Dingwall Owners Club

[bebass]

I hear ya on the "old guy" issue! Lol! Sheldon's basses balance so well, it is probably not as noticeable, but I think I'm a bit past the point of wielding a 12 pound axe.

I am an old 60-something rocker. I still love playing but the body does wear and I am all about lightweight amps and cabs and basses partly due to a torn rotator cuff and partly due to the "old grey mare she ain't what she used to be many long years ago (wonder how many younger folks have heard that song).

 

[BurningSkies]

They're routed under the guard so you can do the z2 config. if you want.

*Can I get a fact check on this? I was thinking about it and I know I've seen some Combustions that are routed with 3 pickup positions, but can't remember if that was a stock combustion or the NG2 that has that or what. I saw a picture recently that had all three that looked like it was factory original, but don't want to give out the wrong info.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

That is exactly what I'm looking to add to my ABZ. I really love the bass, but I want to nudge it slightly from the more modern to the more old school. Sounds like it should do that nicely. Now I just need to get it installed!

I find that having P/J setup doesn't sound as pretty solo, but I find I can hear it better in a mix. Plus, I gravitate more towards a P sound (over Jazz), so it's nice to be able to have the straight P option as well. The only thing that I find suffers with that pickup configuration is the slap sound. My personal favourite slap sound comes from a Jazz, but the P slap sound is growing on me.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

*Can I get a fact check on this? I was thinking about it and I know I've seen some Combustions that are routed with 3 pickup positions, but can't remember if that was a stock combustion or the NG2 that has that or what. I saw a picture recently that had all three that looked like it was factory original, but don't want to give out the wrong info.

If I recall correctly, that might have been an 3 pickup ABZ. Was it white?

 

[BurningSkies]

If I recall correctly, that might have been an 3 pickup ABZ. Was it white?

It might be my brain having holes eaten into it from too much bass.

IIRC it was a darker body, sunburst or something. I could just be hallucinating though.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I hear ya on the "old guy" issue! Lol! Sheldon's basses balance so well, it is probably not as noticeable, but I think I'm a bit past the point of wielding a 12 pound axe.

Same for me. 9.5 lbs is my cutoff, but even then I would like to be closer to 8 lbs. I have sold basses in the 10 lb + range just based on weight alone. It really needs to be comfortable on my shoulder. Weight is always a consideration when I choose any equipment, although the bass is of paramount importance.

One thing about all my Dingwalls are that they balance so well, which is a feature that you might not consider important until you experience it and then go back to a neck heavy bass.

I am not convinced that heavier sounds better. I think it does impact the feel though.

 

[BurningSkies]

Same for me. 9.5 lbs is my cutoff, but even then I would like to be closer to 8 lbs. I have sold basses in the 10 lb + range just based on weight alone. It really needs to be comfortable on my shoulder. Weight is always a consideration when I choose any equipment, although the bass is of paramount importance.

One thing about all my Dingwalls are that they balance so well, which is a feature that you might not consider important until you experience it and then go back to a neck heavy bass.

I am not convinced that heavier sounds better. I think it does impact the feel though.

I would agree. My 73 Precision killed and it was a featherweight. In the guitar world I have a 'superlight' swamp ash telecaster that totally puts to shame other Teles in the tone world.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It might be my brain having holes eaten into it from too much bass.

IIRC it was a darker body, sunburst or something. I could just be hallucinating though.

Was it this?:
dingwallguitars.com • View topic - ABZ.....3

 

[BurningSkies]

Was it this?:
dingwallguitars.com • View topic - ABZ.....3

Nope! It was definitely an under the pickguard shot with pickups in Z2 formation but an open neck pickup rout.

 

[thumbs&fingers]

Bebass and others, thanks for feedback. I am an old guy too and ligh/balances is what makes the AB's so awesome. Maybe an AB II with a dark glass setup?

 

[J Posega]

Nope! It was definitely an under the pickguard shot with pickups in Z2 formation but an open neck pickup rout.

All Combustions and NG2s are universally routed for both pickup setups, but I believe that in order to put all 3 pickups in there, the neck pickup route would have to be widened, setting it closer to the neck, to have enough room for the middle pickup.

@CL400Peavey can confirm, he had plans to do the triple- pickup mod to a Combustion at one point.

 

[BurningSkies]

All Combustions and NG2s are universally routed for both pickup setups, but I believe that in order to put all 3 pickups in there, the neck pickup route would have to be widened, setting it closer to the neck, to have enough room for the middle pickup.

@CL400Peavey can confirm, he had plans to do the triple- pickup mod to a Combustion at one point.

So I'm not completely crazy.

 

[Selta]

*Can I get a fact check on this? I was thinking about it and I know I've seen some Combustions that are routed with 3 pickup positions, but can't remember if that was a stock combustion or the NG2 that has that or what. I saw a picture recently that had all three that looked like it was factory original, but don't want to give out the wrong info.

The V4 Combustions are universally routed. You can switch between Combustion and NG2 pickup placement without any need for new routes. You will need a new pickguard, though. I took the pickguard off of my V4 to play with both setups to see which I liked better, then settled on one.
If you have one of the older Combustions, those are not universally routed, so you'd need to have a luthier do that work. That purple one looks like a V4 though (has 5 knobs, not 4), so you should be set sans pickguard.

And no, you can't squeeze a third pickup in without additional routing. I already looked/asked. Someone here is doing a 3x Combustion though, I forget who it is and where they're getting the work done.

Edit: Photo of the pickup cavity on my V4:

 

[Thumper]

Since the 3x configuration continues to pick up steam, I hope Sheldon will be able to carve out some time (post NAMM of course) to source or develop a 5 or 6 position rotary to better take advantage of the potential tones available. This no longer looks like a fad, and would further enhance his position as an innovator in the bass world. I, of course, have my own selfish reasons for asking, but still, wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to solo each PUP, with a couple of combinations also available?

 

[Selta]

I'd like to try a 3x, but the cost of entry is pretty high. I'm thinking about picking up that blue ABZ from Bass SD. Love that color... just wish it were a quilted top. I'm also thinking about ordering a 6 string, but still very much on the fence about that... might just more wait and see if anything comes in the form of a 6 string Combustion.

 

[kirkdickinson]

I took the pickguard off of my V4 to play with both setups to see which I liked better, then settled on one.

Which setup did you like better? Do you have the stock FD3n combustion pickups? This one I ordered, he said the pickups had been changed to the Canadian FD3's.

 

[Selta]

They are the stock pickups.
As for which I like better... well... I'm going to play coy. Simply because I want *you* to try it and see which you like better, without influence on what I think I heard differently . I like having them in the stock position because <reasons here>.

 

[nervous]

All Combustions and NG2s are universally routed for both pickup setups, but I believe that in order to put all 3 pickups in there, the neck pickup route would have to be widened, setting it closer to the neck, to have enough room for the middle pickup.

A pic from the NG2 thread of the pickup rout area on a new regular Combustion. My NG2 looks identical underneath, just with the neck pickup in the position closer to the bridge.

 

[dukeorock]

Man, I'd rock that vintage burst Combustion in a heartbeat!

 

[lowphatbass]

They are different, and both flavors of good. If you like clarity and a bit more openess to the pickups, especially in the upper mids and highs, you will want to go newer with FD3's. If you like the darker upper range, the Barts of the Voodoo Prima are great. I like them both for different flavors of awesome. lowphatbass has one that he replaced the electronics in with FD3 Pups and a Aggie pre (I may be wrong on that) and he is happy with the mod.

You are correct. I simply opted for the latest electronic package that was offered at the time. I seem to remember that the Aggy preamp fell out of favor and was replaced with the Glock because of availability or cost/value in those early days...come to think of it it may have been a pot/shaft or knob issue. The consensus was that both were adequate in terms of transparency and function...This is what I remember hearing anyway. I can safely say, preamp aside, the difference between the FD-3 and Bart pickups is night and day. The Barts are smooth and can cover most "Jazz bass" flavors quite well. If you're looking for something in the P-bass range of tonality and/or a mid-forward type of approach it's tough to get there with the old Barts IMO.
One great advantage for me is the ability to cop an outstanding range of Precision tones with the neck pick-up, anything from Motown thump to classic rock to modern "aggressive" styles. I have, and have had more than a few basses and far and away the most flexible. The bridge pick-up tones are all there as well....but the Barts never seemed as lacking in that area.