Dingwall Owners Club

[BurningSkies]

View attachment 2870925
I used to wear mine up pretty high, but have gradually lowered it to about 47.5 inches strap lock pin to pin. I can’t imagine raising it by over 10 inches on me. It feels like I would probably be wearing it as a necklace at that length. I do like the upper access the shorter hang provides, but this length gives me a nice compromise to the reach to the first fret.

In theory it sounds high, but...

Has it at a pretty short operational height which is way better for my left hand.

This, a few inches down is less comfortable to me:

 

[husky123]

I can't speak to strings. I love Sheldon's nickel/steel & any time I've wandered, I've come right back.

I will say that I'm excited to find out that the newly announced Dingwall straps will be adjustable to the length I prefer. I've had a couple nice quality leather straps (like the SBL One-Strap), and they've been too long and unable to adjust to my preferred playing length.

Sheldon confirms that the straps shortest length is 36.75" which should work for me. I've been between 36-37ish consistently.

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View attachment 2870781

I hope they go D bird low.

 

[BurningSkies]

I use a Planet Waves padded 3" strap with slide adjustments:
D'Addario Planet Waves 3" Padded Woven Bass Guitar Strap - Black

I think this is one of the ones I've used in the past successfully. I'm hoping to 'upgrade' to one of Sheldon's because they're really nice, and I like to support and I'd like to represent. I'll buy one of Sheldon's then if I need to keep it as a home use strap I can. It should theoretically work though.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I use a Planet Waves padded 3" strap with slide adjustments:
D'Addario Planet Waves 3" Padded Woven Bass Guitar Strap - Black

I have a few of these lying around, and I really like them. But I bought two of the original Levy Dingwall straps when Sheldon first got them in, and have used them ever since.

 

[BurningSkies]

I hope they go D bird low.

I'm sure they do! Did the final D-Bird end up with the rear-carved strap anchor? I always thought that was a sweet bit of design work.

 

[BurningSkies]

I have a few of these lying around, and I really like them. But I bought two of the original Levy Dingwall straps when Sheldon first got them in, and have used them ever since.View attachment 2870983View attachment 2870982

That looks nice too... It's not stretch or too spongy and hot, is it? Anytime I see neoprene...

 

[husky123]

I'm sure they do! Did the final D-Bird end up with the rear-carved strap anchor? I always thought that was a sweet bit of design work.

It doesn’t have that recessed spot like some of the prototypes but I’m pretty sure the strap position is in the same spot. He uses a recessed Dunlop there.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

In theory it sounds high, but...

View attachment 2870941

View attachment 2870942

Has it at a pretty short operational height which is way better for my left hand.

This, a few inches down is less comfortable to me:

View attachment 2870943

Well you are a lot taller, and your arms are no doubt longer, which means you can have your cake (better upper access) and eat it too (you still have the reach to the first fret), so I totally get that. Plus we are all different in our preferences anyway.

 

[BurningSkies]

It doesn’t have that recessed spot like some of the prototypes but I’m pretty sure the strap position is in the same spot. He uses a recessed Dunlop there.

Cool. I have 3 working sets of strap-loks and the buttons/screws unused for 2 basses worth (I've bought multiple sets for the strap fittings rather than move them from strap to strap. So one of the first things I'll do on the purple NG-2 once it shows up is to put on a set. I'll also have a dedicated strap for it and will grab a Gator ATA hard case. Once I fill in a few other bits and pieces, I'll be able to grab a case and it will have the bass and the 'full kit' I need for a gig. Locally I can use the Rastaburst, and for roadwork I'll have the NG. I'll even get a duplicate set of IEMS to keep in it so it will be a no-brainer for van-call.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

That looks nice too... It's not stretch or too spongy and hot, is it? Anytime I see neoprene...

It’s been a while since I’ve worn one, but the padded part is really not neoprene. It’s the same basic outer material as the gig bags. Kind of a smooth, water resistant sharkskin as they call it. I found it quite comfortable and sweat resistant. They did (and may still) have a sueded material version, but that one was definitely hot and sweaty.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

That looks nice too... It's not stretch or too spongy and hot, is it? Anytime I see neoprene...

This is a better closeup so you can see the material.

 

[BurningSkies]

Well you are a lot taller, and your arms are no doubt longer, which means you can have your cake (better upper access) and eat it too (you still have the reach to the first fret), so I totally get that. Plus we are all different anyway in our preferences anyway.

Yeah, I think I'm long legged and short-torso'ed. The good news is that I'm shrinking. I was once 6'2 and now I'm just a little bit above 6'1". And I know it gives my right paw a bit of an acute angle which isn't great but the trade off is lower I have more of an angle to my left hand. And I end up having more control with both.

It's probably because I'm a solidly mediocre player.

 

[BurningSkies]

This is a better closeup so you can see the material.
View attachment 2871011

Ah, I just looked up the adjustability on these: Short: 40" - 46"

:/

 

[bebass]

I didn't have one of the older ones. I've had a handful of other decent ones and usually at their shortest they're an inch or two too long. I find if I can play at least within a couple inches of my seated bass-position, I just play better and a little tighter. I may be the only one who notices, but it's sort of about wrist angle and all that.

I have the standard ones so when the new ones come in I will compare the length. I think they are the same but not entirely sure.
.

 

[BurningSkies]

While we're at it, any thoughts about what's in the NAMM mystery box?

We know that there's:
Lefty NG-2's
Contrasty white/charcoal burl AB
New Straps
D-Bird in Pelham Blue

...I've heard inklings of...something that sparkles (?!?)

...and someone non-Dingwall affiliated mentioned a couple new standard colors in passing.

 

[bebass]

While we're at it, any thoughts about what's in the NAMM mystery box?

View attachment 2871038

We know that there's:
Lefty NG-2's
Contrasty white/charcoal burl AB
New Straps
D-Bird in Pelham Blue

...I've heard inklings of...something that sparkles (?!?)

...and someone non-Dingwall affiliated mentioned a couple new standard colors in passing.

I have a pretty good idea but can't say - not sure when official announcements will be - maybe at NAMM.

 

[BurningSkies]

I have a pretty good idea but can't say - not sure when official announcements will be - maybe at NAMM.

I've been keeping my ear to the ground...whispers are whispering. But there's always some fun things in the making from the test kitchen.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

Ah, I just looked up the adjustability on these: Short: 40" - 46"

:/

3” too short. Oh well.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with your mediocre playing! I know because I’m well below mediocrity and I’m wearing my basses lower.

We are all different physically, and I think we just experiment until we find something that works. It’s weird, but I’ve been playing again now for ten years and I’ve only recently (maybe a year or so) started feeling truly comfortable with a bass in my hands. Playing two of the best basses on the planet has really helped with that no doubt.

 

[BurningSkies]

3” too short. Oh well.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with your mediocre playing! I know because I’m well below mediocrity and I’m wearing my basses lower.

We are all different physically, and I think we just experiment until we find something that works. It’s weird, but I’ve been playing again now for ten years and I’ve only recently (maybe a year or so) started feeling truly comfortable with a bass in my hands. Playing two of the best basses on the planet has really helped with that no doubt.

Once I moved to personal program that makes me hold and play for 1 hour or more a day things changed so that I no longer feel like it's a stranger whenever I pick it up.

But yeah, I'm a bit jacked physically. My left (strap) shoulder is about 3" lower than my right shoulder.

This is probably a pretty decent representation:

That's from wearing a heavy guitar for a good chunk of time when I was a kid. My spine is straight, by one shoulder low and the other is high.

 

[J Posega]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "Vegan leather"? Do you mean a synthetic strap?

Faux leather, generally made from vinyl, but there are other options now, the latest I’ve seen is made from pineapple fibers.

One of the issues with nylon straps is that they’ve got leather ends. Couch makes cool straps from car vinyl and seatbelts, but they’re only 2” wide.