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Status or Dingwall??

#42
drTSTingray said:
Two Status users you may like to check out are Mark King (Level 42) and Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) - different genres - both awesome players and their Status basses sound fantastic - if that doesn't convince you.........

And they're British (basses and bassists ;) )
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well... u wouldn't believe it, i was thinking "i've got the money, what bass should I get me"? then, I saw MUSE live at the Olympics ceremony, and next there was a Level 42 promo coz they're playing here in Mexico next week and I said to myself, what kind of basses are those? So, that's all the reference I've got! I actually emailed Rob for a quote: super nice guy. But I guess u'r all right: I should get a second hand one, but are sellers keen to ship basses to my country? I should find out!
 
#45
Dingwall for sure.

I tried the graphite neck when I went the ZON Vinny route. It just didn't do it for me, I never got on with that bass. Superb instrument, don't get me wrong but not for me.

How do you try out a Dingwall? Many of us Dingwall addicts never did. I bought my first Super P/J 4 used here on Talkbass. Never looked back. The fanned frets are a non issue until you get into the very upper frets of the neck, then it takes some practice to get used to the area. The fanned frets are anything but a "gimmick" on the four strings, you get the balance across the neck that Fender and straight basses only dream about. Super punchy treble strings. If the world goes to hell in a handbasket, the Super P/J 4 will be the last bass I sell.

The Afterburner series is an a class of it's own. Elegant design meets superior function, all in a super light weight bass. My AB-1 five string weighs in at 8 lb and change. The B string is the best ever.

I'd be all over a couple of Dingwalls that are for sale in the TB ads right now. That metallic green Super J is just sick. It's a buyers market right now on TB. Three of the four Dingwalls I own are used from TBer's.

As far as illuminated position markers, I'm a sucker for things that light up, too. But for the dough I'd go with the Luminlay dots, and have my local luthier do a retro fit rather than going with a system that needs power. Hell, I'd probably take a wack at it myself, you'd get pretty good at it after the first few. I'd start up at the 24th fret and work down.

My Afterburners have unmarked fret boards and I love that look. Standard white 3mm dots on the side. I have a drill, what could go wrong?
 
#46
I recently bought a Dingwall and have to say it's the best bass I've ever played!! I have owned many basses, but the fanned frets feel so natural to me! It has actually helped my playing style as well. I'm able to play more accurately than I did before.

Now that being said, Dingwall's take a bit to get used to. Took me about a week or two of solid playing to really get used to the frets. Now, I wouldn't want to play anything else.

ABZ's are killer looking as well! I have a 5 string Combustion, but want to buy a AB2 at some point.
 
#47
TheEmptyCell said:
Yes, many players think fanned frets only means higher tension on the low strings. It actually makes the tension across the fingerboard even from string to string, and thus makes equivalent notes sounds almost identical. Play your parallel fret 4 string, 14th fret of D. Now play the 9th fret on A. Same note, but something about the timbre is off. The 14th fret F# sounds kinda flabby, doesn't ring out as well, but the 9th fret sounds better.

Thats eliminated on a multi-scale neck.

I suggest, instead of dropping absurd cash on either option, look hard on the used market. You might even be able to pick up a used Dingwall Combustion for under $1000, and still afford a used Status similar to what you want. You would later have no problem flipping them both to get a higher end version of whichever bass you prefer.
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Nice idea! Used Dingwalls are easier to get than Status' right?
 
#49
grendle said:
tough choice. The low b on the Dingwall is as good as it gets . The rest of the bass is great as well. I love me a Dingwall. Fanned fretts kick butt on the cool factor too. On the other hand a Status is on my bucketlist. They are amazing basses with over the top craftsmanship. They do just about play themselves, and they are the only ones to get the best of both worlds tone wise for graphite and wood. They sound amazing as well and not really like anything else. Gotta play both and get the one that speaks to you. their too different of animals to call. My other choice would be a custom order euro spector ( doug wimblish sig with custom color), but thats me.
Click to expand...

Amen! I used to own a Euro Spector, lovely bass! I just wanted to try something new I guess but I'd go back to Spector anytime!
 
#50
jwr said:
I recently bought a Dingwall and have to say it's the best bass I've ever played!! I have owned many basses, but the fanned frets feel so natural to me! It has actually helped my playing style as well. I'm able to play more accurately than I did before.

Now that being said, Dingwall's take a bit to get used to. Took me about a week or two of solid playing to really get used to the frets. Now, I wouldn't want to play anything else.

ABZ's are killer looking as well! I have a 5 string Combustion, but want to buy a AB2 at some point.
Click to expand...

did u try other dingwalls than the Combustion? how do they compare?? I've read that Combustions sound exactly the same as an ABZ, they're just cheaper looking
 
#51
singlemalt said:
Dingwall for sure.

I tried the graphite neck when I went the ZON Vinny route. It just didn't do it for me, I never got on with that bass. Superb instrument, don't get me wrong but not for me.

How do you try out a Dingwall? Many of us Dingwall addicts never did. I bought my first Super P/J 4 used here on Talkbass. Never looked back. The fanned frets are a non issue until you get into the very upper frets of the neck, then it takes some practice to get used to the area. The fanned frets are anything but a "gimmick" on the four strings, you get the balance across the neck that Fender and straight basses only dream about. Super punchy treble strings. If the world goes to hell in a handbasket, the Super P/J 4 will be the last bass I sell.

The Afterburner series is an a class of it's own. Elegant design meets superior function, all in a super light weight bass. My AB-1 five string weighs in at 8 lb and change. The B string is the best ever.

I'd be all over a couple of Dingwalls that are for sale in the TB ads right now. That metallic green Super J is just sick. It's a buyers market right now on TB. Three of the four Dingwalls I own are used from TBer's.

As far as illuminated position markers, I'm a sucker for things that light up, too. But for the dough I'd go with the Luminlay dots, and have my local luthier do a retro fit rather than going with a system that needs power. Hell, I'd probably take a wack at it myself, you'd get pretty good at it after the first few. I'd start up at the 24th fret and work down.

My Afterburners have unmarked fret boards and I love that look. Standard white 3mm dots on the side. I have a drill, what could go wrong?
Click to expand...

4 Dingwalls man? wow, I guess that makes u an expert on the subject!! also, have u seen the Luminlay system in action?
 
#52
Just how cool would this be with glowing blue side markers? Too cool, way too cool!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Thanks for the tip on the Luminlay, I checked that out and I can retro fit glowing blue dots into my Whalepool Blue AB-1 sixer for like $30 shipped with the little recharger light thing. One 60mm stick of the blue 3mm side markers should do it for the 24 frets. Funny thing is this bass slipped out without a marker at one of the upper positions. Each bass after that would add another $20 or so, the Super J's have less frets.

I know what I'm getting for Christmas!
 
#53
mexibass said:
did u try other dingwalls than the Combustion? how do they compare?? I've read that Combustions sound exactly the same as an ABZ, they're just cheaper looking
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No I haven't. I want to though! LOL! The Combustion is awesome and an excellent way to get into Dingwall. I want to upgrade, but don't have the means right now.

If you can afford something more expensive, I'd get it. I've heard nothing but praise about Dingwalls save for a few people here and there.
 
#55
singlemalt said:
Just how cool would this be with glowing blue side markers? Too cool, way too cool!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Thanks for the tip on the Luminlay, I checked that out and I can retro fit glowing blue dots into my Whalepool Blue AB-1 sixer for like $30 shipped with the little recharger light thing. One 60mm stick of the blue 3mm side markers should do it for the 24 frets. Funny thing is this bass slipped out without a marker at one of the upper positions. Each bass after that would add another $20 or so, the Super J's have less frets.

I know what I'm getting for Christmas!
Click to expand...

whalepool blue is also my first choice of color if I have my ABZ customized! translucent red looks nice too! and Barry at Dingwall just told me they can add the Luminlay system for 75 USD (only front dots that is) which sounds reasonable... in the other hand, if u got the skills to do ir urself, you're my hero!
 
#57
Dingwall. I was at a program in Boston for Berklee College of Music and played some absolutely insane basses. My main bass in a Dingwall ABZ5, so I got to pin it up to LeFeys, CS Fenders, Warwicks, etc. My Dingwall really fared up quite well. I also A/Bed a friend's Status Mark King headless signature bass. It was a strange beast, but definitely also a nice bass. The preamp was absolutely nuts on it, versus my simple tone/rotary pickup selector/volume passive preamp. The Dingwall tone knob is wonderful though, and I have never been unable ti get my bass to sit well in the mix or not have a usable tone for something. Build quality was about equal I'd say, but the Dingwall just won by far for feeling. It just felt more solid, and again made me appreciate the bass I have. The other thing is that his Status was over twice the price of my Dingwall, so it made me feel pretty good, haha. I vote Dingwall all the way.
 
#58
mexibass said:
Ok, fellow low-enders of the world! This is it: I'm finally able to afford a 3,000 USD "boutique" bass. After much thinking, it has come down to 2 choices: Status S2-Classic 4 string, headed with front LED's, or Dingwall 5 string ABZ with Luminlay system.

What would you choose? I've never played any of them, just read tons of reviews and watched lots of videos. I'm a sucker for front LED's, that's the real reason Status is one of my final options, an option I still can afford that is. But Dingwall fanned fretboard seems so nice and pristine sounding.

If u own any of these basses, what are your experiences? and finally, if you could spare 3 grand, what bass would you choose instead of this 2 and why? Hopefully, u guys help me clear my mind :)

Greetings from Cancun, Mexico!
Click to expand...

I just bought some Luminlay , Thanks for the heads up on that . I'm going to try that on a guitar neck I have coming in . Pics to follow..
 
#59
Dingwall are the best! I tried more than 20 basses in 2 years and when I buy mi first Dingwall my life changed. I have one Afterburn 1 5 strings (that I sell to a frind recenttly), one ABZ6 and one Combustion that I turned fretless and dont want to play normal bass. My new and recently one is SMartyn (a great luthier from Rio de Janeiro) JB 6 strings fanned. Fanned frets is the best inovation I had see in string instruments. My vote are for Dingwall.
 
#60
I'm a big fan of both.
You have to figure out want YOU want.
Dingwall has a much more "conventional" sound, sits better in the mix.
A producer/sound engineer would like it better then the Status.
The panned frets are easy to get use to, from my experience with the Z2 and Z3 I don't see that as an issue.

Status has more of a midrange bite, it cuts better (great for solo work or metal).
Also -Status necks are also unbelievably stable and action is consistent with no "dead spots".

I have the best of both worlds with my Vigier, you can call it a compromise but it doesn't feel like one.
 

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