lowregisterhead Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 (edited) After two years of playing nothing but my Combustion 5/3, I just laid my hands on this Lee Sklar signature. A different animal, but a really lovely instrument, so beautifully made. Just a quick snap, which doesn't do it justice - I'll try and take some better pictures soon. Edited October 19, 2023 by lowregisterhead 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E sharp Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 Ooo nice. Where did you manage to nab that from? They rarely come up for sale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 On 17/10/2023 at 20:58, E sharp said: Ooo nice. Where did you manage to nab that from? They rarely come up for sale It came from a dealer in Japan. There were others closer to home (Bass Freaks in Belgium had a couple) but the finishes were a bit garish for my taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwmlondon Posted October 21, 2023 Share Posted October 21, 2023 On 17/10/2023 at 20:54, lowregisterhead said: After two years of playing nothing but my Combustion 5/3, I just laid my hands on this Lee Sklar signature. A different animal, but a really lovely instrument, so beautifully made. Just a quick snap, which doesn't do it justice - I'll try and take some better pictures soon. Oooh, tasty! When you say different beast, in what ways? I've only ever held one Canadian Dingwall and wasn't able to play it so I'd love to know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 (edited) On 21/10/2023 at 09:53, kwmlondon said: Oooh, tasty! When you say different beast, in what ways? I've only ever held one Canadian Dingwall and wasn't able to play it so I'd love to know... Where do I start? Well, to begin with, the overall standard of build and finish is noticeably better than the Combustion/NG/D-Roc, although they're still very well put together. The Canadian made basses could be considered the Rolls Royce of the Dingwall range for want of a better comparison, and as a result start at more than double the price of the 'offshore' made basses, but they are so beautifully made. The Lee Sklar model has a dual density body, where the upper part of the body is Northern Ash, the lower part Alder, but side by side, not one on top of the other. The idea is that the different woods help balance the lower and high frequencies. From what I've found so far in the ten days I've owned it, I'd say that does seem to be the case. It has great resonance and consistency right across the neck. The LS body is slimmer than my Combustion (39mm vs 43mm) but both basses are almost exactly the same weight, just under 4.5kg. I owned an Afterburner 1 for a short while, and it was also beautifully made, but very light, too light for my liking. The Lee Sklar is also fitted with mandolin frets, which are slimmer than standard, but give the neck a very fast, slick feel. The main difference for me is the pickup configuration and preamp. The tonal character is bright and edgy, due to only having two pickups instead of three, and being fitted with a Glockenklang preamp. It delivers a huge range of tones, with the most hi-fi, glassy and crisp top end you can imagine, but is still whisper quiet even when you push the high frequencies. The EMG preamp in the Combustion sounds pretty flat in comparison. The difference between the preamps alone makes me want to tinker with my Combustion even more - I've already upgraded the pickups to Super Fatty IIs, fitted USA Hipshot tuners and replaced the bridge saddles with Babicz Solos, so a Glockenklang might well be the next addition. If I have one reservation regarding the Lee Sklar, it's that despite the tonal fireworks, it lacks a little versatility - the Combustion does a passable P-bass/J-bass/Stingray impersonation, whereas the Lee Sklar does a Stingray on steroids and a single coil bridge tone very well, but seems to lack the roundness I can get out of the Combustion from the third neck pickup. I'm considering adding a third pickup to the Lee Sklar, but it'll require some very careful routing by someone with all the proper jigs and serious skills, especially as there's no scratch plate to hide any rough edges... All the other specs are here: https://dingwallguitars.com/bass/lee-sklar-signature/ Edited October 24, 2023 by lowregisterhead 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwmlondon Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 4 hours ago, lowregisterhead said: Where do I start? Well, to begin with, the overall standard of build and finish is noticeably better than the Combustion/NG/D-Roc, although they're still very well put together. The Canadian made basses could be considered the Rolls Royce of the Dingwall range for want of a better comparison, and as a result start at more than double the price of the 'offshore' made basses, but they are so beautifully made. The Lee Sklar model has a dual density body, where the upper part of the body is Northern Ash, the lower part Alder, but side by side, not one on top of the other. The idea is that the different woods help balance the lower and high frequencies. From what I've found so far in the ten days I've owned it, I'd say that does seem to be the case. It has great resonance and consistency right across the neck. The LS body is slimmer than my Combustion (39mm vs 43mm) but both basses are almost exactly the same weight, just under 4.5kg. I owned an ABII for a short while, and it was also beautifully made, but very light, too light for my liking. The Lee Sklar is also fitted with mandolin frets, which are slimmer than standard, but give the neck a very fast, slick feel. The main difference for me is the pickup configuration and preamp. The tonal character is bright and edgy, due to only having two pickups instead of three, and being fitted with a Glockenklang preamp. It delivers a huge range of tones, with the most hi-fi, glassy and crisp top end you can imagine, but is still whisper quiet even when you push the high frequencies. The EMG preamp in the Combustion sounds pretty flat in comparison. The difference between the preamps alone makes me want to tinker with my Combustion even more - I've already upgraded the pickups to Super Fatty IIs, fitted USA Hipshot tuners and replaced the bridge saddles with Babicz Solos, so a Glockenklang might well be the next addition. If I have one reservation regarding the Lee Sklar, it's that despite the tonal fireworks, it lacks a little versatility - the Combustion does a passable P-bass/J-bass/Stingray impersonation, whereas the Lee Sklar does a Stingray on steroids and a single coil bridge tone very well, but seems to lack the roundness I can get out of the Combustion from the third neck pickup. I'm considering adding a third pickup to the Lee Sklar, but it'll require some very careful routing by someone with all the proper jigs and serious skills, especially as there's no scratch plate to hide any rough edges... All the other specs are here: https://dingwallguitars.com/bass/lee-sklar-signature/ Thanks. That’s super helpful. I have to say that I don’t get on with the EMG preamp on my combustion but I’m not really after it to be more HiFi BUT I’d love a passive tone. I could not live without the 3 pickups tho. I absolutely love the configuration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 17 hours ago, lowregisterhead said: I'm considering adding a third pickup to the Lee Sklar, but it'll require some very careful routing by someone with all the proper jigs and serious skills, especially as there's no scratch plate to hide any rough edges... You're a braver man than I. I sold my Sklar Mk1 as I didn't get on with the pick-up placement, or more specifically, there wasn't three pickup's which would allow my playing position to be closer to the neck which is my preference. In every other area the Mk1 excelled, but as there was the option to have one with 3 pick-up's (i.e. a Mk2) I moved it on with the intention of replacing it. I never did get around to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 3 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: You're a braver man than I. I sold my Sklar Mk1 as I didn't get on with the pick-up placement, or more specifically, there wasn't three pickup's which would allow my playing position to be closer to the neck which is my preference. In every other area the Mk1 excelled, but as there was the option to have one with 3 pick-up's (i.e. a Mk2) I moved it on with the intention of replacing it. I never did get around to it. Very difficult to find another, they're like hen's teeth, and a custom build is over two years wait now I believe. There are a couple of LS and Z3s for sale from dealers in Belgium and the Netherlands, but in rather gaudy gold and colour shift finishes, not my cup of tea! And then there's the import duties of course, adding even more cost to an already expensive instrument. I've spoken to a luthier who's done some great work for me before, and he's willing to give it a go, so I may have to take the plunge with the third pickup. Watch this space... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 13 hours ago, kwmlondon said: Thanks. That’s super helpful. I have to say that I don’t get on with the EMG preamp on my combustion but I’m not really after it to be more HiFi BUT I’d love a passive tone. I could not live without the 3 pickups tho. I absolutely love the configuration. John East now does a preamp for the Combustion/NG without a blend control (so the existing pickup selector can be incorporated) and a passive tone control. LowEndLobster on YouTube did a conversion using it and a 6-way switch (link below). Worth looking into. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 (edited) My Passive ABZ... Edited November 1, 2023 by spyder 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwmlondon Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 23 hours ago, spyder said: My Passive ABZ... It just looks so ... pure! My ideal finish for any bass, I'd say. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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