• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Seriously considering a Dingwall Super J.

Benjamin Strange

Benjamin Strange

Commercial User
Dec 25, 2002
9,737
310
49
New Orleans, LA
www.ufodeathcult.com
Disclosures
Owner / Tech: Strange Guitarworks
#1
It's getting to be about that time that I start thinking about a new bass. It's been around 7 years since I bought my last bass(es) (a couple of Steinberger XM2s), and although I've been extremely happy with them, my needs are changing.

All of a sudden I've found myself playing roots style music full time - no day job! I love my Steinbergers to death, but it's not easy to get strings for them on the road (especially in my gauges). There are other issues I've had with them, but that's not the point of this thread.

My search for a new bass has lead me to fanned frets. I tune in 5ths (CGDA), and I think the scale length(s) of the Dingwall Super J would be ideal for this tuning. However, I've never been much of a J bass type of guy (I've never owned a Fender in my 16 years of playing) - I find them to be a bit too grindy for my tastes. I've emailed Dingwall about possibly making one with two P pickups instead, but haven't heard back yet. If a double P could be made, that would almost seal the deal.

I have a few questions about the bass that I hope to be answered here. First, I've heard people talk about it being a small bass - is the body actually smaller than a Fender? I'm a small guy, and don't do big basses, so a smaller body would be killer. Also, when in passive mode does it have the same output impedance as a bass that is passive only? I use alot of pedals that are sensitive to impedance, and I'd hate to have to leave a fuzz at home because it hates my bass. Also, what's the story with pricing on these? I've looked over the web, and pricing seems to be pretty erratic; some are listed at $4000, others closer to $2000, yet the basses look the same and have the same features. What's the story here? The neck: is it thin front to back? I like a little meat on my necks, and if the Dingwall neck is too thin it could potentially kill my interest.

Obviously I have yet to play one of these; the closest dealer to me is 80 miles away. I'm hoping some TBers will provide me with enough information for me to determine whether I make the drive or not. Where'yat?
 
#3
Hey, first off I'd like to say I don't own a super J, I have just played one at a music store, however, I loved it!

As far tuning in fifths rather than fourths I have no experience with this, but I can say that when it is in standard tuning the strings are very consistent in volume and tension.

I found the bass to have a good variety of tones, in both passive and active modes. Any "grindiness"(:p ) it has could definately be fixed with the pre amp or favoring the P pickup.

I'm not sure if the body is smaller than a Fender, however it is extremely comfortable (this should cure your worries of it being to big; I'm only 14).

I have no idea about the impedence, but the volume does drop slightly going from active to passive.

The bass is around 2000 not 4000. I think the difference is from the suggested price to the actual sales price. If someone is actually trying to sell you one for 4000 turn it down, you can get the same one for half price somewhere else!:smug:

Personally, I like thin necks. I found the dingwall to be very comfortable, definately not Ibanez thin, but not extremely thick either.

All in all, no one can you tell if this bass is for you. It is a great bass in both feel and sound. I don't really see a downside too it, and had I the money or the need for another 4 string I'd jump on it. You should really drive down there and check it out for yourself; I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't leave the store with a new passenger.
 
#5
I have a SuperJ- well the prototype, its a bit different, but gives a close approximation
http://www.dingwallguitars.com/html/products_superj.html
(make sure you download the PDF file)
The bass body itself is approx the same size as a Fender J but downsized due to forearm and tummy cutouts, it is also lighter. (http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?t=22975&highlight=SuperJ+body). The scale length on the production SuperJs is 34.5"E-32"G.
The string to string tension between is amazing. no dead spots or uneven notes.
The neck is amazing as well. It feels smaller than a Fender Jazz neck, sleeker, and in my opinion faster.
The bass has a ton of tones and if Ed friedlands SuperJ review is still online you should be able to find sound samples, etc

AS mentioned above the SuperJs runs more than 2K but less than the 4K Dingwall Zs, and Primas

I believe seafoam (surf) green is available-you may play w/ the color schemes here (http://www.dingwallguitars.com/html/products_superj_tn_gallery.html)

Id be interested to hear if Sheldon will make a Double "P"
frank
the prototype (one off reversed headstock and a 36" scale)
fcm_super_j_front_599_314.jpg
 
#6
Have you ever considered trying a Chapman Stick? The bass side is tuned in inverted 5ths. But you could tune it to just about anything you can think of. The NS/Stick is an 8 string variant that is a bit more bass like. Thought that might be up your alley since you use tunings in 5ths.
 
#7
We don't offer a P bridge pickup on the Super J.

If you're tuning down to C, you'll get better clarity and fidelity with the longer scale of an Afterburner 4 (either ABI or ABII). We've built at least one ABI 4 for a customer who tuned in 5ths. The string tension was not as even as with regular tuning, but the customer was very happy.

I'd still recommend the drive to try out the Super J though. You'd at least know what you're getting into and if the longer scale is worth it or not.

If you don't mind experimenting and want to get the string tension as even as possible, there are a lot of choices of long-scale strings now from Smith, Fodera, GHS etc.

If you're tuning in 5ths you're likely going to have to make up custom string sets for proper performance no matter what bass you choose.
 
#8
cybersnyder said:
Have you ever considered trying a Chapman Stick? The bass side is tuned in inverted 5ths. But you could tune it to just about anything you can think of. The NS/Stick is an 8 string variant that is a bit more bass like. Thought that might be up your alley since you use tunings in 5ths.
Click to expand...

I've owned Sticks and Warr guitars in the past; cool but not what I need right now. I will eventually have a Warr made for me in the configuration I want.
 
#9
Sheldon D. said:
We don't offer a P bridge pickup on the Super J.

If you're tuning down to C, you'll get better clarity and fidelity with the longer scale of an Afterburner 4 (either ABI or ABII). We've built at least one ABI 4 for a customer who tuned in 5ths. The string tension was not as even as with regular tuning, but the customer was very happy.

I'd still recommend the drive to try out the Super J though. You'd at least know what you're getting into and if the longer scale is worth it or not.

If you don't mind experimenting and want to get the string tension as even as possible, there are a lot of choices of long-scale strings now from Smith, Fodera, GHS etc.

If you're tuning in 5ths you're likely going to have to make up custom string sets for proper performance no matter what bass you choose.
Click to expand...

I've had more troubles with my high A rather than the low C, so I think an Afterburner would probably not help me as much. I'm currently using 135, 105, 75, 45 for gauges, and my D and A strings are the ones that sound pinched more than the C and G sounding floppy.

Any thoughts on the morado board vs. the maple board? Would that significantly warm up the tone to where I won't miss the P tone too much?

I will be going up to Baton Rouge later this week - my truck died at the gig last night and I had to leave it there. I will try to get by a dealer and check it out while I'm in town.
 
#11
fullrangebass said:
I have converted a 4 str to CGDA (cello tuning an octave below). You may try using 80 and 50 for D and A respectively in order to get less floppiness. Check that the neck can take the strain
Click to expand...

I think you've got me backwards - my D and A strings are higher in pitch. They are too tight at just about any gauge I use. One of the main reasons I'm looking at the Dingwall is that it will shorten the scale on these two strings.
 
#12
Another important thing I forgot to ask about is balance. I'm a small guy, so the way the bass hangs on me is extremely important. Most of my gigs run for 3-4 hours with no breaks, so I absolutely cannot deal with neck dive. Even though my Steinbergers are heavy, they balance extremely well and therefore they don't wear me out on long gigs.

So, how does the Super J balance on a strap?
 
#13
Benjamin Strange said:
Another important thing I forgot to ask about is balance. I'm a small guy, so the way the bass hangs on me is extremely important. Most of my gigs run for 3-4 hours with no breaks, so I absolutely cannot deal with neck dive. Even though my Steinbergers are heavy, they balance extremely well and therefore they don't wear me out on long gigs.

So, how does the Super J balance on a strap?
Click to expand...

Balances great, no problems there. Ergonomically, for a smaller guy it should be close to perfect. Being a tall guy (6'3") I found the bass and neck to be too tiny. Everything else was fine, but I found that with my paws, the ergonomics of the shorter scale actually worked against me. I think for what you are looking to do (tuning and such), this would be a great fit. Quality wise, they are as nice as any other high end Jazz out there.
 
#15
Well, I made it up to The Perfect Bass today in Baton Rouge, and tried out the Super J. I drove home alone.

While I did find it to be a nice bass, there were some things that didn't work for me. The neck's scale was perfect, especially in my tuning, but it was simply too small. The string spacing was too narrow, and it was too thin front to back. Overall I liked the smaller feel of the bass (the body does seem smaller than a standard Jazz), but the tiny neck felt wrong in my hands. Also, the J pickups still had too much of that J bass "skronk"; I want a big, fat, warm tone, and J pickups have never worked for me to that end. While it did sound good as far as Jazz basses go, I didn't feel it worked for me and my particular tastes.

Man, I really wanted to want this bass. It was light, balanced well, and was well built. But ultimately it was still a Jazz bass, which I can't abide. I guess I will have to wait for Dingwall to make a P bass, or build one myself.

As for The Perfect Bass, I was impressed with the selection if not the salesman. The sales guy was friendly at first, but he bitched at me a bit for taking the Super J off the wall without his express permission. I can understand protecting one's gear, but I didn't feel the way it was handled was totally professional. Also, he didn't appear willing and/or able to answer my questions regarding the bass, and also expressed some antagonistic puzzlement as to why I don't care for the Jazz bass tone. He kind of struck me as a somewhat new guitar slinger, as he was asking me alot of used car salesman sort of questions as to why I wouldn't buy the bass. Once he realized I wasn't going to buy it, he seemed to lose all interest in me and walked off. I'm guessing this isn't representative of the store as a whole, but it did turn me off a bit. I make my living playing bass, and this is the kind of store with the kind of gear that I could see frequenting and spending alot of money in.

To sum up, no Super J for me. This sucketh. My search continues...
 
#17
Sorry it didn't work out for you. Seemed like it had potential for the 5ths tuning. I'd think that it would be easier to get custom guage strings rather than getting a custom bass with a fanned fret board and the issues with pickups and fanned frets. I'm sure you know about the single strings available from JustStrings.com, but just in case...

Ernie Ball had the best selection:

Link Removed
 
#18
I've been using custom gauges for years now; the problem is scale length. Even with the strings I'm using (135, 105, 75, 45) the tensions are still funky. Currently I order my strings from Status, since nobody seems to make double ball strings in the gauges I like except them.

It's tough being so picky.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back