Dingwall Owners Club

[groovaholic]

In all fairness to Kalium, there are few businesses whose customer service can compare with Dingwall -- but they should try harder.

Funky tunings were the only reason I looked at non-Dingwall strings, and I've been happy with the Kalium PRODUCT, but not the experience: I asked a question and was completely ignored.

 

[Jeff Roller]

I completely "get" and agree with the grief everyone gives Kalium, but I'm being completely honest when I say I've had nothing but good service. Skip even overnighted a set of strings to me for free when I was in a jam waiting on an order.

It's an old joke, but a pretty accurate one. You can have superior product, great customer service, and reasonable prices. Pick two.

If the strings weren't so darn good, we wouldn't be talking about them. In fact, there are so many choices out there now between Dingwall and Payson it's almost a moot point.

But dang, my old bart equipped Dingwall Z2 loves those Kaliums.......

 

[groovaholic]

dang, my old bart equipped Dingwall Z2 loves those Kaliums.......

My Z2 has Barts (with a Dingwall P-Tone added) and the Kaliums really suit it.

My problem is that their "regular" length strings are too short (winding stops before the nut) and their "longs" are too long (I was wrapping the full wind).

I had emailed them asking for clarification, and got nothing.

My solution was to remove a couple inches of the outer wrap on the E, then solder it to prevent unwinding.

 

[Bassheart365]

How would you describe the difference between the FDV and FD3 tonally?

My opinion - The alnico 5s are inherently more mid-present than the FD3s, with equal if not slightly higher output. They are not at all "polite." The phrase "Precision tone on steroids" comes to mind. This was surprising to me since I had read that alnico 5 magnets were somewhat "mid-scooped." They cut through the mix like a knife. Keep in mind they went into my SJ5 3x which has the Glock pre, so YMMV with other preamps and configurations. Having said that, I will keep the FD3 on my Z3 and NG2. I do a lot of slapping, modern funk and fusion playing in one of my bands. I prefer the more mid-scooped and "modern" sound of the FD3 pickups for that kind of music. I just wanted to make my SJ5 sound different than my other Dingwalls - so mission accomplished. Now I have more of a P bass at my disposal, but like I said, on steroids.

 

[Jeff Roller]

My Z2 has Barts (with a Dingwall P-Tone added) and the Kaliums really suit it.

My problem is that their "regular" length strings are too short (winding stops before the nut) and their "longs" are too long (I was wrapping the full wind).

I had emailed them asking for clarification, and got nothing.

My solution was to remove a couple inches of the outer wrap on the E, then solder it to prevent unwinding.

Hmm. Can you post a pic and/or forward the gauges and length you order? I've not encountered that problem, but I order the same set every time as follows:

BH-136-5BS BH-136-5BS 1
BH-136-5BS
1 x BH-136S $10.75 BH-136S
1 x BH-102S $8.00 BH-102S
1 x BH-076 $6.50 BH-076
1 x BH-057 $6.00 BH-057
1 x BH-041 $5.00 BH-041

(Edit) I see now what I think you are referring to, the E string full wrap does touch the post, but I've never seen it as a problem.

 

[Jeff Roller]

I'm looking forward to an update from you on those. I would LOVE to try the Black Beauties on the 6er.

Nate, they came in, and as you can see the B string is about 1/4 inch shy of the nut. Oh well, I can certainly install them on something non-Dingwall. I did reach out to Jason at BSO to see if this is the final word (I asked if DR would squeeze a little more wrap for us Dingwall owners), so this may not be the last word.

 

[BrBss]

Nate, they came in, and as you can see the B string is about 1/4 inch shy of the nut. Oh well, I can certainly install them on something non-Dingwall. I did reach out to Jason at BSO to see if this is the final word (I asked if DR would squeeze a little more wrap for us Dingwall owners), so this may not be the last word.

View attachment 1431236

I didn't see this conversation or I would have mentioned something sooner. I tried the extra long black beauties too and had the same disappointment. Would be very interested if @SLaPiNFuNK can get DR to make a 37" B!

 

[AB Nate]

Nate, they came in, and as you can see the B string is about 1/4 inch shy of the nut. Oh well, I can certainly install them on something non-Dingwall. I did reach out to Jason at BSO to see if this is the final word (I asked if DR would squeeze a little more wrap for us Dingwall owners), so this may not be the last word.

View attachment 1431236

Crud!!!! That IS disappointing.

I was just playing my SJ with them yesterday....( I actually had some nice intimate time with the whole family yesterday, about 45 min per bass) and they sure were enjoyable. Through the FD3s they just sound sooooo clean. I think I'll try swapping them onto the one with the SFs and do a comparison.

Here's hoping they can make a Dingwall special set!!!! I would love to get em on Z

Thanks for the update though Jeff.

 

[J Posega]

This just in: FDV bridge pickup fat and growly, punchy like a J bass but slightly fuller - perfect compliment to the P pickup.

I'm going to ditch the Tone Fusion for a regular tone pot; I don't find the mid-scoop too useful, and it loses a lot of volume in that position.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I ended up making some ramps for my Dingwall(s) and my 'Ray this week. It was a bit a of a trick to get the radius right but I am pretty happy with how they turned out. I tend to radius my ramps by tracing the end of the fretboard and that just wasn't possible with the angles. I took the neck pickup out and squared the block off the neck to get the radius. After getting the radius, I cut the shape out of the block and wood. Since I was using some leftover wood pieces, this ended up making the AB1 ramp have an odd angle. The ramps are finished with Krylon and stuck on with foam tape, nothing fancy.

 

[Blues Cat]

Here's Claudio Rocha using the Payson Fanned Flats on X Factor Brazil. The band sounds fantastic and the PFF's sit really nicely in the mix.


And a more intimate bass and drums only jam.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[husky123]

I asked this over on the DW facebook group but thought I'd ask here too. Do the D birds come tuned BEAD if no special tuning is noted by the dealer or E standard? I'd imagine E standard but a few have said they come BEAD. Thanks for any insight.

 

[Selta]

That's a good question... I thought it was B E A D

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I asked this over on the DW facebook group but thought I'd ask here too. Do the D birds come tuned BEAD if no special tuning is noted by the dealer or E standard? I'd imagine E standard but a few have said they come BEAD. Thanks for any insight.

It's been a while but I thought the prototype was tuned standard when I played it. I'm probably wrong though...

 

[husky123]

Thanks guys, the man himself replied that it is indeed E standard unless spec'd otherwise.

 

[The_Owl]

I've been thinking about going back to maining 4-strings again, and this bass is literally haunting my dreams.

I wasn't very active on TB when it was sold last time, does anyone know if it stayed in the club?

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I've been thinking about going back to maining 4-strings again, and this bass is literally haunting my dreams.
View attachment 1694885
I wasn't very active on TB when it was sold last time, does anyone know if it stayed in the club?

I was the original owner of that lovely bass. I'm not sure where it is now. But you could try contacting the TBer who bought it from me: Reviresco

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I hear Bob's wallet cringing already...

Ohhhhhhhh, yes. I had already made the necessary inquries to the shop and will be pulling the trigger shortly.

 

[Akami]

I've been thinking about going back to maining 4-strings again, and this bass is literally haunting my dreams.
View attachment 1694885

Looks like a pretty good dream to have.

 

[The_Owl]

I was the original owner of that lovely bass. I'm not sure where it is now. But you could try contacting the TBer who bought it from me: Reviresco

Thanks. It's such a lovely bass. I'm thinking it would pair nicely with a Mesa Strategy amp I've got my eye on over here (it's their most powerful tube amp).