While I haven't HAD a Z, I've played one. I compared my ABII-6 to Cheamo's Z1-6. They feel different (I think the Z has a different neck profile), and while they do sound different, I couldn't describe how since I didn't play it that much (and I'm not too good at explaining tone ). I didn't find it to be a huge difference, but perhaps that's just my ears. I would like to hear others input. I would LOVE a PA some day. ::drool::

[quote="TheGrandEnigma":2zcg33nm]. . . while they do sound different, I couldn't describe how since I didn't play it that much I didn't find it to be a huge difference, but perhaps that's just my ears. [/quote:2zcg33nm] Thanks for that. I appreciate your perspective. From what I've read, the Z3 and the PA have many tones while the ABII has 1 usable setting (for me) which is: Awesome. There are actually 4 pickup settings but only one works for me. I don't feel I need a lot of different tones, personally. I do 90% live performance these days. Perhaps if I was doing more studio work . . .

[quote="DattaGroover":15ncx5y0][quote="TheGrandEnigma":15ncx5y0]. . . while they do sound different, I couldn't describe how since I didn't play it that much I didn't find it to be a huge difference, but perhaps that's just my ears. [/quote:15ncx5y0] Thanks for that. I appreciate your perspective. From what I've read, the Z3 and the PA have many tones while the ABII has 1 usable setting (for me) which is: Awesome. There are actually 4 pickup settings but only one works for me. I don't feel I need a lot of different tones, personally. I do 90% live performance these days. Perhaps if I was doing more studio work . . .[/quote:15ncx5y0] i am going to guess...series setting?

[quote="joebar":1crbygzh][quote="DattaGroover":1crbygzh][quote="TheGrandEnigma":1crbygzh]. . . while they do sound different, I couldn't describe how since I didn't play it that much I didn't find it to be a huge difference, but perhaps that's just my ears. [/quote:1crbygzh] There are actually 4 pickup settings but only one works for me. [/quote:1crbygzh] i am going to guess...series setting?[/quote:1crbygzh] Joebar, you must be psychic. That's it.

OK, I'll weigh in, since I have both an AB2 (older model w/o the scroll hole) and a Z3. There are many differences between the two basses. [u:1mxmhjy6]Woods[/u:1mxmhjy6]. TheAB2 has a walnut body, bubinga top and neck, and wenge fingerboard, while my Z3 has the dual-density ash body, maple top and neck, and ziracote fingerboard. The Z3 is much brighter sounding acoustically, while the AB2 is darker sounding. [u:1mxmhjy6]Pickups[/u:1mxmhjy6]. The AB2 has the FD-3 pickups, while the Z3 has superfatties (note that Z1 and Z2 basses are available with either pickup). To my ears, the FD-3 pickups are very clean sounding with glassy highs, while the SFs have a bit more accentuation in the mids, and actually sound like they start to break up a bit, adding a little crunchiness. And of course the Z3 has that middle pickup, which gives a very nice sound, particularly when used with the bridge pickup (the stock Z3 wiring allows the middle and bridge pickups to be used, connected in series). [u:1mxmhjy6]Pre-amps[/u:1mxmhjy6]. Both lines have evolved from Aguilar pre-amps to the Glocks, but the important thing to note is that the AB2 is a 2-band preamp while the Z3 has a 3-band pickup. I find the ability to boost mids to be particularly useful, especially when playing live. Having said all that, I find both basses to be very versatile, and with appropriate EQ-ing, either on-board or at the amp, can be used for all types of music. Good luck.

I have a similar setup as Franco. Had an older ABII with walnut body and bubinga/wenge neck. To me it was darker and 'organic' sounding. Had a ton of sustain. Liked the natural finish on the neck (no poly, just wax). My Z3 is maple, walnut, maple. It is much brighter and 'clean' sounding. More versatility with the Z3 as others have noted. Don't change series/parallel often or active/passive, but do change pickup selection depending on the mood/need. Noticable changes in sound. Maybe the dual density helps pick up clarity in the mids and highs. Reduces weight? Maybe lost a bit of sustain with the B. That may be due to any of: the pickups, preamp, and/or wood choices. Both are great instruments!

[quote="Franco Bollo":v816ernq]OK, I'll weigh in, since I have both an AB2 (older model w/o the scroll hole) and a Z3. There are many differences between the two basses. [u:v816ernq]Woods[/u:v816ernq]. TheAB2 has a walnut body, bubinga top and neck, and wenge fingerboard, while my Z3 has the dual-density ash body, maple top and neck, and ziracote fingerboard. The Z3 is much brighter sounding acoustically, while the AB2 is darker sounding. [u:v816ernq]Pickups[/u:v816ernq]. The AB2 has the FD-3 pickups, while the Z3 has superfatties (note that Z1 and Z2 basses are available with either pickup). To my ears, the FD-3 pickups are very clean sounding with glassy highs, while the SFs have a bit more accentuation in the mids, and actually sound like they start to break up a bit, adding a little crunchiness. And of course the Z3 has that middle pickup, which gives a very nice sound, particularly when used with the bridge pickup (the stock Z3 wiring allows the middle and bridge pickups to be used, connected in series). [u:v816ernq]Pre-amps[/u:v816ernq]. Both lines have evolved from Aguilar pre-amps to the Glocks, but the important thing to note is that the AB2 is a 2-band preamp while the Z3 has a 3-band pickup. I find the ability to boost mids to be particularly useful, especially when playing live. Having said all that, I find both basses to be very versatile, and with appropriate EQ-ing, either on-board or at the amp, can be used for all types of music. Good luck.[/quote:v816ernq] Excellent feedback, thanks Frank. Sorry I didn't see your post for a couple of days. Something's been eating my email, or the forum's notifications don't always work. In terms of actual use, do you favor one bass over the other, or use them both equally? Do you have any links I could go to to see you playing them?

[quote="reddavid":2o9utztk] Maybe the dual density helps pick up clarity in the mids and highs. Reduces weight? Maybe lost a bit of sustain with the B. That may be due to any of: the pickups, preamp, and/or wood choices. Both are great instruments![/quote:2o9utztk] Thanks for that. One of the things I love about my ABII is the B sustain and clarity. Obviously, I would need to spend some time trying them side-by-side. Now that you mention it, I remember there was another ABII in the same shop (also brand-new, latest model) and to my ears it didn't sound as good to my ears as the one I got. Now that I'm looking at things more deeply, I may also consider a Z2. I know it doesn't have the tone versatility of the Z3, but it does have a lot of open real estate between the neck and the pups, which is attractive to me for slapping. As we all know, these relationships are important!

I know I got my Z3 primarily with the flexibility in mind, since I was buying it blind, I wasn't sure exactly WHAT tone I would like best. But now that I've been playing it for a while, I tend to live primarily on the mid and bridge pickups, so I probably would have been absolutely fine with a Z2 instead. That being said, I wouldn't trade my Z3 for anything. Unfortunately I don't have an ABII to comapare it to, only an AB1, and they're very different beasts, but both eminently useable. The AB1 is chunkier, and I do prefer the rounded body shape of the Z's. Tonewise, I have to say that I almost prefer the tone of the AB1 better because the Z3 is so bright, even in passive mode. One of these days I need to pick up some nickel strings and try those to see if it tames the highs.

[quote="Gerritk":mbjdydmv]I tend to live primarily on the mid and bridge pickups, so I probably would have been absolutely fine with a Z2 instead. [/quote:mbjdydmv] I'm with you on that. Before I changed channels and started playing Dingwall 10 months ago, for over 10 years my main bass was an Ernie Ball Sterling 4 with a single Humbucker at the bridge (switchable series-parallel) and I never wanted a neck pup. Not a huge versatility of tone, but in my mind one fantastic tone beats 20 different very good tones. [quote="Gerritk":mbjdydmv] I have to say that I almost prefer the tone of the AB1 better because the Z3 is so bright, even in passive mode. [/quote:mbjdydmv] I have to check them out side-by-side. I have heard Dingwalls play too brightly for my taste, and have also heard the ABII described as dark. For me it's about perfect. My biggest problem is that I live in the middle of Colorado, and there is not a huge selection nearby. There is a great DW dealer in Denver, but he doesn't carry a lot of the high end DWs. Sheldon says there are a lot of DWs north of London, so maybe I'll visit that shop when I gig there next month. I would also like to try the Lee Sklar model.

your other option is to buy used. if it's not to your taste, you can sell it for what you paid, and only be out shipping costs. I know there are Dingwall players in Houston, but there's not a shop within 500 miles that actually carries them, so I bought my first on ebay and got hooked.

[quote="Gerritk":7d7z0f27]your other option is to buy used. if it's not to your taste, you can sell it for what you paid, and only be out shipping costs. I know there are Dingwall players in Houston, but there's not a shop within 500 miles that actually carries them, so I bought my first on ebay and got hooked.[/quote:7d7z0f27] That's a smart idea! I still would like to try a Z first, though, and side-by-side it with my ABII. BUT, like you said, there's not much risk there.

your only problem is Z's tend to be much rarer beasts on the 2ndhand market than Combi's, AB's, and SJ's... good luck!

[quote="Gerritk":gb32u53a]your only problem is Z's tend to be much rarer beasts on the 2ndhand market than Combi's, AB's, and SJ's... good luck![/quote:gb32u53a] Yeah, I've noticed. I think my best next step is to go to a Dingwall dealer who has them in stock and try them side-by-side with my ABII so I definitively know what I want.

[quote="DattaGroover":3gt8gijg][quote="Gerritk":3gt8gijg]your only problem is Z's tend to be much rarer beasts on the 2ndhand market than Combi's, AB's, and SJ's... good luck![/quote:3gt8gijg] Yeah, I've noticed. I think my best next step is to go to a Dingwall dealer who has them in stock and try them side-by-side with my ABII so I definitively know what I want.[/quote:3gt8gijg] That my friend is the only way to buy instruments, by trying them yourself, people can give advices and suggestions, but ultimately since you are buying the bass, what I might like you might not, so I always prefer to try them first. Good luck!

[quote="Grand Wazoo":2jnuspo9] That my friend is the only way to buy instruments, by trying them yourself, people can give advices and suggestions, but ultimately since you are buying the bass, what I might like you might not, so I always prefer to try them first. Good luck![/quote:2jnuspo9] I agree with you, Mr. Wazoo, but I've found the opinions of others do help a lot in terms of things to watch or watch out for. It can also help narrow down what to try. For example, just from the responses I've received from this thread, I have changed my focus from a Z3 or Prima Artist to a Z2. I will still try them all out, and not buy until I'm ready. For my last purchase (my ABII) all together since my previous purchase I put in literally dozens of hours of try-out time. Seriously!

Wow, lots of posts on this thread over the weekend. Just catching up. Regarding the question of which bass I play more frequently, the AB2 or Z3, I'll need to complicate that question a bit by mentioning that I also have a Z1 with FD-3s and Z2 with superfatties (both 5-strings like the other two), so when I have to pick a Dingwall to play, I have a 4-way choice. Let me reply by saying that I always take one Dingwall to my gigs (occasionally two), and all my Dingwalls make it into the rotation. However, I tend to leave the AB2 home since it is a bit heavier than the Zs, and at the end of a long 3-set gig that extra weight seems to take its toll on my back. I don't usually pick the bass based on sonic qualities except that if the gig is [u:12o1w9fb]not [/u:12o1w9fb]rock I will pick a bass with FD-3s rather than the superfatties. Pictures of me playing them? Hmmm, OK there are some of pictures on the Live Action Hero webpage: [url:12o1w9fb]http://www.liveactionhero.com/[/url:12o1w9fb]

[quote="Franco Bollo":12brzh7m] Pictures of me playing them? Hmmm, OK there are some of pictures on the Live Action Hero webpage: [url:12brzh7m]http://www.liveactionhero.com/[/url:12brzh7m][/quote:12brzh7m] Thanks. Could you tell me which of your basses connect with which sound sample on your site? Just played in DC week before last. If I was quicker on the draw I would've asked if you'd be open to getting together to compare basses.

[quote="Franco Bollo":244gzwkb]I tend to leave the AB2 home since it is a bit heavier than the Zs [/quote:244gzwkb] The new ABIIs weigh less than a Z3, about the same as a Z2. [quote="Franco Bollo":244gzwkb] and at the end of a long 3-set gig that extra weight seems to take its toll on my back. [/quote:244gzwkb] I think I've seen that movie . . . [quote="Franco Bollo":244gzwkb] I don't usually pick the bass based on sonic qualities except that if the gig is [u:244gzwkb]not [/u:244gzwkb]rock I will pick a bass with FD-3s rather than the superfatties. [/quote:244gzwkb] If I do get a second Dingwall, I want something different from my ABII, so I would almost surely get it with superfatties. My lean right now is toward a Z2. Continuing my research on that. . .

[quote="Grand Wazoo":qlc7zvzv] That my friend is the only way to buy instruments, by trying them yourself, people can give advices and suggestions, but ultimately since you are buying the bass, what I might like you might not, so I always prefer to try them first. [/quote:qlc7zvzv] Speaking of which, are you familiar with the Bass Direct shop north of London in Warwick? I have a gig in Birmingham next month, and I'm thinking it might be worth a train ride down to check out some DWs all under one roof.