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Sorry for intruding, interrupting the OP, but as he still hasn't answered I fill in on the transition bit. Nowhere in the OPs stated that this was his first fanned fret. But it was a Dingwall. These days, those two aren't a necessary association/combination. I have a Combustion, and I can from experience say that everyone who has tried it (have a LTD 4er too with fan frets) that thinks they would take some time to adjust to are just gobsmacked at how NOT you had to transition or adapt to the fanning. I e not at all. On both these basses. There's no transition. Those music shops who've stored the latest Ibanez ones, have also told that NO customer has made any clunker when trying them out in the first, "virgin" run. My experience and others, is that unanimously:
1. It's way harder to adjust going over from 4 string to any 5 string (straight frets, regardless of total scale, long or short).
2. It's way harder to adjust to any fretless bass (4 string) than any other fanned frets. And then some. Takes years, really.
Provided that you haven't tried or owned one prior, that everything is "virgin" for you, so to speak. Mind you, that these PJ basses have a g-string that starts on 32". Short scale bass. And the E ends up at "regular" 34" or slightly above, (is it 34.25"?) so it should be accounted for... too.
Sorry, to steal the answer from the OP, but if he has a totally opposite stance, please, fill in. As for a) improving the sound b) neck radius, he should be able to fill in.
Will an open core string fit in there?
The fanned frets (different length for each string) optimize the tension for each string and allow it to vibrate and 'speak' better than having each string the same length. IME, this also helps to minimize 'dead spots' on the neck. The fretboard radius is compound, 7.5" -16". The neck profile is a "flattened C" shape.
This is my first fanned fret bass and I would say the lower 12 frets are a 'non-transition' - meaning you really don't even notice. Its just feels natural and if anything easier to play.
Above the 12th fret you need to pay a little more attention. I have found my self jamming along below 12, forgetting I am playing fanned frets and going for a little solo or accent above 12....and whoops...need to remember its a different world up there!
As for tone, I have noticed on other parallel fret basses, depending on setup/room etc. that the D and G strings can sound thin around the 5th and 7th fret. With the Dingwall it does not seem to have this issue at all. In fact it sounds really strong. So much so that I have found myself checking the tuning as I am not used to it. I look at this as a positive of course but its still very early days.
You can find all Dingwall specs here:
Dingwall Bass Specifications | Side by Side Comparison | Dingwall Guitars
And if you haven't done so yet, check out the photo galleries if you dare - they can start a heavy GAS attack drool
Sorry for the slight correction, brother, but lusting for Sheldon's basses is known as DAS.
It is an expensive syndrome!
No tort pickguard?
Ok, so that was first impression, how about second impressions, such as neck dive, and dead spots? Where do you keep your thumb while playing? Floating thumb technique? Do you rest on the top of the pickup shells which are rounded?
And second, if we're on the fence on the Dingwall (I've got one Combustion already) I would know if you'd like to share the price that you paid, or you just don't have the ... nerve?
Definitely no neck dive and no dead spots
I mostly rest my thumb on top of the P pup but this seems a little farther back than I am used to and of course changes the tone a little so sometimes I float - just depends on the song, the passage, my mood - I really don't think about it too much
On the pricing...I think you've shown that you have the....nerve...for asking the question - No?
If you own an NG2 its roughly double and a bit
Sorry for the slight correction, brother, but lusting for Sheldon's basses is known as DAS.
That's right! You think I would know this after reading 690 pages of Dingwall awesomeness.
For those new to Dingwall....start here:
Dingwall Owners Club
Definitely no neck dive and no dead spots
I mostly rest my thumb on top of the P pup but this seems a little farther back than I am used to and of course changes the tone a little so sometimes I float - just depends on the song, the passage, my mood - I really don't think about it too much
On the pricing...I think you've shown that you have the....nerve...for asking the question - No?
If you own an NG2 its roughly double and a bit
I was an early adopter of a white version 1.0 Dingwall Combustion 5er. Not the NG2 I am afraid. Had to install the "b-boost" pre amp option later on. Had a red one also, but sold it. I think Dingwall showed this one on their FB page before shipping it, and I thought, "oh....omfg... this one...spontaneuos ejaculation..."...sorry, but I made the plunge on a 4 string LTD fanned fret instead. It is nowhere near a Dingwall, but it is
a) readily available in shops
b) one can try before buy
c) one can compare it to their equivalent pararell frets versions.
d) the most important: they are not as expensive.
e) which means you just don't need (anymore) to get a Dingwall just to check out or own any fanned frets bass. You buy a Dingwall because it's a Dingwall. Not because it has fanned frets.
I know, that if I would want one, or could afford one it should be one Super PJ 4 string, I have the 5er already. The 4 LTD I have now is BEAD tuning, which needs the 36.75" lowest string scale.
OK, we'll keep it a secret between us two then, double the price of a NG2 and a bit.... then I'll know. Won't tell anyone, promise...
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but @SickAura, if you haven’t noticed, your bass is the “example” that Dingwall uses at the top of the Super P section on the website! Truly an honour.
Hey thanks for pointing that out. I actually sold that bass to @Lowendtech - I believe it's his number 1 player
Wow….resurrection of this because it popped up on my phone…I switched Dingwalls with Sickaura for a couple weeks…and always thought about this beauty…. unreal how it was almost 10 years ago! As luck and star alignment happens, it is back in my hands for good now. Huge thanks to Lowendtech for keeping it in such great condition and giving me THE CALL. Great guys and one incredible bass!!!
After 30 years of playing 5 string active basses I got a 4 string passive Dingwal Super PJ last summer. Indonesia made. Very nice bass.
Fan frets are easy to get use to. Sounds like a P to me and the J pickup w/ 4 way switch adds a lot of variety.
Found a dealer in New England. John Fox Bass. Check out his site for some incredible basses.
Fan frets are easy to get use to. Sounds like a P to me and the J pickup w/ 4 way switch adds a lot of variety.
Found a dealer in New England. John Fox Bass. Check out his site for some incredible basses.
Don't tell my other two, but my four-string Super P is my favorite.
John Fox is the man to talk to if you find yourself in need of a Dingwall. Great guy, great service. 
