Dingwall Owners Club

[Vic]

Played the Super J in a really rocked-out worship service tonight. I was very impressed. It's actually a better rock bass than I thought it might be. I mainly got it for softer gigs and recording, but since it's new, I thought I would gig it for fun.

My "base" tone quickly became the both PUs parallel, which is opposite than the AB. The parallel mode on this bass is not nearly as scooped modern as the AB, and the series mode on the SJ is a little too "honky" with flat EQ. I can see using it, but it needs some experimenting to know how for sure.

I haven't played a passive bass in who knows when, but I have to say it was totally fine. The natural tone of this thing is SOOOO full. It is about as plug and play as you can get.

I really like this bass and especially as a compliment to the other. I don't think I could ask for a better set of Dingwalls.

None of this surprises me a bit. The parallel mode was also, by far, my fave on the SJ's.

Aren't sets three? I need a Z1!!!!

No, a Z3!!

 

[behndy]

i'm amazed by the hands-on approach that Mr. Dingwall takes. this is the first bass i've ordered from them, it's an AB-I (so i'm (edit) NOT buying one of the most expensive models he sells), and i'm not famous or anything. but there was a problem with the neck having a dead spot so Sheldon emailed me to call him.

we had a lengthy conversation, went over some options, he emailed me an example of what one option would look like and we made a decision. and he thinks the bass will be ready to ship out maybe by the end of next week. which is still about a month ahead of the time i was quoted.

i'm just really impressed with the customer service and how down to earth and knowledgeable the man was. to have the owner of the company contact me about a problem and spend time sorting it out makes me VERY confidant in my purchase from Dingwall. really good stuff.

 

[Vic]

i'm amazed by the hands-on approach that Mr. Dingwall takes. this is the first bass i've ordered from them, it's an AB-I (so i'm buying one of the most expensive models he sells), and i'm not famous or anything. but there was a problem with the neck having a dead spot so Sheldon emailed me to call him.

we had a lengthy conversation, went over some options, he emailed me an example of what one option would look like and we made a decision. and he thinks the bass will be ready to ship out maybe by the end of next week. which is still about a month ahead of the time i was quoted.

i'm just really impressed with the customer service and how down to earth and knowledgeable the man was. to have the owner of the company contact me about a problem and spend time sorting it out makes me VERY confidant in my purchase from Dingwall. really good stuff.

Dude, there are NONE better than Sheldon. NONE. I've met the man on multiple occasions and he's as pleasant to deal with as he is skilled.

 

[behndy]

definitely. i've yet to get my hands on the bugger and i already have a huge man-crush on Sheldon and Company.

i just read through the thread about the "luthier" Darren where he has people that have been waiting 10 years on a custom bass and won't refund their money or finish the basses. it makes me mad that there are people out there tarnishing the names of other builders by being such douches.

the contrast between the two extremes is amazing to me.

 

[Vic]

i just read through the thread about the "luthier" Darren where he has people that have been waiting 10 years on a custom bass and won't refund their money or finish the basses. it makes me mad that there are people out there tarnishing the names of other builders by being such douches.

I personally wouldn't make that connection at all, and would fault anyone who would. I would never, ever, assume an experience with one luthier represents the experience you'd have with another. Ever.

...the contrast between the two extremes is amazing to me.

Yep, just human individuality being super prevalent and especially emphasized, since we're dealing with the often less-rational artistic/creative side of humanity.

IMHO

 

[behndy]

I personally wouldn't make that connection at all, and would fault anyone who would. I would never, ever, assume an experience with one luthier represents the experience you'd have with another. Ever.

totally how i feel, but i've read horror story threads like that and somebody will invariably say something like, "THIS is why i would never order a custom bass!". granted, they are most likely looking for an excuse to support their "buying a custom bass is stoopid" arguments, but still.

i've heard a LOT more positive experiences then negative with builders myself.

 

[Vic]

totally how i feel, but i've read horror story threads like that and somebody will invariably say something like, "THIS is why i would never order a custom bass!". granted, they are most likely looking for an excuse to support their "buying a custom bass is stoopid" arguments, but still.

Yeah, I've seen those too, but again, I fault them for that. That's just completely irrational. Sure, we should all check the history on someone before we take that expensive plunge, but nobody should hold a general prejudice. That's just ignorant and foolish (just as it is in life on other matters, of course).

 

[Sheldon D.]

I'll be the first to admit that although we getting much better at predicting our build times, we are still more behind than ahead.

 

[Joospocks]

I didn't know of Dingwall basses before a band called Hand of the Horsewitch played in my town. Their bass player/vocalist plays a 5 string AB II and it sounded and looked great! Since then I have grown very fond of Dingwalls, maybe one day I'll get to own one of these beautiful instruments!

 

[Jeff Roller]

I had to post my wonderful experience with Dingwall's customer service department. My 2009 Z3 had developed a lot of noise and cutting in and out, the culprit was the volume pot. After many email exchanges, Sheldon and Jeff came up with the solution, which was a high quality cleaner/lubricant sprayed directly into the pot and worked back and forth, active/passive a few dozen times. It sure wasn't dirty from disuse, and wasn't dirty from misuse, this baby would pass for brand new but for the fret wear.

Anyway, exemplary customer service yet again from the Dingwall shop! I'm very happy this didn't involve replacing the pot, I was a little intimidated by all the wires coming off that circuit board! These are really great people, anybody sitting on the fence about purchasing one should go ahead and pull the trigger!

Volume pot is on the far left in the control cavity:

Gratuitous pic of my Chloe and Z3

 

[behndy]

I'll be the first to admit that although we getting much better at predicting our build times, we are still more behind than ahead.

lol... well, if my bass does get headed out this weekish, after a problem that necessitated a replacement neck that should ADD time to my expected date, y'all are still almost a month ahead of when i was quoted.

so..... yeah. WOOT!

thanks for taking the time to talk me through the options Sheldon!

*does a little dance*

gonna have a Dinnnngwalllll soooooooon.....

 

[tombowlus]

Gratuitous pic of my Chloe and Z3

Wow, that shot really shows off that awesome quilt top!

 

[behndy]

what color quilt top WOULD you call that on the dog?

Sunburnt Dachsy Flaxen Burst.

cute pup!

 

[7string]

Here's my new Combustion!

I'm so impressed with this instrument. It's light, has a great tone and I only find the fanned frets a little confusing up on the higher frets (but this is improving with practice!). The fit and finish is first class and the playability is wonderful. It's great to gel with a new instrument so quickly!

Now I have it can I have a number

 

[Sheldon D.]

Congratulations 7string. It looks like your new Combustion has some nice company.

 

[Chasarms]

. . .I'm so impressed with this instrument. It's light, has a great tone and I only find the fanned frets a little confusing up on the higher frets (but this is improving with practice!). The fit and finish is first class and the playability is wonderful. It's great to gel with a new instrument so quickly!

Now I have it can I have a number

I am not the keeper of the Dingwall Club numbers, but I am very intrigued by the Combustion line. I personally really like the natural finish ones, but all I have seen look really nice. The stealthy black is sweet, especially with the nicer PG.

My initial impressions of hearing clips from Combustion is that they are comparatively "tame" in tone compared to the ABIIs, which I believe I might actually prefer in some cases. Maybe more like the ABI or ABZ? The clips with Barry playing on youtube sound great. I love that tone. I can get a very honest copy of it out of my Super J, but it isn't exactly the same. Maybe if it was active it would get a little closer.

I can see a great use for a Combustion on some recording that I have been doing lately, and with some modern R&B stuff that I play on occasion. But, I have all kinds of stuff I would get more use out of than another bass. Of course, that has never stopped me in the past!!!

Gongrats. Enjoy it. I'm loving the Dingwalls. I think you will as well.

 

[BurningSkies]

Here's my new Combustion!

I'm so impressed with this instrument. It's light, has a great tone and I only find the fanned frets a little confusing up on the higher frets (but this is improving with practice!). The fit and finish is first class and the playability is wonderful. It's great to gel with a new instrument so quickly!

Now I have it can I have a number

FroggyOne2 = Founder
Genocide Roach = 1
Fullrangebass = 2
BuffaloBob4343 = 3
Franco Bollo = 4
RedDavid = 5
Blues Cat = 6
Paul M = 7
JAUQO III-X = 8
xlows = 9
PB+J = 10
Smallmouth_Bass = 11
bassplayinbill = 12
FCM3 = Lucky 13
CanadaMan = 14
SpiritBass = 15
Devilman = 16
LowPhatBass = 17
Bass Viking = 18
BurningSkies = 19
bigbadjonny = 20
metalstorm = 21
The Crusader = 22
tombowlus = 23
Circus = 24
Jedi Bass = 25
Dragonlord = 26
allbass74 = 27
rodneyat = 28
Brim = 29
lkman_4 = 30
dingwbassplayer = 31
thumbslapper = 32
Mudshark23 = 33
chutsk10 = 34
OwO = 35
Folmeister = 36
Benjamin Strange = 37
wuuw = 38
Rich L = 39
Rockbobby = 40
rollerberg2000 = 41
j.weaver = 42
neurotictim = 43
Zooberwerx = 44
MHLakland = 45
Fathand = 46
d-basser = 47
pbass62 = 48
UncleBalsamic = 49
chris.gotfunk = 50
RichC123 = 51
JOEP054 = 52
bass extremes = 53
rob2966 = 54
rnlytton = 55
Wademeister63 = 56
relbling = 57
Bocete = 58
davidjbass = 59
echo008 = 60
dingbass = 61
GlobalHippy = 62
guitarded = 63
boriology101 = 64
The Crusader = 65
oddio = 66
tiny333 = 67
Jefenator = 68
Sheldon D. = 69
Joe Smithberger = 70
Sherwood = 71
Jjango = 72
havuk = 73
evilgus = 74
frootbooty = 75
swpyne = 76
beepo = 77
geggy spoiger = 78
BigWalnut = 79
loungesurfer = 80
Lady Kayri = 81
flyboy320 = 82
RobJeff3 = 83
ErlendDL = 84
IntrepidCellist = 85
bass4worship = 86
larrypcross = 87
lomo = 88
singlemalt = 89
KsPiNeSh = 90
Kleingeld = 91
Polsab78 = 92
TK4108 = 93
Hollywars = 94
Skunk11 = 95
Datsgor = 96
lindseyp = 97
Minty = 98
Chasarms = 99
Scutterflux = 100
rpsands = 101
mattyiop = 102
7string = 103

 

[Bass Viking]

Here are some snapshots to whet your appetite!

This Voodoo Prima was built in '96. It arrived with a worn Dingwall gig-bag, full wrench set, Dingwall neck wax and the registration letter signed by Sheldon. At this point I'm wondering if I really need three Wals...

I played the Prima yesterday at Oddio's house. Loved it! I played the Afterburner ll as well, and I used to own that Afterburner 1. All nice basses but the Prima is #1.

I've played one other Prima in my life, it was during a trip to Bass Central in 2004. It was the standout from that visit, with the runner up being an F bass.

 

[oddio]

I played the Prima yesterday at Oddio's house. Loved it! I played the Afterburner ll as well, and I used to own that Afterburner 1. All nice basses but the Prima is #1.

It's always a pleasure to have a bass get-together with an excellent player like Bass Viking (and to get my paws on his basses ). Peter's stable is where my first Dingwall came from.

I just had to either confirm my own impressions of the Voodoo Prima, or at least to get the opinion of another. I am so totally blown away by it.

 

[behndy]

just got this from Mssr. Sheldon -

mine (ze Blue) might ship out as early as Monday! woot!

anybody else's in that rack?

there was a problem with the bubinga neck i originally ordered, so that is an ebonized walnut neck. SO impatient to get my hands on it!!