Pics may show additional bass gear. All items are available, but this listing is for the DIngwall SUper J Bass only.DIngwall Super J 4-string with Dingwall GigbagChestnut X-top over Wenge layer, Walnut bodyMatching Walnut Block Inlays.Maple neck with Wenge Fretboard.Glacnklang Pre-Amp.Luminlay side dots.Here are my thoughts of this bass:The epitome of a 4-string bass guitar?
LoMax Bass just received a Dingwall Super J 4-string. When I unpacked it from the box and opened the gigbag, I was mesmerized. Was it the flashiest Dingwall bass we have received over the last 8 years? No. Was it THE most versatile DIngwall we have received? I don’t think so.
But there is a certain harmony of color, construction, and all things that make up what one would consider as the ultimate 4-string.
And what are those harmonious things?
One is the Natural Beauty of this bass with colors & wood choices working together to blend into a single piece of art. A walnut body with a wenge layer and a CHESTNUT X-top! Maple neck, wenge fretboard and matching walnut block inlays and luminlay side dots make for a harmonious work of art.
An additional factor is the sheer comfort of this bass. While I have for years been a fan of the longer scale Dingwalls, especially for the 5 and 6 string basses with their impeccable low B, we have seen several really nice 5-string Super J basses. But you know, while I liked them I never felt they were the same to me as the longer scales basses. But for a 4-string, this bass represents all the ultimate choices for clarity of E and A strings, and big warm D, G strings. The reach of getting to low F is just “right there” - so easy, quick, and comfortable. And same for upper notes. And the thin C neck shape - wow - it feels just right! In my dealings of basses, which include many, I have never picked up a bass and immediately felt that the neck was perfect! This one instantly felt that way to me.
And as always, playability accounts for far more than looks alone.
Adding to the comfort and fit of the bass with this amazing neck feel, is the sheer playability. In my testing I found I was actually a bit faster on this bass than the longer scale basses as my fingers just seemed to fall right in place - such a joy to play!
And finally, sound trumps all beauty and playability. If one has an amazing work of art that feels and plays so smoothly, but the sound is not there, then it may have just as well been acquired just to hang on the wall to look at. Which in this case, I would certainly understand a collector that wanted to do just that.
But this bass was meant to be played! With the 3-band Glockenklang preamp, one achieves a full range pristine sound. And the pickup adjustments can cover a huge range of adjustability to fit any genre of music. Add to that this unique Walnut/Wenge/Chestnut & Maple/Wenge wood, and it has this amazing full spectrum, deep, warm sound with stunning clarity.
Does this bass represent the epitome of a 4-string bass?
I believe it does. Amazing work, Sheldon Dingwall & Crew!