• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Dingwall Owners Club

#10,603
So, I'm thinking about getting an ABI from BassDirect, but their listings always seem kinda off. The banner for this bass says 2x Neodymium pickups, but then the specs say FD-3A, Mach II 4L. The FD-3A is the alnico pickup from the older Combustions, definitely not neodymium. I've contacted BassDirect before but got a somewhat rude and dismissive response (that was also wrong). Just sent a message via Dingwall site, so I'll know soon.
 
#10,604
I've found the retailers often have inaccuracies in their listings. I looked at a ABXXX six string at Bass Central, and they claimed a P tone pickup in the neck position. The P tone for six strings has yet to be produced. A quick email to Dingwall confirmed that the listing was in fact, in error. Still a sweet bass, and I almost pulled the trigger anyway. The AB six strings sound so nice, and I was hot for the purple burst.

Go to the source for all the facts! Oh, and get the P tone for sure!

Good luck!
 
#10,606
Other things to be worried about are weight, don't assume because it came from a retailer, a listed weight is accurate. One in particular has quite a few listed at 7.5 lbs, I know at least 1 so listed was actualy 11 oz heavier. I don't want to throw anyone under the bus publicly, but will answer a PM.
 
#10,610
I often stay away from this thread because it just makes me jones for another Dingwall. As it stands, one year later and I still love my Super J/P4. Still use DR Stainless Lo Riders, almost always run it passive with both pickups in series. Still the best neck I've ever had. I know the Super4's are boring to many here but the only other bass on my wish list is another Super4 of some sort and not all that different from the one I have :)
image.jpg
image.jpg


My all time favorite recordings I've done were on that bass
 
  • Like
Reactions: Superbird, CL400Peavey, spiritbass and 2 others
#10,611
Bassheart365 said:
I can confirm that the Z models are a step above the AB models. I've owned both.
Click to expand...

I have too. I would suggest that 'comfortable' when it comes to playing is probably a matter of neck preference. The AB neck is probably closer to a traditional feeling neck due to its thickness, especially closer to the nut while the Z-series basses are thinner in profile and a bit more 'modern' feeling to me.

I'm always leery to 'qualify' Sheldon's basses vertically in terms of overall quality because I think they turn out a great bass in all price points and styles. Also, as we know specs are liable to change as are options. The AB which used to be the 'entry level' is decidedly not entry level any more in any of it's forms or formats. Even the Combustions are probably best not thought of as 'entry level' for most people at this time (what with the NG series around).

I always thought of the AB as 'saving' some of the premium by not being quite as sculpted as the Z series in the body radiusing, therefore not quite taking as much time and handwork, and some other similar things, like the neck is a bit thicker, dispensing with the need for the graphite reinforcement of the neck that the Z's require due to their very thin neck profile...but when you get down to it, the shop reaches the same level of fit and finish and quality to the end product. This discounts the tonal differences between models as well...all preferences and choices rather than good/bad. I'll also point that the AB series has a wonderful design to it aesthetically that is certainly no lesser than the Z or Prima.

Here's me this weekend, working on my project of removing the finish from the back of my Rastaburst neck one show (big or small) at a time...

The 'world famous' Dinosaur BBQ (Rochester NY):
Invalid Link Removed

The original Dino BBQ in Syracuse NY:

Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Had someone come up to me and say "I've never seen a bass like that...Why do you have 5 strings?" So you know it's a traditional venue. I pointed out that this wasn't the 'strangest thing' about my bass. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: eveilleu, BuffaloBob4343, pravus and 1 other person
#10,612
dukeorock said:
I often stay away from this thread because it just makes me jones for another Dingwall. As it stands, one year later and I still love my Super J/P4. Still use DR Stainless Lo Riders, almost always run it passive with both pickups in series. Still the best neck I've ever had. I know the Super4's are boring to many here but the only other bass on my wish list is another Super4 of some sort and not all that different from the one I have :)View attachment 736691View attachment 736692

My all time favorite recordings I've done were on that bass
Click to expand...
Not to me! I love my 5s AND 4s!
 
#10,613
I just sent a retailer an email saying I'm interested in buying one of their Dingwalls. I asked if I could get the serial #, and he responded by asking me why I want it and that it's a 2015 instrument.

This is now the third time I've asked a question and gotten a roadblock in return. Starting to get the feeling that they don't want my business.
 
#10,614
Menorahman said:
I just sent a retailer an email saying I'm interested in buying one of their Dingwalls. I asked if I could get the serial #, and he responded by asking me why I want it and that it's a 2015 instrument.

This is now the third time I've asked a question and gotten a roadblock in return. Starting to get the feeling that they don't want my business.
Click to expand...
That's a weird thing to ask, which is probably why you are getting some push back.

Why do you want that?
 
#10,615
Because a lot of the listings on the site have mistakes. Specifically, this bass says "Neodymium pickups" and then the specs say FD-3A, which is the old alnico Combustion pickup. Do ABI's typically have these? When I asked about the differences between Dingwall pickups, they said "each page lists the specs." Not that helpful. I also asked them about another listing where one part said pau ferro fretboard and then another said rosewood. Their reply was "pau ferro and rosewood are the same."
 
#10,617
Menorahman said:
I just sent a retailer an email saying I'm interested in buying one of their Dingwalls. I asked if I could get the serial #, and he responded by asking me why I want it and that it's a 2015 instrument.

This is now the third time I've asked a question and gotten a roadblock in return. Starting to get the feeling that they don't want my business.
Click to expand...

Did you mention that there's a SN search that gives the specs of each instrument built?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back