Dingwall Owners Club

[bebass]

Keeley Bassist. Simple, small, sounds great!

Keeley Pro. More control than the Bassist. I prefer it but only when I have the space for it. It's very similar to my Empress, which I use a bunch as well.

Darkglass Super Symmetry. Awesome for more of a vintage vibe. I don't use it for slap, but it does a fantastic and pleasant squish.

I may try my Accountant this weekend.

I have a Cali76-TX and a few others as well.

I said earlier if I wanted to use a compressor I would use the one in the Bamp. But I have tried that Darkglass Super Symmetry and it worked well and I agree with your "vintage vibe" comment. If I used another amp this is probably what I would use if I wanted a compressor.

 

[bebass]

Used use an MXR M87. I find the built in compressor in the Bergantino B|Amp is more than adequate.

I'm not a slapper but I am a very dynamic pick player. The B|Amp does a good job on my ABZ's B string.

Curious as to your compressor settings. Care to share? I also do not slap except to slap anyone who picks up my bass and starts slapping , and play dynamically with a pick.

 

[bebass]

Anyone else string and tune their SJ5 E to C? It's like having a 6 string without having 6 strings. And having a 32" C string is awesome. I'm loving it!
There are a few youtube videos of an Italian bass player just killin it with an SJ5 tuned this way. Here's an example..

I have never strung this way, but do like the idea of it. I have given serious thought to ordering an ABZ strung this way from the factory.

 

[spiritbass]

Thanks for the link, @Ewo!

 

[Paul M]

What compression pedals have you guys been using lately?

TC Electronic Spectra Comp. It is one of TC's TonePrint pedals, so if you like to tweak a lot of parameters, you can do that on your computer. If you want it simple, you make the sound you want, or choose a preset, then you have just one actual knob to adjust how much of that sound you want. It is a multi-band compressor so it can be very transparent if you want it to be. I use the tone print called "Straight up the Middle." It gives me a really solid, even sound without colouration. If you want colouration, there are plenty of other tone prints. Oh, and the price is quite low.

 

[imdkoz]

So after a successful first weekend of shows with my NG-2 I am hooked on that tone!! Took a bit of getting used to while singing and playing since I sing lead on 90% of the songs. I found myself looking at the neck quite a bit more than normal. Another local bass player was in attendance on Sat and at the end of the second set I saw his wife looking at their check book? After a puzzled look on my part while talking to them he said just checking the financials because I'm getting one of those!! Got a text from him Sunday saying he's been looking all morning and can't find anything. If anyone has a lead on an NG-2 let me know and I'll pass it along.

 

[spiritbass]

So after a successful first weekend of shows with my NG-2 I am hooked on that tone!! Took a bit of getting used to while singing and playing since I sing lead on 90% of the songs. I found myself looking at the neck quite a bit more than normal. Another local bass player was in attendance on Sat and at the end of the second set I saw his wife looking at their check book? After a puzzled look on my part while talking to them he said just checking the financials because I'm getting one of those!! Got a text from him Sunday saying he's been looking all morning and can't find anything. If anyone has a lead on an NG-2 let me know and I'll pass it along.

I'm glad to hear of your new 'love affair'! Don't forget to hit Sheldon up for your commission...

 

[imdkoz]

I'm glad to hear of your new 'love affair'! Don't forget to hit Sheldon up for your commission...

Yes I will!! Something tells me he's doing ok.

 

[spiritbass]

Yes I will!! Something tells me he's doing ok.

Well, his problem is a happy one - trying to keep up with demand for Combustion models...!

 

[PseudoSpaceman]

I'm curious about the wenge neck option. Seeking Dingwall owners' wisdom, here: compared to the laminated maple, are there differences in feel or tone you've noticed?

LOVE my wenge neck. I haven't played an Afterburner with a maple neck though so I'm not much help.

 

[Ewo]

LOVE my wenge neck. I haven't played an Afterburner with a maple neck though so I'm not much help.

Thanks for the reply!

Is it the feel of it you like? Do ya figure it influences the bass's native voice?

 

[Dave W]

LOVE my wenge neck.

I love mine as well. Definitely a feel thing for me. It's so slick feeling, but I love the feel of unfinished wood.

I don't have an identical bass to compare it to but to me it's very similar to the tone of maple.

 

[Selta]

So after a successful first weekend of shows with my NG-2 I am hooked on that tone!! Took a bit of getting used to while singing and playing since I sing lead on 90% of the songs. I found myself looking at the neck quite a bit more than normal. Another local bass player was in attendance on Sat and at the end of the second set I saw his wife looking at their check book? After a puzzled look on my part while talking to them he said just checking the financials because I'm getting one of those!! Got a text from him Sunday saying he's been looking all morning and can't find anything. If anyone has a lead on an NG-2 let me know and I'll pass it along.

I think I posted in here, or maybe on the facebook group, but Chad at The Bass Shop Seattle had two coming in later this month. I don't know if either / both sold or not. Green and Black.

 

[imdkoz]

I think I posted in here, or maybe on the facebook group, but Chad at The Bass Shop Seattle had two coming in later this month. I don't know if either / both sold or not. Green and Black.

Thanks Selta! I have passed that info along.

 

[reddavid]

Not trying to change the subject, but I want to lower my strings on my AB2. Not sure, but I think I'm at the limit of the screws. The screws are not all the way down though - they seem to be contacting the body. Suggestions?

I've gotten the strings lower by loosening the intonation screws as well. Kind of allows the height screws to go lower. That said, Sheldon does have 'shorter screws' available that I used on the D and G strings to get the lowest action possible. You might be able to find them at a good hardware store. Sheldon can give you the specs. The shorter screws are half the threads of the normal screws.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Thanks for the reply!

Is it the feel of it you like? Do ya figure it influences the bass's native voice?

I have both a maple necked ABZ and a wenge necked AB1. Love them both feel-wise, but they are different in a good way. But the wenge/alder combo of my AB1 is just freakin special! I don't know how much of it is the alder body (I suspect most of it) and how much is the neck, but the tone is so mid present and growly. It just pleases me so!

The wenge alder has growly low mids and nice sweet highs with a really smooth upper mid response that is present but not overwhelming. The ash/maple isn't as bright believe it or not. It's a bit more compressed in the mids, although nice and growly and snappy on the attack. To be fair, the ABZ needs some new strings.

I am going to try hooking the bridge PUP of the ABZ in series, as the P-tone I installed overwhelms it in volume, even when I lower it compared to the bridge. If I don't like it, I may actually put the parallel FD3 back in the neck. I was going to put a P-tone in the AB1 as well, but in the end I just couldn't do it. The balance it has right now is perfect for me. And the neck PUP soloed, while not P-bassy, is most definitely nasty in a ballsy way!!

My AB1 is the nicest bass I have ever owned bar none. I have owned many a nice bass, too. I cannot put the AB1 down, and the ABZ is very jealous.

 

[DrewM85]

I'm still in tone heaven with my ABZ6, the way the passive electrics go from a nice mellow tone to full on aggression is outstanding! Plus the ergonomics of the bass are perfect, I did a 4 hour practice session with the band and had zero pain. My old 6 string would cause shoulder and wrist pain after a few hours of playing. Pretty sure I'm a Dingwall player for life now. Thanks @Sheldon D. for all the hard work you and your team put into making basses.

 

[Lowendtech]

View attachment 1079288 View attachment 1079289

I have both a maple necked ABZ and a wenge necked AB1. Love them both feel-wise, but they are different in a good way. But the wenge/alder combo of my AB1 is just freakin special! I don't know how much of it is the alder body (I suspect most of it) and how much is the neck, but the tone is so mid present and growly. It just pleases me so!

The wenge alder has growly low mids and nice sweet highs with a really smooth upper mid response that is present but not overwhelming. The ash/maple isn't as bright believe it or not. It's a bit more compressed in the mids, although nice and growly and snappy on the attack. To be fair, the ABZ needs some new strings.

I am going to try hooking the bridge PUP of the ABZ in series, as the P-tone I installed overwhelms it in volume, even when I lower it compared to the bridge. If I don't like it, I may actually put the parallel FD3 back in the neck. I was going to put a P-tone in the AB1 as well, but in the end I just couldn't do it. The balance it has right now is perfect for me. And the neck PUP soloed, while not P-bassy, is most definitely nasty in a ballsy way!!

My AB1 is the nicest bass I have ever owned bar none. I have owned many a nice bass, too. I cannot put the AB1 down, and the ABZ is very jealous.

Love that AB1. I concur with your ABZ's feelings.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Love that AB1. I concur with your ABZ's feelings.

 

[Sheldon D.]

Recently I've seen some posts regarding grinding down bridge screws to lower the action. I recommend lowering your action as much as possible using the truss-rod first before doing any surgery on the saddles. With necks as long as ours, a little neck adjustment makes a huge difference in string height.