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Dingwall Owners Club

#9,321
I'm still trying to decide between a Super P5 or ABZ5, I've read 75 pages of this thread, still have 1,707 messages to go. I've learned a lot but not enough to make a decision. Can anybody measure the distance between the 1st and 4th fret, E-D strings on long scale and short scale Dingwalls and post here or PM me? I think thats the best way for me to decide. What are the build times these days if I want to commission a custom build?
 
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#9,322
Ok, so I just measured my parallel fret basses, and this may not be the issue I thought it was. From fret 1 - 4 on my 35" Roscoe, it is 132.5 mms. On my 34" Fender it is 129 mms. Not enough to make a difference IMHO, although quite a stretch for my smallis hands (8" spread from thumb to pinky) but I'd still like the Dingwall measurements.

So maybe I should look at the primary purpose for the Dingwall (assuming it doesn't beat out the Fender P5 for gigging (Country & Classic Country)), which is for 2 hour no break, or 3.5 hour 1 break practices. My 9.2 lb P5 and VMP5 both feel heavy after 1.5 hours, but are fine for 1 hour sets. So I won't buy a Dingwall for extended practices which weighs more than 8 lbs. Given that, do I need to look at Canadian made basses, or do Combustions also come in at light weights?

Thx,
leo
 
#9,323
Thumper said:
Ok, so I just measured my parallel fret basses, and this may not be the issue I thought it was. From fret 1 - 4 on my 35" Roscoe, it is 132.5 mms. On my 34" Fender it is 129 mms. Not enough to make a difference IMHO, although quite a stretch for my smallis hands (8" spread from thumb to pinky) but I'd still like the Dingwall measurements.

So maybe I should look at the primary purpose for the Dingwall (assuming it doesn't beat out the Fender P5 for gigging (Country & Classic Country)), which is for 2 hour no break, or 3.5 hour 1 break practices. My 9.2 lb P5 and VMP5 both feel heavy after 1.5 hours, but are fine for 1 hour sets. So I won't buy a Dingwall for extended practices which weighs more than 8 lbs. Given that, do I need to look at Canadian made basses, or do Combustions also come in at light weights?

Thx,
leo
Click to expand...
I don't have my Dingwall here, but it's easy to do this using math: 141.13mm between the 1st and the 4th fret on a 37" string.

That said, I very much disagree with how you're solving this problem. Here are a few reasons why you might reconsider your approach to evaluating the implications of scale:
  • The spread is not nearly as much of an issue as your wrist position, combatting neck dive, etc. Even though Dingwalls are 37", most of this extra length is towards the bridge, and your left hand doesn't really have to reach further.
  • Dingwalls balance perfectly, meaning that you can really float with your left hand effortlessly instead of doing it while keeping the neck in place.
  • The action is extremely low, so you don't have to put in a lot of work. Your hand will be much more relaxed.
  • The fact that the frets are fanned and the neck pointing upwards means that you won't have to bend your wrist at all. If your left palm is facing directly upwards, as naturally as relaxed as you can make it, then your fingers are parallel to the frets and the fact that your pinky is shorter than your index finger means that your fingers follow the strings far more naturally.
  • You're playing a fretted instrument. You don't have to press at the fret line. you can press just a few mm away from the fretline. These few mm won't make any difference to you.
I own a fretless 37" Dingwall and I do have to achieve the full spread, pressing on the fretlines exactly. I have average sized hands and I can do walks between the 1st and the 5th fret on the B string. It's not something I'd like to do for hours non-stop but I can.

I also own a first gen Combustion (fretted) and it's not nearly as light or comfortable as my fretless AB-II. The lastest gen Combustions (4th) have slimmer necks, along the same profile as an AB-II, so that's good. But if you can afford an ABZ you really should go for it.
 
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#9,324
Hey guys! I've been eying a Dingwall for a little while after playing some at NAMM this year and really liking them.
One reservation I have is that I play 5-strings with a high-C. Seeing that the fanned fret scale lengths seem to be optimized for certain strings, would using a smaller gauge string for
tuning a 4th up from standard cause any problems? I'd hate to see all my strings snap due to having too much tension on them. Any experience here?
 
#9,325
IconBasser said:
Hey guys! I've been eying a Dingwall for a little while after playing some at NAMM this year and really liking them.
One reservation I have is that I play 5-strings with a high-C. Seeing that the fanned fret scale lengths seem to be optimized for certain strings, would using a smaller gauge string for
tuning a 4th up from standard cause any problems? I'd hate to see all my strings snap due to having too much tension on them. Any experience here?
Click to expand...
Alessandro Stellano strings his Dingwall EADGC and you can hear it on Youtube. Hint: it sounds great.
 
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#9,326
IconBasser said:
...One reservation I have is that I play 5-strings with a high-C. Seeing that the fanned fret scale lengths seem to be optimized for certain strings, would using a smaller gauge string for tuning a 4th up from standard cause any problems? I'd hate to see all my strings snap due to having too much tension on them. Any experience here?
Click to expand...
String-to-string tension is very even, and 6-string sets are already available with a high C.

The only issue might be cost, if you wanted to avoid wasting a B-string every time you restrung. Talk to Barry.
 
#9,328
Thumper said:
...So maybe I should look at the primary purpose for the Dingwall (assuming it doesn't beat out the Fender P5 for gigging (Country & Classic Country)), which is for 2 hour no break, or 3.5 hour 1 break practices. My 9.2 lb P5 and VMP5 both feel heavy after 1.5 hours, but are fine for 1 hour sets. So I won't buy a Dingwall for extended practices which weighs more than 8 lbs.
Click to expand...
Weight-wise, you should be specifically be looking at the ABZ if you want a long-scale. This was a big factor for me, as I have chronic back pain.

Everything on the ABZ is optimized to keep the tone intact at the lightest possible weight, even down to the hard, thin-film finish. AB1's and Combustions routinely come in at least a pound heavier than the average ABZ. Measured on a good scale, ABZ's typically come in at 7.5 to 8.0 lb. Combine that with the superb balance, and they feel even lighter...

If you're small of hand or stature, make sure that yours comes with the rear strap lock, or have it added. That moves the whole instrument over an inch or two when you're standing. It makes the reach feel shorter than a P-bass, despite the 37" B string.
 
#9,329
steve_rolfeca said:
Weight-wise, you should be specifically be looking at the ABZ if you want a long-scale. This was a big factor for me, as I have chronic back pain.

Everything on the ABZ is optimized to keep the tone intact at the lightest possible weight, even down to the hard, thin-film finish. AB1's and Combustions routinely come in at least a pound heavier than the average ABZ. Measured on a good scale, ABZ's typically come in at 7.5 to 8.0 lb. Combine that with the superb balance, and they feel even lighter...

If you're small of hand or stature, make sure that yours comes with the rear strap lock, or have it added. That moves the whole instrument over an inch or two when you're standing. It makes the reach feel shorter than a P-bass, despite the 37" B string.
Click to expand...

Based upon the input so far, it looks like an ABZ5 or Super P (or PJ or JP). And build times are?
 
#9,330
Thumper said:
I'm still trying to decide between a Super P5 or ABZ5, I've read 75 pages of this thread, still have 1,707 messages to go. I've learned a lot but not enough to make a decision. Can anybody measure the distance between the 1st and 4th fret, E-D strings on long scale and short scale Dingwalls and post here or PM me? I think thats the best way for me to decide. What are the build times these days if I want to commission a custom build?
Click to expand...

Agree that distance between frets isn't a huge issue. I have both. My observations: Super series has a wider neck. Super series is more like a 'traditional' scale bass. Super series has a more 'traditional' sound (Jazz/P bass). Longer scale Dingwall: longer reach for first, second fret; longer reach for 'root/octave' at first, second fret; better B string clarity/depth.

Let me know us know if you have other questions... Folks here are eager to brag on their Dingwalls.?!
 
#9,332
Thumper said:
Just wondering what build times are. I can deal with 9 months, but we're breaking in a new drummer now, not next year :)
Click to expand...
Best send an email to Barry at [email protected]. He could give you a build time estimate on either model. Or you could buy one from a store, there are few that stock Dingwalls in the US but between them you're very likely to find something you like. Especially if you're looking for an ABZ or a Super series bass without custom switching or finish. There is a list of all stores that stocks Dingwalls on their website. It's a bit out of date but it works.
 
#9,334
I'm about to try the E-C setup on my Super J/P five string with a set of TI Jazz flats. The JF-344 set with a .033 C. The JF-345 set fits the Super J 5 perfectly.

My only worry is that the nut slots might be a bit large. We'll see.

Bassstringsonline.com has come through with a set of TI Jazz flats for the AB-1 six string as well. You'll need super longs for the B, E, and A strings. Longscale for the rest. I had to order the individual strings.

Order should be here today or tomorrow. I'll report back.
 
#9,335
Got a supportive 'green light' from my wife for a potential new instrument as a 'reward' for a tough year...should the funding make itself apparent. (with the trade that someone gets a 'shopping spree' of similar quality). Could be trouble I tell you. I don't know how everyone would handle a new build thread.
 
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#9,340
BurningSkies said:
Got a supportive 'green light' from my wife for a potential new instrument as a 'reward' for a tough year...should the funding make itself apparent. (with the trade that someone gets a 'shopping spree' of similar quality). Could be trouble I tell you. I don't know how everyone would handle a new build thread.
Click to expand...
Good news! Replacement for the Fender maybe?
 
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