kwmlondon

I was planning to take the Dingwall into The Bass Gallery for a check over and setup sometime so if they've got one there I'll ask if can have a fumble with it.

Sounds accomodating!!! I don't think I've ever tried a Warwick, certainly not a 5 string. It's totally on my list of lusted-after instruments...

Trust me, having lost way too many beloved peple recently getting old sure as hell beats the alternative. AND with the whole small hands thing - when I started getting bombarded with videos of Ellen, a little girl absoutely tearing up a full-size bass, I thought I can't use that excuse any more! Dammit, at about 8 years old she could bearly reach both ends of the bass and had nailed down the whole of Sir Duke!!!!!! Gaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

Well, it's just as personal as weight isn't it? I'm lucky in that it doesn't bother me how heavy a bass is. What I'd say about string spacing though is that I've owned an SR505 that had both narrow string spacing AND a slim neck and while I could play it very quickly, I just could not pick or slap on it. I've got an OLP Tony Levin 5-string now and though I'm pretty sure that has the same 16mm spacing I find it much easier to play with a pick or slap so I sometimes wonder if the numbers tell the whole story (much more of a C shape than a D). Mind you, the Dingwall I now own is actually quite a struggle for me to play with my small-ish hands but I like it so much I've spent years developping my technique. If I went by specs and what was sensible I'd play a medium scale bass but I like my Dingwall and I will keep plugging at it till I get it right!

FYI I'm giving a 5 string set of Dragonskins away. If anyone wants a spare set then sort me out with an SAE and they're yours. Used a bit, but I don't get on with SS and fully coated. Cut for an AB

I had an Ibanez SR505 which was my first 5 string, never looked back. I loved the both-on tone but it felt less impressive when the blend went towards the neck or bridge pickup. Lovely rich, burpy, almost R&B tone, I think I’d categorise as 90s bartolini. Very slim neck with tight spacing so fast but I could not slap or pick. Good bass. Light. Fast. But not for me.

I read this before I saw what you were replying to, I was very confused.

Dust, Pubes, Dog Hair and Deadskin were the members of a short-lived punk band I heard on John Peel's radio show.

It’s a learning curve.

Metal corners on speaker cabs. Urgh. Why? No idea. Just don't like 'em.

I'm not for one mad moment going to say that Dingwalls are for everyone... but... if you pick one up with an open mind you may be very surprised by how easy they are to play and they are good for pretty much any genre, sound wise.

I've never had a P-bass. I spent some time with a mate's battered and badly set up '75 precision and that was like being behind the wheel of a classic car and I could see how I'd use one for a project, but I had no desire to actually own one. It's a bass I'd use for a purpose, but not one I'd pick up to play out of choice, if that makes sense? I did fall head-over-heels in love with an early 80s Ibanez Blazer which was their version of a Precision. Good grief, that thing played and sounded like nothing else, but I just don't play 4-strings now.

My situation is that I have very limited space. And... I have hoarding tendencies (other people can collect and do so with intent and discenment, but I tend to hold on to things in case they come in handy!) so I really put effort into keeping on top of my environment and for me and the way I live I'm way, way better off with a couple of really appropriate instruments that I'll use than many more I just like owning. But as this thread has shown, it's really personal. I'm very grateful for everyone's input, though - it's been really helpful to think things through and come to a considered decision.

I know that if I ever undertake a project again that I need a 4-string for I'll just get one and it'll be fun to find something that fits the brief. As it is, it's good to know it's somewhere that it may get the use it deserves.

Just thought I'd give a quick update as the 'Ray left a couple of months ago now. Do I miss it? No, but when I see a Stingray on this site I get a momentary flutter and the part of my brain that says "I've got one of them" has a bit of a moment and what I do miss is being able to say "I've got one of them!" I play my Dingwall every day and I just get on with it so well I think this does for almost all my needs. I've also got a lovely old OLP Tony Levin 5 string that I use when I need to leave the bass at the office overnight or something and it really scratches that Stingray itch! Would I prefer a MusicMan 5 string, yes, but then I'd be wary of walking around at night with it or leaving it places so this is great for my needs. I'm tempted to change the preamp in it though, but I'm not sure it's worth it for something I only play every now and then.

The USA Pro I had came with the mint white one. I have NO idea why when every other part of the isnstrument scramed quality. I especially like the tuners and the bridge!

Lovely. For some reason I associate the black and red tortie combo with 70s instruments but that's not for any logical reason. It's very stylish though. Love it.

Brilliant

Ahhhhh.

I had one of the series 1 USA pro jazz basses. The v mod pickups were fantastic, though very smooth when compared with other basses side by side but I thought they were fantastic pickups. I remember them giving a very good signal. Maybe an issue with the vol pot?

Mine has maple fretboard and neve preamp. I went for maple as the basses and guitars I’ve preferred seem to have them but I don’t think I’ve got the skills to hear a difference. Pau ferry looks better tho IMO!

Awesome things. Is there a noticeable difference between maple and rosewood fingerboards?

No problem, thanks ever so much for trying. Worth a go!

That’s very kind and much appreciated.

Hi. Can you do me a favour? Do you know if the person who took them put the set on a 5 string? I just need a low b so if they’re not using it perhaps I could ask for it? Cheers