I just looked at Sweetwater and a Dingwall SP-1 five string costs more than Fender Ultra 5 and I bet most of us who really follow gear, think the Dingwall is the better buy. Times have changed.
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Perceptions are changing.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I don’t really follow gear but a Dingwall 5 string is generally going to be a better instrument than a Fender 5 string. Consumers can see the value in paying more for a (generally) better product.
The quality control is certainly far better on the Dingwall. It’s put together in Indonesia, but all the finishing work is done in Canada. Takes longer to get one at times because of the process, but I’d rather have a quality bass than one that’s just pushes out the door to make money.
just wait for whatever to pop up on the classifieds then pounce.
I guess it’s all in the wallet of the beholder. My feelings are that a Fender American Ultra has reached a price point that used to be reserved for more boutique basses, and thus feels a bit overpriced while a Dingwall, even an overseas produced but Canadian finished model, for under $3k feels reasonable. I say this as someone who owns a Canadian made Dingwall AB1, and several other boutique basses. Fender will still move more Ultras but those in the know will be rewarded by going with the Dingwall.
I see Doc posting a noticeable amount of Dingwall content lately. I sense some GAS brewing.
Before it even comes up, my advice, keep the black Jazz bass.
Before it even comes up, my advice, keep the black Jazz bass.
If I could afford it, I would have a nice collection. If I get a Dingwall, it will be next year, when I retire, provided responsibility doesn’t require me to get something I need instead of something I want.
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I can see the value of paying less for a better product
i.e Japanese instruments
I think ESP does the same thing with their Edwards line, where it’s put together in a different country and finishing touches in Japan.I can see the value of paying less for a better product
It seems to me that more people want old and vintage designed Fenders.
Other than that, they like look elsewhere. There is life beyond Fender.
About 5 years ago , the guys at Bass Central told me that Dingwalls were their # 1 seller. I bet that hasn’t changed.
Other than that, they like look elsewhere. There is life beyond Fender.
About 5 years ago , the guys at Bass Central told me that Dingwalls were their # 1 seller. I bet that hasn’t changed.
Maybe its because I work on my own stuff and don't think twice about fixing and upgrading to suit me but I would probably pass on both the Dingwall and the MIA Fender. I am not saying their cost is not justified. I am saying their value quotient for me is not there. The Player series instruments are damn near equivalent to the MIA Fenders a few years back. I tweaked them to my taste and they are fantastic. Is the $2500 difference really there? Are you going to immediately hear an obvious difference? The answer is no. I would get far more return on the dollar spending the difference on items than make more tangible and audible impact. Mics, compressors, whatever it might be. To be clear, that decision is for my needs as a recording artist and multi instrumentalist. If I was bassist first and foremost I would see the world differently I'm sure. Either way we all have budgets and finding the best way to stretch them is what we all do.
^ This is where I land as well, ESPECIALLY on basses with very common pickup and hardware formats.
I couldn't tell you how many mediocre or crummy basses came alive with some DiMarzio or EMG pickups...or an Audere, EMG, or Bartolini onboard preamp installed. My only pain point is when the pickup routes or w/e is a non-standard size (but a dremel can fix that!). To each their own, but I'm soooo glad I put the time in to learn how to mod my basses. I've turned $150 Ibbys into absolute monsters for under $200 in parts.
Nothing against Dingwall, but outside of session dudes the only player in an original band I can think of that plays the brand is John Taylor for Duran Duran. Dingwalls might cost more than Fender but I'm not sure how much actual market penetration they have with players.
I just the did the math and I don't have $2k in all my basses combined. ~$1950 for a Player P, Player J and a Yamaha TRBX605 plus pickups for the Fenders and miscellaneous pots etc. I did not charge myself for the labor.... LOL
Oh, gee, a “Dingwall vs Fender” thread. Seriously?
The one constant in life is Change.
100% of the gigs I have access to are increasingly return to older pop musics. Whether I like it or not, the classic Fender tones were used for the recordings, people are familiar with those sounds, and I’m not going to shovel sand against the tide. I honestly have not seen and cannot imagine a gig which would benefit by a Dingwall. Not just Dingwall, but any of a number of “boutique” and high quality basses. Horses for courses.
Popular music IS changing. I have no idea where it is going. Possibly because I DON’T and WON’T use any of the social media apps. Nope.
Top 40 radio is gone with the wind. Normal people are no longer listening to the same currently popular material. Getting gigs is hard enough just dealing with flaky club owners, let alone figuring out some special slice of Tik Tok material for a local venue. Best of luck to those with their Dingwall and Tik Tok playlists; that’s a hill too high for my limited capabilities.
The future belongs to the young. I’ll skulk off and play my Fenders. Through Sadowsky preamps.
The one constant in life is Change.
100% of the gigs I have access to are increasingly return to older pop musics. Whether I like it or not, the classic Fender tones were used for the recordings, people are familiar with those sounds, and I’m not going to shovel sand against the tide. I honestly have not seen and cannot imagine a gig which would benefit by a Dingwall. Not just Dingwall, but any of a number of “boutique” and high quality basses. Horses for courses.
Popular music IS changing. I have no idea where it is going. Possibly because I DON’T and WON’T use any of the social media apps. Nope.
Top 40 radio is gone with the wind. Normal people are no longer listening to the same currently popular material. Getting gigs is hard enough just dealing with flaky club owners, let alone figuring out some special slice of Tik Tok material for a local venue. Best of luck to those with their Dingwall and Tik Tok playlists; that’s a hill too high for my limited capabilities.
The future belongs to the young. I’ll skulk off and play my Fenders. Through Sadowsky preamps.
Phrasing.They shure have penetrated me, but so did Fender
I just love nice basses.
Well, fanned frets aren't my thing, so Dingwalls aren't my thing. I have one bass I paid a lot for ('79 Music Man Sabre fretless), a Squier P (the new one with the Jazz neck), and a custom FSO fretless Jazz. Unless I'm doing the fretless Jazz thing, the Squier is tremendous. Is it perfect? No, the fret ends are a little sharp, but otherwise it sounds and plays/feels exactly like what I wanted when I was looking for P bass. To each their own, folks should buy what they want/can afford, but I'm definitely in the buy cheap-and-mod camp, for the most part. The idea of paying anywhere close to a grand (or more) for a P bass at this point in time is a little beyond me.
Kinda feel like there isn't a point to the fanned fretting when the scale on the long end is 35', might as well get a used Mike Lull, not have to deal with fanned frets and call it a day.
A Dingwall is not so different that you could not play those gigs with one. That's just nonsensical hyperbole.
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