Dingwall Owners Club

[Element Zero]

Some bounciness for ya’ll.

 

[Selta]

Not wonderful photos but you get the idea. Both my Primas!

It's interesting to see how much thinner the newer contrast layer is. I hadn't noticed it until I had them side by side like this. I still can't believe I have these, let alone my Zs and my ABs... truly lucky and privileged to get to own these.

 

[Element Zero]

Not wonderful photos but you get the idea. Both my Primas!

View attachment 7468198

View attachment 7468199

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It's interesting to see how much thinner the newer contrast layer is. I hadn't noticed it until I had them side by side like this. I still can't believe I have these, let alone my Zs and my ABs... truly lucky and privileged to get to own these.

Beautiful!!

 

[Thumper]

Wow!

 

[Mexay]

Would anyone mind doing an ultra clean demo of their NG3? Ideally with fresh or semi fresh strings.

I don't want to hear funky playing, backing tracks, distortion, etc. I literally just need to hear each open string rung out and then the same on a few of the frets. Preferably in Neck+Bridge mode or All On mode. In Active setting. Basically a quick 60 second demo.

I'm doing a bit of a comparison on my own NG3 to diagnose a few things, so I'm not chasing the 'sales pitch' video.

Most of the videos I find have backing tracks, oodles of distortion and/or the person just showing off their playing.

I just want to hear pure unadulterated tone.

Can paypal you a few bucks for the trouble

 

[Element Zero]

Would anyone mind doing an ultra clean demo of their NG3? Ideally with fresh or semi fresh strings.

I don't want to hear funky playing, backing tracks, distortion, etc. I literally just need to hear each open string rung out and then the same on a few of the frets. Preferably in Neck+Bridge mode or All On mode. In Active setting. Basically a quick 60 second demo.

I'm doing a bit of a comparison on my own NG3 to diagnose a few things, so I'm not chasing the 'sales pitch' video.

Most of the videos I find have backing tracks, oodles of distortion and/or the person just showing off their playing.

I just want to hear pure unadulterated tone.

Can paypal you a few bucks for the trouble

I absolutely can if you can wait until Thursday morning.

What’s goin on?

 

[Mexay]

I absolutely can if you can wait until Thursday morning.

What’s goin on?

That would be fantastic.

I think some of my strings sound a bit 'weird' sometimes. I was recording in the studio the other day and the producer (who I don't think has seen a bass that isn't a P Bass) kept saying things like "Man, every string sounds really different" and "Bro are you running modulation?" so I have of course gotten in my head about my bass and am probably over analysing everything.

However...

I swear my A (and D to an extent) strings sound a little 'weird'. Like there is some kind of modulation or over the top overtones or something. I've taken a recording. Straight DI basically (Bass -> Anagram with no processing -> Scarlett 4i4 -> Reaper).

I'm running this in Active mode with all PUPs on (6way selector) but it's present to different extents on other PUP settings.

I feel like I'm going crazy, so It would be great to have something to compare against and I can either just 'shut up and play the damn bass' or look into it further.

 

[dazmond]

Might be pickup height is too high, or maybe a twisted string.

 

[wavemaker]

That would be fantastic.

I think some of my strings sound a bit 'weird' sometimes. I was recording in the studio the other day and the producer (who I don't think has seen a bass that isn't a P Bass) kept saying things like "Man, every string sounds really different" and "Bro are you running modulation?" so I have of course gotten in my head about my bass and am probably over analysing everything.

However...

I swear my A (and D to an extent) strings sound a little 'weird'. Like there is some kind of modulation or over the top overtones or something. I've taken a recording. Straight DI basically (Bass -> Anagram with no processing -> Scarlett 4i4 -> Reaper).

I'm running this in Active mode with all PUPs on (6way selector) but it's present to different extents on other PUP settings.

I feel like I'm going crazy, so It would be great to have something to compare against and I can either just 'shut up and play the damn bass' or look into it further.

You’re not going crazy, it‘s clearly audible on your A & D strings. As the outer strings ring out perfectly fine, pickup height doesn’t seem to be the issue imo. I’d suggest re-i stalling your A and D: Be sure not to twist the string, to set witness points using a pick, and to always tune up from below.

Good news, though: "Weird A" in conjunction with a modded Dingwall (since you’re using a 6 way selector) made me think of the issues I once had with my ABHS - which doesn’t seem to be the problem you’re experiencing here. As this might be helpful nonetheless - at least to others - here’s my earlier post once more:

Surgery was a success. As someone who should only be half-trusted with a soldering iron, that’s a huge relief.

Now that my patient is safe, I can tell the story:
When I bought the bass from the UK in late summer 2023, I had the store put in series/parallel toggles. Orginal Dingwall part, a store well versed in all things Dingwall - piece of cake, right? Wrong.

What I received was a beautiful rare Dingwall that had an annoying electronic buzzing in certain settings and, what’s worse and what I actually only realized recently: A middle string that was weirdly out of phase sounding and had severely lower output.

Through several mails with Dingwall Tech Support - shoutout to Davis! - we finally found out that the store didn’t only solder through the toggle board instead of using the terminals but that they had apparently switched the order of the pickups, causing this "out of phase" issue.

Dingwall lables their pickups "neck" and "bridge" on the bottom, but as there are no pickups labeled "middle", 3X basses actually have "neck" pickups mounted in the neck and bridge position and a "bridge" pickup in the physical middle position.
If you ever run into this problem, now you know.

I‘ve exchanged bridge and middle pickups and both the toggle array and the pickup selector today and the bass now works as I am spoiled to know any Dingwall should: Perfectly.

Thanks heaps to @AB Nate and this thread as well, I very much appreciate all of you contributing to the knowledge of the group!

 

[gustobassman]

That would be fantastic.

I think some of my strings sound a bit 'weird' sometimes. I was recording in the studio the other day and the producer (who I don't think has seen a bass that isn't a P Bass) kept saying things like "Man, every string sounds really different" and "Bro are you running modulation?" so I have of course gotten in my head about my bass and am probably over analysing everything.

However...

I swear my A (and D to an extent) strings sound a little 'weird'. Like there is some kind of modulation or over the top overtones or something. I've taken a recording. Straight DI basically (Bass -> Anagram with no processing -> Scarlett 4i4 -> Reaper).

I'm running this in Active mode with all PUPs on (6way selector) but it's present to different extents on other PUP settings.

I feel like I'm going crazy, so It would be great to have something to compare against and I can either just 'shut up and play the damn bass' or look into it further.

Was this something that just started happening to you once the bass was modded or has it always been present in tone (pre and post mod) regardless of what set of strings?

If it's always been the case, I would check your pickup heights and make sure you aren't too close to the strings. For me, it's 3mm Treble side, 4mm Bass side, measured from top of pickup to bottom of string with the last fret fretted (although my new Z came with staggered heights, Neck- 3mm, 4mm Middle- 2.5mm, 3.5mm, Bridge 2mm, 3mm). I prefer the 3mm, 4mm across all strings for myself though. If your pup heights are good, i.e. not too close, then next step would be to check wiring. @wavemaker made a good point as well, if the guy who did the mods isn't versed in Dingwall electronics (or bothered to read a diagram) you may have a wiring issue

If it just started with this set of strings, I would do as suggested above, make sure the string isn't twisted, witness points set, etc. You may have bunk strings- it's not super common on Dingwall branded strings, but it can happen.

 

[Dingwall - CSR]

I just tried to order a black pickguard to the US and it says invalid shipping address. Not sure why, is this only open to Canadians?

Currently it's an issue with product availability, however rest assured we are putting together a solution to get them on the market in the US as soon as possible. There has been very strong interest in them so we won't leave you hanging!

 

[Mexay]

You’re not going crazy, it‘s clearly audible on your A & D strings. As the outer strings ring out perfectly fine, pickup height doesn’t seem to be the issue imo. I’d suggest re-i stalling your A and D: Be sure not to twist the string, to set witness points using a pick, and to always tune up from below.

Good news, though: "Weird A" in conjunction with a modded Dingwall (since you’re using a 6 way selector) made me think of the issues I once had with my ABHS - which doesn’t seem to be the problem you’re experiencing here. As this might be helpful nonetheless - at least to others - here’s my earlier post once more:

Holy moly this post is gold.

This is the problem I think. I've had a look and my pickups are "Neck Neck Bridge". Looks like my tech didn't follow the instructions.

The bass has been like this for years.

 

[wavemaker]

Holy moly this post is gold.

This is the problem I think. I've had a look and my pickups are "Neck Neck Bridge". Looks like my tech didn't follow the instructions.

The bass has been like this for years.

Nice, happy to help!

Interesting that our techs' identical mistake had such vastly different sounding results (probably) due to the different switching arrangements (standard 3X in my case).

 

[5StringPocket]

Holy moly this post is gold.

This is the problem I think. I've had a look and my pickups are "Neck Neck Bridge". Looks like my tech didn't follow the instructions.

The bass has been like this for years.

Good find. Reinstalling pickups in the proper sequence Neck Bridge Neck should provide a more uniform magnetic field across the strings and fix that weird tone problem. Frustrating. Please let us know how this turns out.

 

[dazmond]

I was watching a recent Thomann video with Nolly talking some dingwall things, he mentioned they are using neck reinforcement bars in the combustion lines at 6:55 . I don't remember hearing talk about this? I'm sure I remember the custom shops used to use reinforcement bars but then stopped, or don't advertise it? Curious if anyone knows anything about it? Doesn't matter to me either way, just curious about all things Dingwall!

 

[Dingwall - CSR]

I was watching a recent Thomann video with Nolly talking some dingwall things, he mentioned they are using neck reinforcement bars in the combustion lines at 6:55 . I don't remember hearing talk about this? I'm sure I remember the custom shops used to use reinforcement bars but then stopped, or don't advertise it? Curious if anyone knows anything about it? Doesn't matter to me either way, just curious about all things Dingwall!

You are correct! The Combustion line has carbon fiber reinforcement bars installed in the neck.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I really love my SP1, but I so missed having a Canadian made bass, so I grabbed this beauty. The wenge neck is just perfection and I absolutely love the tone.

View attachment 7463259

BUT, I am having a little difficulty with finding the right or best way wear this thing!! I am working on losing my gut, and I have a feeling that will help, but that may take a few months!

For those with experience with DROCs, Is there a best type of strap for these? My straps are thick and they don't seem to work well. Also. is it best to reverse the top end of the strap so that it faces opposite to how it would for a horn strap pin?

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Yeah, I use the Mono Betty straps. It worked great with my DBird. I kept one strap dedicated to it because one strap lock is "backwards".

 

[NOLA Bass]

I have two ABZ's (one is technically an AB1 for the paint options but was ordered with an ash body). Anyway, ABZ is FDV's and Darkglass. The AB1 is SFII's and Neve. The SFII's are definitely "thicker" sounding. When I'm at practice or a gig, that bass sounds thicker and fuller, especially in a metal 3 piece band. That being said, I recorded our first record with the ABZ with the FDV and Darkglass. I had the new bass and brought it in when I was doing 2 other songs. The producer actually liked the FDV bass because it sat in the mix better from a recording standpoint. I would love to hear the FDV's with a Neve though. The thing I love about the Neve is that it is so smooth and usable at any setting. Plus, I prefer the 2 band EQ with a passive tone control. I find that setup very usable. I tend to never touch the low mid control on my ABZ. I've never had a 3 band EQ on a bass where I used that knob. It's always just flat.

 

[Quin Harris]

Hey guys is anyone interested in trading their older 5 string after burner for my NG3 6 string + cash?

 

[NOLA Bass]

Game changer!

Well this only makes me want to try it more!