I sold my Dingwalls and switched to a Squire. Just kidding! But I really did buy a Jaco-inspired Squire. I had a luthier do a proper job on the nut and set up and I have replaced all the hardware. I've never owned a 4-string Jazz Bass before. I really like the neck on this Squire. I'm ready for a 4-string Dingwall Super J. I have a 5 and a 6-string Afterburner and, although I never had a problem adapting to the fanned frets and I've always enjoyed the high quality of these basses, it's only now that I feel really comfortable on them. They are becoming my "good old" basses.

Quiet because we are all waiting on the SJ5's !!! to arrive

I'm not just waiting for SJ5. I'm eagerly suffering in anticipatory agony.............aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Unfortunately, due to hardships, I had to sell my Dingwall a while back. So no, I'm not doing OK (not because of the hardships, but cuz I no longer have a DW). The Cirrus four I play at my church and our new SVT-6 Pro/Hartke rig is OK for now. I'm hoping an older, used AB1 5 or 6 will be obtainable in the next year. I really want another Voodoo or a Z1; I dig the older body style. Other than that, I'm doing great.

I wish I could give you an exciting story, but all I've been doing is trying to get in a couple hours of sleep in between coming home from school and going to work. Lemme tell ya, 3 hours a night just doesn't cut it, and I haven't even played bass since the end of January! I've sold most of my other instruments to help raise money to pay for my wedding in the Fall, but I still have my AB 6. I saved it for last, but if things don't improve financially, it'll be up for sale sometime over the Summer, and I don't know when I'll be able to afford another to replace it. Joe

Apart from joining a band that has opened for Iron Maiden and Dokken (been around for 20 odd yrs) and trying to get things rolling back to normal (at most levels really) after my father's passing 6months ago, nothing really exciting. Well I do have a recent story and I think it's a funny one. I set up my Dingwalls to record some bits and pieces, 2 weeks ago, and my pc did not recognize my sound card!!! and never it did "see" the sound card ever since!!! The very same night I joined the house band at a well known place (with my Dingwall of course). Once I stood up, played and then stepped down, my friend's digital cam (that captured the Dingwall in the bandstand and the songs too) FROZE and the clip was lost!!! Is it some kind of global plan to keep the Dingwalls the best well kept secret in the music industry? I'm inclined to think that. At least there were people (living proof) there that had an encounter of the third kind with the Dingwall Hopefully more and funnier stories in the near future

I'm doing OK, especially considering I am happier with my Dingwall ABII then I have ever been with a bass in my life. And I haven't even gotten it properly set up yet because I need to purchase a set of tools from the shop so I can lower the action. I am hopelessly now and forever a Dingwallaholic! Now I want an ABI!! It will only be a matter of time before I put an order in for one of those hi dollar Dingies!!

[quote="fullrangebass":10soqg0z]Apart from joining a band that has opened for Iron Maiden and Dokken (been around for 20 odd yrs) and trying to get things rolling back to normal (at most levels really) after my father's passing 6months ago, nothing really exciting. Well I do have a recent story and I think it's a funny one. I set up my Dingwalls to record some bits and pieces, 2 weeks ago, and my pc did not recognize my sound card!!! and never it did "see" the sound card ever since!!! The very same night I joined the house band at a well known place (with my Dingwall of course). Once I stood up, played and then stepped down, my friend's digital cam (that captured the Dingwall in the bandstand and the songs too) FROZE and the clip was lost!!! Is it some kind of global plan to keep the Dingwalls the best well kept secret in the music industry? I'm inclined to think that. At least there were people (living proof) there that had an encounter of the third kind with the Dingwall Hopefully more and funnier stories in the near future[/quote:10soqg0z] Interesting. Last week at rehearsal, I had my laptop set up to record as I always do...and the USB controller blew out. No interface, no USB functionality on my laptop at all from now on! Luckily I squeeked a bit of cash and a great deal and ended up with a new Macbook Pro... ...I'm not waiting for a SJ-5...Instead, I'm fighting anxiety since Dingwall Sales emailed me about a month ago to tell me that they were getting close to working on my new Z-1! Before that call, I wasn't suffering the wait...but now that it's a reality, I'm thinking about it a lot more!

[quote][/quote]...I'm not waiting for a SJ-5...Instead, I'm fighting anxiety Having been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome this winter I have been trying to cope with this revelation and the anxieties that accompany. At least now I know why I have been different from others all my life !! The pr4oblem is anxiety, which I have to learn to control. My PsychDoc that I should confront my anxieties and I have been trying to some success., What is hardest (and I used to get beat up when I was young) is dealing with egotistical alpha-males, as they don't like my geekiness, or the things that tend to come out of my mouth (Aspies dont do "small talk", and we're TOO honest for people in denial). Then I was secondarily diagnosed with Tourette. I don't outburst with cussing, that's only 15% that do that, but I tic and grunt and have echololia. Bass is a great outlet as I can gyrate, grunt and do all the facial tics I want. This outlet is great and keeps the public displays down. More importantly tho is that we live in a summer resort town and the music business is starting into full swing. We currently are doing 3 nites a week and after July starts we'll be @ 4. That's enough for my 60 year old body. There's a half million here (in summer) along a 20 mile stretch of Atlantic, so venues are a-plenty for all differnt styles of music. So I'll be "doing OK", and I'll be better as I learn to live with my problems and gig more !!

Good luck with everything rainman. And keep on layin' down the groove. BTW, what is a Dingray??

I imagine that a Dingray is a nickname for the Z2. Clever. I like it. Gigging since 1964, eh? Well, I've only been breathing since 1964

[quote="Dingbat":1mw0uszk]I imagine that a Dingray is a nickname for the Z2. Clever. I like it.[/quote:1mw0uszk] Ahhhhhh, because of the MM location of the pups. Ok. I like it, too!

I must say that this forum emphasizes what I love about the net. It's a pleasure and no small honour to be part of this very diverse, interesting and generally cool group! And now to return to the mercurial thread (which we may have to rename "Dingression") I figure if a regular Z is a Dingray, then if the pups were both moved to the neck position it'd be PWall.

[quote="lomo":2ynyvwaq]I must say that this forum emphasizes what I love about the net. It's a pleasure and no small honour to be part of this very diverse, interesting and generally cool group![/quote:2ynyvwaq] I'm with you on that 100%, Morris. I came to work to actually get some work done and made the (fortunate) mistake of checking our thread, so just had to take a minute to agree with your sentiment. More later. John

[quote="lomo":3w4tevj2]I figure if a regular Z is a Dingray, then if the pups were both moved to the neck position it'd be PWall.[/quote:3w4tevj2] I like that! If a SuperP ever comes, that should be the official name.

Well, John, that can be a very loaded open-ended question. On the up-side, I've been fishing up a storm. One of my favorite things to do other than playing bass. I sent my Kinal to Mike Dolan to be re-voiced with a set of Delano pickups. Very nice pickups! The downside involves people proving to me over and over that they can only be trusted so far. From another perspective, it proves that my faith is in the right place! Rainman - you're in my prayers. Ken

Great thread, great to (virtually) hang out with such a great group. I'm meeting a good friend from NC this evening who is coming down for three days. I think he is going to give me a 5-string Ibanez bass. No, it's not a Dingwall, but it beats the old Kramer I've got for a practice bass, and gets me back on five strings. How cool is that? So, consider me much better now... Eric

I hope to get some good fishing in this year. The last couple I've hardly done any. It's so peaceful and fun! My band is just about to try and get some gigs. We'd like something semi-regular, like 8-12 shows a year. Not enough to make it feel like a chore, but more than playing occasionally. I'll be singing backups (or trying anyway), which is something I've never done and is quite a challenge. Other than that, some yard work and house renovations... and hockey. Go Sens go!

How am I doing? OK, but missing my Voodoo a bunch while Sheldon pimps it out and turns it into a Voodoo Artist, sort of. He's had it since December, so hopefully it will be home soon. Come to Papa, Magic!! Mark

[quote="rainman":15w1ubkw][quote:15w1ubkw][/quote:15w1ubkw]...I'm not waiting for a SJ-5...Instead, I'm fighting anxiety Having been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome this winter I have been trying to cope with this revelation and the anxieties that accompany. At least now I know why I have been different from others all my life !! [/quote:15w1ubkw] At one point we suspected our son might have Asperger's synd., but he was diagnosed with ADD. For those that don't know, Asperger's is a form of autism. He is on meds now and doing great. He is the same good, lovable little boy, he's just able to stay on task now. It has been a miracle, really. He went from near the bottom of his class in academics and behavior, and now is the top student. I hope things go as well for you, Rainman. I have to ask, though- is the "Rainman" handle just coincidental, or did you pick it for a specific reason? Yes, I'm thinking of the movie, one of my all-time faves. Mark