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Dingwall Owners Club

#9,181
mexibass said:
Thanks bro! I've been waiting around 17 years for this moment. Ever since I was a kid reading that infamous 5 string shoot out in BP magazine, when I learned about those weird fanned fretted basses! :D Problem is, dunno what to get without going over the 3.3k mark that I've imposed to mysel! :/. Right now I'm between a ferrari yellow super J5, wenge/wenge neck, no pickguard; a ferrari yellow ABI 5, wenge/wenge, or an ABZ 6 with a custom color and block inlays... all of them fit my budget if they remain passive, I want them all, but they all seem so different, I'm going nuts! The deposit is there, I just need to make up my mind before the end of may ;)
Click to expand...
No "bad" decision here hey?! Try not to go crazy over the next few months!
 
#9,183
SemiDriven said:
No "bad" decision here hey?! Try not to go crazy over the next few months!
Click to expand...

That's gonna be tough man! I'd love to make up my mind right now and forget about the whole deal til the bass is completed. It's just that my 3 possible combinations seem so different! I gotta say I'm leaning towards the Super J5, that yellow and all wenge neck combo looks so cool! Do you guys happen to know if they can make the cavity for the battery with the magnetic cover and all, only for me to install any preamp whenever I got some money available? I don't wanna bother Barry with more questions... I'm pretty sure he must have nightmares of me by now :p
 
#9,186
mexibass said:
Do you guys happen to know if they can make the cavity for the battery with the magnetic cover and all, only for me to install any preamp whenever I got some money available? I don't wanna bother Barry with more questions... I'm pretty sure he must have nightmares of me by now :p
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I don't know if anyone but Barry could answer to that. I'd find a way to raise the additional fund to pay for the active/passive option myself. I realize it's easier for me to say than for you to do, but you're almost there with the fundage...
 
#9,188
spiritbass said:
I don't know if anyone but Barry could answer to that. I'd find a way to raise the additional fund to pay for the active/passive option myself. I realize it's easier for me to say than for you to do, but you're almost there with the fundage...
Click to expand...

I know bro, but see, the way I look at things, if I get the preamp, then I'll have a 3.7k bass, then I'll start asking to myself, why don't I get a quilted maple top instead? Then I'll want to get both, and I might be ending up with a 4k+ Dingwall, and that wouldn't be the wisest thing to do for me right now, financially speaking... ;)
 
#9,190
mexibass said:
I know bro, but see, the way I look at things, if I get the preamp, then I'll have a 3.7k bass, then I'll start asking to myself, why don't I get a quilted maple top instead? Then I'll want to get both, and I might be ending up with a 4k+ Dingwall, and that wouldn't be the wisest thing to do for me right now, financially speaking... ;)
Click to expand...

I joke about being a DAS (Dingwall Acquisition Syndrome) enabler, but it is all in good fun. Please do be financially responsible - I don't want to see you having to sell it at the first financial bump in the road and I KNOW you don't.

I'd rather have the functionality/flexibility of the preamp vs. pay the upcharge for super-fancy wood, but that's me...
 
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#9,191
LOL...I feel Mexibass's pain!! I went thru all this only a month ago - BUT since I pulled the plug on the ABZ, I feel like I made the right choice (with many words of wisdom from guys on here)...I stuck to an ALL passive bass (you can always add fancy pedals/preamp tones etc.)...maybe I didn't word this properly.
There was something about the ALL solid wood (without all the routering and mass of wood being taken away) that seemed to make a sound difference to ME. Don't get me wrong - they ALL sound amazing...but it seemed to my ears, that the ABZ's just had that extra punch without all the electronics. I already have three other basses that are active - so I figured this made sense for me and my basement use. :) There is likely no chance of me ever standing on a stage playing, considering my age and the fact that I just started learning. Like Spiritbass mentioned (and others as well), there ARE no bad choices with Dingwalls..... :)
 
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#9,193
mexibass said:
Thanks bro! I've been waiting around 17 years for this moment. Ever since I was a kid reading that infamous 5 string shoot out in BP magazine, when I learned about those weird fanned fretted basses! :D ;)
Click to expand...

If the killer B string from another dimension is a big part of your motivation, then be aware that although the Super P and J are superb basses, they will not provide an identical sonic and ergonomic experience to the longer scale models. IMHO, sonically, the 34-37" models sound clearer (which may or may not be more pleasing to your ear), and that is what was reviewed in the original BP article. Of course the longer scale can be more challenging for the fretting hand.....just stuff to consider. Personally, I find the ABZ to be the sweetest spot in the lineup :).
 
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#9,194
graphics1988 said:
LOL...I feel Mexibass's pain!! I went thru all this only a month ago - BUT since I pulled the plug on the ABZ, I feel like I made the right choice (with many words of wisdom from guys on here)...I stuck to an ALL passive bass (you can always add fancy pedals/preamp tones etc.)...maybe I didn't word this properly.
There was something about the ALL solid wood (without all the routering and mass of wood being taken away) that seemed to make a sound difference to ME. Don't get me wrong - they ALL sound amazing...but it seemed to my ears, that the ABZ's just had that extra punch without all the electronics. I already have three other basses that are active - so I figured this made sense for me and my basement use. :) There is likely no chance of me ever standing on a stage playing, considering my age and the fact that I just started learning. Like Spiritbass mentioned (and others as well), there ARE no bad choices with Dingwalls..... :)
Click to expand...

I've got to be honest my ABZ V was the first Dingwall I bought all passive and quite frankly the most organic of them all, 90% my go to bass when I'm not playing a super p/j or the ABII V. My point is that with such a natural sounding bass I seldom use any pedals and a good amp is all you need to translate that nice sound, the only pedal that my ABZ goes through is a Tech-21 VT-Bass only to give it that little bit more of testosterone output when needed
 
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#9,195
spiritbass said:
I joke about being a DAS (Dingwall Acquisition Syndrome) enabler, but it is all in good fun. Please do be financially responsible - I don't want to see you having to sell it at the first financial bump in the road and I KNOW you don't.

I'd rather have the functionality/flexibility of the preamp vs. pay the upcharge for super-fancy wood, but that's me...
Click to expand...

graphics1988 said:
LOL...I feel Mexibass's pain!! I went thru all this only a month ago - BUT since I pulled the plug on the ABZ, I feel like I made the right choice (with many words of wisdom from guys on here)...I stuck to an ALL passive bass (you can always add fancy pedals/preamp tones etc.)...maybe I didn't word this properly.
There was something about the ALL solid wood (without all the routering and mass of wood being taken away) that seemed to make a sound difference to ME. Don't get me wrong - they ALL sound amazing...but it seemed to my ears, that the ABZ's just had that extra punch without all the electronics. I already have three other basses that are active - so I figured this made sense for me and my basement use. :) There is likely no chance of me ever standing on a stage playing, considering my age and the fact that I just started learning. Like Spiritbass mentioned (and others as well), there ARE no bad choices with Dingwalls..... :)
Click to expand...

Grand Wazoo said:
I've got to be honest my ABZ V was the first Dingwall I bought all passive and quite frankly the most organic of them all, 90% my go to bass when I'm not playing a super p/j or the ABII V. My point is that with such a natural sounding bass I seldom use any pedals and a good amp is all you need to translate that nice sound, the only pedal that my ABZ goes through is a Tech-21 VT-Bass only to give it that little bit more of testosterone output when needed
Click to expand...


I'll tell you all something: When I placed my deposit, I ordered a standard Trans Red ABZ 6 (passive, maple/wenge neck) with block inlays. I gotta be honest, I chose this specs mainly because I'm also looking for a Dingwall that hasn't been made before w/o breaking the bank, which giving the current price list is really tough! This might be just because I like to know that my hard earned dollars made with mexican wages are gonna get me a bass that will stand apart from the rest, at least visually, if you know what I mean. This is a variable that complicates things for me even more.

But somehow, and you just helped me confirm that, I think than an ABZ 6 would allow me to feel and hear the true benefits of having a 37" B string all the way down to a 33" C string, ergonomically and sonically wise of course... Regarding the preamp vs the fancy woods top, I also agree that the sound can be boosted/modified aftermarket with an external unit or by modifying the bass, but damn that magnetic cover is so clever and cool! ;)

I think sticking to the ABZ would be the wisest thing: it's confirmed by you that it sounds awesome passive, and it can't have a top, so I wouldn't have to choose. Then again, I just love that Ferrari Yellow so much! See why I'm going nuts over this? :)

Then there's this:

lomo said:
If the killer B string from another dimension is a big part of your motivation, then be aware that although the Super P and J are superb basses, they will not provide an identical sonic and ergonomic experience to the longer scale models. IMHO, sonically, the 34-37" models sound clearer (which may or may not be more pleasing to your ear), and that is what was reviewed in the original BP article. Of course the longer scale can be more challenging for the fretting hand.....just stuff to consider. Personally, I find the ABZ to be the sweetest spot in the lineup :).
Click to expand...

See, I'm the lead singer in most of my gigs. I'm starting to think that a 37-33" B-C bass would be less manageable than a Super P or J, which I'm sure will be easier to handle while singing, giving the more familiar feel (always been a fender shape basses kind of guy)... what y'all think about this?

Thanks amigos for chipping in with this!
 
#9,196
mexibass said:
I'll tell you all something: When I placed my deposit, I ordered a standard Trans Red ABZ 6 (passive, maple/wenge neck) with block inlays. I gotta be honest, I chose this specs mainly because I'm also looking for a Dingwall that hasn't been made before w/o breaking the bank, which giving the current price list is really tough! This might be just because I like to know that my hard earned dollars made with mexican wages are gonna get me a bass that will stand apart from the rest, at least visually, if you know what I mean. This is a variable that complicates things for me even more.

But somehow, and you just helped me confirm that, I think than an ABZ 6 would allow me to feel and hear the true benefits of having a 37" B string all the way down to a 33" C string, ergonomically and sonically wise of course... Regarding the preamp vs the fancy woods top, I also agree that the sound can be boosted/modified aftermarket with an external unit or by modifying the bass, but damn that magnetic cover is so clever and cool! ;)

I think sticking to the ABZ would be the wisest thing: it's confirmed by you that it sounds awesome passive, and it can't have a top, so I wouldn't have to choose. Then again, I just love that Ferrari Yellow so much! See why I'm going nuts over this? :)

Then there's this:

See, I'm the lead singer in most of my gigs. I'm starting to think that a 37-33" B-C bass would be less manageable than a Super P or J, which I'm sure will be easier to handle while singing, giving the more familiar feel (always been a fender shape basses kind of guy)... what y'all think about this?

Thanks amigos for chipping in with this!
Click to expand...

I think you'll love an ABZ so much that you'll be putting in a little more woodshed time in order to be able to really nail every line.

I'd have a serious panic attack if I could finally afford the down payment on a custom Dingwall. Would I go ABZ6XXX with a never-before-done finish? Or an ABI-6XXX so I could get it finished in a classy solid color? I just don't even know.
 
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#9,197
mexibass said:
I'll tell you all something: When I placed my deposit, I ordered a standard Trans Red ABZ 6 (passive, maple/wenge neck) with block inlays. I gotta be honest, I chose this specs mainly because I'm also looking for a Dingwall that hasn't been made before w/o breaking the bank, which giving the current price list is really tough! This might be just because I like to know that my hard earned dollars made with mexican wages are gonna get me a bass that will stand apart from the rest, at least visually, if you know what I mean. This is a variable that complicates things for me even more.

But somehow, and you just helped me confirm that, I think than an ABZ 6 would allow me to feel and hear the true benefits of having a 37" B string all the way down to a 33" C string, ergonomically and sonically wise of course... Regarding the preamp vs the fancy woods top, I also agree that the sound can be boosted/modified aftermarket with an external unit or by modifying the bass, but damn that magnetic cover is so clever and cool! ;)

I think sticking to the ABZ would be the wisest thing: it's confirmed by you that it sounds awesome passive, and it can't have a top, so I wouldn't have to choose. Then again, I just love that Ferrari Yellow so much! See why I'm going nuts over this? :)

Then there's this:



See, I'm the lead singer in most of my gigs. I'm starting to think that a 37-33" B-C bass would be less manageable than a Super P or J, which I'm sure will be easier to handle while singing, giving the more familiar feel (always been a fender shape basses kind of guy)... what y'all think about this?

Thanks amigos for chipping in with this!
Click to expand...

Well you know what any limitation in performance is not really down to the instrument but down to the abilities of the player. Let me show you a guy that plays an ABZ 5 strung E A D G C, there is no place on his 37" board that he is unable to play as you can see in this video.

 
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#9,198
mexibass said:
Then there's this:



See, I'm the lead singer in most of my gigs. I'm starting to think that a 37-33" B-C bass would be less manageable than a Super P or J, which I'm sure will be easier to handle while singing, giving the more familiar feel (always been a fender shape basses kind of guy)... what y'all think about this?

Thanks amigos for chipping in with this!
Click to expand...

There is no question in my mind that the shorter scale "Super" models (pun intended :) will be much easier to adapt to. In fact, IME, those models do not require any adaptation at all IME unless you play chords. For the longer scale, I don't think anyone can reliably predict how long it will take you to be comfortable.
 
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#9,199
A few more shots from a recent show with Socionic...the album will be sent off to mix by none other than Adam "Nolly" Getgood in two weeks :thumbsup:



DC3A8802.jpg

DC3A8482.jpg

DC3A8700.jpg

DC3A8681.jpg
 
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