Got my first Dingwall in 2003; I had a question, so I looked up the shop phone number and called. On the second ring, Sheldon picked up the phone, answered ALL my questions, and treated me like an old friend. I'm not a famous player, and 21 years ago I was even more anonymous. To have the founder of the company treat an Average Joe like me with that level of respect and customer service made me a customer for life. Since then I've heard tons of similar stories from other players - it's just how Dingwall does business. There's a saying: "If you're resting on your laurels, you're wearing them wrong" - clearly, Dingwall is wearing their laurels correctly. They're using the acclaim and recognition that they have EARNED to keep improving and innovating. The state of the art is getting elevated, and Dingwall is at the forefront...
There is a fundamental problem with Dingwall basses. It’s strange that no-one highlights this and both Dingwall Guitars and their endorsers and customers carry on like there’s no problem. I’d really like Dingwall Guitars to address this and come clean. Once you’ve played a custom shop bass, you get what Dingwall is about and you grow to appreciate the quality of design, ergonomics, thought that has gone into every part of each model, and above all the feel and the tone, then you come to realise that Dingwall has gone and ruined it for every other bass manufacturer. Once I “got” it, I cannot now play anything else. They’re so much better in every way, weight, balance, tone, versatility - easy to record with and fit in a mix and particularly with the Afterburner II a stunning piece of art, that it’s like eating the perfect meal. Afterward everything else tastes like ashes. The only dissatisfied person is my bank manager 😂 Damn you Dingwall! But at the same time, thank you ❤
It’s nice hearing how thoughtful Sheldon speaks of his past and what got him to now. BTW Sheldon, it took you 2yrs and 2months to develop the Super PJ prototype. I recall we had many calls, exchanged drawings, and conceptualised and tested the scale length changes and pickup placement to make a Dingwall have a more vintage-ish tone. I’m glad to see the instrument go to full production as a ready to play instrument We need to give Sheldon his flowers for the guts it took to get bass design to where it is now.
Knowing Sheldon for more than 20 years, I am gratefull to finally find the opportunity to listen to his deep voice for almost a full hour. Great content as it could only be expected from the greatest guy in the bass guitar world. Cheers my friend! JP
Thanks so much for putting this together! It was truly a joy to listen to! I would love to see some more affordable overseas produced Super PJ models (Left-Handed!!!) in the near future!
It’s a PJ! Ho wow! Been around in the last half century! Whats a novelty, but hi jacked by me dingwall 😅but great to hear all the stories, I hope future generations appreciate, get inspired and continue innovating and envisioning and revolutionizing like Sheldon
Since the SP1 is still in the prototype phase, could we maybe see a version with a reverse P pickup? It'll already be a hit, but that would be the real icing on the cake.
An excellent interview, because the questions were much more thoughtful than average. I've known Sheldon D. for decades, and I think it's about time that someone gave him the time, to go into detail about his thought-process and his development as a 'hands-on' engineer and designer. Bravo, for a superior presentation!
I have the D-roc 4 string with a drop D tuner and it’s a phenomenal bass. Very versatile. So many videos don’t show how versatile it is. Most are heavy distorted with Darkglass style pedals etc which sound great but a Dingwall is much more than that.
hangin wit lakland and y’all both making basses offshore building while doin "locally" QC make sense as link , I can’t wait till the Neve onboard pre is available to the public , y’all didn’t talk about the fastline bass or the new bridge :(
One of the highlights of my existence thus far has been ordering a 5-string Prima in the late 90s and the ensuing year of its creation. I ended up getting a prototype Z2 and an experience with one the great luthiers of our time. This interview lets everyone see just how thoughtful Sheldon is and why his instruments have changed music.
Sounds to me that the prevention of allowing small builders to bring their instruments into NAMM without a booth is designed to prevent competition instigated by money. The big companies don't want to loose profit and NAMM doesn't want the big companies to boycott the NAMM show.
Been with Sheldon for so many years and his instruments just get better and better. The best!
Got my first Dingwall in 2003; I had a question, so I looked up the shop phone number and called.
On the second ring, Sheldon picked up the phone, answered ALL my questions, and treated me like an old friend.
I'm not a famous player, and 21 years ago I was even more anonymous.
To have the founder of the company treat an Average Joe like me with that level of respect and customer service made me a customer for life. Since then I've heard tons of similar stories from other players - it's just how Dingwall does business.
There's a saying: "If you're resting on your laurels, you're wearing them wrong" - clearly, Dingwall is wearing their laurels correctly.
They're using the acclaim and recognition that they have EARNED to keep improving and innovating.
The state of the art is getting elevated, and Dingwall is at the forefront...
There is a fundamental problem with Dingwall basses. It’s strange that no-one highlights this and both Dingwall Guitars and their endorsers and customers carry on like there’s no problem. I’d really like Dingwall Guitars to address this and come clean.
Once you’ve played a custom shop bass, you get what Dingwall is about and you grow to appreciate the quality of design, ergonomics, thought that has gone into every part of each model, and above all the feel and the tone, then you come to realise that Dingwall has gone and ruined it for every other bass manufacturer. Once I “got” it, I cannot now play anything else. They’re so much better in every way, weight, balance, tone, versatility - easy to record with and fit in a mix and particularly with the Afterburner II a stunning piece of art, that it’s like eating the perfect meal. Afterward everything else tastes like ashes. The only dissatisfied person is my bank manager 😂
Damn you Dingwall! But at the same time, thank you ❤
It’s nice hearing how thoughtful Sheldon speaks of his past and what got him to now. BTW Sheldon, it took you 2yrs and 2months to develop the Super PJ prototype. I recall we had many calls, exchanged drawings, and conceptualised and tested the scale length changes and pickup placement to make a Dingwall have a more vintage-ish tone.
I’m glad to see the instrument go to full production as a ready to play instrument
We need to give Sheldon his flowers for the guts it took to get bass design to where it is now.
Knowing Sheldon for more than 20 years, I am gratefull to finally find the opportunity to listen to his deep voice for almost a full hour. Great content as it could only be expected from the greatest guy in the bass guitar world. Cheers my friend! JP
Thanks so much for putting this together! It was truly a joy to listen to! I would love to see some more affordable overseas produced Super PJ models (Left-Handed!!!) in the near future!
"Dude don't stress so much" is going to be my new mantra.
Great interview! As a Dingwall player I love their process, and attention to detail....and look forward to the FUTURE...Go Dingwall!
It’s a PJ! Ho wow! Been around in the last half century! Whats a novelty, but hi jacked by me dingwall 😅but great to hear all the stories, I hope future generations appreciate, get inspired and continue innovating and envisioning and revolutionizing like Sheldon
Great interview, you both made it entertaining!
Amazing interview, I've enjoyed it so much... Thanks for sharing!!
Since the SP1 is still in the prototype phase, could we maybe see a version with a reverse P pickup? It'll already be a hit, but that would be the real icing on the cake.
An excellent interview, because the questions were much more thoughtful than average. I've known Sheldon D. for decades, and I think it's about time that someone gave him the time, to go into detail about his thought-process and his development as a 'hands-on' engineer and designer. Bravo, for a superior presentation!
Sheldon should narrate books. There's something special about his voice timbre.
I have the D-roc 4 string with a drop D tuner and it’s a phenomenal bass. Very versatile. So many videos don’t show how versatile it is. Most are heavy distorted with Darkglass style pedals etc which sound great but a Dingwall is much more than that.
hangin wit lakland and y’all both making basses offshore building while doin "locally" QC make sense as link , I can’t wait till the Neve onboard pre is available to the public , y’all didn’t talk about the fastline bass or the new bridge :(
One of the highlights of my existence thus far has been ordering a 5-string Prima in the late 90s and the ensuing year of its creation. I ended up getting a prototype Z2 and an experience with one the great luthiers of our time. This interview lets everyone see just how thoughtful Sheldon is and why his instruments have changed music.
Nicely done. Great interview.
omg im gonna start saving for the SP1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a class act
Tell Dingwall to make the SP’s and SJ’s up to 37’ scale.
Sheldon needs to keep an eye on Aria Becker from Freeze The Fall for an endorsement.
interesting listen Sheldon
Sounds to me that the prevention of allowing small builders to bring their instruments into NAMM without a booth is designed to prevent competition instigated by money. The big companies don't want to loose profit and NAMM doesn't want the big companies to boycott the NAMM show.