So why fanned frets?

[Sheldon D.]

I just want to say that my Thumb bolt on has a great low B too!

Those are great sounding basses. They've used a "brute force" approach to evening out the tone and increasing sustain by using heavy, solid construction. This doesn't address the tension of the B-string so you'd still need to adjust your attack on the B or accept a higher action or more fret noise.

 

[Jefenator]

There might be something to this notion of a multi-scale being friendlier to EQ. Once I was doing a theater show and after a long tech rehearsal day, the engineer had a strong preference for my Afterburner I 6-string - over the P-bass!

 

[P. Aaron]

Only problem is it can be hard to get a test drive. Maybe putting up a few questions on the Dingwall owners thread will help find a dealer or player to help out.

Many of us Dingwall guys jumped in blind.

I'd love to practice, rehearse and gig one before I made a Dingwall buy commitment to own.

The audience doesn't even latch onto the tonal discrepancies we bass players are obsessed with.

A helpful thread too. I had no idea what fanned frets meant.

 

[Showdown]

I'd love to practice, rehearse and gig one before I made a Dingwall buy commitment to own.

The audience doesn't even latch onto the tonal discrepancies we bass players are obsessed with.

A helpful thread too. I had no idea what fanned frets meant.

I found the Dingwall NG-2 at Guitar Center. The minute I played it I fell for it. The neck felt great and the even string tension felt great too. It also sounds great. It sits perfectly in the mix in a live band situation IMO. I later found a 5 string version and bought it too. If you can find one give it a try, you might like it as much as I do.

 

[Sheldon D.]

I'd love to practice, rehearse and gig one before I made a Dingwall buy commitment to own.

The audience doesn't even latch onto the tonal discrepancies we bass players are obsessed with.

A helpful thread too. I had no idea what fanned frets meant.

They probably wouldn't let one out for a gig but Guitar Sanctuary has some up in McKinney.

 

[BurningSkies]

I'd love to practice, rehearse and gig one before I made a Dingwall buy commitment to own.

The audience doesn't even latch onto the tonal discrepancies we bass players are obsessed with.

A helpful thread too. I had no idea what fanned frets meant.

They probably wouldn't let one out for a gig but Guitar Sanctuary has some up in McKinney.

There are some Texas based guys in the TB Dingwall thread as well as on the Dingwall FB group that could be persuaded to at the very least do a meet-and-greet and test-drive if you're inclined to post up in those locations.

 

[P. Aaron]

They probably wouldn't let one out for a gig but Guitar Sanctuary has some up in McKinney.

A lovely store that place is. As a former Michigan lifer, I am delighted to be in Texas.

 

[Deleted member 368008]

Also, I've never seen a Dingwall with a limiter onboard. 99% have industry standard preamps in 2 or 3 band configurations with passive bypass switches

Of course, there's a switch. Regarding all basses with any kind of batteries in them, especially EMG, the active circuitries are often critized for limiting dynamics, so yes, you're right about that there's not any adjustable limiter/compressor onboard, that's a dedicated effect unit, but the induced limiting is a by-product (or fringe benefit if you like it) of the use of batteries only. EMGs and active detractors are always complaining about "limiting dynamics" of active pickups. Think the same about wireless systems. They always induce limiting. No matter how subtle.

Me myself always hears limiting PLUS a slight louder level whenever switching in any preamp (Darkglass, EMG, Glockenklang etc) with the switch regardless of that all knobs are at center detent. Some smaller diff than others. Those with 18v batteries, the limiting is so subtle that it is neglible, though.

Me myself likes EMG and the likes (actives) on basses because of the low impedance conversion, and you can run through large pedalboards. And long cables and you couldn't care less about cables, since they do not have to be audiophile quality or posh corksniffer ones. And you get that strong "ooomph" output. I have both basses that are passive and active and I like them both. However, single coils passive are a gripe, but that's just due to that the 50 cycle hum (europe) does interfere here more since it's bass, no guiitar, so I want to buck noise and hum as much as possible. But that's nothing Fanned Frets, or regular frets can do anything about anyway...

 

[BurningSkies]

Of course, there's a switch. Regarding all basses with any kind of batteries in them, especially EMG, the active circuitries are often critized for limiting dynamics, so yes, you're right about that there's not any adjustable limiter/compressor onboard, that's a dedicated effect unit, but the induced limiting is a by-product (or fringe benefit if you like it) of the use of batteries only. EMGs and active detractors are always complaining about "limiting dynamics" of active pickups. Think the same about wireless systems. They always induce limiting. No matter how subtle.

Me myself always hears limiting PLUS a slight louder level whenever switching in any preamp (Darkglass, EMG, Glockenklang etc) with the switch regardless of that all knobs are at center detent. Some smaller diff than others. Those with 18v batteries, the limiting is so subtle that it is neglible, though.

Me myself likes EMG and the likes (actives) on basses because of the low impedance conversion, and you can run through large pedalboards. And long cables and you couldn't care less about cables, since they do not have to be audiophile quality or posh corksniffer ones. And you get that strong "ooomph" output. I have both basses that are passive and active and I like them both. However, single coils passive are a gripe, but that's just due to that the 50 cycle hum (europe) does interfere here more since it's bass, no guiitar, so I want to buck noise and hum as much as possible. But that's nothing Fanned Frets, or regular frets can do anything about anyway...

I'm out after this because it's clear to me you're arguing just to argue.

"basses full with posh active circuitry of EQ, preamps, boost, and even limiters "

...is what you said. Preamps and limiters are different items on this list. Not limiting, but limiters. I'm also not going to further debate the fact that preamps that output unity gain are louder.

Please enjoy whatever bass you like.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Would I also be admired by my peers, more attractive to the opposite sex and loved by small animals?

No, but they'll compliment your tone on the way to the drummer.

 

[Alex Masters]

Fanned fretless. BOOM! Next?

Technically, no problems with a multiscale fretless, but i wouldn't want to try to play in tune on one!

 

[BurningSkies]

Technically, no problems with a multiscale fretless, but i wouldn't want to try to play in tune on one!

If you're used to playing fanned fretted instruments, then it's not a huge issue.

In my case (and I can only speak from my own experience), I found that Dingwall basses trained me well. The smaller fretwire on them makes you play up on the fret pretty precisely, while larger frets don't necessarily do that. I'd played an unlined Fender Jazz back in the 90's for a handful of years, so I was sort of comfortable with general lack-of-frets, then I had about 15 years of experience on 34-37" fanned frets before trying fretless, so my muscle memory was already dialed in to the situation.

There are now a few guys with unlined fanned fretless basses out there, and I'm not sure that I'd be super comfortable with that unless I made a real project of transitioning.

 

[Bass Viking]

Those are great sounding basses. They've used a "brute force" approach to evening out the tone and increasing sustain by using heavy, solid construction.

That's my Thumb!