Read the review: http://bit.ly/DingwallNG-2
Since the 1990s Sheldon Dingwall has forged his own instrument-design path, inspired in part by the Novax fanned-fret system. Periphery bassist Adam “Nolly” Getgood considers Dingwall’s designs the ideal tool for preserving his sonic footprint within his band’s ultra-dense instrumentation, so he and Dingwall collaborated on the NG-2.
The NG-2 looks like the bass equivalent of an Italian sports car. A sleek, gloss-black finish protects our review model’s two-piece alder body. The sporty look carries over to the pickguard’s unique shape and carbon-fiber-like patterning. A rigid five-piece maple neck supports a maple fretboard. Fanning across the ’board are 24 banjo frets that deliver a fast feel. Thanks to the fanned-fret arrangement, each string has its own scale length, ranging from 34″ for the 1st string to a mighty 37″ for the 5th.
The NG-2’s engine combines Dingwall and Darkglass electronics. Two Dingwall FD-3N pickups are positioned close together to maximize punch and note definition. Instead of a blend control, Dingwall employs a 4-way rotary selector to engage different pickup combinations. The first setting solos the neck pickup. The second puts both pickups in series for a fat, aggressive sound. The third position configures the pickups in parallel, and the fourth solos the bridge. Despite the pickups’ proximity to each other, they reveal noticeably different character with each turn of the selector switch.
The NG-2 also houses a Darkglass preamp with 3-band EQ. The preamp’s design is the result of a three-way collaboration between Dingwall, Nolly, and Darkglass that pushes the frequencies Nolly likes for growl and girth. The bass frequency is set higher than most bass EQs (at around 70 Hz). Mids are centered at a familiar 500 Hz. There’s no treble attenuator, but a hi-mid control with a 2.8 kHz cutoff. An active/passive switch lets you bypass the preamp.
To continue reading the review, visit: http://bit.ly/DingwallNG-2
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NollyNollyNolly…
I’m sold going to have to get one.
*Correction: Fanned fret instruments were designed for balanced string tension and better attack on the lower strings. the ergonomics are just a positive side-effect since lighter gauge strings warrant a shorter length to maintain an equal feel in comparison to a heavier gauge string with a longer scale length.
Dingwall Combustion NG-2 or ESP LTD B1005SE, that is the question…
Over 1k$ for a bass that’s assembled in China.. I think I’ll pass
people complaining about the China part is stupid.
I like the concept. Just not real impressed with the sound.
Very nice, but my understanding is that it does not have the usual treble pot as you describe at 2:33. It apparently has a bass and two mid pots. See: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/darkglass-tone-capsule-guitar-preamp
“Reasonably priced” Why not tell us?
This or….the Ibanez SRFF805?
What a great sounding and looking bass!
hey i hacve a cuestion, how about the low action?
Sweet T-shirt, man – Love my hometown reference.
Actually, fanned frets don’t have much to do with ergonomics. Their premiere purpose is to add added tension to the lower B strings while keeping clarity and avoid over tension on the higher strings so the entire base has comfortable tension and note clarity. Ergonomics probably comes 2nd.
Dear me, talking total horseshit
Nice harmonic at the beggining…. yeah…nice….. ha…
Doesn’t even djent
dingwall verdadeira máquina de som , muito definido
that pickguard looks very nice
you guys need up bass strings before the test, i only can hear fret buzz on all of your demos
I think it looks terrible-come on now fanned frets-like we really need this-and by the way it sounds like shit-needs a good set up and someone who can play!
LEARN WHAT THE FAN FRETS ARE FOR! It’s about intonation, not your shit ass fingering.
The fact you are paid for this should make you ashamed, as there are 10 year olds with better knowledge, playing, and speaking presentation.
You must suck a mean dick at “premier” guitar………
I give credit to this guy for selling a gimmicky bass, but there were some points where I saw him coming up with nuttin’. He tried, though.
Mustard for life!!!
“Fanned frets were designed because your hand naturally fans out.”
Pause at 1:08.
…so fanned frets are are a thing to match natural finger position….. yeah….. totally…..
These are made in China. No thanks.
It’s hard to hear the tone with all that clicky string noise.
I not sure that having magnets near the battery compartment is such a good idea
And it’ll set you back what? 5000 dollars ish?
The Darkglass preamp was specifically designed (with Sheldon Dingwall’s input) to have upper- and lower-midrange controls – NOT the typical ‘treble’ control. A Sheldon initially pointed out, it’s easy to adjust the overall level of high-frequencies at your amp (so, not essential to have it ‘on-the-bass’), but having Two mid-frequency adjustments ‘at your fingertips’ is extremely useful.
how much does it weigh tho?
Dingwall makes some amazing stuff but I absolutely hate the company for not letting us lefty players be able to try out there Godly guitars.
Doesn’t the Tone Capsule have a low-mid and a high-mid eq?
All these bass lords over here just ripping this video to shreds. Yeah, we all know that there is more to fanned frets than ergonomics……They are there more so because of intonation. But he also has a major point with the whole “ergonomics” side of things. I have played a few fanned fret basses, and they really are more comfortable once you get them down. And it’s made in China?….so what. Where it was manufactured plays a minimal role in things compared to lets say the 80’s and before. I’m surprised all you guys are saying “pass” on it just because it was made in China. Nolly and Sheldon obviously decided to do it that way so that it could be more affordable to buyers. It’s the same wood, the same body construction style, and so on. In this day and age, you don’t get too much more out of your guitars and bases by having them built in the USA…..just an added on $1k price tag. People are so dumb it hurts sometimes. Not to mention that there is a Dark Glass capsule in this bass. The Dark Glass bass pedal is $350, and the Dark Glass tone capsule is around $200. That by itself adds a huge deal to this bass. Overall, this guy did a solid review of a solid instrument.
im gay
I was under the impression that the purpose of a fanned fret system is that the scale length is ideal for each Guage string… Like a harp… I think that the ergonomics is a benefit of that, not the purpose of that…
I can’t help but think this thing sounds exactly like a Strat when both pickups are on