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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
Regular tone control. This wasn't explicit when I ordered mine (I did order one of the first ones), and when I asked Sheldon about it he said that once you have the ability to change up the pickup combinations, they didn't feel it really added a whole lot to the PJ models. 8 months into moving from my Super P to a Super Pw/FD3, I can't argue with the decision as I don't miss that control at all.
My advice to anyone planning a custom build, especially on something more exotic than a Combustion or ABZ, is to first take a trip to a stocking dealer and try a few. Even if that involves a night in a hotel and a plane ticket.Thanks a lot Steve, went and looked at it, and now I'm more confused then ever. And about the same price as a 2 PUP Super P5. What to do...
You're making an investment of a few grand, and I think it only makes sense to make the shopping/evaluation phase pleasurable. Plus, the stakes are high if you choose wrongly, and have to start over. I'm thinking mainly of the waiting period, but also about resale- Dingwalls certainly hold their long-term value well, but high-end basses are hard to sell in this financial climate, and you stand to lose at least the cost of a weekend away.
Also, I know that there are a bunch of guys on here that go back and forth between the short-scale basses and the originals. However, my observation from spending time with a bunch of other Dingwallers at a GTG in Markham, Ontario, was that most of us seem to swing one way or the other.
What I mean by that, is that particularly in the case of the more experienced players, the ones who sounded really great on the shorty, didn't seem to get the best out of the 37" basses, and vice-versa. It seems to be all about touch and attitude.
That was definitely the case for me. My case of Dingwall fever originally started with the release of the Super P. I still tell Fender fanatics to check them out, but I have now played a number of the shorties, and though I've tried to love them, they continue to leave me cold.
Meanwhile, every long-scale I've tried has felt and sounded incredibly pleasing to me. If I had to name a least favourite, it would be Sklar. But even that was only a tick behind the beefier feel of the others. The white NAMM show ABII XXX definitely had the widest tonal versatility out of all them, but there wasn't a single bass there that didn't have everything I could ever ask for on the gig.
Vive le difference!
Thanks Small Eq for your reply, it helps a lot.
Sometimes I wish that the bass builders' website would have all of the answers for these types of questions, Dingwalls are certainly not alone in this regard.
Sometimes I wish that the bass builders' website would have all of the answers for these types of questions, Dingwalls are certainly not alone in this regard.
Finally picked my AB1 up today from the dealer and can say it is easily the nicest bass I have ever played. Also, the staff members reactions when I unboxed it today were absolutely priceless!
This little "redhead" found its new home last night! 
I have never played or owned a 5 string...but MAN...is it amazing!! Last night I sent a quick email to Sheldon asking him the history of it...and he replied super quick (pretty awesome guy) ....it is going to be 12 years old next week. You would never know it though! Yet another testament of the Dingwall quality. I can't believe how nice it feels to play - this has just pumped me up even MORE, for the one I ordered a couple months ago....its gonna be a gooooood year!!!! 
I have never played or owned a 5 string...but MAN...is it amazing!! Last night I sent a quick email to Sheldon asking him the history of it...and he replied super quick (pretty awesome guy) ....it is going to be 12 years old next week. You would never know it though! Yet another testament of the Dingwall quality. I can't believe how nice it feels to play - this has just pumped me up even MORE, for the one I ordered a couple months ago....its gonna be a gooooood year!!!!
Nice catch!
Does that have the blue eqube tone circuit? Push/pull tone knob?
Beautiful flame, and another jewel like clear color finish.
Congratulations!
Does that have the blue eqube tone circuit? Push/pull tone knob?
Beautiful flame, and another jewel like clear color finish.
Congratulations!
This little "redhead" found its new home last night!
Flame ON, brother!
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I think those are two different things. IIRC, the semi-hollow came first then the Glock was a year or so later. Someone will remember the exact date, but I'd guess it was sometime around 2006/7 that the body changed and probably 2007/8 that the preamp changed?
Thanks BS - I have the fEARful and the Monique - working on a Dingwall next! Any advice on model(s) for this set up?
This little "redhead" found its new home last night!
That is the red headed cousin to my AB1. 2004 production on mine.
Any or all! The Dingwalls go great with fEarfuls and lots of power. Eye blurring lows, punchy mids, and crispy highs.
Choices to make: 37" B string long scale, (AB's, Sklars, Prima's) or Super series? Active or passive? Four, five or six string? And all the pretty finishes to choose from. Grab a used Dingwall for immediate gratification or order the dream bass and agonize over choices and delivery dates like it was a baby? (can you guess how I roll?)
There must be a fellow Dingwallian in your neck of the woods. Or you could make the pilgrimage to Bass NW in Seattle and try what they have in stock.
Is there much difference between the older ABIIs and the new ones with the Glockenklang pre and tone chambers in terms of playability and tone?
I'm probably the least experienced here to answer (or attempt) that question ...but from how I understand it....the glok preamp has a more rounded feel to it. The FD1 pickups were more hifi and bright compared to the newer FD3 (as Sheldon explained to me)....the tone chambers were introduced as a way to use higher quality (tighter grain = heavier weight) wood and yet keep the weight down. i would assume the playability would be similar across the long scale board....maybe the newer tone chamber ones are a tad lighter therefore less weight across the neck and shoulders...so that's a nice improvement too even though they're all super light weight. I'm sure there's lots i have missed and maybe I was totally wrong with the answer...but nobody has answered you...so if I'm wrong...there should be some quick corrections coming soon. Lol. There's a great bunch of guys on here that will help Ya answer your questions. Cheers!
MichaelOz
Commercial User
We have lift-off.
Saturday I received a picture through my "local" dealer George in Sydney showing the body of my Z2 at a stage that suggests it is almost ready for finishing. Grain looks very understated (I chose to go with a standard ash top) and "kind of" bookmatched - looks like the pieces were shifted a little to get the best effect (attention to details). I expect it to look stunning once it's Stormy Monday Blue.
End of April to early May seems to be a cautious estimated time of delivery. I am still calm (helped by my building my first bass at the moment, will have to get that up in the Luthier's Corner some time soon) but also full of anticipation. Not too long now.
And Sheldon, if you read this: I won't ask for any further pictures, it really was more a throwaway line that was somewhat out of line - will let you do your job.
Regards,
Michael
Saturday I received a picture through my "local" dealer George in Sydney showing the body of my Z2 at a stage that suggests it is almost ready for finishing. Grain looks very understated (I chose to go with a standard ash top) and "kind of" bookmatched - looks like the pieces were shifted a little to get the best effect (attention to details). I expect it to look stunning once it's Stormy Monday Blue
.End of April to early May seems to be a cautious estimated time of delivery. I am still calm (helped by my building my first bass at the moment, will have to get that up in the Luthier's Corner some time soon) but also full of anticipation. Not too long now.
And Sheldon, if you read this: I won't ask for any further pictures, it really was more a throwaway line that was somewhat out of line - will let you do your job
.Regards,
Michael
