I am a big fan of Jonas Hellborg from the time I took on the bass (1995). In fact I am the first one ever to order the Jonas Hellborg DR strings 4-5yrs back (It's a bittersweet story that can be found in Talkbass). I have even tried the first commercial version of his Status Jonas Hellborg bass (36V circuit!!!; not the 18v that is now out). I am aware of his level of musicianship and I am sure that his signature rig and pre-amp will have the same sort of attention to detail (audio-wise). As far as I know the price is in par with the level of musicianship he has (I know that from the local Warwick importer). If any such rig arrives locally, I will try it. Take that for granted. I will try to get another opinion regarding his rig, from Mattias Ekluhd, whom I will meet next month in the UK. Mattias is his guitar player in "Art Metal"

[quote="BassGreaser":2t063plb]And wouldn't it be cool to have a Dingwall amplifier? [/quote:2t063plb] Yeah, that would be great: all the controls would be laid out in a fanned pattern, the knobs would be different heights (taller to shorter from bass to treble), 1/4" jacks would be locking and the "Amp Artist" model would have a beautiful veneered face plate with matching hand-made laminated knobs. John

[quote="BassGreaser":1envjk8b]Interesting read but some of his comments about active basses and the like seem a little extreme. I've never heard his new amplification system, has anyone? Also it would be interesting to hear Sheldon's take on Hellborg's article. And wouldn't it be cool to have a Dingwall amplifier? [/quote:1envjk8b] For right or wrong, the perception is that Jonas is an opinionated and somewhat grouchy dude, IMO. At least that's how he comes across in print. One way to get noticed is to say something that is percieved as controversial. That said, he is a fantastic player. I saw and met him twice with the McLaughlin Trio (Trilok Gurtu was the showstopper, however- amazing drumming.) Jonas, or his manager, get kudos for a good job of marketing his name on all of these recent signature products, and I am sure they are first-rate. Let's see if they stay around longer than his DR strings did. Mark

Ok fellow Ding-aholics. I had the chance to both read the Jonas Hellborg article on the Bass Player as well as to try the Jonas Hellborg rig (preamp/amp/cabs) and I A/B-ed it against the iAmp 800, both running flat . And yes, it was a Dingwall I used for the test The JH rig was very audiophile, very fast and accurate reproduction and very transparent. Super great sounding at all registers. Very heavy though and very expensive. The iAmp was just as great sounding but it won on the lows and low mids: the iAmp was fuller sounding in those registers. My verdict? I'm sticking with my iAmp

thanks for the update fullrangebass... i almost expected the JH/Warwick stuff to be heads and tails above everything else. at those prices, it's hard to believe anyone will be making the switch.

The JH rig is really a great sounding rig but unless you have a decent bass and a head to head comparison with another great rig there is no absolute way to be certain of the sonic outcome. I am blessed to be able to buy and try as well as try products side by side. The downsides of the JH rig are the weight and the price (compared with the iAmp 800 and the similar EA cabs or even the JH cabs). Had the iAmp not been there I would be willing to bring mine in to listen both at the same time. I will bring more of my Dingwalls to use with both rigs side by side. By the way, I tried a Bongo HH 5str side by side with my Villex-loaded Voodoo and it was like "where did the other bass go?". My bandmates did not realize that I was testing a different bass; they thought I turned the volume down and messed up the sound from the amp!!! When I told them, they felt sorry for the Bongo HH 5str