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Dingwall Owners Club

#8,103
That sounds fun, but I'll have to take your word for it, as I don't slap. :cool: I do stretch them repeatedly to get them settled in and staying in tune. Then I push down on them in front of the bridge saddles to achieve the proper bend. I keep the string package, date it with the string change, and store it in the pocket of each bass's gig bag. I'd noticed a few days ago that the SJ/P5 was sounding dull so I started checking dates and found that I hadn't changed strings since April. :eek:
 
#8,104

A little taste of my Dingwall ABXXX5 Sound
2 Amps,one for dirt using the Malekko Bassmaster Silicon VER. (Aguilar AG500SC
The clean using the DarkGlass B7K For tightness (EBS Fafner)
The signal goes through a Cali76 TXP First before spliting to the amps.
 
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#8,105
Had a great outdoor gig on Friday. 6 hours including soundcheck/rehearsal with only a half-hour supper break and a 15 minute intermission, yet I felt pretty fresh at the end of it.

That's a testament to the ergonomics of the ABZ5, as I started the day packing up our campsite at 7:00am, drove for 5 hours to get home in time for a quick change, and finally rolled back into my driveway at 11:30pm.

The ABZ is hands-down the most comfortable bass I have ever played, despite its angular appearance. There is a perfectly-shaped relief in the body at every possible pressure point.

I was sent this photo from the event, which shows how the fanned frets, recessed rear strap button and excellent balance help me to achieve a nice open hand position regardless of the unusually long scale. Neither wrist is cramped, and I experienced no pain despite my appalling posture and chronic lower back and shoulder problems:

Response Initiative technique shot Aug 2014.jpg
 
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#8,106
Hey, I want to thank Spiritbass for letting me try out his Dingwalls. I live in the same area he does so I asked him if he would mind if I played one of his Dingwalls. He let me come by his church while he was there rehearsing and let me play not one but FOUR Dingwalls! I am very grateful of his kindness and hospitality. I didn't want to buy one without trying one. Trying to be sensible in my older years, you know? I tried them and WOW, I loved them. I especially liked his root beer burst SJ5 I think he said it has super fatty pickups? It sounded great. So clear...no mud at all. I play mostly at church and the clarity of these basses will really give our sound guys a great signal to work with. Such a clear well balanced sound. No fuzzy, wooly sound but still good bottom end. I love these pickups.
The other thing was the fanned frets...I didn't even notice them. I forgot they were there from before I started playing. I remembered them after a few minutes and tried the upper frets. I can see how chords up there could be tough but I don't play chords up there at this point. I don't really play much above the 12th or 14th fret so no issue there.
I've got to get me one of these! I'll be selling some gear now to help pay for one of these. I'll chime in later. Thanks a million Spiritbass. Such smart, practical design and killer sound. I'm very impressed.
 
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#8,107
Matt Lake said:
Hey, I want to thank Spiritbass for letting me try out his Dingwalls. I live in the same area he does so I asked him if he would mind if I played one of his Dingwalls. He let me come by his church while he was there rehearsing and let me play not one but FOUR Dingwalls! I am very grateful of his kindness and hospitality. I didn't want to buy one without trying one. Trying to be sensible in my older years, you know? I tried them and WOW, I loved them. I especially liked his root beer burst SJ5 I think he said it has super fatty pickups? It sounded great. So clear...no mud at all. I play mostly at church and the clarity of these basses will really give our sound guys a great signal to work with. Such a clear well balanced sound. No fuzzy, wooly sound but still good bottom end. I love these pickups.
The other thing was the fanned frets...I didn't even notice them. I forgot they were there from before I started playing. I remembered them after a few minutes and tried the upper frets. I can see how chords up there could be tough but I don't play chords up there at this point. I don't really play much above the 12th or 14th fret so no issue there.
I've got to get me one of these! I'll be selling some gear now to help pay for one of these. I'll chime in later. Thanks a million Spiritbass. Such smart, practical design and killer sound. I'm very impressed.
Click to expand...

Hey Matt, you are welcome a million! It was my pleasure to be able to offer you the Dingwall experience before buying. Investing in my first was a leap of faith, but after that I knew I could trust Sheldon's superior designs and his relentless pursuit of perfection to produce a magnificent instrument. I had a wonderful time in worship this morning with the Colaburst SJ5. :) Sheldon told me that this finish is what the sunset looks like to him when viewed through a glass of cola. Yes, it does have the Super Fatty pickups in the '70's' position. This year's model utilizes FD3's (reverse-P's in a soap bar shell) in the '60's' position. I didn't get a chance to tell you during our short time together that the strings on the Colaburst and the Super P had not been changed since the 11th of April. They both got fresh sets of LoRiders this week and sound even better than they did for you!
 
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#8,113
lotusland9663 said:
Hello Dingwall Club,

I'm considering joining the club. I currently have a feeler ad in the classifieds looking to trade an MTD 535-21 for a Dingwall. Check it out - if any of you have a D you want to move let's talk. [email protected]
Mick
Click to expand...

Hey Mick! Good luck with your sale/trade. Mike makes beautiful instruments and after meeting him a few years back in Woodstock NY, I can attest that he's a really nice guy who really knows basses.

Who knows, maybe you will have luck here. I know plenty of guys who while being Dingwall fans, players and club members also maintain and use a variety of other basses too. If anyone is interested in parallel fret basses, Mike makes some of the best. :)
 
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#8,116
singlemalt said:
I turned my straight basses into cash, then I prowled the web for Dingwalls, ready to pounce.

What are you looking for?
Click to expand...

Hi Single Malt,
I have considered that and may do it - I've already had an inquiry about buying the MTD - I just thought it would be easier to do a trade but your way is good and would open up more possibilities. My only criteria (as I don't know much about the brand) would be a bass that's comparable in value - from what I've seen on TB and online a used Sklar, Prima, Super J etc. would fit the bill
 
#8,117
lotusland9663 said:
Hi Single Malt,
I have considered that and may do it - I've already had an inquiry about buying the MTD - I just thought it would be easier to do a trade but your way is good and would open up more possibilities. My only criteria (as I don't know much about the brand) would be a bass that's comparable in value - from what I've seen on TB and online a used Sklar, Prima, Super J etc. would fit the bill
Click to expand...

You're probably looking at a Sklar, Z series or a nice Super series. Primas, not so much (and some of the more custom Z's). They're a few steps above that price range, unless they're earlier voodoo/primas.
 
#8,118
Help me choose baby's new shoes! I asked for two pickguards, one parchment and the other black pearloid. The black pearl still has the plastic on so it isn't quite as glossy as it might be. And my pics aren't that good anyway. Which look do you prefer? Bonus fun fact: with magnetic viewing film you can see the "reverse" P pickups!
SJ5magnetic2.jpg SJ5magnetic1.jpg SJ5guard1.jpg SJ5guard2.jpg SJ5guard3.jpg
 

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