Dingwall Owners Club

[Scott McArron]

For those who have owned a Z and an AB/Combustion: What is the difference in feel between the two body shapes?
Especially for the right hand. The ABs and Combustions have a forearm contour that the Zs don't seem to have.

You can always come over and try out my Z6 and NG6 sometime, homie. We’re practically neighbors.

The Z6 is flatter at the right hand and more even with the pickups due to the compound fretboard radius. Perfect feel and even output string to string.

The NG/Combustion arches more over the pickups to follow the contour of the non-compound fretboard. It doesn’t feel quite as good as I have to adjust right-hand position somewhat moving vertically, and the output difference between the low and high strings vs the middle strings is noticeable. Some people don’t notice these things I’m told (eg. Jacob Umansky when I mentioned this to him during one of our lessons a couple years back). I do.

For me in this regard, NG/Combustion is still fantastic, Z is perfection.

 

[Tim Billick]

Does anyone know where I can find an OEM style pickguard for a Combustion 5 (3 pickup model)?

 

[cxcxcx]

For those who have owned a Z and an AB/Combustion: What is the difference in feel between the two body shapes?
Especially for the right hand. The ABs and Combustions have a forearm contour that the Zs don't seem to have.

I’m a Z and AB owner - as I mentioned in another post, both body styles are built for comfort and for speed, and any difference in terms of body geometry hasn’t registered with me. I never gave it much thought until I saw other players mentioning it here on the forum.

To get detailed, the flatter forearm situation on a Z might provide a small measure of “support” that is felt in larger body styles, even if the Z isn’t a big body style. It’s roughly related to how a MM5 Stingray 5 or an Alembic Series I or II might feel to a player who is a accustomed to a smaller Fender body. It feels like the underside of your right arm is supported a bit, but it isn’t uncomfortable at all, and might even add a more “secure” feeling. I definitely notice a body “feel” difference between a Spector and Fender P-Bass, but the difference on Dingwalls isn’t like that at all.

My remarks here apply to fingerstyle where you rest your forearm on the top of the body as an anchor point. If you’re playing pick style or using a floating thumb technique, the difference between a Z and an AB are pretty much a non-issue for me.

That said, things that don’t bother me at all may drive another player nuts.

 

[IvanBassist]

You can always come over and try out my Z6 and NG6 sometime, homie. We’re practically neighbors.

The Z6 is flatter at the right hand and more even with the pickups due to the compound fretboard radius. Perfect feel and even output string to string.

The NG/Combustion arches more over the pickups to follow the contour of the non-compound fretboard. It doesn’t feel quite as good as I have to adjust right-hand position somewhat moving vertically, and the output difference between the low and high strings vs the middle strings is noticeable. Some people don’t notice these things I’m told (eg. Jacob Umansky when I mentioned this to him during one of our lessons a couple years back). I do.

For me in this regard, NG/Combustion is still fantastic, Z is perfection.

Thanks! Dude. I know haha. I’ll whatsapp you.

I’m a Z and AB owner - as I mentioned in another post, both body styles are built for comfort and for speed, and any difference in terms of body geometry hasn’t registered with me. I never gave it much thought until I saw other players mentioning it here on the forum.

To get detailed, the flatter forearm situation on a Z might provide a small measure of “support” that is felt in larger body styles, even if the Z isn’t a big body style. It’s roughly related to how a MM5 Stingray 5 or an Alembic Series I or II might feel to a player who is a accustomed to a smaller Fender body. It feels like the underside of your right arm is supported a bit, but it isn’t uncomfortable at all, and might even add a more “secure” feeling. I definitely notice a body “feel” difference between a Spector and Fender P-Bass, but the difference on Dingwalls isn’t like that at all.

My remarks here apply to fingerstyle where you rest your forearm on the top of the body as an anchor point. If you’re playing pick style or using a floating thumb technique, the difference between a Z and an AB are pretty much a non-issue for me.

That said, things that don’t bother me at all may drive another player nuts.

I Appreciate the insights!!

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

So I picked up a dingwall combustion 5 in a sparkle black finish with rosewood board
5 Emg 40 shape pickups
With added series parallel switches for each pickup

So far I’m liking the bass and sounds different to any bass I’ve had I love the how unique the B E A strings sound in series with both pickups in series

My pickups seemed to be sitting higher then Sheldon’s spec but no odd overtones or intonation issues

Was just going back and fourth between the combustion and my brand brand new Kiesel Brian Bromberg signature and while it sounds good too
The neck on the combustion feels way more comfortable and slides are fun with the smaller frets compared to the jumbo!

 

[IronSpatula]

Does anyone know if the neck on D-Roc standards is graphite reinforced like on the later-generation Combustion/NG?

Just took delivery of a D-Roc 5 and compared to my NG, I'm noticing different response and resonance even unplugged. Wondering if different neck construction may have something to do with it, and yes, I realize the neck different in other ways than potential lack of reinforcement. It's thick enough it probably doesn't even need it, for example...

My bass is Korean-made, if that makes any difference. I'm very happy with it so far, just curious. Stuck playing through headphones only for the foreseeable future which is a bummer. Can't wait to let this thing rip through a big system.

 

[Selta]

I have three AB1s and two Zs right now.
The Z's bodies feel more comfortable overall, for me. The way they hang on a strap, play sitting down, and just overall feel works better for me. The ABs aren't BAD, just, noticeably different. I can take some comparison photos if you need Ivan, especially if there's any specific angle you want to look at.

 

[IvanBassist]

I have three AB1s and two Zs right now.
The Z's bodies feel more comfortable overall, for me. The way they hang on a strap, play sitting down, and just overall feel works better for me. The ABs aren't BAD, just, noticeably different. I can take some comparison photos if you need Ivan, especially if there's any specific angle you want to look at.

I appreciate the offer! I’ll come back to you if needed

 

[Nayatteu]

Has anyone received their Super Series recently?
How long did it take from when you were told it was going into production to when you received it?

I was told they were going into production two weeks ago and every day since has felt like an eternity.....


Oh and has anyone got a Super J 3x with an alder body?
Most of the samples online are swamp ash, so it's hard to get reviews.
Balance, tone, etc.......

 

[Selta]

Has anyone received their Super Series recently?
How long did it take from when you were told it was going into production to when you received it?

I was told they were going into production two weeks ago and every day since has felt like an eternity.....


Oh and has anyone got a Super J 3x with an alder body?
Most of the samples online are swamp ash, so it's hard to get reviews.
Balance, tone, etc.......

I don't think Supers are particularly faster than the other custom shop builds, so I'd expect anywhere from 2 to 4 months after you locked your spec and production began.

 

[mdalamond]

Does anyone know where I can find an OEM style pickguard for a Combustion 5 (3 pickup model)?

Check with Jason at Fret Nation. I just got a clear one for my C4 that I added a 3rd pickup to.

 

[IvanBassist]

Has anyone received their Super Series recently?
How long did it take from when you were told it was going into production to when you received it?

I was told they were going into production two weeks ago and every day since has felt like an eternity.....


Oh and has anyone got a Super J 3x with an alder body?
Most of the samples online are swamp ash, so it's hard to get reviews.
Balance, tone, etc.......

Mine was 4 months after final spec confirmation. Got mine this year in May

 

[Nayatteu]

Mine was 4 months after final spec confirmation. Got mine this year in May

I'll have to think about 4 months for mine, thanks.
March next year is a long way off......

I don't think Supers are particularly faster than the other custom shop builds, so I'd expect anywhere from 2 to 4 months after you locked your spec and production began.

I don't necessarily think the Super J is shorter, I was just wondering how long it took others on average.

That way I can estimate how long mine will take.

 

[kleinduimpje66]

Hi fellow Dingwall owners!

Can I join your club? I play bass for 40 years, but only bought this 2nd hand Combustion a few months ago, after trying one at BassDoctors store in Burgos Spain and I was totally blown away by the playability and articulate monster sound, especially of the B string.
I had two 5ers years ago, (no slouches, a StingRay5 and a Sadowsky Modern Metro), but couldn't get used to their flubby muddy B.
Enter Dingwall.
Oddly enough the reach to lowest notes is not much different from my Warwick Thumb haha. Weight is the same too.
Virtually no adjustment to fanned frets.

According to tech@dingwall, this one is from may 2015, swamp ash body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with FD3n (probably neodymium) pups.
They didn't say anything about the preamp. Does anyone know, Glock or EMG? Not too important as I mainly use it passive.
The shell pick guard and bronze knobs are my only changes so far.
Yes yes, all knobs will be bronze at some point. Guyker knobs don't fit the 4way selector.

The only thing that the Warwick has over the Dingwall is that it's dead quiet, while the Dingwall has some noise when I'm not touching it.
I'm wondering if an upgrade to active pups (say EMG 40DC or Nordstrand Big Blades?) would be an improvement wrt noise and sound.
I'm assuming the current pups are passive, however when the batteries went dead because I left the bass plugged in, the bass went silent,
also with the toggle in passive mode. So maybe I'm wrong and the pups are active already?

Anyway, these questions and gripes are just details, I totally love this thing.

 

[Siiverado44]

Is anyone rocking a wenge neck on an ABZ? Does it cause any neck dive? I had wenge on my D-Roc and it was absolutely fine, but the D-Roc is probably a heavier bass with a difference balance point than the Afterburner.

Currently have a deposit down on a new build and trying to decide wenge vs roasted ash on an ABZ or AB1. I don't believe in tonewoods so just picking based on appearance and feel.

 

[nleney]

Is anyone rocking a wenge neck on an ABZ? Does it cause any neck dive? I had wenge on my D-Roc and it was absolutely fine, but the D-Roc is probably a heavier bass with a difference balance point than the Afterburner.

Currently have a deposit down on a new build and trying to decide wenge vs roasted ash on an ABZ or AB1. I don't believe in tonewoods so just picking based on appearance and feel.

I'll be getting a wenge neck ABZ 6 string. I have yet to hear of any neck dive issues on a dingwall, but I've requested a heavier piece of swamp ash just in case. I doubt it's much of an issue, but you can always request that balance be a higher priority than weight.

 

[spiritbass]

Hi fellow Dingwall owners!

Can I join your club? I play bass for 40 years, but only bought this 2nd hand Combustion a few months ago, after trying one at BassDoctors store in Burgos Spain and I was totally blown away by the playability and articulate monster sound, especially of the B string.
I had two 5ers years ago, (no slouches, a StingRay5 and a Sadowsky Modern Metro), but couldn't get used to their flubby muddy B.
Enter Dingwall.
Oddly enough the reach to lowest notes is not much different from my Warwick Thumb haha. Weight is the same too.
Virtually no adjustment to fanned frets.

According to tech@dingwall, this one is from may 2015, swamp ash body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with FD3n (probably neodymium) pups.
They didn't say anything about the preamp. Does anyone know, Glock or EMG? Not too important as I mainly use it passive.
The shell pick guard and bronze knobs are my only changes so far.
Yes yes, all knobs will be bronze at some point. Guyker knobs don't fit the 4way selector.

The only thing that the Warwick has over the Dingwall is that it's dead quiet, while the Dingwall has some noise when I'm not touching it.
I'm wondering if an upgrade to active pups (say EMG 40DC or Nordstrand Big Blades?) would be an improvement wrt noise and sound.
I'm assuming the current pups are passive, however when the batteries went dead because I left the bass plugged in, the bass went silent,
also with the toggle in passive mode. So maybe I'm wrong and the pups are active already?

Anyway, these questions and gripes are just details, I totally love this thing.

View attachment 7084603

I believe that you have an EMG preamp. Nice grain on the body! Transparent black is the only black finish that I care for and this is a beauty. Congratulations, and enjoy playing it.

 

[AB Nate]

Is anyone rocking a wenge neck on an ABZ? Does it cause any neck dive? I had wenge on my D-Roc and it was absolutely fine, but the D-Roc is probably a heavier bass with a difference balance point than the Afterburner.

Currently have a deposit down on a new build and trying to decide wenge vs roasted ash on an ABZ or AB1. I don't believe in tonewoods so just picking based on appearance and feel.

No neck dive here!!

 

[AB Nate]

Hi fellow Dingwall owners!

Can I join your club? I play bass for 40 years, but only bought this 2nd hand Combustion a few months ago, after trying one at BassDoctors store in Burgos Spain and I was totally blown away by the playability and articulate monster sound, especially of the B string.
I had two 5ers years ago, (no slouches, a StingRay5 and a Sadowsky Modern Metro), but couldn't get used to their flubby muddy B.
Enter Dingwall.
Oddly enough the reach to lowest notes is not much different from my Warwick Thumb haha. Weight is the same too.
Virtually no adjustment to fanned frets.

According to tech@dingwall, this one is from may 2015, swamp ash body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with FD3n (probably neodymium) pups.
They didn't say anything about the preamp. Does anyone know, Glock or EMG? Not too important as I mainly use it passive.
The shell pick guard and bronze knobs are my only changes so far.
Yes yes, all knobs will be bronze at some point. Guyker knobs don't fit the 4way selector.

The only thing that the Warwick has over the Dingwall is that it's dead quiet, while the Dingwall has some noise when I'm not touching it.
I'm wondering if an upgrade to active pups (say EMG 40DC or Nordstrand Big Blades?) would be an improvement wrt noise and sound.
I'm assuming the current pups are passive, however when the batteries went dead because I left the bass plugged in, the bass went silent,
also with the toggle in passive mode. So maybe I'm wrong and the pups are active already?

Anyway, these questions and gripes are just details, I totally love this thing.

View attachment 7084603

Nice bass! Welcome to the club!

If the pickups are factory they will be passive and neodymium. The preamp would be EMG.
Your bass should run in passive without a battery if all is factory wiring. Perhaps popping the cavity cover off and posting a photo could help.

It should also be quite silent which does raise the question of, “have any kids been done?”

That or worn pots or just static? I hear a bounce sheet wipe down will help remove static which can happen on basses with pick guards

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

No neck dive here!!

View attachment 7084898

Which emgs you running?