Musicman Bongo 5hh Vs Dingwall nolly

[Epiplatys]

I own a Combustion 5 3 pickup version and a Bongo 5HH. I love both basses, but I do find I'm playing the Bongo more often and I'm reaching for it first without even realising it. If I think hard about it, I'd have to say I like how it sounds and plays a little better. But it is a choice between two greats... I'm happy with both, and the best thing they don't really overlap all that much.
I'll also say I'm grabbing my Bongo more often they my Stingrays. So....

 

[wmmj]

Have you ever tried a fan fret?

Short Version: If not, you should before deciding; even if it is not a Dingwall. Recognizing Dingwall will feel different, but trying any of them will help provide some perspective.

Long Version: I ask because I always liked the idea of fanned frets. I did not like playing one. Fanned frets were certainly comfortable under my fretting hand. However, a big part of how I get my sound is plucking hand position and moving that position as needed (sometimes frequently during a song). I found this difficult to do on fanned fret. My hand would need to move at an angle to retain the same relative position on the string. I am used to moving my hand straight across the strings to maintain consistent string to string sound. On a few occasions, I even ended up plucking the bridge and completely missed the high strings. Cool concept that some people bond with, but it was not for me.

I completely agree on your point about the plucking hand positioning and controlling tone and volume. I rarely see comments about this which to me is bizarre. I was ok with the long scale Dingwall for my fretting hand, but it didn’t really work for me for the plucking hand. Additionally I didn’t bond with their pickups (different from alnico or ceramic), and I ended up going back to non-fretted. Very well made but ultimately was not the instrument for me.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I haven't played either but I did not like fanned frets when I tried them out. Most of the neck felt fine but I found playing chords above the 12th fret was ridiculously challenging.

That's the thing about them one has to know about and experience first before you come around and lay your money down.

I can do single note runs and double stops up there but three or more note chords still elude me. It kinda finicky up there with the fret angle going the other way. Fortunately I normally don't spend a lot of time up there so that is not a problem with my style of playing.

 

[Dbassmon]

So build wise would you say the import Dingwalls are at least equal to Ernie ball musicman?

Short answer: yes. The lumber for Asian Dingwalls comes from Dingwall's Canadian wood stock. CNC Machine body blanks and neck blanks are cut to the exact tolerances, whether Canadian or Chinese. The bass features Dingwall's Neo Pickups, the preamp is by DarkGlass, Neve, or some other name brands, and the final setup is completed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, by Dingwall. The build is of top quality.

 

[singlemalt]

Find a used Dingwall you like for a decent price, and you'll be fine if its not your thing.

Also, consider the new issue Super version. These are much closer to the Bongo as far as scale length. I don't know what the Bongo has for string spacing, but look into that spec as well.

You've already had a Bongo and let it go for whatever reason. Try something new.

Its a long, long road. Basses will come and go. That's part of the fun.

Personally, I picked up a used Dingwall Super PJ, sight unseen, no test drive, back in 2009. Every other bass was up for sale the same day the Dingwall arrived. It was that much better than anything I'd played or owned.

Since then, I've had 4, 5 and 6 string Dingwall basses. AB-1's, and Super series. They were all excellent. All were purchased used. I settled on four strings, and prefer the 19mm string spacing. At the moment I have a Super P, an AB-1 and the rare DBird. Both Canadian and import are excellent.

The four Dingwall that I moved along, all sold for what I had in them. I consider buying a used Dingwall to be a safe bet. So, if one pops up that trips my trigger, and the price is decent, I'll go for it.

With prices as high as they are, I'm way in the money. Take your time and find a used one.

Good hunting!