Dingwall Owners Club

[Charlzm]

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

AT A BREWERY?!?! I love you, man.

 

[DoctorNop]

Thomas-k : English, we must speak English ! (Oh et puis merci pour ton poste ) haha.

To get your Ding' in France, do you use Bassclubparis? Or a second hand? Another?
Thanks Doc

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

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

Wish I could make it, but it's long way out to your neck of the woods from mine.

 

[AB Nate]

I'm baaaaaack!

This is my third Lakland, a Skyline 55-02. So far I'm liking it more than the 55-01 I had a few years ago, and the 44-60(?) (Jazz bass) I had for a while last year.

The 55-02 is proving to be a very versatile tone machine!

Lol are you lost???

 

[NKBassman]

Lol are you lost???

Yes. Very much.
And now back to your regularly scheduled DINGWALL discussion.

Wishing I was on my third Dingwall...

 

[AB Nate]

Yes. Very much.
And now back to your regularly scheduled DINGWALL discussion.

Wishing I was on my third Dingwall...

Hahahaha. One day my friend
Perhaps you can be.

Nice bass btw.

 

[NKBassman]

Hahahaha. One day my friend
Perhaps you can be.

Nice bass btw.

Oh, someday I hope/plan to make a legitimate post in this thread.... The only conceivable thing I'd replace my new Lakland 55-02 with would be something of the Dingwall variety.

 

[Tonycarlson]

Oh, someday I hope/plan to make a legitimate post in this thread.... The only conceivable thing I'd replace my new Lakland 55-02 with would be something of the Dingwall variety.

Having done exactly that, I HIGHLY recommend it.

 

[kirkdickinson]

Decided to try other than Dingwall strings on my Combustion. I don't know what strings came on it used. I soon replaced them with Dingwall SS. I liked those strings, but they were getting some age on them. Deciding to try something else and at the recomendation of a great Bassist from here in Ohio, Jared Lees, I recently ordered a set of Kalium Hybrid strings. I couldn't remember for sure what gauges the Dingwall SS were. I usually like a lower string tension, but have a hipshot detuner, so I ordered the BH-130-TM set. 130-98-76-57-43 I put them on Wednesday evening and realized right away that I would have to reset my intonation. I had to qo quite a bit further out on some of the strings. This is the first time I had to fiddle with the intonation on this bass, it was right on when I got it and with the Dingwall strings. BTW, I don't particularly like the intonation method these monorail bridges have. I like a more precise intonation than the slide/guess and lockdown method these use.

So, verdict is yet to be in. I have only played with it using my practice amp and headphones, so have no opinion of any tone change pro/con. I really like the string feel though. Took me about 10 minutes of noodling around and retuning for them to settle in and my fingers to get used to the tension change. At first it felt to me like the A-D-G strings had more tension and the B-E had less, but after 10 minutes, it feels normal and even.

So, questions...
What are other's experiences with Kalium Hybrids?
Should I try the SS strings next? What differences will those bring?

I know that string choice is a very personal thing and strings that I like, someone else may hate. I had a set of SIT strings that I hated on another bass and a friend of mine loved them. I took them off after only a week and gifted them to my friend. I think he completely converted to SIT.

What are other experiences Dingwall vs. Kalium vs. Payson?

 

[Selta]

I've used Dingwall, Kalium and Payson strings. So far, I like the Paysons more than the Dingwall, and didn't yet spend enough time with Kaliums to form a solid opinion on them. I'm getting another set from them soon and will make a judgement call after a few weeks.

With that said, they're all nice strings - I also used Kaliums on my EBMMs for years, so I was a fan of them before I owned any Dingwalls.

 

[BrBss]

Decided to try other than Dingwall strings on my Combustion. I don't know what strings came on it used. I soon replaced them with Dingwall SS. I liked those strings, but they were getting some age on them. Deciding to try something else and at the recomendation of a great Bassist from here in Ohio, Jared Lees, I recently ordered a set of Kalium Hybrid strings. I couldn't remember for sure what gauges the Dingwall SS were. I usually like a lower string tension, but have a hipshot detuner, so I ordered the BH-130-TM set. 130-98-76-57-43 I put them on Wednesday evening and realized right away that I would have to reset my intonation. I had to qo quite a bit further out on some of the strings. This is the first time I had to fiddle with the intonation on this bass, it was right on when I got it and with the Dingwall strings.

So, verdict is yet to be in. I have only played with it using my practice amp and headphones, so have no opinion of any tone change pro/con. I really like the string feel though. Took me about 10 minutes of noodling around and retuning for them to settle in and my fingers to get used to the tension change. At first it felt to me like the A-D-G strings had more tension and the B-E had less, but after 10 minutes, it feels normal and even.

So, questions...
What are other's experiences with Kalium Hybrids?
Should I try the SS strings next? What differences will those bring?

I know that string choice is a very personal thing and strings that I like, someone else may hate. I had a set of SIT strings that I hated on another bass and a friend of mine loved them. I took them off after only a week and gifted them to my friend. I think he completely converted to SIT.

What are other experiences Dingwall vs. Kalium vs. Payson?

Haven't tried Kalium. I have tried Dingwall steels, Dingwall nickels, and Payson nickels. I prefer the nickels over the steels, but haven't notice a significant difference between Payson and Dingwall in terms of tone, and was able to switch from Dingwall to Payson without any setup adjustments. I think the Paysons I have are the reduced core version, so not exactly sure how that compares tonally to the normal Paysons.

 

[Obese Chess]

I really like stainless, I just still worry about my dinky little frets. I could probably afford to switch to nickels and not suffer much reduction in tone, I just somehow have it in my head that stainless are better.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I have tried all three brands. I agree that they are all great strings. I definitely prefer hybrids and nickels over steels, and prefer hybrids over nickels. I am currently playing Payson reduced core hybrids and like them alot.

 

[AB Nate]

I really like stainless, I just still worry about my dinky little frets. I could probably afford to switch to nickels and not suffer much reduction in tone, I just somehow have it in my head that stainless are better.

I also love stainless.

I don't think they sound better per say but they do sound different. It's the darker difference that I prefer in the stainless. Stainless sound more evil and cold..... I love it. To most peoples ears I believe nickel is more appealing. Sure they feel different as well.

I don't worry about my frets so much. If it was a concern I don't think dingwall would ship this way from the factory. I played my AB for a long time and had normal wear but not to a problematic point.

I have had a set of SS paysons on my Z for the last few months and have really really enjoyed the tone. Previously had dingwall SS.
I had Zero issues with the tone and feel of the dingwall strings I just wanted to check the payson hype. The hype is there for a reason they are phenomenal strings..... as well.

The only thing I just experienced last practice with the Payson strings is it seemed like they just went dead.......
I installed them on Dec 11th......so 2 months.

For me this seems like a short life span. I am considering pulling them off and boiling them tonight before jam and give them another go Before replacing them. That said I have another set itching to be put on. This brings me to my next post.
I have a couple of questions for my fellow dingwallians.......

 

[Obese Chess]

Yeah, I also need Stainless because I have incredibly acidic hands, nickel dies in hours for me. I don't have many string options as I use a .150 low string and tune ADGCF. Big beefy stainless strings are perfect for metal, which I play, so, I'm happy with where I am. Just worry about the frets, almost certainly for no reason.

 

[AB Nate]

Ok. So my mentioned questions.

1. What is everyone's thoughts on boilin strings? I do not make this a practice but I figure if I could get another few weeks outta this set would be good as we are trying out a new singer right now and I'm not overly concerned on my tone.

2. Completely unrelated.
.....straps......
What do you guys use?
What is your preference?
On the underside(the side resting on your shoulder) if using leather do you have the preference of suede(more grippy) or leather(more slippy)?

Personally I like the freedom of movement with leather(more slippy)and with that I obviously prefer a leather strap. 3-4" in width......

Hint!

This is leading up to a future post about leather straps.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Selta]

I've never boiled strings. I change mine just about every 60 days / 8 weeks or so... I know people have hit or miss on it, there's often a thread on the topic in the String subforum.

Straps... I have three of these:
Amazon.com: LM Products X-Clef Worn Leather Bass Strap - Black: Musical Instruments

Love them. Super comfy, the padding is nice, and they've held up incredibly well.

 

[spiritbass]

I've never done the string boiling thing or alcohol soak. I put on fresh stainless steel rounds every 6-8 weeks. I never have found any nickel strings that float my boat. I use a fabric/grippy foam strap with leather ends (Comfort Strapp).

 

[Thumper]

Never boiled, but strings last me for a very long time. I have straps with suede for slippery shirts and smooth for cotton shirts. But since I've switched to Dingwalls, due to their superior balance it's a non issue. I do limit width to 3 1/2" since 4" wide straps dig into my neck.

 

[MDBass]

Ok. So my mentioned questions.

1. What is everyone's thoughts on boilin strings? I do not make this a practice but I figure if I could get another few weeks outta this set would be good as we are trying out a new singer right now and I'm not overly concerned on my tone.

2. Completely unrelated.
.....straps......
What do you guys use?
What is your preference?
On the underside(the side resting on your shoulder) if using leather do you have the preference of suede(more grippy) or leather(more slippy)?

Personally I like the freedom of movement with leather(more slippy)and with that I obviously prefer a leather strap. 3-4" in width......

Hint!

This is leading up to a future post about leather straps.

Thanks for the feedback.

I've been boiling strings to clean them for years.

My hands will kill a brand new set dead inside of one gig or session, so this allows me to get ~10 uses out of each set.

Just be sure to cool and wipe dry thoroughly afterwards.