Premier Guitar Magazine review by Michael Ross Though overrun with traditionalists, the world of guitar building is as subject to the trends as anything else. And lately, it’s been more common to see Telecaster influenced body styles fitted with Gretsch Filtertron type pickups. Chalk it up to lust for the Fender Custom shop’s La Cabronita or the boutique builders that have caught on to the sonic potential of this pairing, but this design has been cropping up all over in recent days. Website: http://www.premierguitar.com Read More...

Review by Craig White, of Australian Guitar magazine June 2010 Scaled length is a vexed issue for guitar players, who debate fractions of an inch when arguing for the supremecy of the metric favoured by their chosen manufacturer. Standard base scale has been loosely fixed at 34", though the introduction of extended instruments with their low B-string pushed the standard scale out to 35"(to create higher tensions for the low string), and when it comes to defining short and medium scaled lengths, there appears to be no commonly accepted scale length. Website: http://www.avhub.com.au/australian-guitar Read More...

The Combustion sounded precise and focused, with a solid host of well-textured tones. Its EMG preamp was clean and crystalline, with extensive top-register response and immediacy in the lows. Compared to the more expensive Canadian basses, it gives up nothing in terms sonic sophistication, and is an excellent initial foray into the fanned-fret universe. The first time you dig into that 37”-long B string, it’s addictive Website: http://www.bassplayer.com Read More...

Dingwall Designer Guitars of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, produces instruments that universally feature Ralph Novak’s Novax Fanned-Fret fingerboards. The Super J marks Dingwall’s first effort to produce a classic-style instrument. I have to admit I didn’t think I was going to like this much: Fender copies aren’t my thing, and I was skeptical of the Fanned-Fret design. But once I picked it up and plugged it in, my doubts vanished. Don’t be thrown off by the fingerboard; you hardly notice them when you’re playing. Website: http://www.bassplayer.com Read More...

A two-dimensional photograph of the Prima Artist just doesn’t do it justice. Its exquisite construction is thoughtful and beautiful. Each exotic wood was chosen for sonic considerations. The Prima’s two-wood body core is a first in my experience. Dingwall chose alder for the treble side and walnut for the bass side because, respectively, their resonant characteristics favor those strings’ frequency ranges. Website: http://www.bassplayer.com Read More...

Editor Tom Bowlus puts the Z3 5 string through every test possible Our ever edgey editor, Tom Bowlus, takes a spin on a fannedfret bass. Is it just more hot air? Or will Tom find some cool tones? Grab an iced tea, and sit back. A bass breeze is on the way. Website: http://www.bassgearmag.com/ Read More...

Jammin’ J-Style – The Dingwall Designer Guitars Super J By Phil Feser While Dingwall Designer Guitars’ Super J bass is unquestionably inspired by the Fender Jazz Bass, it’s separated from the typical run-of-the-mill clone by several things, including its use of the patented Novax Fanned Fret system and a laundry list of high-end components and proprietary features Read More...

Saskatoon bass maker finds receptive audience south of the border By Murray Lyons International demand for potash and uranium are boosting Saskatchewan’s export growth, which Export Development Canada’s (EDC) chief economist pegs at eight per cent this year Read More...

Soundroom By Terry Buddingh To Paraphrase a proverb: "Build a better B string and the world will beat a path to your door." Since the dawn of the 5, bass builders have been striving to build instruments with better-sounding B strings. In the beginning, some experimented with taperwound strings and various bridge designs, While others focused on the tuners, string trees, and nut. Read More...

Bass Player Magazine Oct. 2001 (p.96) On October 18, 1996, a fire engulfed the shop of Dingwall Designer guitars in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Instruments, tools, wood, hardware, office equipment, and all of the company's business records were destroyed--"right down to the last pencil." Read More...

Bass Player Magazine Jan. 1999 (p.68) Canadian Luthier Sheldon Dingwall was the first manufacturer to apply Ralph Novax's fanned fret system to bass. Dingwall's Voodoo 5-string features a 37' scale length on the b string and 34' for the G; this gives the B amazing depth and clarity while keeping the familiar tension on the G. the Voodoo Bass makes our list for its innovation and great Bstring sound. Read More...

Bassist Magazine Christmas 1998 One particular instrument at the USA’s NAMM show earlier this year made a big impact on me, and thanks to the Bass Centre, it’s become available in the UK. The bass in question is the mysterious Voodoo Prima 5-string by Dingwall, immediately noticeable by its “Novax” fanned-fret system. Read More...

Bass Player Magazine January 1997 Sine Qua non. It means “The finest.” That Latin phrase could be used to describe a bass built of the most lavish woods. It could also define one with extra rich tone. Or it could describe a 5- string with an astounding B. What’s your description of the consummate axe? Have you found your S.Q.N. instrument? Read More...

Dingwall Voodoo Prima Bass 5-String By Scott Malandrone The “wet noodle” effect – it’s a common complaint about the feel and sound of the B string on many 5-string basses. The problem is derived from the laws of physics: a string with a lower pitch requires a longer scale length (the distance between the nut and the bridge) for correct tension and intonation, which is why a B string with a standard 34” scale can feel “loose” compared to the neighboring E string. Read More...