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Dingwall Owners Club

#7,161
J Posega said:
There's still going to be a quality and sound difference between the Combustion and ABZ series. Plus, there are no 4 string Combustions.
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I was forgetting about the 4 strings. Not convinced that there will be much difference in sound quality, unless they're using vastly inferior woods. Other than that, the only difference will be the bridge and lack of tone control when passive.
 
#7,163
I think the pickups in the new Combustions are different from the FD3s.

And the finish is different . The quality of Combustions is high, but the quality of the Canadian Dingwalls is even higher.

I highly doubt they'll ditch the ABZ series, and if they have any plans to, I better order one before they do!
 
#7,164
J Posega said:
I think the pickups in the new Combustions are different from the FD3s.

And the finish is different . The quality of Combustions is high, but the quality of the Canadian Dingwalls is even higher.

I highly doubt they'll ditch the ABZ series, and if they have any plans to, I better order one before they do!
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I thought the Combustion pickups were basically the same as the FD3s, except with alnico magnets. The description for the FD3N replacements from the Dingwall on-line shop now says,

"These are the new FD-3n Neodymium Combustion pickups. These pickups will increase your output, frequency response and dynamics compared with the stock (pre-June 2014) pickups."

That would seem to imply that the new models will have those pickups or something very similar.
 
#7,165
AphekGreg said:
OK, so I'm definitely joining this club. Just put in an order for a version 4 Combustion. I was going to order an ABZ, when I discovered this post from Barry Lamb on the Dingwall forum.

Version 4 Combustions will be available in July with the next batch slated for October. New features include EMG 3-band preamp, neodymium pups, new slimmer neck profile similar to the Afterburner, no charge BWB and WBW pickguards, and standard 4-positon pup selector. Options now include Swamp Ash bodies, Hipshot Ultralite tuners, Hipshot detuner and custom tunings with Circle K strings. With all of the above we have also managed to lower the price.

I've gone for the swamp ash body, maple neck/fingerboard, Ultralite tuners and the translucent finish. All of which are extra costs. Down here in Australia, it comes out $100 more than the old Combustion and $800 less than an ABZ. I'm wondering if they'll keep the ABZ model now, with these being almost the same?
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Congrats on jumping in with your order - the wait begins. ;) What color(s) scheme did you go with?

I think there is still plenty of demand for the features and value that the ABZ series brings to the table. One feature I'm spoiled on is a compound radius neck, and unless Dingwall is now doing them on the Combustion series, you'd have to step up to the ABZ if you want one.

I sure had a good time with the SJ5 on Sunday. I have it strung with a SS Dingwall B and a set of SS RW's that I used to buy in bulk from Just Strings - they play quite nicely together. It was kickin'. :bassist:
 
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#7,166
I've ordered the blackburst, like this. Invalid Link Removed I actually have no idea what others colours are available, other than solid black or white.

I'm certainly not wanting to put down the ABZs, just thinking that the gap between them keeps getting smaller.

I've owned compound radius necks on 6 string guitars and not loved them. The concept is good, it just didn't work for me. I wasn't even aware of it on the Z3 I played. It was definitely the nicest 5 string neck I've ever played.
 
#7,168
Does the ABZ get a particular passive tone that active Dingwalls don't approximate (meaning, is it worth it for me to convince myself to get a "real" Dingwall with active electronics)?

From what I've heard, the ABZ sounds great, but for the money, I feel like I should be getting a preamp
 
#7,169
remcult said:
Does the ABZ get a particular passive tone that active Dingwalls don't approximate (meaning, is it worth it for me to convince myself to get a "real" Dingwall with active electronics)?

From what I've heard, the ABZ sounds great, but for the money, I feel like I should be getting a preamp
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I've played nothing but active basses for 20 years or so. I'm seriously looking at the V4 Combustion. Here is an excellent video clip of the ABZ and the sounds you can get from it with passive only electronics.
 
#7,170
remcult said:
Does the ABZ get a particular passive tone that active Dingwalls don't approximate (meaning, is it worth it for me to convince myself to get a "real" Dingwall with active electronics)?
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No.

remcult said:
From what I've heard, the ABZ sounds great, but for the money, I feel like I should be getting a preamp
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The obvious option would be to add your pre of choice if you still think it needs one after living with it for a while. Of the five Dingwalls (AB-1-5, SJ/P-4, SJ/P-5, SJ/J-5, and SP-4) I have experienced/own, none needed a preamp. When I play in active mode, I leave the EQ 'flat'. My Super J's have Glock pre's which are fairly neutral, but do brighten the tone palette a bit when engaged. I put Redeemer Circuit pre's (buffers) in my AB-1 and SP-4. It's the flattest, sweetest pre I know of. It (and any other active circuit) lowers the output impedance and overcomes hookup cable capacitance to help deliver the full frequency of your bass signal to your amp rig. This, and being able to retain full-frequency booty when backing off the volume, are the only reasons I installed buffers, not for any lack of tone. :cool:
 
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#7,172
The only thing I'll add about that clip, is that the poster must have used a fair amount of post-EQ. My ABZ has a lot more "zing" than that, when it's run direct.

I like it that way. It's near-impossible to restore the highs on a dark-sounding passive bass. Thankfully, the open, airy top end of the Dingwall pickups gives me all the bite I need, and I can still back off the tone control whenever I need to.

I was an EMG fan for over twenty years, but no more. I'm back to enjoying the freedom and simplicity of a passive bass. No batteries, no worries- just plug and play.
 
#7,175
CL400Peavey nailed it. That clip is closer, but Alessandro still has a fairly tightly shaped tone. That clip sounds to me as though we're hearing a fair amount of the amp and cab tone. The highs are rolled off, and there's a noticeable bump in the midbass.

Also, he deliberately goes for a rather hard, staccato attack when he's soloing in the upper register. The ABZ's natural tone up there is rounder and sweeter than he is choosing to pull out of it, at least in that clip.

The dry DI signal from my ABZ isn't as fat on the bottom, has more growl at the low end, and a little more zing and air up top.

Of course, all of this changes with a quick twist of the knobs. It's easy to dial in anything from a bright slap tone to a decent Motown thump.
 
#7,177
I believe Alessandro tunes E-C, IIRC. If anyone has heard a 37" E string you know it sounds like a grand piano. The extra tension has a huge role. I would not try this with heavy cored strings however. Alessandro is a smokin' player.
 
#7,179
rupture said:
I'm getting ready to order a DW. Like others I will not be able to try one first, can someone compare both the 4 and 5 string necks to more common basses . I'll be getting an ABZ 4 or 5
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Rupture, where do you live? Sometimes we can find someone in your geographic area who does have one and would be willing to meet up.
 

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