Jamesemt Posted November 3, 2010 Posted November 3, 2010 Had to share it with someone. Everything just feels right about it. For anyone unsure about the fanned frets, it's not an issue. It took me about ten seconds to adjust. The main difference seems to be the clarity - the strings are now very close in volume/tone to each other even jumping positions. Chords sound a lot clearer and don't seem to 'throb' like on a regular fretted bass. I'm well impressed - be interesting to see how it sounds with the band. Sorry only got an Iphone picture for now. Quote
warwickhunt Posted November 3, 2010 Posted November 3, 2010 Yep, defo one of my 'WANT' basses but I can't justify a new one just in case I don't get on with it. Just as a matter of interest... do you know what it weighs (actual weight, not Dingwall stated)? Quote
Happy Jack Posted November 3, 2010 Posted November 3, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='1011387' date='Nov 3 2010, 09:36 PM']Chords sound a lot clearer ...[/quote] Crikey! Chords on fanned frets - all you need now is a torsal twist. Quote
Grand Wazoo Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 Welcome to the world of Dingwall bliss! Since I've bought my ABZ 5 every other bass I owned is becoming obsolete. Oh and the fanny frets are a dodle to get on with. Piece of p|$$ Here's mine: Quote
Chris2112 Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 These Dingwall basses are becoming much more popular in this country now! I remember when they seemed to be a totally American trend. Still, they are beautifully made, but I'm not wholly convinced by their usefulness as a 4 string. Against an old design like a Fender they do sound noticeably more balanced and even and they feel great too, but against a modern bass like a graphite necked Statii or a well made singlecut I don't find them to be worth the extra cash, so to speak. Still, they are a design evolution (Novax fanned frets) and I commend them greatly for being so daring! Quote
Jamesemt Posted November 4, 2010 Author Posted November 4, 2010 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1011461' date='Nov 3 2010, 10:40 PM']Yep, defo one of my 'WANT' basses but I can't justify a new one just in case I don't get on with it. Just as a matter of interest... do you know what it weighs (actual weight, not Dingwall stated)?[/quote] 8lb...although there's another at Bass Direct that is 7 1/4...and is noticeably lighter than mine. Know what you mean about not getting on with it - that's why I drove 300 miles round trip to try it first... I also tried some regular fretted basses which just felt wrong afterwards... Quote
Jamesemt Posted November 4, 2010 Author Posted November 4, 2010 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='1011507' date='Nov 3 2010, 11:40 PM']Crikey! Chords on fanned frets - all you need now is a torsal twist. [/quote] Well I do have arthitis in my left index finger! I'm hoping the stretch at the first fret may help Quote
Machines Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 poptart made me try one out at Bass Day and I totally concur, it doesn't take long to get used to the fanned frets except maybe with chords at the dusty end. I was very impressed. Quote
yorick Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I really fancy a Lefty Super J.... . Can you imagine the confusion on the guitarists' faces? Quote
Grand Wazoo Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='1011588' date='Nov 4 2010, 06:27 AM']8lb...although there's another at Bass Direct that is 7 1/4...and is noticeably lighter than mine. Know what you mean about not getting on with it - that's why I drove 300 miles round trip to try it first... I also tried some regular fretted basses which just felt wrong afterwards...[/quote] My ABZ 5 is ridicolously light weighing 7.12lbs! Quote
Musicman20 Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I think the concept is brilliant, and props to Dingwall for sticking to it as its spreading. However, I dont think I can see myself getting one in the near future. Nice bass btw! Quote
Bigwan Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I've always been curious about these. Maybe on my next away trip I'll get a chance to have a go on one... Quote
Doctor J Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 Not sure what I feel about Dingwalls but you seem delighted so good stuff. Might be a stupid question, but would one of those also benefit from the likes of compensated nut, true tempered fret placement, etc? How far can man take the fretted instrument? Quote
Grand Wazoo Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 [quote name='Musicman20' post='1011707' date='Nov 4 2010, 09:29 AM']I think the concept is brilliant, and props to Dingwall for sticking to it as its spreading. However, I dont think I can see myself getting one in the near future. Nice bass btw![/quote] Well my honest "financial" advise to you is: [b]DO NOT TRY ONE![/b] It'll knock your EBMM appreciation all the way down the drain as it did for me. I was lucky to be able to sell them all without loss except for the Stingray 5 which was after all 10 years old, but the Bongo 5, and the 25th sold very well as should the Big Al 5 when someone decides to buy it, if not I will retire it into storage for prosperity as I did with my two PRS basses and one day my son will inherit a nice group of valuable basses. Seriously Gareth though, if you try a Dingwall you will be very surprised. Quote
Musicman20 Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1011846' date='Nov 4 2010, 11:34 AM']Seriously Gareth though, if you try a Dingwall you will be very surprised.[/quote] Ha, dont say that my bank balance will hate me! Thanks, ill definitely give one a whirl sometime. Quote
Jamesemt Posted November 4, 2010 Author Posted November 4, 2010 After playing the Dingwall I picked up a Roscoe which felt really strange. I asked what was up with it, the reply was 'Well it's got regular frets...' Quote
markstuk Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I only live 15 mins from Warwick - I feel a trip to Bass Direct coming up.. :-) Quote
bartelby Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 Well, that's solved my GAS problems for a while. I was planning on getting that bass after Christmas... Fine choice though, well done! Quote
BigJim Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I use my DIngwall AB1 all the time! can't put it down Quote
Grand Wazoo Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 Do you want gas? Here is a young Peruvian chap that has a very nice ABZ 5 and plays some wicked latin music on it. Quote
BottomEndian Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1012062' date='Nov 4 2010, 02:03 PM']Here is a young Peruvian chap that has a very nice ABZ 5 and plays some wicked latin music on it. [/quote] GAAAAAH! That track has invaded my mind recently, and there it is again. I've been working through the Latin Bass Book, and that's one that just gets stuck in my head for days after playing it. The Dingwall sounds nice though! Quote
7string Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I've had my Dingwall Combustion for a couple of weeks now. It's a ridiculously good bass. It's light, sounds great and the fanned frets are easy to get used to although it's a little more difficult up the dusty end! I tried several 5 strings before I got this and it knocks spots off them. If you can try one then try one Quote
Grand Wazoo Posted November 4, 2010 Posted November 4, 2010 I've also ordered a Dingwall Super J in the J/P pickup combination and this video really gives me gas Quote
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