Dingwalls.

[fretmeister]

After spending some proper time with my ABZ5, and playing in an orchestra with it too I have to ask...

Why do the other bass companies bother anymore?

I am seriously considering off loading everything (Status, Marleaux, Zon etc) to get more Dingwalls.

I'm blown away.

That is all.

[Roland Rock]

Personally, I dislike the look of ABZ, but would love to try a super J or P.

Why do other companies bother? I suspect it's a rhetorical question, but I'll answer anyway. For whatever reason, many in the bass world are not ready or willing to embrace wonky frets.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Roland Rock

[Telebass]

Different strokes...
There's no way any one bass is the best for every player. I cannot live with anything that isn't Fender-shaped. Although the Alien is making quite an impression, I have to admit...

[Muzz]

Love mine. Had an ABII as well, but it really wasn't anything the ABZ was, so it went. The design, finish, sounds and weight are all exemplary.

I've sold all my other high(ish) end stuff, the only other basses I have are frankenbuilds and cheapies with personal connections. Quite excited about putting Dingwall pups into the Laklandbird, though, then it's a John East U-Retro, and we'll see how much that brings to the party.

[DorsetBlue]

They don't make Left Handed!

[fretmeister]

No lefties? That's a bit poor!

Surely these days flipping a CMC program is quite easy?

[DorsetBlue]

From their FAQ:

[b] Does Dingwall offer a left-handed bass?[/b]




Rating: -10[url="http://www.dingwallguitars.com/faqs/does-dingwall-offer-a-left-handed-bass/#"] [/url] [url="http://www.dingwallguitars.com/faqs/does-dingwall-offer-a-left-handed-bass/#"] [/url]

No, at this time we do not offer a left-handed bass.

[FelixGubbins]

I like their website - they've got 9 different ranges of bass and 2 guitars. They've got their priorities right!

[longtimefred]

i briefly tried an ABZ4 at Bass Direct. Wanted a Dingwall ever since. I do much prefer their take on the P and J compared to their own shapes in the higher price catagory. The Combustion series look spot on for the cash as well!

[stingrayPete1977]

Doesn't really do anything for me and I know some players who play chordal stuff have found them tricky even after playing them for a while. Frets are for losers anyway

[warwickhunt]

Despite loving the neck/frets/tone/playability of my Super Jazz, I decided to put it up for sale as I just don't get on with any bass that isn't the ergonomic shape and style of the Streamer/NS bass (the exception being one or two other concave/convex Warwick shapes... but not the Thumb). Now if Dingwall could do me a NT Streamer shaped bass with a neck like their Super Jazz or if Warwick could reprofile their necks and fit wonky frets, I'd be all over it.

[Jellyfish]

Only bad thing about my Combustion is that playing tight chord stuff, and barring, is quite difficult.

[iiipopes]

Sheldon fretted my "half-fanned" neck. With my old elbow, wrist and thumb injuries, it does great. Very ergonomic for me. I have a thread on the bass. I just can't do the whole fan, either from the directional or from the extended scale perspective.

[fender73]

They are wonky. That is all.

[mr zed]

Never had the opportunity to try one - feel like I'm missing out!

[molan]

Bought one, spent some time with it, used it at a full band rehearsal, didn't get on with it, put it up for sale. . .

[Musicman20]

Excellent quality. Just not my thing. I don't see any issues with normal parallel frets.

[thodrik]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1371681594' post='2117049']
Excellent quality. Just not my thing. I don't see any issues with normal parallel frets.
[/quote]

Pretty much my view. Though I haven't tried one so can't really judge yet.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1371681594' post='2117049']
Excellent quality. Just not my thing. I don't see any issues with normal parallel frets.
[/quote]
These Dingwall threads always end with the old "solution to a problem that doesn't exist" comment, fwiw I agree. That does not mean they are any more or less worthy but some of the nonsense I have heard about them is just that.

[longtimefred]

I didn't get gas for one because of the whole wonky fret thing, it kinda played just the same as a normal bass. Those neodymium pickups they use sound bloody killer!! And the 37" scale makes them awesome for low tunings. Proper meaty!

[Machines]

I'll be getting one I expect some day, but it's years away currently due to cost plus I want a US one not a Combustion.

[PTB]

I had an AB1, liked the feel & clarity but couldn't get it to sound how I wanted despite returning it to passive so I moved it on.
I really enjoyed meeting Sheldon D & playing the 5 string P bass at the 2012 LBGS: if I have another, it would be one of them I think. Not top of the list though right now.

[fretmeister]

I think it's the Low B and E tone that does it for me, and as I'm currently playing with an orchestra a deep fundamental tone is wonderful to have.

Before that I had never heard a B as good as my Marleaux, but my ABZ is as far beyond that bass as the Marleaux is beyond the others I've tried.

The wonky frets are just the method of getting that low note clarity, the frets themselves were not a selling point.

[JapanAxe]

Still hankering after an AB1 5-er after playing one last year at Bass Direct, but it requires the conjunction of the following:[list]
[*]Used example up for sale;
[*]Uncommitted fundage on my part; and
[*]Right place, right time!
[/list]