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New Dingwall AB-Z model!

BurningSkies

CRAZY BALDHEAD
Feb 20, 2005
27,956
20,350
Syracuse NY
rootshockmusic.com
Disclosures
Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
There hasn't been too much talk about this bass, what with the eagerly anticipated Dingwall Combustion model coming up...But I think this is a cool thing!

It's an Afterburner bass, but different from the I and II models. Its an ash body, flat, non-gloss finish, passive electronics with FD-3a's in newly styled shells...and a maple neck/maple fretboard with markers! I think they're looking pretty sweet, for a price point between the Combustion series and the other AB models...

abz_ha_full_shot_407.jpg


abz_ha_body_shot_153.jpg


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When you've got wood grain that nice, who needs a maple top!
 
I would like to see Sheldon address the neck heal by staining it the same color as the body.

After owning all 3 ABII models with walnut bodies, one with solid body, one with semi chambered no scroll holes and the more chambered with scroll holes, I find that the solid body and mild chambered ones have the best sound and feel IMVHO.
 
I'd buy one of those if they would sell it at the Combustion price.

Basses are too expensive these days.

Not going to happen on this one. You might start looking for used Dingwalls, but most likely won't find many of those in the Combustion price range either. The difference of course, is fairly major from the two models...different woods, electronics, build details, body shape...and the Combustion is built overseas and set up in Canada while the AB-Z is made in shop.

An Ash-bodied flat black-stained Dingwall with a Maple 'board... yummy. I'd certainly jump past a Combustion for one, since I could see myself wanting to upgrade from the Combustion in fairly short order and this has my optimal choices for body and neck woods, but not wanting one of the high-end models.

The price difference might make it worth it to just go for the ABZ. From what I've seen, it looks like it's about 500 more.

I love how that finished one looks. I'm thinking if I had the dough for a combustion right now I'd save up enough for an ABZ instead. As it is I'm completely broke :D

;) Start saving...that's how I did it.
 
Is this available as a 4, is the Super J the only 4 they make, or is a 4 a custom build?
I don't know about the ABZ, but ABs, AB-IIs, Zs and Primas come in 4, 5 or 6 strings. I guess the ABZ, essentially being an AB with different finish and woods, is also available like that; though I haven't seen a non-5 string.

As always, fanned frets get really important on 5 and especially 6 string basses. If you don't mind the low B now, you will start liking them on a Dingwall.
 
I have just purchased one in the same finish as the top picture, in the flesh it's even more beautiful, however how it plays/sounds are the most important things. I can't seem to put it down, it is just amazing. If you have a grandmother, sibling or kidney to sell to aquire one then get it done, you will not regret it at all. I was not a Dingwall fancier proir to this one being put in my hands and it won me over straight away, 5 mins from first touch to purchase. It just gets better and better.