leschirons Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Due to me being one of those weirdos where a 34" scale feels great and a 35" doesn't, I was wondering how people get on with a scale length that extends from 34" to 37" depending on the string you're playing. As the individual bridge units are also offset, I guess that only half of the extra B string length is out to my left if that makes sense. It's not a post about getting used to fanned frets but purely a scale length question so I'm hoping to hear from Dingwall users that are, or were like me regarding the 34" verses 35" thing. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I am a 34" player, I dont think I have ever played a 35" scale bass that I know of. I generally play Ibanez's (4 & 5) but also some jazz basses. Today I got a dingwall combustion, and I have spent the last 3 1/2 hours playing it, so probably a good person to say what the transition is like. I was a little concerned about the scale as 37 sounds huge and my hands aren't that big, but honestly I haven't really noticed the size. Currently I need to get used to it as it is very wide compared to what I am used to but it is so nice to play. I thought i would give it a spin on rocksmith to see how my playing compared on the same tracks I normally play and it seemed I was struggling more than on the ibanez, but I scored higher on almost all of them so I guess there is something there. Actually the only thing I found really awkward was knowing where to play, as there were pickups in the way where i normally play, and as they are slanted, that is most of the way. All of these things are just getting used to it. But in all of that, I didn't notice the scale being big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1397678664' post='2426466'] Due to me being one of those weirdos where a 34" scale feels great and a 35" doesn't, I was wondering how people get on with a scale length that extends from 34" to 37" depending on the string you're playing. [/quote] You are not a weirdo....you are unique... You are you!. 35" doesn't work for me either, it has a to be 34". I cant answer your question as I have never played a Dingwall...but I would love to try one out for size someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amnesia Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 No problem for me. Took all of a few minutes to get to grips with it. The problems I had were with low frets on the D and G strings. Lots of fret buzz and skiffed notes to start. Now I can swap from Dingwall to Warwick 34" to Gibson T-bird with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Thanks for the replies. I must admit, I'm curious to try one out. They look so intriguing and have loads of satisfied users but I just couldn't get my head around a 3" scale difference over 5 strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I have some knowledge of Woodinblack's bass as it was mine until recently. For me it was the 5-string bit that I struggled with just because I have played 4s to this point. That said I have pretty immediately replaced it with a 4-string Dingwall as I really like the fanned fret system. The scale length was never really an issue although I should say I'm 6'3" with a long wingspan so it was never going to be an issue for me. I recognise the 'where do I anchor my right hand' thing Woddy mentioned, however I figured out that what worked for me was to put my thumb on the rounded corner of the neck pickup and as the pickups are slanted too, you get a nice spot to play in below your thumb. I should say that the oft quoted thing is that it takes seconds to get used to was not my experience. A couple of hours practice definitely helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Took me about five minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Probably took me a bit longer. It will take a while to get used to the size of the neck, and certainly at the top I am missing the notes a bit, especially standing up where looking down the note you want on the g string is 2 frets away from the dot. But it is just a familiarity thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1397697016' post='2426634'] Took me about five minutes [/quote] Yeah, but I'm rubbish on bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Me too it's a head thing, not a talent thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1397733505' post='2426876'] Me too it's a head thing, not a talent thing [/quote] Let's start a club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Bit of a thread hijack - sorry to the OP. Maybe you should start a club thread, ead. We can take numbers like on TalkBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1397681878' post='2426529'] I thought i would give it a spin on rocksmith to see how my playing compared on the same tracks I normally play and it seemed I was struggling more than on the ibanez, but I scored higher on almost all of them so I guess there is something there. [/quote] The Gods of Gaming and Low End Rumble have been united in Dingwall glory Hahaha that's awesome though, I expect the 5/B string is the cleanest you've played yet? Should be with all that tension! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Having played it a bit more now, the stated aim of the Dingwall definitely works, you can play from the E to the B without a change of tone, and I haven't played another 5 where that is true. I do notice the scale length more than the change but it does seem faster. What is more noticeable for me though is I think the faster is because due to the pickup position I am actually playing lighter so my hand can move faster, and I think that is down to the pickups meaning I can't dig in as much. One thing for sure, it is an enjoyable bass to play and sounds so nice and clear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1397812050' post='2427562'] Having played it a bit more now, the stated aim of the Dingwall definitely works, you can play from the E to the B without a change of tone, and I haven't played another 5 where that is true. I do notice the scale length more than the change but it does seem faster. What is more noticeable for me though is I think the faster is because due to the pickup position I am actually playing lighter so my hand can move faster, and I think that is down to the pickups meaning I can't dig in as much. One thing for sure, it is an enjoyable bass to play and sounds so nice and clear [/quote] Thanks for that, your replies have been very helpfull. Tempted to now find one and have a go (just to see like ) I have a mate back in blighty who has one and loves it but he was always a 35" man anyway so thanks again for your views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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