Any of the Dingwall basses w/ a 37" scale length w/ be amazing for your sound. I understand you dont want a 5-er, but the 5ers have the best scale length for your tunes. While a 4 banger is 36.25" still good, but the 37" is just better As to which Dingwall, ABs, Z1 or Z2, the rest if up to you and your wallet

Whoops, I forgot to mention that I am looking for a 5. I do have a couple of 34" 5ers but the B strings never really sound quite like the rest of the strings. Then again, neither does the G really. Looks like I need a Dingwall to take care of those problems Frank, from what I've read already, it seems there are different tonal characteristics between the series. I don't want to get a beautiful Z series and find out it wont cut through my heavy rock band like in Phoncible's case. I want a bright, maybe even harsh sounding bass. If that's just a matter of pickup/preamp choice and not the model of bass I can deal with that, but which ones? Thanks!

so if you stick w/ an afterburner, you might consider getting the MACH II pickups, or finding someone selling FD1 pickups since they were the most rock sounding pickup Sheldon made. only the ABII and ABZ have a pre-amp. I've not had issues w/ making my ABI sound clanky if i need to, but you can add an aftermarket pre should you need it Lastly, i mentioned a Z bass, because the Z2 basses have a bit more musicman like tone to them, since the pickups are in the same place

[quote="FrankM":314fc11e]so if you stick w/ an afterburner, you might consider getting the MACH II pickups, or finding someone selling FD1 pickups since they were the most rock sounding pickup Sheldon made. only the ABII and ABZ have a pre-amp. I've not had issues w/ making my ABI sound clanky if i need to, but you can add an aftermarket pre should you need it Lastly, i mentioned a Z bass, because the Z2 basses have a bit more musicman like tone to them, since the pickups are in the same place[/quote:314fc11e] +1 Here's what would probably be ideal: Z2, Mach II in the bridge position, switchable Mach II/FD-3 in the "neck" position. The switch for the front pup allows you to add some low mids on the fly (and increase volume at the same time). For me, it's always been most successful to keep the pups in series mode with each other (as selected on the pup selector knob) to get the best "cut through the mix" tone.

Found a BEAUTIFUL mint condition AB-I that should be arriving early next week. YEAH!! Link for the pics... http://img195.imageshack.us/slideshow/p ... 293ib.smil

Congratulations!!! Nice bass!

[quote="Evolver":8o1in7g9]Congratulations!!! Nice bass![/quote:8o1in7g9] Indeed. Welcome to the forum. I'm in Tyler. If you ever make it over this way, I'd be happy to show you my humble collection of Dingwalls. It's not likely that you will get your AB to sound like a Warwick without changing the pickups. They are not mid-heavy basses with the FD3s. The sound is amazing, but not that punchy. If you decide to change them out, like I plan to do with my ABI, there are a few forum members here with invaluable experience when it comes to tweaking their Dingwalls. I would seek their input before I made a move. Mark

[quote="guitarded":22q03174] Indeed. Welcome to the forum. I'm in Tyler. If you ever make it over this way, I'd be happy to show you my humble collection of Dingwalls. It's not likely that you will get your AB to sound like a Warwick without changing the pickups. They are not mid-heavy basses with the FD3s. The sound is amazing, but not that punchy. If you decide to change them out, like I plan to do with my ABI, there are a few forum members here with invaluable experience when it comes to tweaking their Dingwalls. I would seek their input before I made a move. Mark[/quote:22q03174] Cool! Seems like I like the tone I've heard on the Dingwall clips I've found so maybe it will be ok if it sounds more like a Dingwall than a Warwick =). I'd prefer not to modify the bass, but if I end up being not thrilled by the tone I may look into a pickup swap. I'll be interested in hearing about your pickup swap when you do that. Do you know if the pickups in this bass are FD-3's? Here is the description the seller gave: [quote:22q03174]I purchased the bass in Nov. of 2006 brand new. I had to wait 4 mos for it. Sheldon had just made the change from Maple back to Alder back. The pickups are the Dingwall dual coil soapbar. Like 2 Pbass pickups under the soapbars.[/quote:22q03174] Thanks, Wade

[quote="Wademeister63":3e19vqca] Seems like I like the tone I've heard on the Dingwall clips I've found so maybe it will be ok if it sounds more like a Dingwall than a Warwick =). I'd prefer not to modify the bass, but if I end up being not thrilled by the tone I may look into a pickup swap. I'll be interested in hearing about your pickup swap when you do that. Do you know if the pickups in this bass are FD-3's? Here is the description the seller gave: [quote:3e19vqca]I purchased the bass in Nov. of 2006 brand new. I had to wait 4 mos for it. Sheldon had just made the change from Maple back to Alder back. The pickups are the Dingwall dual coil soapbar. Like 2 Pbass pickups under the soapbars.[/quote:3e19vqca] Thanks, Wade[/quote:3e19vqca] I think they are probably FD3s. PM Sheldon and he can tell you for sure. I've enjoyed the FD3s in my AB for a long time, but since my other Dingwalls all have hotter versions of Sheldon's pickups, it's not the tone I'm looking for now. Mark

Huh! Well I sent the question to Jeff, per the "Contact Sheldon" thread and he got back to me pretty quick. Herre's what he told me: [quote:2b35glxr] Ship Date: Shipped to "Guitar X" Jan 3, 2007 Body: Alder Top Flame Maple Neck: 5 Piece Maple Fingerboard: Wenge Weight: 8 lbs Color: Honey Amber Burst Pickups: Original FD-3 Parallel Hum Canceling (Not Mach II) Tuners: Hipshot Ultra Lites (custom made to our specs)[/quote:2b35glxr] I didn't think of it until just now, but is the "Original FD-3 Parallel Hum Canceling (Not Mach II)" different from the standard FD-3?

[quote="Wademeister63":8adeo8nq]... is the "Original FD-3 Parallel Hum Canceling (Not Mach II)" different from the standard FD-3?[/quote:8adeo8nq] They are the same. The Mach II is series wired, while the 4L allows for all combinations Great bass by the way

Aaaaannnd, here she is! Looks as good in person as in the pics. Can't find a scratch or ding anywhere, it's just like new. Feels great too. Lovin' this bass! [img:2za3iaci]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/Wademeister/DSCN2313.jpg[/img:2za3iaci] [img:2za3iaci]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/Wademeister/DSCN2314.jpg[/img:2za3iaci] [img:2za3iaci]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/Wademeister/DSCN2318.jpg[/img:2za3iaci]

Very nice, Wade. What do you think about the tone? Mark

[quote="guitarded":35ti1zin]Very nice, Wade. What do you think about the tone? Mark[/quote:35ti1zin] Thanks Mark, Not too sure about the tone at the moment. Playing here at home I can't really crank it up and it seems to be a bit subdued. I need to put some fresh strings on and get to the rehearsal place so I can really hear it.

Nice bass, Wade. Enjoy! John