fullrangebass

A Kinal may be a good idea. Most versatile bass and a real workhorse

Currently I own 50 basses (a few weeks ago it was 60, maybe 1 or two more than that). My favorite of them all is my "Uber Alles" Prima Dingwall (a one off, as most of the basses that I own). Being my first Dingwall it holds a special place in my herd (and heart). It's my standard that every bass gets compared with, once it joins the herd. It has also given me my nickname. The sound is full and stout, beyond belief as well as playability and ergonomics. It's the bass that has seen the most action out of all my herd (side to side comparison esp when in action is a joy).

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='228372' date='Jun 28 2008, 01:55 AM']Jaydee Status E Basses Sei GB Shuker Overwater Iceni Zoot Organic Wal[/quote] From the above list, so far I've tried (for longer than 5min ) and/or owned Jaydee, Status, Sei, GB, Shuker, Overwater, Iceni Zoot and Wal. There is NO best bass really. It all boils down to what is the sound you are listening to your head, and how good is the communication pathway between yourself and the luthier to allow the latter to create (within his frame and range of work) an instrument that will only allow you to get closer to you heart and soul, with better ergonomics, playability and TONE (all equally important, but tone is the final frontier). I've been blessed to have great long-term communication with Martin Petersen (Sei), Rob Green (Status) and Jon Shuker (Shuker) that led to several great basses arriving my way. For the rest of the luthiers I have no personal experience so I cannot comment (I am sure they are on par with the names I referred to)

[quote name='Toasted' post='225948' date='Jun 24 2008, 05:31 PM']I liked the Super-J 4 I had. Alot.[/quote] I am the proud owner of that Super PJ. It's truly a great bass. Thanks [quote name='mcgraham' post='226137' date='Jun 24 2008, 09:30 PM']I too have been curious about Dingwalls. Eventually I managed to get to the gallery and have a go on some. The aesthetic disruption of angled frets wasn't a problem! But the way they played was not worthy of their price bracket, IMO. They played well, but nothing special. Again IMO. Mark[/quote] Hi Mark. It all depends on the type of sound you are after. And the Ultimate test is to compare similar level basses in a BAND context. Many basses sound breathtaking on their own, yet they disappear when other instruments start playing along. YMMV but with my extensive herd (60 high end basses at once, and still down to 50 right now) their price is justified both in terms of looks, construction and ergonomics as well as (most importantly) TONE Hey Jack, a PM has arrived to your mailbox

fretlessfletcher was looking for a Wal and I was thinking of parting with my MK II. I contacted him and made him an offer. He agreed and all went smoothly. Communication has been top notch from start to finish and there was no moment of doubt throughout the deal. Superb BassChatter. Highly recommended.

[quote name='d-basser' post='183876' date='Apr 23 2008, 05:12 PM']Uhuh 37" B and a 34"C. to be honest it doesnt feel that long when playing. got factory strings on it at the mo but i think i will get Newtone to make my next set for me, bit limited as to suppliers with that kinda scale.[/quote] Congratulations on your new bass. Looks great, If you log in the Dingwall forum you can find threads for alternative strings to use

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='175411' date='Apr 12 2008, 10:36 PM']FWIW, I don't think enough manufacturers are exploring other wood options apart from the standard ash which can tend to sound too brittle to my ears. I wouldn't mind seeing someone trialling a graphite necked bass with a body from a soft or heavy sounding wood like bubinga. Something that tames the highs and preserves/enhances the lows and mids a bit more.[/quote] I agree with the ash observation (esp the light ash). I've had 5 Status basses so far and the heavy ash was very explosinve as well as other wood combos that I've tried and liked. I think that a bubinga bodied graphite necked bass would sound too "spunky". IME a walnut body is the absolute medium for such a bass

The difference between Modulus and Status necks lies in personal taste to start with. The method of making the necks is different between the two companies. The neck part (contribution) can only be judged when coupled with a body. I've tried several graphite necked basses (and guitars) and so far, my choice has been Status, but then again it is a matter of taste (and not a matter of inferiority or superiority) Hey Smart, I am PM-ing you regarding a matter that you may be of help

[quote name='steve-soar' post='170420' date='Apr 5 2008, 10:20 PM']How on earth do you ever strike a close relationship with any of your basses, assuming you play them all equally, or are you a collector as well? I'd like to try a Dingwall but I read that he won't make left handed versions, true or false?[/quote] Hi Steve Unfortunately for all the left handed people, Dingwalls are not offered in the left hand variety. Everything is custom designed and made and it's not just an issue of simply flipping things over. As far as playing all my basses, I bought them one at a time, so I had time to check them out in rehearsals, gigs and recordings (by bringing 2-5 basses along). So I know more or less what fits were. The absolute fit for me and perfection in sound, ergonomics and playability comes with my Dingwall basses. Then again all the basses that I have owned are on the higher part of the scale, so I got my lesson in terms of tone, playability and ergonomics (3 very different things)

Gear Update (even though it will change in the next couple of weeks or a month) Basses I currently own 1- Dingwall Prima (Artist) 5 Walnut w/ Wenge front and back facing and pau ferro fingerboard (my "Uber Alles") 2- Dingwall Prima 5 Walnut/Alder w/ Pauduk front and back facing and pau ferro fingerboard (custom) (Transparent) 3- Dingwall Prima 5 Walnut/Alder Core, quilt maple top, contrasting Bubinga Accent Laminates, 24 Fret Maple Neck w/Wenge Fingerboard, Matching Headstock, D-Tuner Extender Key On Low B-String (Blondie) 4- Dingwall Z1 (OMT) 5 Sassafrass with dual wenge/maple facing and maple neck and fingerboard 5- Dingwall Voodoo 5 (parallel pickups!!!!) Walnut/Alder, pau ferro fingerboard (“Classic”) Villex-loaded, vol/vol. mid-control, Villex Passive Rotary Tone Booster (PRTB) 6- Dingwall Voodoo 5 (parallel pickups!!!!) Walnut/Alder pau ferro fingerboard Bartolinis (curly blond) 7- Lee Sklar’s Z1 5str Alder body, pau ferro f/b, 22fr, EMG pickups, vol/balance/bass/highs 8 - Z2 OMT 5str Ash body/spalted maple top, maple f/b, 24 fr, B-string de-tuner 9 - Z2 Ruby Red, Ash/quilt maple top (deep!!!), pau ferro f/b 21 fr, Bartolini p/ups and preamp 10 - Z1 “Blackburst” Transparent Black Ash/ Premium Flame Maple Top, 24 Fret Maple Fretboard with Ebony bar markers, Aguilar OBP-3, BluEQube EQ Circuit, Active/Passive selector 11 – Zebra, Transparent Green, Ash body, Pau Ferro f/b 24 fr, Sperzel locking tuners, FD3s, vol/ 4 pos rotary switch/ Villex Passive Rotary Tone Booster 12 - 6 str Artist Prima (First Prima Artist Ever) 13 - 6str Champagne Prima 14 - Super PJ 15 - Prima Artist 5 str, 22fr, w/ detuners on both B and E strings 16 - Prima Artist 5 str 17 - Prima Artist 5 str 18 – “Brazil” Mahogany body/maple top, ramp, Z1 5 str 19 – “AA” I: Special Edition #1 of 1, 4A flame maple top on 2pc quilt maple body, 1pc neck, FD-1 pickups 20 - AB I 5str with FD1’s • Novax fanned fret system. • Wenge fingerboard (Radius- Compound, 7-1/2” to 25” ) • 24 fret • Soft Maple body w/Flame maple top • Dingwall FD-3 Pickups • 37 inch B string 21 - AB II 5 str: Chambered arbutus burl top, walnut body, 5-piece bubinga neck, wenge board. FD-3 pickups, OBP-1 preamp, active/passive hybrid treble control, bass boost, BluEQube, pickup selector switch. Also has a Hipshot extender on the B-string... this baby goes down to a low "A"!!! (and it sounds like the voice of God, BTW!) 22 - Emerald Green Prima with the NVT Villex pickups and the Pasive EQ (3-band cut/boost passive pre-amp)!!! -Kenneth Lawrence Brase 5 Heavy northern Ash with maple neck and fingerboard (the first very Brase that started it all) w/ SD Dual Coils -Kenneth Lawrence Brase 5 Swamp Ash body, Crotch Walnut Top with maple neck, and ebony fingerboard with Aero Single Coils in Wooden Maple Covers Electronics: Seymour Duncan, Vol (Push-Pull passive mode), Bal, 3 Band EQ, Slap Contour-Switch (Mid Cut and Bass Boost adjustable via mini pot in control cavity) -Warrior fully armed soldier 5 (w/ Villex pickups retrofitted) Mahogany/ purpleheart w/ maple facing, mahogany/ purpleheart with ebony fretboard -Stingray 5 ash with maple neck and fretboard -Hamer Chaparal 5 (US) mahogany body with rosewood fingerboard -Carvin XB75 custom (Bunny Brunnel prototype pickup spacing) Ash with maple neck and rosewood fingerboard -Ritter Roya 5 custom Ash w/ maple facing and maple neck w/ ebony fingerboard -Shuker 5 Elite Ash with 7 piece maple/wenge neck w/ wenge fingerboard -Status Empathy 5 w/ maple (custom) Graphite through -Status Eclipse Ltd 5 ash/maple top w/ LED's(custom) Graphite through -Spector NS2 4str ash-maple neck-through w/ rosewood f/b PJ EMG's -Yamaha Attitude custom (w/ piezo) 4str -Carvin custom shop 4str (all Mahogany w/ ebony f/ -Conklin GT7 -Fernades 4str (upgarded w/ PJ quarter pounders Basslines and SD active Preamp) -Ibanez Musician 4str (w/EMG preamp) -Godin A4 fretted -US Masters EP55 (w/ studio active electronics) Lacewood body w/ flame maple top, maple neck and purpleheart f/b -Fodera 4str custom -Fodera Emperor Deluxe Maccassar Ebony top on Walnut body w/ebony pickup covers and KingWood finger board (35") on 3 pc flame maple neck -Manne Trea 5 Custom, mahogany body, ash neck, f-resin f/board w/ 3 Manne J pickups -May Custom Bass 5 -Kinal SK-B 24 MM (splitable)/J Barts, Bart pre amp, active/passive, Ash/maple top, Brasilian rosewood f/b (35") -Fender Marcus Miller 4str -Wal MKII 5str (’91) -Matt Pulcinela Level 5, light ash body, maple neck and f/b, EMGs DC35 Previously owned basses -Fodera Emperor Elite ash, maple top, maple neck, Brazilian Rosewood F/b, 35" scale, Nordstrand Signature DualCoils, HazLab preamp -G&L 2500 Ash w/ maple neck and rosewood fingerboard -Status Empathy 5 w/ walnut wings Graphite through -Status Eclipse Ltd 5 heavy ash body (prototype) Graphite through -Phoenix 7str -F Bass BN5 Ash and maple neck and fingerboard -MTD 535 Ash w/ Lacewood facing and maple neck and fingerboard -Sei bass 5, Ash w/ maple facing with maple neck and fingerboard, LED's and piezo -Sei Flamboyant 6, headless -Odyssey 5 (fretted) single piece body (olive tree) 3pc maple neck bolt-on rosewood f/b Bartolinis -Odyssey 5 (fretless) Neck-through 5pc maple/wenge neck, maple-lined pau-ferro 29 fret f/b, flame maple body (laminated) Bartolini's (active/passive) 2 double action truss rods -Lightwave Saber 5str -Aries 7string Custom, Neckthrough, chambered walnut body, 10pc wenge/purpleheart/etc neck, ebony f/b , Rough Crystal p'ups (F# to C 36" scale with piezo) -Shuker Elite 5 Wenge w/ EMG's DC40 -R-Bass Singlecut 5, Flame Redwood Top, Mahogany body, bolt-on, Maple neck w/ ebony f/b. Nordstrand Dual Coil p'ups and U-Retro preamp -Stambaugh Singlecut mahogany body w/ walnut top, maple neck and f/b Aero dual coil p'ups, ABM piezo brigde, bartolini preamp (maybe I've forgotten a few but I'll be back)

[quote name='Dillsfretless' post='163570' date='Mar 26 2008, 12:15 PM']I was just wondering what you guys would nominate as the best bass you have ever owned or played? I have a headless status 5 string at the moment, and I really like it, but I just don't think that it's my 'ideal' bass. I'm looking for ideas as to decent kit that people have bonded with in some way. pics allowed![/quote] Hi what sort of sound(s) and specs (scale, neck profile, neck width, string spacing at the bridge etc) are you after? If you browse my gear list (either here or in TalkBass) you will see that I own a pretty extensive herd (45+ this very moment; few weeks back it was 50+). If you let me know I can be more specific. I love my Dingwalls, my Ritter, my Ken Lawrence's, my Foderas etc, but each one serves a different purpose

I would like everybody to know that sweetpie is a reliable and honest BassChat member. I had the pleasure of dealing with him on a trade based on this thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14575"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14575[/url] We live in different countries but we had no problems communicating and striking a deal. I received his mint Fender Marcus Miller and he received my G&L 2500 5str US. We are both happy with that trade

Delano and Villex are quite different tone wise IMHO. Both are valid choices (depending on the sort of sound one is after). Having heard both I'm more partial to the Villex (I am not endorsing any product, I am just a very demanding customer, trust me on that) I love the full organic sound of Villex "Classic" and the "wider" tone (in lack of a better word) of the Villex NVT

[quote name='BassManKev' post='121518' date='Jan 16 2008, 05:31 PM']im looking to replace the pickups in me peavey grind 6 string bass, im just wondering if you make 6 string pickups??[/quote] I am sure Villex makes 6str pickups.

Here is a link to the Villex NVT and EQ Starting point is with all pots of the EQ counter-clockwise [url="http://www.zshare.net/download/6376739e48eb94/"]http://www.zshare.net/download/6376739e48eb94/[/url]

[quote name='ped' post='101364' date='Dec 8 2007, 04:37 PM']Certainly looks superb - can we have some sound clips?[/quote] I truly apologize for the delay but many things kept me busy (like the pneumonia I was suffering while recording these clips) Please don't judge the fluidity of the scales (or better yet, the lack of it) just listen to the sounds, before and after. more clips to follow [url="http://www.zshare.net/download/6154095324a9e5/"]http://www.zshare.net/download/6154095324a9e5/[/url]