Perceptions are changing.

[Dr. Cheese]

Well, I'm batting an eye, but certain prestigious brands like Dingwall seem to have more latitude in charging more for imports.

I’m pretty sure Tobias, Lakland, and Dingwall, all use the same factory, but so many assumed the Tobias (Gibson) would be sub par.

 

[scottycameron]

In recent interviews, both Michael Tobias and Mr. Dingwall (I forgot his first name,) talked about the necessity of having basses made offshore and brought to North America for the finishing touches in order for them to be affordable. Lakland seems to have been the true pioneers of this process, in fact, I saw an article in a business magazine that said Lakland never made a profit until they created the Skyline series. Now Lakland, MTD, Dingwall, and Gibson (Tobias) are all making higher end instruments at Indonesian or Chinese facilities. The prices are ranging from $1,500-$3,900.

Given this reality, companies like G&L or Music Man, along with Fender, are making some serious bang for the buck instruments in California!

German made Sadowsky’s are pretty reasonable too.

Warwick has been inspecting and finishing their RB line in Germany for a long time.

I just think it is important for the "higher end" brands to fully inspect their "budget" line to help ensure a poor quality reputation does not take hold.

as a buyer, I take some value in the fact that my ghina Warwick has at least seen Germany.

 

[HolmeBass]

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.

If you check metal and hard rock genres you might be surprised.

 

[HolmeBass]

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.

Your wife and many sound engineers agree, lol!

 

[burpgun]

If you check metal and hard rock genres you might be surprised.

I'm only a tourist in metal land but the new entrant I've noticed most is Dunable. Never seen any doom guys sporting Dingwalls. Are these like prog metal guys?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I'm 100% satisfied with my USA LAKLANDs and Vintage Fenders, but I'd absolutely love to try one of theses Dingys. Lee Sklar gets a freaking great tone with his on that live Toto concert vid

 

[HolmeBass]

I'm only a tourist in metal land but the new entrant I've noticed most is Dunable. Never seen any doom guys sporting Dingwalls. Are these like prog metal guys?

I am not sure- what genre is Periphery? Of course I think they may have fired their bassist who played Dingwalls.

 

[embellisher]

I’m pretty sure Tobias, Lakland, and Dingwall, all use the same factory, but so many assumed the Tobias (Gibson) would be sub par.

Well, that depends on whether Gibson puts the finishing touches on them in the USA. Gibson's QC on American made instruments is wildly inconsistent. It was their post Tobias basses made in this country that sullied the brand's reputation in the first place.

 

[embellisher]

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.

Yep, I want the 37" B if I'm dealing with fanned frets. And while we're at it, I want my G no more than 34".

The thing I like least about my Peavey Cirrus is the high C followed closely by the G string. While I love what the 35" scale does for the B string, it makes the G and C strings too taut and "twangy". They don't have the full bodied sound that the other 4 strings do.

A Novax system neck should result in a very even tension from string to string, but as I said, I'm not going there for a 35" low B.

 

[MDBass]

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.

Seems like session players for solo artists like John Taylor, Boyz II Men, Luke Combs and Cher would count, but Dingwall is one of the biggest bass brands for players on original metal/rock bands today.

Everyone from Gojira (who performed the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony) to Dave Matthew’s Band is using them.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

The no longer in production nordstrand cat basses were the same idea - build in Indonesia and final qc/setup at the shop in cali before shipping. Its a great idea if you value your reputation

 

[Cory rich40]

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.

The DRoc costs as much as a stingray special now. The John Taylor’s are two hundred dollars away from being $4000.00.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I’m pretty sure Tobias, Lakland, and Dingwall, all use the same factory, but so many assumed the Tobias (Gibson) would be sub par.

I don't know how it is in Indonesia, but the Chinese factories have different quality tiers available for their customers. Budget to high-end can be produced at the same factory.

 

[Jugghaid]

I’m pretty sure Tobias, Lakland, and Dingwall, all use the same factory, but so many assumed the Tobias (Gibson) would be sub par.

I'm not sure that is the case. Lakland and Dingwall use te cor-tek factory, IIRC. I think Tobias uses the Indonesian Epiphone factory.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I'm not sure that is the case. Lakland and Dingwall use te cor-tek factory, IIRC. I think Tobias uses the Indonesian Epiphone factory.

Cool, I should have my Growler home before July. The build quality and sound are excellent.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Once again, I never meant this as a versus thread. I am just noticing how much high end gear is coming out of Indonesia. As for Dingwalls, they fascinate me. I have always been attracted to cutting edge designs.

 

[Jugghaid]

Once again, I never meant this as a versus thread. I am just noticing how much high end gear is coming out of Indonesia. As for Dingwalls, they fascinate me. I have always been attracted to cutting edge designs.

They are very cool and innovative. I had one, but it wasn't my thing. And I sure wouldn't pay over $3000 for it.

The Prima line....different story.

 

[Bass Viking]

My number one issue with Dingwall is that they are hard to try in a store.

This is true of all the good stuff!

 

[Bass Viking]

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.

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 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 think the meat of the OP was that an instrument made in China, finished in Canada costs more than a MIA Fender;

To the original point, Asian made basses finished in North America may become a common path for top quality. Yes that’s a change.

In recent interviews, both Michael Tobias and Sheldon Dingwall talked about the necessity of having basses made offshore and brought to North America for the finishing touches in order for them to be affordable.

Warwick has been inspecting and finishing their RB line in Germany for a long time.

Just to be clear: "finishing" or "finished" doesn't mean the stain and clearcoat. It refers to final inspection, quality control, etc. correct?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Just to be clear: "finishing" or "finished" doesn't mean the stain and clearcoat. It refers to final inspection, quality control, etc. correct?

Usually. Maybe some special finish runs are done in Canada.