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Dingwall Owners Club

#9,061
spiritbass said:
Fun times! Discovering 'new basses' inside the one you already have. :cool:
Click to expand...

Had that same experience while tracking the Socionic album...the neck and bridge in parallel, both in series wiring wasn't quite right for one of the tunes, but flipping the neck's wiring to parallel got us exactly the tone we were looking for...we ended up doing another two tunes the same way ;)
 
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#9,063
So, when I went to install the DPST switches I'd ordered for pickup coil switching, they turned out to be DPDT on-on-on.

After I finished pitching a fit, I decided to drop them in anyway. At least I could set up the wiring loom, drill the holes, etc...

The install went well. The middle position on the switches is useless, of course (mutes one half of the pickup), but on series or parallel there are a nice range of new tones.

I almost didn't install the second switch on the bridge pickup, but in the end, I'm glad I did.

I have two very different rigs- one is a conventional tweeterless bass combo with a heavily shaped response, while the other is more like a high-output recording monitor; quick, bright and full-range.

It turns out that there are settings that suit the darker sounding combo, but not the full range setup, and vice-versa.
 
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#9,064
steve_rolfeca said:
So, when I went to install the DPST switches I'd ordered for pickup coil switching, they turned out to be DPDT on-on-on.

After I finished pitching a fit, I decided to drop them in anyway. At least I could set up the wiring loom, drill the holes, etc...

The install went well. The middle position on the switches is useless, of course (mutes one half of the pickup), but on series or parallel there are a nice range of new tones.

I almost didn't install the second switch on the bridge pickup, but in the end, I'm glad I did.

I have two very different rigs- one is a conventional tweeterless bass combo with a heavily shaped response, while the other is more like a high-output recording monitor; quick, bright and full-range.

It turns out that there are settings that suit the darker sounding combo, but not the full range setup, and vice-versa.
Click to expand...
Can you post pictures showing where you placed the switches?
 
#9,065
Like this?
image.jpg
 
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#9,068
wvbass said:
...My ABI sounds great, and it is completely unmodified. However, I am curious about whether it could sound even better.
Click to expand...
I don't know about "better". Certainly broader in tonal range.

I understand that Sheldon and Co. have experimented with the default pickup wiring over the years. My 2013 ABZ-5 came with both the bridge and neck pickups in parallel. That imparts a lean, aggressive presence. Unless you roll the tone control off a fair amount, theres always a bit of "Jazz Bass grind" going on, regardless of the rotary switch position.

Putting either pickup in series mode makes it louder and thicker, as you would expect. It also tames the grind, and reduces finger noise.

The Neck pickup in series mode is going to be my new favourite with in ears, since I can't always count on our sound people to EQ the IEM feeds correctly. Darker P-bass-ish tones work better in that environment.

The other tones are useful, as well. I particularly like the parallel position on the rotary switch, with the neck pickup in series and the bridge in parallel.

In fact, the only one of the new tones that I don't think I'll have much use for, is "blast mode" (the rotary switch set for both in series, and all pickup coils in series as well). Others might find a use for it, but to my taste that one is too dark and congested...
 
#9,070
steve_rolfeca said:
I don't know about "better". Certainly broader in tonal range.

I understand that Sheldon and Co. have experimented with the default pickup wiring over the years. My 2013 ABZ-5 came with both the bridge and neck pickups in parallel. That imparts a lean, aggressive presence. Unless you roll the tone control off a fair amount, theres always a bit of "Jazz Bass grind" going on, regardless of the rotary switch position.

Putting either pickup in series mode makes it louder and thicker, as you would expect. It also tames the grind, and reduces finger noise.

The Neck pickup in series mode is going to be my new favourite with in ears, since I can't always count on our sound people to EQ the IEM feeds correctly. Darker P-bass-ish tones work better in that environment.

The other tones are useful, as well. I particularly like the parallel position on the rotary switch, with the neck pickup in series and the bridge in parallel.

In fact, the only one of the new tones that I don't think I'll have much use for, is "blast mode" (the rotary switch set for both in series, and all pickup coils in series as well). Others might find a use for it, but to my taste that one is too dark and congested...
Click to expand...
I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this explanation. It sounds like wiring the pickups in series would take away some of what I like most about my Dingwall. If I want to sound less like a Dingwall, I guess I have plenty of other basses for that.
 
#9,071
Well...I did it!! I pulled the plug today....it's ordered and I think for my first Dingwall, it will suit me just fine. I ended up going the passive route and ordered an ABZ with wenge neck and fretboard (with a couple other options added)...
There were some great TB'ers, who gave me some sound advice and guidance along the way! (You know who you are)....for that, I thank you!!
So nine months eh??.....so in pregnancy terms...I guess today, the wife and I fooled around.....two weeks, the pee on a stick test...then the build up...the morning sickness..and then..gulp....the delivery!!!! :)

I guess next thing...what amp/head etc etc...lol.....ok one thing at a time I guess....thanks again guys.....appreciate it!!
 
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#9,072
graphics1988 said:
Well...I did it!! I pulled the plug today....it's ordered and I think for my first Dingwall, it will suit me just fine. I ended up going the passive route and ordered an ABZ with wenge neck and fretboard (with a couple other options added)...
There were some great TB'ers, who gave me some sound advice and guidance along the way! (You know who you are)....for that, I thank you!!
So nine months eh??.....so in pregnancy terms...I guess today, the wife and I fooled around.....two weeks, the pee on a stick test...then the build up...the morning sickness..and then..gulp....the delivery!!!! :)

I guess next thing...what amp/head etc etc...lol.....ok one thing at a time I guess....thanks again guys.....appreciate it!!
Click to expand...

Grats!!

I'm about to do the same, so far I'm looking at getting a passive AB1-xxxx (or SJxxxx) with the series/parallel switches... a wenge neck/fretboard... or maple neck/fretboard. And a nice classy vintage white body... or a crazy flaming amber top.

Yeah, I'm not ready to order yet! ;)

Eric
 
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#9,073
eveilleu said:
Grats!!

I'm about to do the same, so far I'm looking at getting a passive AB1-xxxx (or SJxxxx) with the series/parallel switches... a wenge neck/fretboard... or maple neck/fretboard. And a nice classy vintege white body... or a crazy flaming amber top.

Yeah, I'm not ready to order yet! ;)

Eric
Click to expand...
Lol...yup....I know your pain! Those each were on my list as well...it was a very tough decision....and at the end of the day, (with some great words of wisdom from some of these guys)....I had to separate my wants and needs and combine it all with the sound I want as the end result. They ALL sound great, but as a NON professional, would I ever NEED a Prima or a Z3?.....not likely....but do I WANT one (or two) eventually?? HELL YA!!! :)
 
#9,075
graphics1988 said:
Well...I did it!! I pulled the plug today....it's ordered and I think for my first Dingwall, it will suit me just fine. I ended up going the passive route and ordered an ABZ with wenge neck and fretboard (with a couple other options added)...
There were some great TB'ers, who gave me some sound advice and guidance along the way! (You know who you are)....for that, I thank you!!
So nine months eh??.....so in pregnancy terms...I guess today, the wife and I fooled around.....two weeks, the pee on a stick test...then the build up...the morning sickness..and then..gulp....the delivery!!!! :)

I guess next thing...what amp/head etc etc...lol.....ok one thing at a time I guess....thanks again guys.....appreciate it!!
Click to expand...
Congrats!

'Tis indeed a little bit like pregnancy, isn't it? I'm currently nearing the end of my second trimester, everything settled down after the early excitement, cruising along (even though it prompted me to enrol in a bass building course which started couple of weeks ago - is that adultery?). The latest ultrasound (i.e. info from my local dealer) indicates that we're on track for a mid-to late-May delivery. I've heard the last two weeks or so are worst (once you get notification that the item was shipped) - we'll get to that when the waters break ;).

Take a deep breath ...

Regards,
Michael
 
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#9,076
...good luck!...count all the strings and toes!..i mean fingers and toes!! Im sure she/he will be a beautiful bundle of joy!!

....that's not adultery either, I think with a dozen roses, she will forgive you...or at least some lemon oil and a micro cloth :)

...post some pics once she arrives...im excited for YA!!
 
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#9,078
Hi,
This morning I was loking at this Z3 control layout and noticed that there are series/parallel swithces for the neck and bridge pickup (none for the midle).

I've read that you can get in the ballpark of a P bass with soloing the neck in series, but I was wondering what kind of sounds was achieved with the bridge switch? Did it come about when the bridge is soloed or is it more usefull when paired up with the midle or neck pickup?

Edit: I'm also curious as to hear how you guys are using those switches on the middle pup!

Thanks,
Eric
 
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#9,079
graphics1988 said:
Well...I did it!! I pulled the plug today....it's ordered and I think for my first Dingwall, it will suit me just fine. I ended up going the passive route and ordered an ABZ with wenge neck and fretboard (with a couple other options added)...
There were some great TB'ers, who gave me some sound advice and guidance along the way! (You know who you are)....for that, I thank you!!
So nine months eh??.....so in pregnancy terms...I guess today, the wife and I fooled around.....two weeks, the pee on a stick test...then the build up...the morning sickness..and then..gulp....the delivery!!!! :)

I guess next thing...what amp/head etc etc...lol.....ok one thing at a time I guess....thanks again guys.....appreciate it!!
Click to expand...

Congratulations, brother! I haven't had the pleasure of playing an all-wenge neck, but I've 'heard' good things about them. I started with an AB-I that had a beautiful wenge board. Sweet wood. :cool:

Rig-wise, I've gone old-school with all-tube amps and bleeding edge with Mike Arnopol's (MAS) cabinets. I invested in a Reeves Custom 225 last year which is simply amazing. I've been using it to drive one of Mike's 110 Flex cabinets, but my new favorite is the Faital-loaded MAS 112 driven by the Shaw B-150 that arrived a few days ago. I've been experiencing tonal heaven right here on earth in my living room (it's moving to the sanctuary this weekend!). Indescribably delicious. :)
 
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#9,080
I'm interested in some of the wiring mods I've seen posted here lately.

I have an older AB-1 six string with the blue eqube tone circuit. I've been thinking about rewiring the neck pickup to series, but I think I want a switch to have both options.

In the past I've rewired the neck pups to series in both an AB-1 fiver and my Super J 5, and each time it was an improvement. Very much a move in the P bass direction. I didn't use a switch, I just joined the two leads, and called it great. With both of theses basses, I made the move to P tone pups when they became available.

As I understand it, I'll just need a DPST mini toggle switch, and a few minutes with a drill and a soldering iron. Can someone please help me with a wiring diagram and maybe a part number or switch suggestion?

Steve's mod came out looking great!

Thanks guys!
 

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