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Dingwall Owners Club

#61,221
rwmusician said:
What's up! My custom build is due to get underway in around a months time and I'm yet to decide on what model I would like... (crazy right?!)

Your job is to (if possible) please give me some reasons as to which model is best for me...

Options are: AB1, AB2 or Z3 (unfortunately the ABZ being limited to a satin finish only puts it out of the question as I'm after a gloss)!

I have all of my specs figured out, barr the model itself.

I play in a grunge/rock/metal band and often play in the worship team at church on a Sunday, so versatility is important.

What are the differences tonally? Which is lightest? Any other comments?

I guess I'm just looking for information and your personal opinions.

Any help would be massively appreciated - thank you!
Click to expand...

While I do not have an AB1 or AB2 ... I do have a Z3 and a SJ5. And a boatload of other basses.
I have one thought: The Z3 is way beyond anything in craftmanship and finesse than any other bass I own except maybe my custom shop Thumb5. The Z3 has unique features where the bridge (a true work of art and perfection) and the neck stand out.

If were to face that decision I would go Z3 if I could afford it. Anything else is just a bass :)
With the Z3 you will have reached the top.
 
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#61,225
Bassheart365 said:
Some general info: Alder is the lightest body wood. Swamp ash is a little heavier. Alder is more mid centered tone wise than swamp ash, which is slightly scooped. I’ve owned many custom Dingwalls and my favorite neck and fingerboard wood is wenge. Looks, sounds, and feels great. FDV pickups and Darkglass preamp is a good combo. Like a jazz bass on steroids. If you want maximum bass I would lean towards Superfatty II pickups paired with the Neve pre. The Neve has a vintage tone control which works in both passive and active modes. Of the models you list the Z3 is the flagship and well worth the extra $$ in my opinion. The bridge is recessed into the body on the Z which adds sustain and punch.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your reply and the information provided!

Yessss, FDV pickups and DG preamp is the combo I'm going for - wenge fretboard also.
 
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#61,226
Mr_BK said:
While I do not have an AB1 or AB2 ... I do have a Z3 and a SJ5. And a boatload of other basses.
I have one thought: The Z3 is way beyond anything in craftmanship and finesse than any other bass I own except maybe my custom shop Thumb5. The Z3 has unique features where the bridge (a true work of art and perfection) and the neck stand out.

If were to face that decision I would go Z3 if I could afford it. Anything else is just a bass :)
With the Z3 you will have reached the top.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your reply! Looks like it's the Z3... Hahah!

Thanks all!
 
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#61,227
I think I disagree a good bit with the "Z" being that much better than an AB, even an AB1. I have two Zs right now, have owned two others, and currently own 3 ABs, and my Prima Artist. I've also had 4 Combustions and 1 NG3. The only one that truly stands way above the others is the Prima.

The way I'd word it is that the AB and Z are different from each other, not necessarily just inherently better. The body shape and neck profile differences are meaningful, and, I know quite a lot of folks who like the AB neck more than the Z neck.
I can't really say that there's better craftsmanship, materials, or detail that are "better" on my Zs than ABs. They're all incredible instruments in every way. Don't fall for the fallacy that a Z is "better" because it costs more - it's just not that simple.

Which is better; a USA Fender P, or a USA Fender J? They serve different needs, right? Similar can be said of AB vs Z. The nice thing about Dingwalls is that you can at least load both up with the same electronics packages, so you can close a ton of the sound gap between the models.

I personally find myself drawn to the Z neck more. The AB neck is fine, honestly, and I think my bias here is in part due to not loving maple necks, and all of my ABs have maple necks. But there's something about the profile of the Z neck that I feel like I just play better on overall. Like I said though, I've handed my Zs and ABs to enough people and have heard "wow I like the AB neck better" to know that it's very much an individual preference.

It's pretty easy to say that all the difference in design mean that a Z just must be better. I just don't think that's inherently true at all. Those differences land firmly in that last couple of % of detail that may not even matter.

"Anything else is just a bass" when talking about an AB is, frankly, an astonishing take to me. Even the overseas imports are downright amazing basses, so to disregard and diminish them so casually simply because there's a more expensive instrument seems a touch ridiculous. Even with my own preference towards Zs, I wouldn't ever be so dismissive of the awesomeness that ABs are.
 
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#61,229
IMG_6527.jpeg

That picture is from Dingwall’s AB2 section on their website. Is that trans Green on walnut?
 
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#61,231
Selta said:
I think I disagree a good bit with the "Z" being that much better than an AB, even an AB1. I have two Zs right now, have owned two others, and currently own 3 ABs, and my Prima Artist. I've also had 4 Combustions and 1 NG3. The only one that truly stands way above the others is the Prima.

The way I'd word it is that the AB and Z are different from each other, not necessarily just inherently better. The body shape and neck profile differences are meaningful, and, I know quite a lot of folks who like the AB neck more than the Z neck.
I can't really say that there's better craftsmanship, materials, or detail that are "better" on my Zs than ABs. They're all incredible instruments in every way. Don't fall for the fallacy that a Z is "better" because it costs more - it's just not that simple.

Which is better; a USA Fender P, or a USA Fender J? They serve different needs, right? Similar can be said of AB vs Z. The nice thing about Dingwalls is that you can at least load both up with the same electronics packages, so you can close a ton of the sound gap between the models.

I personally find myself drawn to the Z neck more. The AB neck is fine, honestly, and I think my bias here is in part due to not loving maple necks, and all of my ABs have maple necks. But there's something about the profile of the Z neck that I feel like I just play better on overall. Like I said though, I've handed my Zs and ABs to enough people and have heard "wow I like the AB neck better" to know that it's very much an individual preference.

It's pretty easy to say that all the difference in design mean that a Z just must be better. I just don't think that's inherently true at all. Those differences land firmly in that last couple of % of detail that may not even matter.

"Anything else is just a bass" when talking about an AB is, frankly, an astonishing take to me. Even the overseas imports are downright amazing basses, so to disregard and diminish them so casually simply because there's a more expensive instrument seems a touch ridiculous. Even with my own preference towards Zs, I wouldn't ever be so dismissive of the awesomeness that ABs are.
Click to expand...
I think I agree mostly.

I prefer a Z as well and I do think some of the components and design are better but like you said, some people prefer the ergonomics of an AB.

with that each individual bass depending on spec and even piece of wood can sound more preferential to the player no matter what model it is.

With my strong lean to a Z, right now I am still loving my J for what I’m doing. It’s just working so perfectly.

Another thought, on a five string I don’t think you can go wrong with an AB or Super in relation to a Z. All kick butt. If you want a 6 string and speed, no question the Z neck is insanely fast and tight.
 
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#61,240
Might be ordering one of the SP1 5’s after the summer. The “shorter” scale seems much more up my alley. I haven’t played a normal 37” Dingwall but did manage to play an Ibanez fanned fret 5 a few months ago. It was 34.5 or 35 if I recall. Felt at that point a 37” would most likely be too far of a reach. Wasn’t a fan of the body shape or ergonomics of it and it suffered from what Jazz bass shapes do on me… push out and away from my body… I know it’s not a direct comparison.

P bass and Stingray shaped basses are infinitely more comfortable. 18mm string spacing is just barely bigger than the 17.5 that I’m super comfortable with. Curious about the neck shape on the SP1 as well.
 
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