Dingwall Owners Club

[Selta]

Yeah that looks legit to me for that era of Dingwall. Also I'm not sure if I'm mis-reading this:

interesting that the pickups aren't angled, and passive.

but Dingwall has never offered active pickups, and in fact, active pickups are pretty uncommon. If you meant it doesn't have a preamp, that was more common back then. It's hard to see but I'm _guessing_ it has the BluEQube circuit.

Another fun note, this would be when Sheldon was still actually hand signing the headstock, so that'd be a cool perk / piece of history for that.

 

[warptheory]

Yeah that looks legit to me for that era of Dingwall. Also I'm not sure if I'm mis-reading this:

but Dingwall has never offered active pickups, and in fact, active pickups are pretty uncommon. If you meant it doesn't have a preamp, that was more common back then. It's hard to see but I'm _guessing_ it has the BluEQube circuit.

Another fun note, this would be when Sheldon was still actually hand signing the headstock, so that'd be a cool perk / piece of history for that.

That is cool that he signed them.

I meant Active as in with a preamp, not the pickups themselves, which I think are actually fairly rare, at least I don't come across them much.

What looked odd to me the most was the pickup placement and not being angled. Curious about what year this was. I'm new to Dingwall, so I don't know all the history of past models.

 

[wavemaker]

Massively overpriced for sonething that‘s not even close to the league of modern day Custom Shop Models, not to speak of Prima Artists, imo. Sheldon has kept on refining his instruments iteration by iteration so much - from frets to electronics, construction, timbers, paint - that this has almost no value to me beyond curiosity for the history / evolution of the brand. But I do like the cello hip!

If this vintage floats your boat, however, there’s a Z available in Berlin at a much more reasonable price (not affiliated)
Z in Berlin

 

[dazmond]

My '09 ABII headstock is hand signed with a paint pen. Wonder when (if?) that was phased out of custom shop builds.

 

[Selta]

My '09 ABII headstock is hand signed with a paint pen. Wonder when (if?) that was phased out of custom shop builds.

I'm pretty sure my 2021 build doesn't have it, and I think my 2019 didn't either but that one is with another owner so I can't look at it.

 

[graphics1988]

Hey all - I am looking into ordering a Super J 4 with the 3 pickup configuration - decision on body wood and preamps have kind of stumped me - Was thinking ash body with Neve pre......i have briefly looked for vids showcasing all of these options....unsuccessfully. Has anyone seen a good vid or have owned one similar?
I currently have an alder body super Pj 4...passive. So was thinking about having a bit more bite without the glassy brittle highs. I am not wanting another passive, as I feel I have that covered. Thanks in advance.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Hey all - I am looking into ordering a Super J 4 with the 3 pickup configuration - decision on body wood and preamps have kind of stumped me - Was thinking ash body with Neve pre......i have briefly looked for vids showcasing all of these options....unsuccessfully. Has anyone seen a good vid or have owned one similar?
I currently have an alder body super Pj 4...passive. So was thinking about having a bit more bite without the glassy brittle highs. I am not wanting another passive, as I feel I have that covered. Thanks in advance.

The tonal differences between pickup selection FDV/FD3/P-Tone/SFII will far overtake any difference from body wood. If I was getting a SJ4, I think I'd order something like this:



The good thing is that there are no wrong answers. Whatever you decide to go with is going to sound and play great.

 

[Selta]

You also have... 2-3 years most likely to sit and think about it, if you're just now entering the queue.

 

[graphics1988]

You also have... 2-3 years most likely to sit and think about it, if you're just now entering the queue.

Yeah that’s true. What approx timeframe do they request final specs? A year in? Do they also give top wood sample options of a few stock and send to ya? Sorry been a long while since my last custom

 

[Selta]

Yeah that’s true. What approx timeframe do they request final specs? A year in? Do they also give top wood sample options of a few stock and send to ya? Sorry been a long while since my last custom

Usually you get to asked to lock in your final spec right before it goes into actual production. In my experience, from that point, you're 3-4 months away from delivery. I know other people that have had other experiences though.

If you're not going with an X-top, you don't get to choose the actual top itself, just the kind (ex flamped maple, quilted maple, etc). Those are pretty good quality though IMO, I have two that I just let the shop choose and was not disappointed at all.

 

[graphics1988]

Usually you get to asked to lock in your final spec right before it goes into actual production. In my experience, from that point, you're 3-4 months away from delivery. I know other people that have had other experiences though.

If you're not going with an X-top, you don't get to choose the actual top itself, just the kind (ex flamped maple, quilted maple, etc). Those are pretty good quality though IMO, I have two that I just let the shop choose and was not disappointed at all.

Thanks for that info. Now….waiting on the quotes ….gulp

 

[gklijs]

Usually you get to asked to lock in your final spec right before it goes into actual production. In my experience, from that point, you're 3-4 months away from delivery. I know other people that have had other experiences though.

If you're not going with an X-top, you don't get to choose the actual top itself, just the kind (ex flamped maple, quilted maple, etc). Those are pretty good quality though IMO, I have two that I just let the shop choose and was not disappointed at all.

I heard this before. I wonder if this is always communicated back, or depends on the dealer. Need to wait at least half a year till they start being, and being pretty confident it's what I want.

 

[Selta]

I heard this before. I wonder if this is always communicated back, or depends on the dealer. Need to wait at least half a year till they start being, and being pretty confident it's what I want.

Yeah. I've done orders with three dealers. One was top notch. The two were average-ish. Never had an actual negative experience, but there definitely were communication gaps and a bit of me chasing one dealer down along the way.

 

[AB Nate]

That is cool that he signed them.

I meant Active as in with a preamp, not the pickups themselves, which I think are actually fairly rare, at least I don't come across them much.

What looked odd to me the most was the pickup placement and not being angled. Curious about what year this was. I'm new to Dingwall, so I don't know all the history of past models.

The hand signed headstocks changed to the watermark or sticker in about 2018 IIRC. My guess, Sheldon just got too dang busy to do be around to sign every bass shipping out.

This bass is legit. The pick up covers look added aftermarket.

It probably plays and sounds great. Not modern but definitely no slouch of an instrument. I’ve played a few older ones and have thoroughly enjoyed every experience.

I have the first 6 string ever made and the neck is amazing. Even thinner then the modern Z necks if you can believe it.

I would place this one between 92-94. Prefire I think

 

[5StringPocket]

Here is a pic of my Z3 at church. Playability is outstanding and the note envelope is like nothing I’ve played before. There is no bloom or overshoot. The note is just there and sustains with very little decay for a long time. FOH engineers like its low end clarity (not woofy or muddy) and singing midrange which supports good pitch definition. I really like the DROC all on position for fingerstyle.

 

[IronSpatula]

...the note envelope is like nothing I’ve played before. There is no bloom or overshoot. The note is just there and sustains with very little decay for a long time.

This was one of the first things I noticed when I got my NG. The design aspects of the bass seem to function like multiband compression, even when unplugged to an extent. I can only imagine what a Z delivers in that regard.

I use the middle solo position most at church as the sound guys are pretty accustomed to P basses.

You probably don't need anyone to tell you to, but enjoy!

 

[Sherwood]

I just joined the absolute back of the custom queue for an ABII. I'm replacing an ABII-X I sold 15 years ago, "the one that got away". I loved everything about that bass and plan to more or less recreate it, but I am curious about these new Neve preamps vs. the Glockenklang I know and love. I am 100% after the "piano-like" or "Hifi" sound, to me that's where Dingwalls shine, and while I appreciate the incredible success they have seen as the foundation of modern progressive metal, that's not what I usually play.

Any thoughts from the hivemind on how these new Neve preamps compare to the Glockenklang? I have scarcely three years to make a decision

 

[Selta]

I just joined the absolute back of the custom queue for an ABII. I'm replacing an ABII-X I sold 15 years ago, "the one that got away". I loved everything about that bass and plan to more or less recreate it, but I am curious about these new Neve preamps vs. the Glockenklang I know and love. I am 100% after the "piano-like" or "Hifi" sound, to me that's where Dingwalls shine, and while I appreciate the incredible success they have seen as the foundation of modern progressive metal, that's not what I usually play.

Any thoughts from the hivemind on how these new Neve preamps compare to the Glockenklang? I have scarcely three years to make a decision

IMO It goes like
Neve >> Glockenklang >>>>>> Passive >>> Darkglass

The Neve and Glock are pretty similar, just the Neve edges out in musicality and overall flavor. Plus the tone control is nice of course. I play mostly prog metal, death metal, but I don't chase after the same sound that many Dingwall folks do in these genres.

 

[tombowlus]

Anyone see this on Guitar Center? Looks like an older Prima, interesting that the pickups aren't angled, and passive. Headstock also looks different, matte black, which could be the photo, but something looks off with it.

View attachment 7440973

Used Dingwall prima Natural Electric Bass Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

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My Voodoo Zebra 4 has the matte black headstock, but angled pickups. Tremendously great sounding bass!

 

[scubaduba]

Hey all. What's the reach like on a 5 string Z3? Say compared to a Fender Jazz style (or typical Jazz style 5 string bass). Is the reach on that low B down to the first couple frets a real stretch?