The New Dingwall D-Bird Standard (NAMM Content)

[soulstew]

It actually feels like a normal scale bass due to the strap bottom locations and bridge placement.

Not a long reach to the low F, or C if you tune it BEAD, at all.

I was going to say the same thing... using the strap lock button in the back of the body makes it so the stretch is way easier. I use that location on my ABZ and it makes a world of difference.

Yup, my experience too. Plus, remember that half of that extra scale length is at the bridge end, where you don't have to reach for it--it's just there quietly doing its job, making the B and E strings ring big and clear.

 

[donahue]

I want one of these so bad. I'm going to email about a lefty. This may be the one big piece of gear I diligently save up for.

 

[mikewalker]

It actually feels like a normal scale bass due to the strap bottom locations and bridge placement.

Not a long reach to the low F, or C if you tune it BEAD, at all.

Well, for all of you "normal" bassists, I am sure it's fine. But I played short-scales exclusively for 20-odd years, then didn't play bass at all for more than a decade, and now that I am back with a vengeance I have found that I'm mighty particular about "the feel" of different scale lengths. Right now I have a 28, a 30, a 30.5, a 31, a 32, three 34s, and a 35.

And while I'm not planning on selling any of the 34s, I am definitely ONLY going to buy 32 inch scale from now on.
It's the "Goldilocks" of bass guitar scale lengths - for me personally.

 

[MDBass]

Well, for all of you "normal" bassists, I am sure it's fine. But I played short-scales exclusively for 20-odd years, then didn't play bass at all for more than a decade, and now that I am back with a vengeance I have found that I'm mighty particular about "the feel" of different scale lengths. Right now I have a 28, a 30, a 30.5, a 31, a 32, three 34s, and a 35.

And while I'm not planning on selling any of the 34s, I am definitely ONLY going to buy 32 inch scale from now on.
It's the "Goldilocks" of bass guitar scale lengths - for me personally.

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I definitely want to look into short scale basses more myself: Royal Blood absolutely kills, the new JMJ Roadworn Mustang looks like a ton of fun, there's the new Supro shorties that everyone has been loving on...

 

[MDBass]

Thanks MD! You're a great player! And it is so very cool of you to showcase that T-Bird bass for us TB'ers! I just like hearing notes sustain in demos as it gives me a better sense of the tone of a bass. (Just personal preference there!)

I hear you: the sustain is definitely one of the things the long-scale design helps to improve.

My NG bass Might actually sustain for a solid 30 seconds

I appreciate the kind words, glad to hear that I at least translated a bit of how much fun that bass is to play.

 

[BurningSkies]

Yeah, I was looking at the prices for the NG-2 and such and almost fell off my chair. For some reason I thought they were more than twice as expensive.

Yeah, the NG's and this new 'standard' D-Bird are totally reasonable in the scheme of things. Beyond this one, there's a few others announced...NG-3 (3 Pickup model), NG's also in 6 strings, and lefty NG's.

by far the coolest variation of the t-bird shape I’ve seen. I’m another that would love to see it in a 5 string. So is it passive? I didn’t see a battery compartment?

Passive, with an option to all three pickups 'on' in series. In the Dingwall world this has become known as "D-Bird switching".

I'd also like to say that I recently had my NG delivered from the newest batch that's come from China to Canada then out. The build quality fit. finish and setup on this bass is really impressive. As someone who's played the Dingwall small production and custom instruments for what's getting closer to 2 decades, this one lacks none of that magic. Just as low and fast, the fret end dressing is really nice and detailed.

...I can't wait to take mine out on the road.

 

[BklynKen]

I'd also like to say that I recently had my NG delivered from the newest batch that's come from China to Canada then out. The build quality fit. finish and setup on this bass is really impressive. As someone who's played the Dingwall small production and custom instruments for what's getting closer to 2 decades, this one lacks none of that magic. Just as low and fast, the fret end dressing is really nice and detailed.

That's great to hear. They have a video on their site about their finishing of the basses when they arrive in Canada.

 

[two fingers]

Sexy!!!!!

(The bass..... not you @MDBass .... no offense..... )

 

[BurningSkies]

That's great to hear. They have a video on their site about their finishing of the basses when they arrive in Canada.

If you look

That's great to hear. They have a video on their site about their finishing of the basses when they arrive in Canada.

You know, I didn't know what to expect for what would show up. There's a local player here who has one of the earlier Combustions (V2 I think), but strung with higher tension flats and set up pretty high. The idea was for a Dingwall that I could use on the road without some of the fears of having a high-ticket custom with me. But, with the belief that there would be a bunch of compromises in doing that. Now I don't think there really will be much of any compromise in tone or play-ability.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Yeah, the NG's and this new 'standard' D-Bird are totally reasonable in the scheme of things. Beyond this one, there's a few others announced...NG-3 (3 Pickup model), NG's also in 6 strings, and lefty NG's.



Passive, with an option to all three pickups 'on' in series. In the Dingwall world this has become known as "D-Bird switching".

I'd also like to say that I recently had my NG delivered from the newest batch that's come from China to Canada then out. The build quality fit. finish and setup on this bass is really impressive. As someone who's played the Dingwall small production and custom instruments for what's getting closer to 2 decades, this one lacks none of that magic. Just as low and fast, the fret end dressing is really nice and detailed.

...and if you can do it, the 3 pickup models are the way to go. I can't wait to take mine out on the road.

I hear there’s a conversion kit that will be available to mod our ng2s to ng3s late spring/ early summer. I’m still waiting on my new NG2 should be here in the next week or two. Just gonna have to see. I’m a big fan of Warwick thumbs and Stingray single H basses. Don’t like accidentally hitting a check pickup when playing slap style. So I just gotta see if there’s plenty of room between where the the third would be and the neck

 

[BurningSkies]

I hear there’s a conversion kit that will be available to mod our ng2s to ng3s late spring/ early summer. I’m still waiting on my new NG2 should be here in the next week or two. Just gonna have to see. I’m a big fan of Warwick thumbs and Stingray single H basses. Don’t like accidentally hitting a check pickup when playing slap style. So I just gotta see if there’s plenty of room between where the the third would be and the neck

If you head over to the Dingwall Club thread right in the last few pages you'll see I posted the letter from the shop that goes into what options for conversion kits there will be along with pricing and details.

 

[monsterthompson]

That's actually just a test neck: both the vintage and the black are the same bass after getting resprayed

The production version will be like the other colors

So black on black? Sweet.

 

[MDBass]

So black on black? Sweet.

VERY sweet.

Sexy!!!!!

(The bass..... not you @MDBass .... no offense..... )

None taken: the DBird is much sexier than I am.

 

[Sheldon D.]

So black on black? Sweet.

Yeah, those photos weren’t supposed to get posted. We’re still tweaking the burst headstocks.

 

[monsterthompson]

Yeah, those photos weren’t supposed to get posted. We’re still tweaking the burst headstocks.

Phew. I figured. I was about to pull the trigger on a pre-order, then saw the headstock and I was glad I waited, but disappointed in the color. Now, I'm possibly back on the order-train... though, I've been thinking about that custom white one. You guys are killing me. Stop doing such good work and making my decisions so hard

 

[ltsal]

Hi Guys.
I just played the standard D(isco) Bird at the London Bass Show last weekend.
First of all the balance is incredible. Its mind blowing!!!!! It feels like a 34 scale or even smaller scale!!!!!
For a 34-36 something fan fret scale bass, the word neck dive dosen t exist!
In my opinion, all 3 pick ups, is the way to go. It sounds amazing.

Long story short. I m ordering one in BEAD and in that Aquamarine Metalflake Disco colour!

 

[MDBass]

Hi Guys.
I just played the standard D(isco) Bird at the London Bass Show last weekend.
First of all the balance is incredible. Its mind blowing!!!!! It feels like a 34 scale or even smaller scale!!!!!
For a 34-36 something fan fret scale bass, the word neck dive dosen t exist!
In my opinion, all 3 pick ups, is the way to go. It sounds amazing.

Long story short. I m ordering one in BEAD and in that Aquamarine Metalflake Disco colour!

BEAD is the way to go, you can still use a EADG set for standard tuning with no issues.

Finally back from the road and putting the DBird through it's paces: couldn't be more stoked on this bass

 

[ltsal]

you can still use a EADG set for standard tuning with no issues.

Yea of course but i feel like thats missing the point

 

[MDBass]

Yea of course but i feel like thats missing the point

How?

You can use the BEAD nut for EADG tuning, but not vice versa; that means there is no downside to ordering it BEAD even if you end up tuning it to standard.

 

[ltsal]

In my opinion the 34-36,25 scale makes more sense with a tuning like BEAD then EADG.
For EADG i whould rather have the Super J/ Super P scale ( 34,5-32 scale).

But thats just the way i see it.