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Please, convince me to buy a Dingwall.

superfunk47

superfunk47

Sep 9, 2007
2,090
39
#1
So, we've all (or at least most of us have) heard the hype about Dingwalls. But what I want is people with first hand experience with them to tell me what's so great about them.

Assume I'm a crotchety old bass player who's been with it from the beginning, and doesn't think any bass other than his '62 Precision is worth touching (this isn't true, but just for the sake of argument let's say I am).

So tell me why I should get one! :bassist:
 
#2
Dw's cop a pretty good P Bass tone neck soloed. They definitely play better with better tone and even tension across the fretboard.
 
#4
If I had to pinpoint the one biggest advantage (and there are more than one), it would be clarity of the notes. Everything is crystal clear down to low B.

More advantages:
Even tension across the stings
Great feeling neck (think rolled fingerboard edges +10)
Lightweight and ergonomic
Good variety of sounds
Easier to play fanned frets than you think
Great looks
Great customer service
Made in Canada :)
 
#5
The guys before me said it all.

I'd like to add that I am a P lover more than a J (sound-wise). The neck pickup of a Dingwall has the P sound with added clarity and definition all the way down to low B, Bb, A and even Ab!!! There are many tonal variations available from the Dingwaall basses.

Awesome tonal even-ness across the strings and across the board.
 
#6
No-one could talk me into buying a Dingwall. I had rejected them because I didn't know how the fanned frets would feel like, no matter how many good things I read about them. Then I got to play one. For a couple of years now I have never considered another brand, and doubt I will soon. So I won't tell you anything except go and try one out for 10 minutes through a good rig. And bring your favourite bass for comparison :D
 
#7
I have a "Super J" with a "PJ" set-up and it sounds and feels terrific. Great clarity, versatile electronics, well-balanced with a lightening fast neck. I have a hipshot on the E-string and would highly suggest getting one. The growl of the E dropped to a D records just famously. I have not tried any of the others, but would expect them to have the same qualities. Good luck!
 
#8
Played one at the NAMM show a few years ago. It was built very well and sounded great. It's doesn't have a better B string than any other well built 5 string, but it is well balanced across all ranges. It felt a little strange, but I can see how the fanned frets would get easier over time.
 
#9
If you were local, I wouldn't have to. All I'd have to do is sit you down with my gorgeous flamed-maple ABI fiver.

Amazing clarity, from the 24th fret on the G to the open B. Awesome build quality, fantastic appearance (IMO), light weight, pretty flexible tonal palate, and a fast neck.

I can understand being somewhat catious of the fanned frets, but (literally) less than 10 minutes on the bass and I was finding notes more naturally than I ever had before.

*EDIT* FWIW, my Alembic Epic is still my go-to bass for tone. The sound of Dingwall is great, but my Epic nails the "tone in my head" thing. On the other hand, though, for total package, including the ever-important weight and balance, my Dingwall is my giggin' bass.
 
#11
Hey SuperFunk47

you are bit far away, otherwise I'd invite you to try my Dingwalls and compare them with the rest of my high end bases (some Foderas, KL's, Ritter. Status etc). Then you would know what got me hooked to this very day
 
#12
steve4765630 said:
It's doesn't have a better B string than any other well built 5 string
Click to expand...

Not trying get into an argument and we are entitled to our opinions. The B string on the Dingwall really is one of the best sounding B strings out there.

Very clear and focused, not to tight(because that would muffle the true aspect of the B string overall)and not floppy at all. And this is the same response on every Dingwall that I have played that had a B string on it. And for the record I use a .110 B string on my Dingwall and it sounds killer.

I have let people play my Dingwall who have never even thought about playing a 6 string bass let alone a bass with fanned frets and every one of them have been n awe and blown away and all have said that they love the overall tone and it's playability and tonal versatility.

And the Dingwall is one of the very few basses that I have seen many luthiers geek over and snatch the bass out of my hands and go over it with a fine tooth comb,with high praise and so many positive comments in regards to craftsmanship, tone, concept and if they know Sheldon Dingwall how much of a great guy he is.


The Dingwall really is an interesting instrument and I would respectfully ask any one to play one for themselves and try to spend more than five minuets with one in a not to loud and distracting environment.
 
#13
Why should you get a Dingwall? Because if you don't I'll kick your dog.

I've owned a Dingwall Super J for about a year now. I wasn't planning on getting one, but I was intrigued by the fan fret concept as it might help with the uneven tension issues that I have to deal with since I tune in 5ths (CGDA). While I was researching, one came up on our local Craigslist for a ridiculously low price so I snatched it up, thinking I'd just sell it for a profit if I didn't like it.

Some background: I dislike Jazz basses. I don't like the clanky tone, I don't like the tiny neck, and I don't care much for the overall aesthetic. That said, I love the Super J. It's comfortable, lightweight, balances perfectly (a HUGE issue for me), sounds like a Jazz without the clankyness, has a smallish neck yet doesn't fatigue my hand, and looks great. All my string tensions evened out, and I find myself playing in ways that I hadn't before. I still get some odd looks from people in the audience, but not nearly as many as when I was bringing my Steinberger to funk and blues shows.

Needless to say I've kept it. I've put it through hell already, and may be on my way to having the first relic Super J out there. But I don't think I'll ever sell it, so I'm not concerned about the rust, paint chips, and extra holes my basses seem to collect.
 
#14
fullrangebass said:
The guys before me said it all.

I'd like to add that I am a P lover more than a J (sound-wise). The neck pickup of a Dingwall has the P sound with added clarity and definition all the way down to low B, Bb, A and even Ab!!! There are many tonal variations available from the Dingwaall basses.

Awesome tonal even-ness across the strings and across the board.
Click to expand...

Fullie didn't point out that the pickups under those soapbar covers (of the FD series on Afterburners, Z1,2, and Prima) are in a reverse-P configuration. There is also a new "super fatty" pickup available on the SJ-5 and Z-3 models. A PJ-4 similar to the one in this pic (borrowed from a brother on the DW forum) will be in my hands in a couple of weeks:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
If you lived a bit closer (:hmm:), I'd invite you over after for a hands & ears-on session.
 
#16
JAUQO III-X said:
Not trying get into an argument and we are entitled to our opinions. The B string on the Dingwall really is one of the best sounding B strings out there.

Very clear and focused, not to tight (because that would muffle the true aspect of the B string overall) and not floppy at all. And this is the same response on every Dingwall that I have played that had a B string on it. And for the record I use a .110 B string on my Dingwall and it sounds killer.

I have let people play my Dingwall who have never even thought about playing a 6 string bass let alone a bass with fanned frets and every one of them have been in awe and blown away and all have said that they love the overall tone and it's playability and tonal versatility.

And the Dingwall is one of the very few basses that I have seen many luthiers geek over and snatch the bass out of my hands and go over it with a fine tooth comb,with high praise and so many positive comments in regards to craftsmanship, tone, concept and if they know Sheldon Dingwall how much of a great guy he is.


The Dingwall really is an interesting instrument and I would respectfully ask any one to play one for themselves and try to spend more than five minuets with one in a not to loud and distracting environment.
Click to expand...

Preach it, brother Jauquo. Barry (Lamb - DW Sales Mgr.) will tell you like he did me that Sheldon is the person most obsessed with detail, balance, and overall quality that he has ever seen. :D With their designs and quality execution, Dingwall instruments exist in their own category in my humble opinion. I can't share details on how my 2nd Dingwall deal nearly crumbled completely, but I did tell Barry that if it were in my power and authority, I would knight them both for their honorable handling of the situation (ramble over ;) )...
 

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