A bunch Metal players seem to love Dingwalls.
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Perceptions are changing.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I did NOT suggest anything of the kind. Please don’t pick conflict where none exists.
Of course, ANY bass guitar CAN be played on any bass guitar gig. Each to their own. For MY gigs, the Fenders tend to be easier on the musicians and easier to dial in the cover sounds.
I also have non-Fender boutiques. For example, I’ve just finished making my Alembic Series I more user friendly; wireless and pedal board supply. NO ONE in the audience really cares what the bass player is playing. As my wife says, they all sound like a bass. Even if I think my MTD is my “best” sounding instrument, the Fenders, with appropriate signal chain, fit my playlists, and are comfortable for the players I gig with.
As I stated, Horses for courses.
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.
If that is not exactly what you are saying, using something that is not a Fender would not be shoveling against the tide now would it?
If that is not exactly what you are saying, using something that is not a Fender would not be shoveling against the tide now would it?
I now have 3 Dingwalls, all imports. They are among the finest basses I’ve ever played and owned. I absolutely love them. I don’t want to pay full retail for a SP-1 but I can say that they are worth the cost and will bring you years of pleasure.
Besides, Fender doesn’t offer a 5 string PJ anymore. Not really a competition in that aspect until Dingwall brings an import super J.
Besides, Fender doesn’t offer a 5 string PJ anymore. Not really a competition in that aspect until Dingwall brings an import super J.
Who are “normal people”, and what is it that makes them “normal”? What is normal, anyway?
That is not the point of fanned frets. And no, you don't have to "deal with it", it all comes natural.
But anyway, I am not here to change someone's opinion. I am not even here to correct or to educate. I should never have been here anyway. Not useful.
Correct. That was my point. There is no center to Pop music anymore. The new “normal” is no normal.
After playing a combustion with a 37' scale on the B, I feel that a longer scale length helps with the sound of the low B by a LARGE margin. If that's not "the point" of multi-scale instruments then I really don't see "the point" of multi-scale at all, by all means thrall me with your acumen. The multiscale was different and YES, I had to "deal with it". It was different and a little confusing at first with the extra string AND the multiscale fretboard layout. I wouldn't want to have to DEAL with that continually with all my other basses being non-multiscale.
Why should there be? And I’ll then reframe my earlier question…what was normal? What was so great about it?
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When the vast majority of the population was listening to the same material on Top 40 radio in their cars, there was a somewhat systematic familiarity with songs amongst audiences in clubs.
This made playing gigs a somewhat more straightforward enterprise. Non-musician audiences are most easily pleased by music, with which they are familiar.
As for some existential debate about “normalcy,” you would be better to engage someone else. I’m not much on philosophy. I will observe that humans genetically like their tribal groups, however those may be defined. You may take it from there.
And what’s more, as better choices became available, the big names gravitated there.
We saw that with Alembic. We saw that with Hiwatt and Mesa Boogie.
Unless you are the original artist, or are in a tribute band that really nails it, there’s no reason to be beholden to the choices someone made 50-75 years ago on an album.
People sure as hell don’t sing in the same manner as they used to, drum technology is different, and amps/speakers have radically changed.
The gap between mass produced instruments and some customs, or at least customizable, brands is decreasing.
The fact that the center is raised would drive me bonkers. Top one looks sharp.
To me, it’s less Dingwall versus Fender than it is Indonesian imports costing more than a high end American Fender and no one is batting an eye. Times have changed.
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An import Super J with an SP-1 style passive system would be awesome.
It's funny to me that everyone assumes Dingwalls have this ultra modern feel and tone because of their styling. When I finally got my hands on a bunch to try at a store last year, I thought the fat neck and skinny frets made it feel most like the 60's gibson EB-1 - not a very "modern" bass, but super cool. And as for tone, I mean, three pickups and an active preamp would make any bass sound like every bass, right?
I see. Missed that point.
“Free” Market Supply and Demand. Off Shore production quality has vastly increased. We may someday be able to be a global society on this small planet, though that is yet in the future. But, the communications tech is making that picture increasingly plausible.
USA has drastically decreased “making stuff,” as we experiment with trying to create virtual value on line. I’m not a fan; but, can’t deny reality. My straight job went away in 2008, when we decided to off shore a lot of our hi tech production. There is a whole conversation about economic platforms, productivity, and wealth. Lessons are in the history books; but, we keep trying other approaches. Que sera, sera.
One really expensive bass is better than another really expensive bass?
I guess I'll never know.
I guess I'll never know.
