Sean Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I've played a couple of Dingwall basses and I must admit I've been very impressed and not found the fanned fret thing to be alien at all. Is there anyone that has played one and really not liked it? I'd like to understand why that was. Leland Sklar sold most of his basses after switching to Dingwall but seems to have kept hold of some of his Yamaha BBs. Maybe that's a sentimental thing, I dunno. Has anyone that has bought one been fully converted and sold all their conventional basses as a result? As much as I see the benefit of the design and as much as I love technology I think that the aesthetic of them is a major stumbling block for me. Should I keep my BBs or go Dingwall? That's a rhetorical question obviously ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I like them but I'd never get rid of all my conventional basses afterwards. I like variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I've just got one after a long search (4s are hen's teeth secondhand ) and while I'm selling a few of my other basses (mostly to pay for it - skint at the mo) I wouldn't necessarily move to an all-Dingwall collection. I guess it helps that I love the look of them, but mine is just so damn practical (first gig with it this weekend, and I'm looking forward to a 7lb 9oz bass round my neck for a couple of hours instead of 9-10lbers) and nice to play that it's a keeper. I've still got other 'keepers' - but now I think about it, they're mostly low-value, high-sentimentality basses: the Fenderbird, the FrankenP/J, the modded Fortress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 I played a passive Dingwall 5 string at Bass Direct and was left thinking, "what CAN'T this bass do?" however it didn't feel like "me". It started me thinking that maybe in 20 years or so everyone will be using a fanned fret, multi-scale instrument. Some of the benefits are undeniable when you take the laws if physics and the constraints of manufacturing into consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I have 3 of them, but still keep my traditional parallel fretted basses as in my signature pic. To be honest before Dingwall for me it was EB Music Man all the way, and yes I have sold them all but not because it was a complete u-turn, forget the fanned fret thing, to me at least, the sound capabilities of the Dingwalls made me feel unsatisfied when playing my Ernie Ball basses (Stingray 5 / Big Al 5 / Bongo 5 & 25th Anniv. 5) as they all sounded like indonesian cheap copies in comparison and I am not kidding, the Low B alone and the perfect pitch throughout the entire length of the scale is what makes all the difference, the fan fret is something you never think twice about it if I was to hand one to you to play a whole gig, you will never feel out of place and my good friend swansbrook (Dave) did just that. From never having played one before to play a whole gig with one of mine on loan. Ask him if he even noticed the fret were wonky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I want a fretless with fanned fret lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Rats, too slow on the draw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I asked Sheldon Dingwall about an unlined fretless, even he looked a bit doubtful! I've had a quick go on a couple of Dingwalls and liked them, but not enough to swap my existing gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 I think I'm like Leland without the wanderlust (I wish) ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/109356-just-bought-a-dingwall-afterburner-d/page__st__20__p__1013047#entry1013047"]http://basschat.co.u...47#entry1013047[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I have never tried one, but they are clearly against nature so they must be EVIL! Seriously though, I can't wait to try one. I love techie ideas and everything about the idea makes sense and I'd love to see a medium scale going 31-34 on a 4 string ot something like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I've tried a few. Getting used to the fan-frets was trivial - less than a minute and I didn't really notice them, however if you're into chords played high up the neck I'd want to check that you can still do that first. However I couldn't get a sound I liked out of them compared to my Gus and Overwater basses so I haven't actually bought one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Just to be clear; the fanned frets make the bass sound more 'in-tune' across the whole fingerboard (better than the Buzz Feiten affair)? If so doesn't that make the guitarists appear even MORE out of tune than they frequently are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 [quote name='Sean' timestamp='1332420104' post='1587997'] Leland Sklar sold most of his basses after switching to Dingwall but seems to have kept hold of some of his Yamaha BBs. Maybe that's a sentimental thing, I dunno. [/quote] Is that why he's doing adverts and clinics for Warwick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Are they any good for metal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I tried one and really wanted to like it. I found that the volute protruding into where my thumb lurks was kind of in the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I tried one for the first time in December (think it was an ABZ?). Now, I am have always liked the thinking behind the fanned-fret design and it seems perfectly logical that the bass should intonate better, have better string tension and feel more ergonomic under the left hand. I went into the trial completely open minded, and fully expecting to love it. But I didn't. I was impressed with how light it was, and how good it sounded (i was amazed how sonically versatile it was for a passive bass!). I had two problems with the fanned frets though; despite really wanting to like it (and trying it for quite a while), I just couldn't get on with them. It was like being a beginner again, my left hand felt really awkward and un-coordinated, and it felt like much harder work. I'm sure I could get used to it with enough time and practice, but it did kind of put me off. The other issue for me was that the string tension and intonation was almost too good. It just felt and sounded a bit clinical and sterile. I know that it's technically better, but I guess it's just what my ears have got used to over the years. I guess the imperfections and nuances of traditional bass design have featured on pretty well any record I've ever heard. Same sort of reason that loads of people dig the sound of a P bass, despite there being much more advanced design instruments out there. The other weird thing was that the fretted notes seemed to decay really quickly, the sustain wasn't very good. I checked the setup, and there was no fret buzz or choking notes....... weird. Anyway, this was just my thoughts after trying one. It was kind of a good thing in a way, because it killed any Dingwall GAS I may have had! I'll be behind the sofa with a saucepan on my head............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Not that I want to diss them in any way. It was a fine axe, just not for me. I can totally see why people love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethfriend Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I tried and decided against buying one. Couldn't put my finger on why exactly, the sound was great, it was comfortable to play, didn't look bad in the flesh I guess, right price, just didn't click for me. Then I've played plenty of expensive and well crafted basses that haven't inspired me so it doesn't say anything about them in particular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I think they look amazing. Would love to try one but I can't see myself ever spending that much on a bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 For me, what put me off was the neck profile - it's a bit chubbier than I like. The fanned-fretnessosity wasn't an issue at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geilerbass Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I'm a recent convert. Though I can't think they are for everybody. I've found the attraction to be that the overall bass, not just the fanned-fret design, ticks so many boxes. Of course the mixed scale length is very significant, but it's a combination of amazing sound, fantastic playability, light weight and appealing aesthetics that have won me over. I don't think I'd sell everything and replace with Dingwalls - I couldn't afford it for a start! - but for what I do now, an ABI or another ABZ to go with the one I've got seems like the perfect bass arsenal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geilerbass Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1332440952' post='1588495'] Are they any good for metal? [/quote] The ABZ works for me! I play in a couple of metal bands and the tone seems perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I tried one quickly at Bass Direct and it was ace. Really comfortable. I also tried a Roscoe and that too was awesome so basically I need £2k. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 can't stand the look of them personally, and am scared to try one...in case i like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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