| Reviewer
| FC Marini
|
| Experience
| 10
|
| Review date
| April 29 2002
|
| Manufacturer
| Dingwall
|
| Model
| Afterburner
|
| Price
| $1600US
|
| Item owned for
| 1-6 months
|
| |
|
| Bass type
| 5 string fretted
|
| Neck join
| Bolt-On
|
| Neck construction
| 1 piece-quarter sawn maple
|
| Fingerboard
| Novax fanned fretboard-24frets, Pau Ferro fingerboard
|
| Body
| Rock maple core w/ lightly figured maple overlays
|
| Finish
| Light Amber stain w/ clear coat
|
| Pickups
| Custom wound passive Bartolinis
|
| Hardware
| Gotoh Tuners, Custom aluminum Dingwall bridge
|
| Electronics
| Bartolini Passive 3-knob electronics, Volume, Pickup selector (b |
| |
ridge PU only, series, parallel, bridge PU only), Tone
|
| |
|
This is Dingwall?s "budget model" of his zebra bass called an
"Afterburner". This bass uses many of his signature parts (a Novax fanned
fret board, aluminum bridges, custom Bartolini soapbars), w/ some cost
savings (namely passive electronics, and a 1-piece neck).
First impressions- 1) how well made this bass is, the craftsmanship is
impeccable, the neck joint is tight, w/ all parts are countersunk into the
body. 2) The fanned frets. This angling allows the strings to be at a
correct speaking length. (37"-B, 36.5" ?E, 35"- A 3, etc), and
3)-Amazing tone-each note is articulate, tight, and pronounced. Because
each string at its correct length, there is No floppy B string and the
string tension is uniform
Pickups are custom wound passive Bartolinis, angled, and dead quiet. You
can easily dial up a low oomph and then quickly turn the tone knob to get a
clear slap tone. Extremely versatile.
The body (see above) is lightweight maple (<8lbs) w/ open strings ringing
like piano strings. The neck shape is very flat and really fast feeling.
The bass balances well (no neck dive) and is very comfortable to play.
Additonal features also includes custom Dingwall angled bridge, mandolin
frets wire, Neutric cable jack, strap locks, and countersunk Gotoh tuners
(no need for string trees).
Bottomline, what really makes this bass is its playability and tone. This
bass plays real fast. I have not found another bass that comes close tone
wise. The fanned frets take 10mins to get used and have not been problem.
The bass sound dials in great w/in a band situation. If your looking for
tight amazing tones look no further.
| Construction
| 100% | 
|
| (Construction/craftsmanship is impeccable)
|
| Appearance
| 100% |
|
| (Beautiful bass, fanned fretboard gets lots of attention)
|
| Playability
| 100% |
|
| (fanned frets pose NO problems, low fast action, string tension is uniform and |
| feels it)
|
| Sound
| 100% |
|
| (The B-string kills, the tone is amazing. Notes blossom and sustain)
|
| Customer Service
| 100% |
|
| (Sheldon promptly responds to all inquires)
|
| Value
| 98% |
|
| (These basses cost, you get your moneys worth)
|
| Overall
| 100% |
|
| (I love the tone, feel, and playability. Nothing short of amazing)
|
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