Ok.. I am in the process of wiring the AB1 for the Tone Capsule, but the pups in the bass only have three wires coming from them. I am going to also page @Awesome Sauce to see if he can chime in here as well with some help!
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Dingwall Owners Club
- Thread starter FroggyOne2
- Start date
- Sep 3, 2006
- 4,358
- 6,117
- Disclosures
- Authorized dealer for Dingwall, Genzler, Phil Jones Bass, Cort, Traynor, Yorkville Sound
Please help me with opinions on an exotic Super J (may do a PJ) build.
I saw Spritbass's basses but just didn't have time to play them. I have traditionally avoided Fender style basses so the whole "p" or "j" bass thing is not really my thing, although until recently I did own a "P" copy - wasn't enamored with it. I have always appreciated longer scale. Although the "P" tone was useful for some acoustic blues.
I am currently thinking Super J or PJ exotic 4-string.
like this: Invalid Link Removed
What do you suggest on the build? Would PJ give a lot more tonal variation or stick with J's? OR do a 3x (leaning towards this Super J 3x)
I saw Spritbass's basses but just didn't have time to play them. I have traditionally avoided Fender style basses so the whole "p" or "j" bass thing is not really my thing, although until recently I did own a "P" copy - wasn't enamored with it. I have always appreciated longer scale. Although the "P" tone was useful for some acoustic blues.
I am currently thinking Super J or PJ exotic 4-string.
like this: Invalid Link Removed
What do you suggest on the build? Would PJ give a lot more tonal variation or stick with J's? OR do a 3x (leaning towards this Super J 3x)
I have to thank @Bocete for posting this video on YouTube:
I'm a HUGE Rush fan, and Geddy's Rickenbacker 4001 tone on "A Farewell To Kings" is my dream tone.
For the last month or so I've been saving up for an NG-2, but today I heard a recording with a RIC and thought the NG-2 was a mistake and I should be getting a RIC or building a 5 string that can get a similar tone.
I remembered Bocete's video from stumbling on it a month ago, and gave it another listen.
I watched it and he did a pretty good job of emulating the tone... It isn't quite the same as my dream tone, but it's similar enough to make me confident that I can get what I'm looking for with a few minor tweaks.
Now, I realize Bocete didn't use an NG-2, but the pickup placement is the same, so I'm not too worried.
Thanks Bocete, you saved me from making a big mistake.
I'm a HUGE Rush fan, and Geddy's Rickenbacker 4001 tone on "A Farewell To Kings" is my dream tone.
For the last month or so I've been saving up for an NG-2, but today I heard a recording with a RIC and thought the NG-2 was a mistake and I should be getting a RIC or building a 5 string that can get a similar tone.
I remembered Bocete's video from stumbling on it a month ago, and gave it another listen.
I watched it and he did a pretty good job of emulating the tone... It isn't quite the same as my dream tone, but it's similar enough to make me confident that I can get what I'm looking for with a few minor tweaks.
Now, I realize Bocete didn't use an NG-2, but the pickup placement is the same, so I'm not too worried.
Thanks Bocete, you saved me from making a big mistake.
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Because of you guys I did a little experiment with series wiring on my SJ5. Also tried silly things only the "voodoo blade" would allow but none of these stuck.
I ended up keeping the bridge pickup in series. Its volume now balances much better with the neck and parallel positions. The fatter tone also makes it much more useable soloed for the rock player I am. On the other hand I reverted the neck pickup to parallel - in series was too hot for my liking. Kinda makes me wish I had the mini-toggles.
I ended up keeping the bridge pickup in series. Its volume now balances much better with the neck and parallel positions. The fatter tone also makes it much more useable soloed for the rock player I am. On the other hand I reverted the neck pickup to parallel - in series was too hot for my liking. Kinda makes me wish I had the mini-toggles.
It is accounts like this that makes me feel all the more validated in my choice to get the series/parallel toggles on my AB1, along with the 3x pickups (which I still need to figure out how I want the rotary setup).
4, though I have a 5 way that, if it fits, I could drop in. Dingwall only offers a 4.
For now, I asked that it be setup:
1) Bridge + Middle, Series
2) Bridge + Middle, Parallel
3) Bridge + Neck, Series
4) Neck solo
I'd like to also have the easy option for Bridge+Neck, Parallel if I can fit in a 5 position rotary. I never really run bridge solo on any other bass I've owned, so I chose to not include that in the 4 way.
For now, I asked that it be setup:
1) Bridge + Middle, Series
2) Bridge + Middle, Parallel
3) Bridge + Neck, Series
4) Neck solo
I'd like to also have the easy option for Bridge+Neck, Parallel if I can fit in a 5 position rotary. I never really run bridge solo on any other bass I've owned, so I chose to not include that in the 4 way.
Yeah, I agree about the bridge pickup. I've only liked soloing it on a fretless.
With the individual series/parallel switches, I think you've settled on a pretty good and versatile setup. It would be great if the 5 position switch would fit though, I think the Bridge+Neck in Parallel would be pretty gnarly with a good boost in the upper mids from the right dirt pedal.
Exactly. It may also be nice to do neck+middle. I will probably spend a month playing with all of the combinations. I kind of wish the series/parallel switches had "off" as well.
I hope others will chime in here as I will not be of any help. I'm not in the market for one, and two - I'm not into paying for 'fancy' woods.
My personal preference is for a P/J configuration. I'm not a huge fan of the Jazz bass really but it does have its place and I think having the J bridge pickup is a nice addition. You get some very unique tones from that area and mixing with the neck pickup offers a lot of choices. I can't say I've solo'd a J-style pickup much in the neck position but from everything I ever listen to I seem to just prefer the sound of the offset P pickup. If you wanted to go exotic you could do a reverse P here if you could get the split shells. It's a good look and I've heard a lot of people really dig that sound. I was actually just thinking about this very thing this morning. Too many irons in the fire but one day...
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
- Sep 3, 2006
- 4,358
- 6,117
- Disclosures
- Authorized dealer for Dingwall, Genzler, Phil Jones Bass, Cort, Traynor, Yorkville Sound
Me Too!
Well, the "fancy wood" makes a difference in looks but I wouldn't think a drastic tone change, so in tonal considerations it would be exactly like a standard one. I am in the market for one even if you are not, so could you share opinions about tone setup? I sure wish I had of had time to check out yours so I could hear the tonal differences.
I was leaning towards the PJ although I have heard good things about the JJ. But then I got to thinking that the 3x would give the most tone variation.
I've got it now. Pretty much a closet queen: first run @ #00021, not a mark on it. Already threw on the Hipshot Ultralites and awaiting the Dunlop strap buttons.
Stock elex sound good but I understand there's a couple of low-dough wiring modifications hiding somewhere in this thread...just can't seem to find them at the moment.
Riis
Okay, I'll speak from my own experiences and preferences. I really dig the P/J pickup combination on my four-string Super J. I had a five-string Super J (SJ/P5) with the same pickup combination that was ash/maple/maple. I did not like it as much as my five-string J/J that is ash/maple/morado, which is warmer and woodier. The ash/maple/maple was too clean and sterile for me (especially noticeable on the B and E strings). I haven't tried a 3X SJ. I can 'see' how it would be very versatile tonally, but I don't know if I would like having that pickup in the middle. Once again, I have not tried one, but I think a five-string with a split-coil precision type pickup would sound better with the pickup in the usual precision sweet spot (Super P) vs. 1/4" closer to the neck as it was on my SJ/P5. That quarter-inch makes a big difference IME. My SP4 is ash/maple/maple and to my ears is precision bass perfection. Then again, it is passive, and I ran my SJ/P5 in active mode with no boost or cut on the Glock pre. To state the obvious, they are/were two different basses (no two are the same). So you know where I'm coming from, I like to 'set and forget' to the extent that I can. I set the bass, eq the amp, and use my fingers for the rest. The only thing I did while playing this morning was a slight roll-back of the treble on my amp and moved the mid-emphasis switch one notch. I usually don't even do this. I hope something in my ramble has been useful... 
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
As far as J/J vs. P/J, I've owned both and much prefer the P/J. I use the P for a softer tone and then both for my standard. I haven't tried the 3x, but if I got one, I'd probably get a P-Tone on the neck pickup. I mostly play in passive even though I have a preamp.
Something else to consider: mine has mandolin frets and I love them.
Have you seen this one that they just finished? (Posted under Recently Shipped - 3/2016). You might want to check with Afterburner Nate (on the Dingwall Forum) why he went with 2x vs. 3x or P/J.
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