New Dingwall for 2025

[DJ Bebop]

When I said "Nobody is saying that" I was referring to your statement to @steve_kyle "Again you are associating a place of construction with a perceived indication of quality." He wasn't making any such association. A lot of times when anyone makes any kind of critical statement about instruments being made in China, there is a knee-jerk attempt from someone to straw man what they're saying as "China isn't capable of making a quality instrument". But that's pretty much never what they're saying.

So what are they saying?

I guess I was having a hard time understanding that one would feel fine with paying a high price for a bass or a thing if it's built in Canada or the United States but would have a hard time paying those same prices if the thing comes from China or anywhere else, even though it is of the same quality

I guess that is why I made that point, and apparently don't understand. Because what other reason would one not want to do that? That has been a reason for some in the past, expecting inferior quality.

Hip me to the point

 

[Bass Viking]

Trying to figure out why a Chinese made bass with a gig bag is over $3000…

Never said anything about China making poor quality anything. My point from the beginning was the insane price for a MIC guitar with a gig bag. Don’t care if they make their stuff in China, but keeping US/Canada produced pricing is what has me scratching my head.

But hey, if you want to pay that for one, go for it.

You can be sure that bass would cost much more if it was made in North America.

 

[Bass Viking]

So what are they saying?

I guess I was having a hard time understanding that one would feel fine with paying a high price for a bass or a thing if it's built in Canada or the United States but would have a hard time paying those same price if the thing comes from China, even though it is of the same quality

I guess that is why I made that point, and apparently don't understand. Because what other reason would one not want to do that? That has been a reason for some in the past, expecting inferior quality .

Yup. It’s wrong of course but it still persists.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I saw a Canadian priced one at a store that was priced right at $18,000.00. Look at the USA Spectors. The Kiesel USA basses are very reasonable

$18k would be the top of the line Prima Artist where the sky is the limit for options. Those are pretty rare obviously but not typical of Dingwall pricing. Brands have these top of the line priced item be it guitars or automobiles to make their other lines look more reasonable.

 

[Cory rich40]

$18k would be the top of the line Prima Artist where the sky is the limit for options. Those are pretty rare obviously but not typical of Dingwall pricing. Brands have these top of the line priced item be it guitars or automobiles to make their other lines look more reasonable.

I suppose it’s what is special to the individual. And as long as that person isn’t taking away from his family then I say go for it if you can afford it. Me personally, I would have to win several million on the lottery if I were to actually buy that prima artist right now. It would also be locked behind a glass case for me to look at and not play. I would be terrified of dropping that bass.

 

[Bass Viking]

$18k would be the top of the line Prima Artist where the sky is the limit for options. Those are pretty rare obviously but not typical of Dingwall pricing. Brands have these top of the line priced item be it guitars or automobiles to make their other lines look more reasonable.

And so bassists can justify purchases to their spouse.

 

[Bass Viking]

I suppose it’s what is special to the individual. And as long as that person isn’t taking away from his family then I say go for it if you can afford it. Me personally, I would have to win several million on the lottery if I were to actually buy that prima artist right now. It would also be locked behind a glass case for me to look at and not play. I would be terrified of dropping that bass.

With great price tag comes great responsibility.

 

[steve_kyle]

You can be sure that bass would cost much more if it was made in North America.

Well, that’s kinda my point. With labor costs what they are here, you can reasonably expect prices to be higher here. With the much lower production costs in China, one would think that the overall bass price would be a lot less. No way that a Chinese made Dingwall costs even $2000 produced, shipped, and landed in a local shop. If they are really selling at $3300 plus, that’s an insane markup. Some might be willing to pay that, but just seems to high, IMO.

 

[Bass Viking]

I suppose it’s what is special to the individual. And as long as that person isn’t taking away from his family then I say go for it if you can afford it.

Heh heh, that reminds me of this:

 

[DJ Bebop]

Well, that’s kinda my point. With labor costs what they are here, you can reasonably expect prices to be higher here. With the much lower production costs in China, one would think that the overall bass price would be less. No way that a Chinese made Dingwall costs even if $2000 produced, shipped, and landed in a local shop. If they are really selling at $3300 plus, that’s an insane markup. Some might be willing to pay that, but just seems to high, IMO.

Again though, if they are using the same high-quality woods and parts that are used in Canada. The only savings is the labor cost. Even though some have corrected me in saying that no one is saying Chinese-made means it is inferior yet this remark, “No way that a Chinese made Dingwall costs even $2000 produced, shipped, and landed in a local shop.” I am not sure what is being implied here, when the only savings is labor which isn't as cheap as it was back n da day. That is one reason production is moving around to Indonesia, Vietnam and so forth, looking for lower wages again.

Anyway…

 

[Bass Viking]

No, nobody is saying that. Nobody has really even thought that for decades. Everyone knows that a good instrument can be made in China. What the other poster was saying was that it is cheaper to make stuff in China. That's the only reason North American companies do it. Typically, a North American company using Chinese manufacturing is not hiring them to build ultra high end stuff. They've always been used to build stuff in such a way that it can be sold cheaper. So, it's noteworthy that there's now a $3000 made in China bass because that's more expensive than most Made in the USA basses right now. $3000 is more expensive than a USA Music Man. This was previously unheard of, and it's noteworthy. It signals a change in the market. No one thinks that the entire nation of China can't manage to make a good bass guitar.

Dingwalls have always been expensive. You mention $3000 but there are many that can be had for far less. I'm looking at the Bass Central website and the least expensive Dingwall is $2105. The cheapest Ernie Ball Musicman is $2500 (I'm not counting the used one for $1700).

 

[Cory rich40]

Aren’t the import super P’s and super J’s made in Indonesia?

 

[Bass Viking]

Well, that’s kinda my point. With labor costs what they are here, you can reasonably expect prices to be higher here. With the much lower production costs in China, one would think that the overall bass price would be a lot less. No way that a Chinese made Dingwall costs even $2000 produced, shipped, and landed in a local shop. If they are really selling at $3300 plus, that’s an insane markup. Some might be willing to pay that, but just seems to high, IMO.

Without knowing the specific cost breakdown it's hard to say what the markup is. But when I decide if a bass is worth it I look at what else is available at a similar price point.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Aren’t the import super P’s and super J’s made in Indonesia?

Dingwall Designer Guitars - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Chrishi87]

Dingwalls have always been expensive. You mention $3000 but there are many that can be had for far less. I'm looking at the Bass Central website and the least expensive Dingwall is $2105. The cheapest Ernie Ball Musicman is $2500 (I'm not counting the used one for $1700).

Nope.
The first ones here in Europe (Germany) were about 1300 $ but before pandemic, inflation and about the time the NG2 came out.

I had 6 Dingwalls and they were 1250€, 1599 €, 1799 €, 2.200 € (I think) and then I bought used, because they went up to 2.799€

 

[Bass Viking]

Gorgeous as always, but a Canadian company with a Chinese made bass, how high will the tariff be? Even though Dingwalls are not that comfortable to me, there is a part of me that is tempted to sell off stuff and buy one and just make myself get used to it.

I owned an Afterburner and I found that playing on the first few frets on the B string was uncomfortable due to the finger stretch required. I’m not averse to owning another fanned fret bass but would probably get something with a 35” to 32” scale.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I owned an Afterburner and I found that playing on the first few frets on the B string was uncomfortable due to the finger stretch required. I’m not averse to owning another fanned fret bass but would probably get something with a 35” to 32” scale.

I know exactly how you feel.