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Underrated guitar companies???

I would argue that Schecter does a number of those items that you list at a price well below Dingwall. The frets and neck work on my bass is some of the best I've ever seen on an import. Thank you for the information but I already knew most of what you wrote from another internet source. I get what you're saying. I would argue that $2000 is toooo damn much.

All this being said, I might be willing to kill for a couple of their models.
 
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Education time. :smug:

They only make two models in China and they only differ by their preamp and colors. They do charge less for them than all their others that are in the $3,000-$10,000+ range, the China ones are around $2,000.

Also unlike the stereotype of made in China these are not quickly just cut out, slap some paint and frets on them then out the door. Dingwall pays for the Craftsman to build these, there is no gap at all where my neck meets the body, the pocket is tight.

The Frets are very smooth, not a sharp or out of place section anywhere. Fit and finish in my opinion is better that the US Fenders and many others that I tried, and did not buy. In fact Mr. Dingwall has shipped back full shipments of these basses because they did not fit to his standards. He apologized for the delay to customers that were waiting but he could not let them go out the door with his name on them.

Once they are built in China they ALL go to their little shop in Canada where they get their necks and frets worked as needed to get them even better than when they arrived, full set up then out for sale.

Instead of getting hundreds or even 20 basses a day from their China line inspected, do finishing work and be completed to go out to dealers and such, they complete only three or so basses a day because quality means that much.

This is why they are not $500-$1,000 basses, and you can feel it.


Watch this video, and notice that it is not an assembly line cranking out instruments.



Sorry my last post wasn't quoted. My apologies.
 
having grown up in the 80s, it really does suck to know how underappreciated they were back then by the musical community at large.....except for CS-800s; every PA had at least one

At the end of time, there will be four things remaining: roaches, Hostess Twinkies, Keith Richards, and CS-800s...

View attachment 3245743

Reminds me of a photo I saw of Keith Richards standing next to his two daughters; it was captioned, "When Keith's daughters die he will inherit all of their wealth".
 
I would say G&L is the most underrated versus volume. I think it's mostly because they don't market well or haven't grown their dealer base wide enough. I live in the DC / Baltimore metro area that has a pretty high median income and there are no G&L dealers. I guess there are no Sadowsky dealers either. Jive Sound is the closest, but it's a bit of a hike and I haven't had the best experience there. Maybe it was just a bad day.
I was told that stores who carry Fender cant sell G&L at least it use to be that way so maybe thats why there are few G&L dealers.
 
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How are Gretsch Basses? I see their guitars all the time, but like never see a Gretsch Bass.

Additionally I like the Ibanez GSR200 as a stary bass. Peavy Milenium sounds like poopie, but you run over it with a Semi Truck and it'll still make noise.

I own 3 original era Gretsch hollow bodies. A 63 gentleman, a 67 gentleman - modded fretless - my #1 bass and a 64 Tennessean. And from the Baldwin era, 2 Broadkasters 1975 & 1976, 2 TK300’s 1978, 2 Committees 1979 and a 1978 modded.

1 modern era 2002 jet. Pre Fender era. Not so great.

I have tried Fender era Gretsches and find the pickups are not the same sound as the 60’s patenting pending and the 70’s blacktops.

Older filtertrons are great sounding pick ups - unique.

The Baldwin era are great basses contrary to the Fred Gretsch JR - - Phoenix rising from the ashes narrative.

Other great basses Carvins - have a SB4000 - incredible instrument - however it is the only design I have ever liked - all the rest have the pointy horn - 80s hair bands look. Incredible quality but I can’t stand the body designs.
 
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Thank you!!!
Guild stuff rocks. They have all sorts of designs, whether you're into a more classic vibe or into the flamey, quilty stuff. They play great, they're well-built from any era, even the new ones that are built overseas. Guild rules!
My favorites:
The Starfire series:
View attachment 3243501
The Gibson Ripper-esque B302 Bass:
View attachment 3243502
Back in the day I had a Guild B302 and a Steinberger. Our sound man loved the Guild and hated the Steinberger!
 
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I have a Fender Jazz V (IMO appropriately rated) which I mostly gig with and a LTD D6 (another underrated brand) for when I pretend I can play prog metal. But I always go back to my el-cheapo Yamaha RBX374 which I think is not only under-rated but the best low priced active 4-string bass ever made. It sounds great, stays in tune and is as reliable as can be. And it doesn’t break my back.