Dingwall Owners Club

[bebass]

Hey guys! I'm not actually a Dingwall owner but I plan (need to find THE good one in France...).
Just a question, Im in love with the Combustion model and this even before I knew that they were the "cheapest". I'm not rich, but I never choose an instrument because of the lower price. If I want something at 3k$ I'll save money for a long time and let's go. But the Combustion... it's THE ONE!

But after days and days of search, I found the Made In china stamps that hurts.

If you had to compare, in finish quality not tone, The Combustion to another model, what would it be? I'm a bit afraid of the "wow, you have a Dingwall? Oh but it's a Chinese one, these aren't killers."

I love the tone and it's the only things I should care, but I just want to be sure about the quality of the instrument (because it's still not a 200$ bass). If, in your hands, it looks more like a very high end bass, or like a cheap Squier (a bit extrem I know ). The feeling about an instrument and if it inspire luxury and well finished is important for me.

Thanks !

This is somewhat difficult to compare in one-to-one comparison using words. But perhaps look at it in cars comparison. The Combustion, especially the NG2 is a souped up Chevy with a 427 engine, polished real nice until it glows. The Canadian basses are Maserati, BMW, Ferrari with the extra fit & finish and attention to detail. One does have to look at price point when buying cars, but we do have to ask ourselves which car do we want to drive. I looked up Maserati and these are the first words to appear in a search, "Elegance, style, sportiness and performance with a long and glorious heritage..."

edit: I just wanted to add that I wouldn't let "Made in China" throw me when looking at basses. Not only Dingwall, but many manufacturers do utilized Chinese manufacturing and quite frankly I have seen a number of Chinese manufactured basses form several manufacturers that just kill, very nice, and I wouldn't hesitate to own one or 4 (and do).

 

[spiritbass]

Combustions are definitely 'real Dingwalls' IMO. When I first entered Dingwall-land, the 'entry level' instrument was the Afterburner I and was priced below the current 'entry level' instrument (the Combustion). If I had not been spoiled by and developed a strong preference for the medium-scale Super Series, I would be completely happy with a Combustion.

 

[AB Nate]

I've hand my hands on quite a few dingwalls in my day. I guess being close enough to home there has always been a local store supporting dingwall. The bulk of which being under $4000 basses.

Here is my parallel fret bass apples to apples comparison.

Combustion = mtd Kingston( just played another super sick 5 string one) or maybe a EBMM.

Canadian made (AB, Z,Super) =
The nicest basses I've ever played!!!!!! And when I examine basses for detail closely. They also do remind me of an American made MTD.

NOW ON THIS WE ARE TALKING FIT AND FINISH. tone may also be comparable but that's tough to compare apples to appples when we are talking different wood combos, different electronics, different pick up placements, etc.

Hope this helps. The combustion is a great great bass but a MIC ding generally speaking will blow its doors off...... if it had doors like bebass said.

 

[Selta]

Even though the Combustions are made in China, the thing to remember is that they all head to Canada for final checks and setup. So, they roll through the same shop run by the same people making the $5000 ones as well.

 

[jjmf]

+1 on the last 2 posts, & regarding the tonal question being more complex:
Lots of people who can afford the MIC Dingwall's find the tone of the Combustions very good
Ie - I've played ABZ's, Combustion's, Ab 1 & 2's, Z 1,2,3's with fd3 & super fatty pu's, and super j's too!

Many times I've been surprised to find the tone of less expensive ones to be more to my liking for certain styles of music - there is a reason guys like Nolly G pick combustions when they could pick any bass

 

[tombowlus]

Hey Tom,

What did you think about the ergonomics of the D Bird? How did it feel in the hands? Especially compared to the Gibson.

Interestingly, despite the longer scale on the E string, the way the D-bird hangs, first position is actually closer than with the T-bird. The only slightly odd thing is the way that the bass hangs more "in front" of you, due to the strap pin locations, but I adjusted to this pretty quickly. I had a friend (who plays an Eiphone T-Bird) sit in for a song. He had never played a fanned-fret instrument before, but he said that he felt immediately comfortable with the D-bird.

 

[bebass]

Even though the Combustions are made in China, the thing to remember is that they all head to Canada for final checks and setup. So, they roll through the same shop run by the same people making the $5000 ones as well.

This is a very important fact. Compared to other Asian and some European basses I have received in, each of the NG2s were setup perfectly and performed perfectly. This level of setup is not what I would call common, at least it certainly hasn't been for me, and does set these basses apart from the general crowd with such a comprehensive attention to detail.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I am very impressed with the quality of my NG2. I own US and Euro Spectors and a US Sadowsky, and I do not feel like I am "downgrading" at all when I play it. I have sold a number of import basses over the years that I tried because they did feel like a step down.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I played the D-Bird at NAMM, it was killer!

In regards to cases, my NG2 came with a Pro-Tec gig bag that I just shipped off one of my Spector Euros in. Right now, my Dingwall NG2 lives in my Mono M80. However, I needed that bag for a rehearsal the other night with my Sadowsky and tried out the NG2 in the Sadowsky soft case (that they no longer make). It fit absolutely perfectly. I am going to see if that soft case is made under another name. I'll post a pic in a few.

 

[NOLA Bass]

 

[NOLA Bass]

Here it is w the NG2 inside.

 

[NaH]

Hey guys! I'm not actually a Dingwall owner but I plan (need to find THE good one in France...).
Just a question, Im in love with the Combustion model and this even before I knew that they were the "cheapest". I'm not rich, but I never choose an instrument because of the lower price. If I want something at 3k$ I'll save money for a long time and let's go. But the Combustion... it's THE ONE!

But after days and days of search, I found the Made In china stamps that hurts.

If you had to compare, in finish quality not tone, The Combustion to another model, what would it be? I'm a bit afraid of the "wow, you have a Dingwall? Oh but it's a Chinese one, these aren't killers."

I love the tone and it's the only things I should care, but I just want to be sure about the quality of the instrument (because it's still not a 200$ bass). If, in your hands, it looks more like a very high end bass, or like a cheap Squier (a bit extrem I know ). The feeling about an instrument and if it inspire luxury and well finished is important for me.

Thanks !

I felt the same way. I was still looking at the Combustion, but longing for a Afterburner or Super J. I ran across a used one (trying to remember which one I found first). Yes, I spent more, but I'm very happy I made the jump.

 

[Bassheart365]

Ok.. Cars. I would not get too hung up on the made in China thing. Those basses a gone over in detail in Canada. The combustion models are fine basses. Great bang for the buck. Call that line a Toyota Camry. Then on the high end is the Z3. That's the Lexis model.

 

[DoctorNop]

Thanks for you replies !
I'm more confident now about this choice.

If you don't mind, I have another question concerning tuning.

Which kind of tuning should be use on a 5 string if I'm using on a regular 4 string C#,G#,C#,F# ? Actually I drop one string, but on a five I should maybe keep the usual D#,G#,C#,F# for The 4th usual string? It's gonna be my first 5er, I don't really know where to go on tuning.

And the real part of the question,what is the perfect string gauge to use on a Combustion5 regarding the tuning you think fit better my needs?

This thread made my days, you guys rock!

 

[CL400Peavey]

Thanks for you replies !
I'm more confident now about this choice.

If you don't mind, I have another question concerning tuning.

Which kind of tuning should be use on a 5 string if I'm using on a regular 4 string C#,G#,C#,F# ? Actually I drop one string, but on a five I should maybe keep the usual D#,G#,C#,F# for The 4th usual string? It's gonna be my first 5er, I don't really know where to go on tuning.

And the real part of the question,what is the perfect string gauge to use on a Combustion5 regarding the tuning you think fit better my needs?

This thread made my days, you guys rock!

B,E,A,D,G.

 

[Sepultorture]

Is it weird that prefer both pickups passive in series as opposed to both in series active. I've played with both the NG-2 and a few of the AB series, and I've gravitated more towards passive tone wise. Been liking that a lot more with the darkglass b7k through the Mesa m9 for death metal. Just not jelling with active anything lately

 

[spiritbass]

Is it weird that prefer both pickups passive in series as opposed to both in series active. I've played with both the NG-2 and a few of the AB series, and I've gravitated more towards passive tone wise. Been liking that a lot more with the darkglass b7k through the Mesa m9 for death metal. Just not jelling with active anything lately

Not weird at all. Your preferences are yours (sez Captain Obvious ). I have my pickup heights optimized for what I like to hear in parallel with my Glock preamp activated and set flat. Floats my boat nicely.

 

[MDBass]

Ok.. Cars. I would not get too hung up on the made in China thing. Those basses a gone over in detail in Canada. The combustion models are fine basses. Great bang for the buck. Call that line a Toyota Camry. Then on the high end is the Z3. That's the Lexis model.

Now now, a Z3 is MUCH nicer than a Lexus.

We're talking at least Tesla level territory here

 

[Selta]

I've put together my 4th annual bass convention. Here's the TB thread and FaceBook event:


2017 / 4th Annual Emerald City Bass Convention (Seattle)

I'd love to put some faces to some names, if anyone is able to make it! Of course, it'd also be good to have more Dingwalls there, too

 

[thomas-k]

Hey guys! I'm not actually a Dingwall owner but I plan (need to find THE good one in France...).
Just a question, Im in love with the Combustion model and this even before I knew that they were the "cheapest". I'm not rich, but I never choose an instrument because of the lower price. If I want something at 3k$ I'll save money for a long time and let's go. But the Combustion... it's THE ONE!

Hey Doc! I'm another doc from France! Just bought an NG-2 4 string 2 months ago.... I can tell you the "perceived quality" is second to none! Yes "made in China" (just a sticker, mind you, will come right off...) but from american wood sent to china and then back to Canada for setup and final assembly. The feel of the whole instrument is just great, particularly the neck, but the rest (tuners, pots etc...) are high end as well and feel like it.
Et pour l'accordage, comme ils disent, BEADG, tu auras le diapason idéal pour lequel est prévu chaque corde, et tu retrouves tes repères en décallant sur le manche... ce qui est tout l'intérêt d'une 5 cordes!
Pour les cordes, Dingwall ou Payson... y'en a pas beaucoup de prévues pour des diapasons si longs de toute façon!
Sorry guys couldn't resist!