Dingwall Owners Club

[Bassguyrob]

Hey doods,

I've been doing some hummin and hawwwin about how to finish my new build coming up. Thought maybe I'd get some opinions from you guys as I'm pretty torn on a few deets.
Keeping in mind she's gonna be a fretless Z with a walnut top.

Part 1. I currently have spec'd a walnut body but I've really been thinking of going back to swamp ash. Thoughts on this please....

I've had basses with walnut bods and have loved the crap out of them and walnut just seems appropriate for fretless but I love the ash bods my Zs currently. To boot my buddy had lent me a fretless Zon for a while with a swamp ash bod and it is hands down, no question the best fretless I have ever played.

So I'm thinking of coming back to ash for the bod.

Part 2. The finish. I love tobacco burst. Picture my bass being in the photos below.(I wish, this top is breathtaking).
Option #1 Take the unpainted one and put a wenge contrast later in it. Leaning towards this myself.

Option #2 tobacco burst it.
What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.
View attachment 2797343
View attachment 2797344

My ABII is a fretless with walnut body and maple top, I would think either way would be good. Walnut is nice an clear and ash brings the mids. With a walnut top though a color just may obscure the figuring. If you go with a normal top then maybe a color combo they haven't done yet?

 

[MDBass]

Is the wait time on the NG's really that long? I thought the significant wait times was on the Canadian models.

The demand for the overseas models has exceeded expectations at the every step, and so far production has been unable to keep up; not a bad problem to have, really.

I'm an artist, and am still in the middle of a an ~6 month wait for a four string NG-2/Combustion if that gives you an idea of the demand levels.

 

[RussT]

The Burst in that photo is incredible. That would be my completely subjective choice.

 

[spiritbass]

The Burst in that photo is incredible. That would be my completely subjective choice.

Truthfully, I would also opt for one of their beautiful dye jobs, especially if I were springing for a nicely-figured top.

 

[Soulvaccination]

Hey doods,


Part 1. I currently have spec'd a walnut body but I've really been thinking of going back to swamp ash. Thoughts on this please....

Part 2. The finish. I love tobacco burst. Picture my bass being in the photos below.(I wish, this top is breathtaking).
Option #1 Take the unpainted one and put a wenge contrast later in it. Leaning towards this myself.

Option #2 tobacco burst it.
What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Not sure if a walnut top on swamp ash with a contrast layer pic helps, but that’s what mine is. I’m happy to bring it to you for a play date if you want to compare it to your other Dingwalls. Personally I’m not a fan of bursts, preferring natural finishes or solid transparent colors over figured tops.

I’m not sure what to recommend, but I echo other people’s thoughts that there is no wrong choice.. just pick one, own it, and enjoy it. There is always something to regret when Sheldon continues to innovate and stretch the possibilities.

 

[Bassheart365]

Not sure if a walnut top on swamp ash with a contrast layer pic helps, but that’s what mine is. I’m happy to bring it to you for a play date if you want to compare it to your other Dingwalls. Personally I’m not a fan of bursts, preferring natural finishes or solid transparent colors over figured tops.

I’m not sure what to recommend, but I echo other people’s thoughts that there is no wrong choice.. just pick one, own it, and enjoy it. There is always something to regret when Sheldon continues to innovate and stretch the possibilities.

You say you don't like "burst" finishes? What a shame BTW...If I order another, it will be an all-Northern Ash body again. I've always liked the sustain and tone of dense wood. But on a fretless I'm not sure.....

 

[AB Nate]

You say you don't like "burst" finishes? What a shame BTW...If I order another, it will be an all-Northern Ash body. But on a fretless I'm not sure.....

View attachment 2798048

I love the burst on your bass

 

[AB Nate]

Not sure if a walnut top on swamp ash with a contrast layer pic helps, but that’s what mine is. I’m happy to bring it to you for a play date if you want to compare it to your other Dingwalls. Personally I’m not a fan of bursts, preferring natural finishes or solid transparent colors over figured tops.

I’m not sure what to recommend, but I echo other people’s thoughts that there is no wrong choice.. just pick one, own it, and enjoy it. There is always something to regret when Sheldon continues to innovate and stretch the possibilities.

I'd really like to take you up on that. I mean, I don't imagine that yours would sound sooo different then mine but I would be curious. Is that a bubinga contrast layer?

 

[AB Nate]

The Burst in that photo is incredible. That would be my completely subjective choice.

It's freaking amazing.

 

[Bassheart365]

Hey doods,

I've been doing some hummin and hawwwin about how to finish my new build coming up. Thought maybe I'd get some opinions from you guys as I'm pretty torn on a few deets.
Keeping in mind she's gonna be a fretless Z with a walnut top.

Part 1. I currently have spec'd a walnut body but I've really been thinking of going back to swamp ash. Thoughts on this please....

I've had basses with walnut bods and have loved the crap out of them and walnut just seems appropriate for fretless but I love the ash bods my Zs currently. To boot my buddy had lent me a fretless Zon for a while with a swamp ash bod and it is hands down, no question the best fretless I have ever played.

So I'm thinking of coming back to ash for the bod.

Part 2. The finish. I love tobacco burst. Picture my bass being in the photos below.(I wish, this top is breathtaking).
Option #1 Take the unpainted one and put a wenge contrast later in it. Leaning towards this myself.

Option #2 tobacco burst it.
What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.
View attachment 2797343
View attachment 2797344

To me, if you are going exotic, a good flamed top has more depth and is more "3D" with a light honey or tobacco burst. It just draws my eyes into a figured top...As for body wood, can't really go wrong with swamp ash, and you have already played on it and liked it. I've never been a big fan of the tone of walnut for body wood. What woods for the neck and fingerboard?

 

[tombowlus]

Hey doods,

I've been doing some hummin and hawwwin about how to finish my new build coming up. Thought maybe I'd get some opinions from you guys as I'm pretty torn on a few deets.
Keeping in mind she's gonna be a fretless Z with a walnut top.

Part 1. I currently have spec'd a walnut body but I've really been thinking of going back to swamp ash. Thoughts on this please....

I've had basses with walnut bods and have loved the crap out of them and walnut just seems appropriate for fretless but I love the ash bods my Zs currently. To boot my buddy had lent me a fretless Zon for a while with a swamp ash bod and it is hands down, no question the best fretless I have ever played.

So I'm thinking of coming back to ash for the bod.

Part 2. The finish. I love tobacco burst. Picture my bass being in the photos below.(I wish, this top is breathtaking).
Option #1 Take the unpainted one and put a wenge contrast later in it. Leaning towards this myself.

Option #2 tobacco burst it.
What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.
View attachment 2797343
View attachment 2797344

Hey, that's my bass! I loved the untinted look of the walnut, but Sheldon suggested the burst, and I left the decision in his hands. Needless to say, I am thrilled with the result. It pairs up great with the zirocote board.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Hey doods,

I've been doing some hummin and hawwwin about how to finish my new build coming up. Thought maybe I'd get some opinions from you guys as I'm pretty torn on a few deets.
Keeping in mind she's gonna be a fretless Z with a walnut top.

Part 1. I currently have spec'd a walnut body but I've really been thinking of going back to swamp ash. Thoughts on this please....

I've had basses with walnut bods and have loved the crap out of them and walnut just seems appropriate for fretless but I love the ash bods my Zs currently. To boot my buddy had lent me a fretless Zon for a while with a swamp ash bod and it is hands down, no question the best fretless I have ever played.

So I'm thinking of coming back to ash for the bod.

Part 2. The finish. I love tobacco burst. Picture my bass being in the photos below.(I wish, this top is breathtaking).
Option #1 Take the unpainted one and put a wenge contrast later in it. Leaning towards this myself.

Option #2 tobacco burst it.
What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.
View attachment 2797343
View attachment 2797344

I would use swamp ash to keep the weight down but I am biased. I used swamp ash in the last two bodies I spec'd and I will probably use it again, should I ever find myself having another body built. I also much prefer the burst to natural. That being said, I do not think there is a wrong answer to either question.

 

[AB Nate]

To me, if you are going exotic, a good flamed top has more depth and is more "3D" with a light honey or tobacco burst. It just draws my eyes into a figured top...As for body wood, can't really go wrong with swamp ash, and you have already played on it and liked it. I've never been a big fan of the tone of walnut for body wood. What woods for the neck and fingerboard?

Wenge, ebony

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Wenge, ebony

For whatever it’s worth, I prefer alder with wenge neck vs ash with wenge neck. I have not played walnut with wenge so I can’t comment on that combo. If you go ash, I would go maple on the neck. BUT, I’m sure whatever you choose will be awesome.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Hey, that's my bass! I loved the untinted look of the walnut, but Sheldon suggested the burst, and I left the decision in his hands. Needless to say, I am thrilled with the result. It pairs up great with the zirocote board.

View attachment 2798235

Dingwall perfection!

 

[AB Nate]

For whatever it’s worth, I prefer alder with wenge neck vs ash with wenge neck. I have not played walnut with wenge so I can’t comment on that combo. If you go ash, I would go maple on the neck. BUT, I’m sure whatever you choose will be awesome.

You know Bob. Your not wrong. I have a mental block against maple necks.... I'm not 100% sure why. Maybe it's just the fact the most noticeable wear I've seen has always been on them.
But for example on my sixer it's a thing of excellence. Hmmm. This is why I ask. Sometimes just someone else's take on things can shed just enough light on a dark corner to reexamine all options available.

Not saying I'll go this route but..... maybe.
Thank you sir.

 

[Bassheart365]

You know Bob. Your not wrong. I have a mental block against maple necks.... I'm not 100% sure why. Maybe it's just the fact the most noticeable wear I've seen has always been on them.
But for example on my sixer it's a thing of excellence. Hmmm. This is why I ask. Sometimes just someone else's take on things can shed just enough light on a dark corner to reexamine all options available.

Not saying I'll go this route but..... maybe.
Thank you sir.

For a fretless, wenge neck with ebony fb would be my choice also. Both of my custom basses (fretted) have all-wenge necks and I love them. An ebony fb would make sense for more traditional fretless "growl."

 

[AB Nate]

For a fretless, wenge neck with ebony fb would be my choice also. Both of my custom basses (fretted) have all-wenge necks and I love them. An ebony fb would make sense for more traditional fretless "growl."

I've played a Zon that had the composite neck with a dymondwood fretboard. It's a truly amazing bass. Beyond that my experience with fretless necks is limited besides your standard squire or something else that is usually less then exciting. Although that said, the ebanol fretboards deserve respect imo.... and I've only played them on a maple neck. Nice mwah tone.

 

[alembicbones]

Hi All,

I just wanted to mention that I tried out the D-bird at The Bass Shop here in Seattle. All I can say is wow. This was my first time playing a 3 pickup Dingwall. This bass sounded monsterous. If it were a 5 string I might have to seriously consider it. Alas, I'm going to have to stick with my NG-2 (which is a fine consolation prize). Down the road I'm going to have consider a 3 pickup Dingwall.

Bones

 

[packrat]

Hi All,

I just wanted to mention that I tried out the D-bird at The Bass Shop here in Seattle. All I can say is wow. This was my first time playing a 3 pickup Dingwall. This bass sounded monsterous. If it were a 5 string I might have to seriously consider it. Alas, I'm going to have to stick with my NG-2 (which is a fine consolation prize). Down the road I'm going to have consider a 3 pickup Dingwall.

Bones

I was just in there playing it on Saturday with a similar reaction. Did you try the Prima?

B>