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Hi there. I bought a Combustion a while ago and have been completely converted to Dingwall basses. I'm a composer who really only plays bass in the studio. I love the combustion, but want lower noise, higher output, and a slightly slimmer neck. I really don't need flashy looks, and love maple necks and fingerboards. Big question is.... for you who already own an ABZ, ABII or both... can you give me some input and personal opinion on which you think is the best route for me? I'm kind of leaning to the ABZ. I think that I would probably be paying twice the price for the ABII and mostly would gain the incredible beauty over any major tonal differences. Keep in mind, passive is good for me since I'm really just recording and have several great preamps and lots of processing to use in studio. I may use an ABII in passive mode anyway if I got one. Can anyone tell me if you think the ABII would offer any major tonal advantages? Tones I need are from vintage to clean and defined to overdriven (Geddy Lee, Chris Squire) and occasional slap (not lots of that). Any input is appreciated. I'm making a decision really soon and would love any input you have.
Best,
Pete
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I've been using the ABZ and Combustion on lots of tracks over the past few weeks and I have to say that they are both totally great. The Combustion continues to surprise me with the huge warm tone. It sits in a mix like my jazz bass but sounds so much more full and clear. Awesome basses! I really think you just can't go wrong with a Dingwall regardless of model.
[quote="visiblesound":2imygu1h]Thanks! I just put an order in for a SJ4 Candy Apple Red, Maple Fingerboard, hipshot, matching headstock as well. ABZ shows up tomorrow. SJ4 will be probably June. Can't wait for both! The Combustion got me totally hooked.[/quote:2imygu1h]
I ordered my SJ4 exotic Feb.25. They will be "brothers".
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Thanks! I just put an order in for a SJ4 Candy Apple Red, Maple Fingerboard, hipshot, matching headstock as well. ABZ shows up tomorrow. SJ4 will be probably June. Can't wait for both! The Combustion got me totally hooked.
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Thanks everyone. I went with a Trans Black ABZ! It should arrive in about a week. I'm seriously weighing a 4 string Super J to replace my Fender Jazz Bass as well. Once you go Dingwall.... you never go back!
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[quote="visiblesound":2of1js8i] ...but want lower noise, higher output, and a slightly slimmer neck...[/quote:2of1js8i]
The ABI (&II) have a much hotter signal. Higher than many active basses. And the necks are slightly slimmer. Overall, they are punchier and more responsive.
When I got my first Dingwall, an Afterburner II, I played in mostly in passive. Having the active is just another set of tonal options at your fingertips, but the passive Afterburner I's are really good too. I imagine the ABZs would be similar, just without the finish, flamed tops and using the different pickup shells (but still FD3s, if I remember correctly).
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I have not played an ABZ, but have played several AB1s and own an AB2 as well as a couple of Zs.
To my ear, the AB2, with its Walnut body and Bubinga top and neck, has a distinctly darker sound than the others with their Ash bodies and Maple tops and necks, which to me sound much brighter.
But I think with suitable EQ, any Dingwall bass can give you the sound you want.
Good luck.
Hmm, surprised at the dearth of replies here so far...
Anyway, I own "only" an AB1 and while I can't compare to an ABII, I will say it has as much or more (useful) tonal range than my active Yamaha TRB5. I love that it's passive so I don't have to worry about batteries.
You might also find some other comparisons between owners of multiple Dingwalls by browsing back through old posts. I thought there were some sound clips on the site, but can only find ones for the Combustion. Listening to those, the sound is [i:1h326mnu]generally[/i:1h326mnu] the same as my AB1, in that it sounds more like a Dingwall than another bass. The strings may play a part in that.
Today I went to the studio to finish some songs and my ABZ was amazing (as always 
). The engineer loved the sound with a pick and so did the guitarist. I believe if you're gonna go passive most of the time the ABZ will do the job.
I haven't played an ABII myself, but I can get lots of different sounds by alternating hand position/dynamics + using the rotary switch. Nowadays, I'm practicing going straight to my pc, because the ABZ sounds amazing without any EQ.
Here are a couple of videos I recorded with my bass if you're interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1hZluDuT8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG5-GLMSa5A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nylbEPtjMGc
Hope this helps,
Ivan
). The engineer loved the sound with a pick and so did the guitarist. I believe if you're gonna go passive most of the time the ABZ will do the job.
I haven't played an ABII myself, but I can get lots of different sounds by alternating hand position/dynamics + using the rotary switch. Nowadays, I'm practicing going straight to my pc, because the ABZ sounds amazing without any EQ.
Here are a couple of videos I recorded with my bass if you're interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1hZluDuT8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG5-GLMSa5A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nylbEPtjMGc
Hope this helps,
Ivan - Page :
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