,742
5StringPocket said:
I agree with others not to duplicate your NG3 with a custom build. The key part of a custom spec is really knowing what you want and what spec will get you there. The NG3 is a well made and very capable bass. The one mod which warms it up and makes it more versatile is adding a passive tone control like the one shown in this post. I use mine all the time.
5StringPocket

Post in thread 'Dingwall Owners Club'

IvanBassist said:
I wish it had a tone control. That’s what kills it for me.
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+1 ^^ Passive tone is the missing piece from the DGTC and makes it much more versatile. I did this passive tone mod on my NG3 and also on a non-Dingwall bass with a Dark Glass pre. It works very well. I was able to find a set of matching stacked knobs which might be harder to find for a Super J.
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Interesting!
 
#60,743
J_Bass said:
Hi, I was about to order one before I went for a super P used.

As I understood, they are all sold already. However, they are sold to stores, so some stores will have them available. I know bass freaks from Belgium has some basses reserved to them, maybe try there, or look around to see if more European stores are expecting them.
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Bass Freaks is all sold out. I will keep looking. I am in no hurry. Thanks!
 
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#60,744
Not to alarm anyone, but I did some research on ChatGTP re tariffs and it came back with this, for what it's worth:

"As of April 2025, Dingwall basses imported into the United States are likely subject to a 25% tariff, depending on their country of origin and manufacturing details.

In February 2025, the U.S. government announced a 25% tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico, effective March 4, 2025. This tariff applies to a broad range of goods, including musical instruments….
Additionally, on March 12, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, including derivative products. This measure affects items containing steel or aluminum components, such as musical instruments with metal.
Dingwall basses are manufactured in Canada and often incorporate metal components. Given the new tariffs, these instruments are likely subject to:
• A 25% tariff due to their Canadian origin.
• An additional 25% tariff if they contain steel or aluminum components not melted and poured in the U.S."

What about Chineses made Dingwall basses imported to the US from Canada? (NG and Combustion) Well, since China is the country of origin, they are now subject to a 145% tariff rate according to ChatGPT:

"If the Chinese-made basses are only assembled or slightly modified in Canada, they would still be considered products of China. As a result, they would be subject to the full 145% U.S. tariff upon importation."

I sure hope ChatGPT is wrong. But if true, I really worry about Dingwall as a company (not to mention their US customers). I'm pretty sure the US is their main importer. Yikes.
I know the tariff situation is fluid. Let's all hope it changes for the better. Quickly.
 
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#60,747
5StringPocket said:
+1 ^^ Passive tone is the missing piece from the DGTC and makes it much more versatile. I did this passive tone mod on my NG3 and also on a non-Dingwall bass with a Dark Glass pre. It works very well. I was able to find a set of matching stacked knobs which might be harder to find for a Super J.
View attachment 7144033 View attachment 7144034
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Interesting, what value did you use for the stacked pot?
 
#60,748
Selta said:
I would not trust hallucinating AI for anything, especially something as undefined, shifting, and unclear as current tariff policy.

And I say that as someone who works on the core (software and hardware) systems powering AI.
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Same here, working in AI for the last 15 years. "Research" and "ChatGPT" are absolutely not compatible concepts.
 
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#60,750
I’d like to buy a set(3)of dingwall pickup to replace the pickups in the fd3n from my NG.

I was thinking of FD3s, is it worth it? Is there enough difference in tone to match the pickups Price tag?

Any comments or suggestions?
Thx and have a great week-end to everyone.
 
#60,751
bassman1974 said:
I'd like to buy a set(3)of dingwall pickup to replace the pickups in the fd3n from my NG.

I was thinking of FD3s, is it worth it? Is there enough difference in tone to match the pickups Price tag?

Any comments or suggestions?
Thx and have a great week-end to everyone.
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I’d suggest to spec them in your custom build. Save the money on the NG mod.

There is difference but your signal chain could potentially mask it to a moot conclusion.

The FD3s have more articulation and the 3ns have a higher output as a brief summary.
 
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#60,752
AB Nate said:
I'd suggest to spec them in your custom build. Save the money on the NG mod.

There is difference but your signal chain could potentially mask it to a moot conclusion.

The FD3s have more articulation and the 3ns have a higher output as a brief summary.
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AB Nate said:
I'd suggest to spec them in your custom build. Save the money on the NG mod.

There is difference but your signal chain could potentially mask it to a moot conclusion.

The FD3s have more articulation and the 3ns have a higher output as a brief summary.
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@AB Nate

I do not need more articulation. I just want to try different flavors before finalizing my specs.

Maybe I should try the FDV or SF2 instead
 
#60,755
Hah. 90% of George is his many thousands of hours of woodshed time. Dude's wild. I don't know his specs. Something active, and with S/P toggles - looks like he commonly plays them with all 3 "UP" (towards bass side). His pickup covers are the generation which didn't have the engraved model on the tops.

But, I mean, if you go and listen to him on a Combustion, it's still very much "him" coming through. He's just a monster player through and through.
 
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#60,756
Selta said:
Hah. 90% of George is his many thousands of hours of woodshed time. Dude's wild. I don't know his specs. Something active, and with S/P toggles - looks like he commonly plays them with all 3 "UP" (towards bass side). His pickup covers are the generation which didn't have the engraved model on the tops.

But, I mean, if you go and listen to him on a Combustion, it's still very much "him" coming through. He's just a monster player through and through.
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I totally agree, He is such a Monster player.
 
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#60,759
Dingwall ABII.jpg

I bought this 2014 ABII (Walnut Body, Quilted Redwood Top, FD3 Pickups, 2 band Glockenklang, Maple Neck, Wenge Fretboard) a couple of years ago on TB. I have to admit that I did not want to like this bass as I've played high-end 4-string fender style basses for years and had a sense of loyalty to them and their builder. But I wanted to try a 5 string and had not previously been pleased with B strings. A couple of months ago, I finally started playing the ABII at church events and was surprised at how well the tone worked. At first, I thought I didn't care (once again) for the B string, but then something in my brain shifted and I started to really like it. Now, I'm not playing anything else and it looks like I've been bitten by the Dingwall bug. This is definitely a high-end bass with a very clear and focused mid-rangy notes that fit in the mix VERY well. I prefer flats and have it strung with Deep Talkin Flats (Thank you Jason of Fretnation). Somehow this bass with those pickups and strings and my fingerstyle old-school playing works remarkably well.

I've done some reading on this forum and I'm now aware that there are several Dingwall pickups and that the new ABII's come with FDV's. I'm intrigued by the three pickup setup and wonder of I would gain a lot by upgrading to the newest model / pickups.

I don't want to get into flipping / collecting Dingwall basses (been there / done that with J, P and PJ basses). Maybe I should just stick with what I've got and enjoy the ride.

One thing I don't totally understand is they Hybrid treble control. I know they don't make those anymore and I'm not sure I understand what it does. Any input on what this does and how to use it would be appreciated.
 
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#60,760
tedw said:
One thing I don't totally understand is they Hybrid treble control. I know they don't make those anymore and I'm not sure I understand what it does. Any input on what this does and how to use it would be appreciated.
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Stunning bass! I'm thinking you're referring to the treble control on the Glock preamp? In active mode it's a regular treble boost/cut. If the preamp is in passive mode then then the knob is used as a tone control, rolling off the high end. I can't remember if the control functions the whole range of the knob, or just from center to off.
 
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