Dingwall Owners Club

[steve_rolfeca]

...How is the balance standing up with a strap with Dingwalls? Does it vary with the different models? I think a Dingwall 5 string is exactly what I've been wanting, but the physical balance is crucial to me, as I have a bad back...

I first injured my lower back when I was 17. By my early 40's, things had progressed to the point that my career was threatened. Lightweight amps and cabs kept me going for another 15 years, but the weight and balance of my 5-string basses eventually became an issue as well.

A recent resurgence in my career led to new issues with my upper back and neck, and once again it was downsize or retire. Lightweight 4-string and short-scale basses offered some relief, but I just couldn't bond with them.

Last spring, I was blessed with a $2,000 budget to buy a new bass, and my research led me to Dingwall. Published weights suggested that an ABZ was my best bet. After test-driving Combustion and SJ 5's, I placed an order.

My ABZ5 arrived last September, and it has been everything I had hoped for. The only pain I've experienced since then, was a mild cramp between my shoulder blades. This was during a 5-1/2 hour marathon.

The compact headstock, recessed custom Hipshot tuners, long upper horn, body sculpting, rear flush-mount Straplok socket and a host of other clever details, make this the most balanced and comfortable bass I've ever played. It naturally hangs off a strap at about a 45-degree angle, drastically reducing the stress on my shoulders and neck.

My Dingwall, along with my G-K MB-series heads and AudioKinesis cab, have literally been career-savers. I turn 60 this year and God willing, I hope to enjoy another decade of playing out.

My hat is off to Sheldon, RAG, and Duke., and I hope that a Dingwall bass can work out just as well for you!

 

[AphekGreg]

Thanks guys. That's exactly the information I needed. I'll hopefully be joining you as a Dingwall owner in the not too distant future.

 

[spiritbass]

I first injured my lower back when I was 17. By my early 40's, things had progressed to the point that my career was threatened. Lightweight amps and cabs kept me going for another 15 years, but the weight and balance of my 5-string basses eventually became an issue as well.

A recent resurgence in my career led to new issues with my upper back and neck, and once again it was downsize or retire. Lightweight 4-string and short-scale basses offered some relief, but I just couldn't bond with them.

Last spring, I was blessed with a $2,000 budget to buy a new bass, and my research led me to Dingwall. Published weights suggested that an ABZ was my best bet. After test-driving Combustion and SJ 5's, I placed an order.

My ABZ5 arrived last September, and it has been everything I had hoped for. The only pain I've experienced since then, was a mild cramp between my shoulder blades. This was during a 5-1/2 hour marathon.

The compact headstock, recessed custom Hipshot tuners, long upper horn, body sculpting, rear flush-mount Straplok socket and a host of other clever details, make this the most balanced and comfortable bass I've ever played. It naturally hangs off a strap at about a 45-degree angle, drastically reducing the stress on my shoulders and neck.

My Dingwall, along with my G-K MB-series heads and AudioKinesis cab, have literally been career-savers. I turn 60 this year and God willing, I hope to enjoy another decade of playing out.

My hat is off to Sheldon, RAG, and Duke., and I hope that a Dingwall bass can work out just as well for you!

I am glad that God has blessed you with equipment to continue giving Him the glory. I hope you can do so until you go home.

 

[Zoomie]

As for weight, I'm a Super series guy (35 inch scale) that has no stage time on any of the 37's.

That said, I can tell you that my magic number is 8.5 pounds. I can play 4-5 sets with zero back problems at 8.5 or below.

Based on what I have read, Lots of the ABZ's are lighter than the Super Series. In my case, both basses are at or under my personal comfort zone for weight.

As for balance, both are so well balanced that once you set neck angle in your playing stance, it will not move until you adjust it again. You will never find yourself adjusting a neck angle again, unless you need to based on your personal playing ergonomics.

The one thing that I still cannot get over is that both basses feel like I went to Dingwall, and they customized the bass to my exact body measurements. Both basses literally melt in to me, with the slightest of edges going to the Super J5. The beauty of this is that you strap up and focus on nothing other than playing your very best.

My 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.

 

[spiritbass]

Hi,

How is the balance standing up with a strap with Dingwalls? Does it vary with the different models? I think a Dingwall 5 string is exactly what I've been wanting, but the physical balance is crucial to me, as I have a bad back. The only bass that never gives me back pain, is my Steinberger L2, which is what I use live 95% of the time.

Thanks.

Ergonomics is only one of the aspects that Sheldon (thankfully!) obsesses on. The long scale models have small headstocks, and (the majority) of the Super series models have the scallop in the headstock to prevent neck-dive. I don't think you can find a Dingwall instrument that doesn't balance well on a strap.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Ergonomics is only one of the aspects that Sheldon (thankfully!) obsesses on. The long scale models have small headstocks, and (the majority) of the Super series models have the scallop in the headstock to prevent neck-dive. I don't think you can find a Dingwall instrument that doesn't balance well on a strap.

Amen, best balanced basses in the business IMHO and IME.

 

[pmad_bass]

I played his wenge P at NAMM, and while I liked it it honestly didn't blow me away like the maple/ash P they also had there; the wenge/wenge combo is definitely more compressed.

Thanks MDBass for your response.

My initial decision to go wenge/wenge on the SP5 w/FD-3 bridge pickup order was largely based on:

1.) Wanting something different from what I currently have (i.e. maple neck/boards),
2.) The unique visual/tactile aesthetic of the wenge fingerboard/wenge neck
3.) Tonal descriptions of wenge as being warm/punchey/growley


I could probably add that prefer to use my fingers, touch, hand placement and on-board tone/pick up options for tonal variety (as opposed to jostling with amp eq settings).

One concern that I have now (i.e. now that I’m in the wait period and having nothing but time to think ) is that the Tone-Fusion circuit features a passive mid-cut. Just wondering if the more compressed = less mid’s by default, thereby reducing what the single tone knob has to offer. Given my previous apprehension to Pbasses with regards to what I perceived as muted tonal variations and that I’m at least 3 months out from the build, I beginning to think seriously that maybe I should change give Barry a call and alter my order….if that is possible. Anyone out there that had a custom build request changes to your initial specs? Just hoping it is not too much drama? I am prepared to live with my decision…whichever way it goes, as I know that the bass will be great! I’ve just been contemplating things with greater scrutiny in the interim.

Thanks everyone for being my sounding board.
-PM

 

[Smallequestrian]

One concern that I have now (i.e. now that I’m in the wait period and having nothing but time to think  ) is that the Tone-Fusion circuit features a passive mid-cut. Just wondering if the more compressed = less mid’s by default, thereby reducing what the single tone knob has to offer. Given my previous apprehension to Pbasses with regards to what I perceived as muted tonal variations and that I’m at least 3 months our from the build, I beginning to think seriously that maybe I should change give Barry a call and alter my order….if that is possible. -PM

I think the tone fusion knob will still be quite usefull with the Wenge neck. I thought hard about going with a Wenge neck for the Super P5 w/FD3 I have on order for some of the reasons you stated, but after playing my own Ash/Maple Super for so long, I really just wanted something that sounded like it with a bridge pickup. By following your logic, my Ash/Maple bass should be even less "useful" with the tone fusion as this combo is considered to be naturally mid scooped. I still find the mid scooping side of the tone fusion pot to be quite dramatic if need be.

 

[spiritbass]

Thanks MDBass for your response.

My initial decision to go wenge/wenge on the SP5 w/FD-3 bridge pickup order was largely based on:

1.) Wanting something different from what I currently have (i.e. maple neck/boards),
2.) The unique visual/tactile aesthetic of the wenge fingerboard/wenge neck
3.) Tonal descriptions of wenge as being warm/punchey/growley


I could probably add that prefer to use my fingers, touch, hand placement and on-board tone/pick up options for tonal variety (as opposed to jostling with amp eq settings).

One concern that I have now (i.e. now that I’m in the wait period and having nothing but time to think  ) is that the Tone-Fusion circuit features a passive mid-cut. Just wondering if the more compressed = less mid’s by default, thereby reducing what the single tone knob has to offer. Given my previous apprehension to Pbasses with regards to what I perceived as muted tonal variations and that I’m at least 3 months out from the build, I beginning to think seriously that maybe I should change give Barry a call and alter my order….if that is possible. Anyone out there that had a custom build request changes to your initial specs? Just hoping it is not too much drama? I am prepared to live with my decision…whichever way it goes, as I know that the bass will be great! I’ve just been contemplating things with greater scrutiny in the interim.

Thanks everyone for being my sounding board.
-PM

I've revised my specs after the initial order. It's not a problem as long as you don't wait too long. Barry and Sheldon want you to be a satisfied customer. There will be no drama unless you introduce it yourself. Don't drive yourself crazy, go ahead and call Barry and bounce your questions/concerns off of him.

 

[pmad_bass]

I think the tone fusion knob will still be quite usefull with the Wenge neck. I thought hard about going with a Wenge neck for the Super P5 w/FD3 I have on order for some of the reasons you stated, but after playing my own Ash/Maple Super for so long, I really just wanted something that sounded like it with a bridge pickup. By following your logic, my Ash/Maple bass should be even less "useful" with the tone fusion as this combo is considered to be naturally mid scooped. I still find the mid scooping side of the tone fusion pot to be quite dramatic if need be.

Thanks Smallequestrian (love the name by the way).

Good to know re: your Ash/Maple Super seems mid scooped but that the T/F knob is so useful. I just wasn't sure if the "compressed" discriptor might imply mid scooped on the Wenge SP.

 

[MDBass]

Thanks Smallequestrian (love the name by the way).

Good to know re: your Ash/Maple Super seems mid scooped but that the T/F knob is so useful. I just wasn't sure if the "compressed" discriptor might imply mid scooped on the Wenge SP.

The opposite actually; wenge is very mid-forward.

To me, Nolly's P just had a more narrow dynamic range, with less bite on top and not as much bottom compared to the ash/maple.

I had originally spec'd my Super P with the wenge/wenge neck for the exact reasons you stated, but switched it up after actually hearing both in person.

Drop Barry a line, he'll get you sorted out

 

[MDBass]

In other news, the Super P I bought from Brian last week arrived in LA on Monday and STILL hasn't been delivered yet! :scowl:

 

[lowphatbass]

In other news, the Super P I bought from Brian last week arrived in LA on Monday and STILL hasn't been delivered yet! :scowl:

This is the worst.

 

[spiritbass]

In other news, the Super P I bought from Brian last week arrived in LA on Monday and STILL hasn't been delivered yet! :scowl:

Torture!

I was playing mine through the Cafe Walter/Grado rig tonight. I'm serious every time I say it - Sheldon could have named it the Perfect P and he wouldn't have been boasting.

 

[BC82]

In other news, the Super P I bought from Brian last week arrived in LA on Monday and STILL hasn't been delivered yet! :scowl:

I was just checking the tracking. That is pretty terrible.

 

[pmad_bass]

The opposite actually; wenge is very mid-forward.

To me, Nolly's P just had a more narrow dynamic range, with less bite on top and not as much bottom compared to the ash/maple.

I had originally spec'd my Super P with the wenge/wenge neck for the exact reasons you stated, but switched it up after actually hearing both in person.

Drop Barry a line, he'll get you sorted out

I did shoot Barry an e-mail early yesterday morning actually, before I went into work. By the time I got there and got areound to checking my email, he had already forwarded my change up to Sheldon! Wow!

Opted to forgo the Wenge/Wenge for Maple/Pau Ferro w/white pearloid block inlays.

-PM

 

[spiritbass]

I did shoot Barry an e-mail early yesterday morning actually, before I went into work. By the time I got there and got areound to checking my email, he had already forwarded my change up to Sheldon! Wow!

Opted to forgo the Wenge/Wenge for Maple/Pau Ferro w/white pearloid block inlays.

-PM

Okay, now forget about it and play your other basses! (it's the only thing that works for me - distraction )

 

[pmad_bass]

Okay, now forget about it and play your other basses! (it's the only thing that works for me - distraction )

Good advice.

I may have to chanage the wallpaper on my PC too. Which is currently set to this:

 

[reddavid]

Opted to forgo the Wenge/Wenge for Maple/Pau Ferro w/white pearloid block inlays.

-PM

Approve! (fwiw)

 

[MDBass]

Torture!

I was playing mine through the Cafe Walter/Grado rig tonight. I'm serious every time I say it - Sheldon could have named it the Perfect P and he wouldn't have been boasting.

Yep. It was finally delivered this afternoon

I'll now be able to keep my sanity until my P/FD3 build arrives in the fall