Gibson Thunderbird vs. Dingwall D-ROC

Do $700 worth of upgrades help the Thunderbird compete with modern basses? Kind of...
I put my heavily-modded Gibson Thunderbird up against the Dingwall D-ROC Standard. There are plenty of pros (and a couple cons) to each to each bass, but how do they sound? They definitely sound different and each has its place, but which one is better is ultimately up to your preference.
I took both basses out to MGM Grand to lend to a local band, The Shmarties so we can hear each bass in its natural habitat: A live gig.
All playing examples were recorded directly in the TC Electronic WireTap and reamped into the following:
Neural DSP Darkglass Ultra Suite
Tech 21 VT Bass
Tech 21 GED-2112
GK Legacy 800
Hartke LH500
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0:00 Intro
0:14 Sweet Child O' Mine (Thunderbird)
0:37 Dancing in the Dark (D-ROC)
1:00 Video Overview
2:14 Tush (Thunderbird)
2:42 Ghostbusters (D-ROC)
3:04 Thunderbird Overview
3:52 War Pigs (Thunderbird)
4:27 D-ROC Overview
6:22 The Ocean (D-ROC)
6:41 D-ROC Specs
8:59 Ramble On (D-ROC)
9:25 Thunderbird Specs
10:43 Black Dog (Thunderbird)
11:05 Thunderbird Specs Continued
13:06 Helter Skelter (Thunderbird)
13:40 Why Compare These Basses?
16:18 What's the Better Deal?
19:53 Whole Lotta Love (D-ROC)

[@LennyLujan]

Thanks for having me buddy!! LOVE both basses!

[@theshmarties8252]

Happy Bday from The Shmarties! Thanks again for featuring our bass player Lenny Lujan! He's been having fun using all your fun bass equipment!!

[@t.j.meechan682]

I think they both sound great, but I like the body shape of the Dingwall better. Happy Birthday my friend! Don't forget to stay hydrated.

[@beingbeck]

Happy birthday brother! Big surprise for me, preferred the Tbird by quite a margin! Thunderous tone. Sat in the mix great, and filled the space with that huge fat smooth sound.

[@valendis]

Let's gooooo! Happy Birthday man!

[@LowEndLobster]

Happy birthday Chris!

[@jubeinakamura4875]

Happy birthday bro, regards from Chile!!! Try to not drink too much, have a freaking hood day!

[@osvalchaves]

Happy birthday! 🎊🎉

[@Chad_Sandridge75]

Lenny is a great player! Really nice seeing demos in real life situations. Happy birthday!

[@theshmarties8252]

Thank you sir (from Lenny)

[@smokinghull]

Happy birthday! T-birds are cool basses! I have a Jackson Kellybird JS2 myself and love it! \m/

[@liozeon643]

Happy Birthday! One day I'll find myself a beautiful LH Dingwall!!!

[@kevinkwmiller]

Happy Birthday! I admit I’m a Dingwall fanboy, but in this video I really felt like the D-Roc cut through the mix better and with more clarity. The T-bird sounds muddy and overly dark to me.

[@jacksonshelburne2747]

The presence knob on my bddi helps with that. I love my tbird, but it sounds way too bassy and lowmid-heavy through my amp set flat.

[@daleonov]

Happy birthday!

[@mr.mainebud]

Happy Birthday, Dude!

[@PhullyNo1]

I have both. I agree that these really aren’t competitors other than looks. The dingwall plays so well, so smooth but I find it so perfect it lacks character. The pickups are so clear it almost sounds unreal. All basses have their own tone and dingwall copied no one with those pickups. Thunderbirds are not great with a bunch of lights, EMI, kind of muddy unless you have a good engineer in house to work the room, mine’s stock so I can say that; but they do have character to their pickups. I can’t decide because I love playing my thunderbird but I wouldn’t take it to a gig unless I was asked to do so.

[@stevenvalenti3722]

Happy birthday buddy.🙂 I use to have a Rex Brown bass with the holoflash color years ago. It was pretty much like a Thunderbird bass. It looked great! but it wasn't comfortable to play and it didn't really sound to good in my opinion. So I sold it after a few years. But looking back now I should have kept it in my collection considering how rare they are now. And pretty much impossible to find now days.😔verygood video.🙂🤘

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

Happy belated birthday Chris!

[@cruzwheelchair263]

Shoot happy birthday man your my favorite

[@BoomstickNick88]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!

[@olastokken7670]

Happy birthday🥳🎂 I’ve tried to love the T-bird, love the looks of it but not the sound. Your mods on it make a lot of sense. However, yesterday I ordered an Ashdown Lowrider in lake placid blue. I think it will arive next week. Really looking forward to try that «Fenderbird»❤️

[@Facu_Roldan]

Happy b-day Chris!

[@Kai-Peter.Schellhase]

Happy birthday, Chris!👍

[@TheBassChannel]

Thanks, KP!

[@LukeG_Eire]

Happy birthday 🎂

[@gearhead215]

Some of us out here care about the woods Chris, we promise 😂😂 (not sarcasm) ((Really, not sarcasm lmao)) I've also been missing my Thunderbird, and saw the Droc, so this was a super helpful video 🤘🤙

[@fraserwatson-cave4546]

Happy birthday homie

[@lewisyouknow]

I love my gibson thunderbird as it is. But love the mods on yours, and the dingwall looks cool

[@TheJimboe11]

I bought the D ROC October 2021 so I have over a year gigging and rehearsing with it and it’s one hell of a bass. Really versatile bass. I have P and J basses, Stingray, Jaguar, Lakland 5501. They all get played but The D ROC I play live and it sits in the mix of different styles of music. If you happen to see one in your music shop I highly recommend you try it out.

[@cristianinujazznight3044]

Happy birthday :D

[@Zimma91]

Happy birthday 🎈 I've turned 31 on December 3rd. Greetings from Germany 🤘

[@armignac]

There isnt much you cant improve on a Tbird tbh. Happy Birthday man! The ESP or LTD Phoenix are also really nice birds^^

[@barclaybass2327]

I have so many T birds and T bird copies and spins in my collection and I REALLY want to add the Phoenix to my collection, but they have added $600 to the price of a new one!!!!! Inflation is killing new guitar prices! I think the Phoenix was $799 new for years and years (along with the GB4) and now they are both $1399!!!!!! What the FUCK?

[@wharrgarblstudios]

I’ve never been able to vibe with Dingwall too much, but I gotta say the one you have here is tasty!

[@guzzialfa]

Interesting comparison. Was not aware the D Roc was Chinese made. Would like to see Dingwall improve the D Roc with some electronics. Maybe a passive/active switch to bring it up a level and make it here. Nice comparison overall. Oh and happy birthday, young man!

[@PhullyNo1]

Probably won’t see that until a manufacturer produces very small components. The body is too slim to house any electronics.

[@flipper2gv]

FWIW, they have a custom shop version too.

[@davedixon2167]

They do also make DRoc customs in Canada along with their other customs. Hell, the Hellboy 5-string version has built-in distortion. So there is probably a DRoc out there for everyone =0)

[@matthewconner7800]

The 5-string D-Rocs are made in Korea.

[@cavetroll666]

Cant wait to get a D roc standard 5 I ordered in July 🙃

[@1okanaganguy]

I love and stand by my vintage J, but the D is my next purchase - this weekend!

[@steveheissner]

I like both.

[@eluve7004]

Happy bd

[@martinb5990]

Love both basses but would like to hear both against an unmodified Tbird. I have the Dingwall and it is so easy to play just sweet.

[@rattmann3170]

I sold my Gibson Thunderbird and now own a Dingwall NG-3. However, the D ROC is on the ole short list. :-) Love that Dingwall bass. I don't miss the Gibson one bit.

[@petem8630]

You have to try an Gibson Thunderbird 2015 with the dicola pickups, Babicz bridge and coil taps that all came stock

[@mirage809]

Both of these bases have plenty of cool factor. The Dingwall is a very modern instrument with some vintage inspirations. It's a very flexible instrument that can be useful for any gig in any genre. The Thunderbird on the other hands is a frankenstein of parts that has come together to make something unique. Personally I'd take the Dingwall if I had to pick, mainly because that isn't just any Thunderbird that you got there. That one is your Thunderbird. Every little modification has changed it into your bass instead of being just another Thunderbird of the rack. The D-roc is more of a blank canvas to make my own. Although I would hot rod a Thunderbird as well just to make it a more practical instrument.

[@phillipwallwork6812]

Dingwall for the win!

[@heavylarry2841]

Good video! It would have been nice to get the feedback from the bass player - which one did he prefer to play on that night, etc.

[@TheBassChannel]

After talking with him, he was actually pretty torn. After playing the Thunderbird, it was his favorite, then after switching to the Dingwall, it was his favorite. Then went back to the Thunderbird, his favorite again.

[@heavylarry2841]

@@TheBassChannel haha nice thanks for sharing!

[@LennyLujan]

This is TRUE! However I think it would take me some time before I could get used to the fanned frets of the D-Roc, although I did love the 3 frets and the different combinations ; I would have to ultimately go with Chris' moded Thunderbird!

[@jamescoderre9595]

The Dinwall D-Roc has been intriguing me for the last year after playing one in April I was even thinking about canceling the Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird I had on order in Early September & get a D-Roc in Vintage burst but held out for my Non Reverse Thunderbird to arrive which it did extactly year later in mid October, Anyway I like the D-Roc it is a modern take on a classic which is how Dingwall describes it, it's assembled in China with Canadian & American parts, & the wood is from Canada 🇨🇦 I might get one down the road, my 2014 Gibson Thunderbird with the Babicz bridge & tap coil pickups is pretty versatile it is kiinda similar to your modded Thunderbird Chris & I now have my Non Reverse for the vintage vibe, I am going to be swapping out the bridge for a Hipshot Supertone Bridge & then I will be set, ( I like the pickups on the non reverse as well) thanks for another good video Chris I am also intrigued by the Gibson Rex Brown Thunderbird Bass , any chance we'll get a review? 😁 I also was thinking after watching this video, I would like to see a Mike Lull Thunderbird comparison with a Gibson Thunderbird, ( just a thought) Keep up the good work Chris 😀👍

[@TheBassChannel]

Rex Brown Thunderbird arrived the other day. Video(s) coming soon!

[@jamescoderre9595]

@@TheBassChannel Awesome 👌 I am looking forward to the video, let us know your thoughts between the Rex Brown & Gene Simmons Thunderbird basses, they seem similar except for the Hipshot Drop D Tuner on the Rex Bass, maybe the pickups are voiced differently, thanks Chris.

[@TheBassChannel]

Spoiler: The pickups are waaaay different. The Rex model is much more my speed.

[@jamescoderre9595]

@@TheBassChannel Awesome good to know 👍

[@basspatterns187]

dingwall. and happy birthday to you

[@KrustyDong]

HBD

[@autoazure]

Nobody really cares that it is your birthday! Just kidding, liked the video as I have a 1978 Gibson Thunderbird. They sound better with a set of Rotosound and, played with a pick in my humble opinion. Keep up the good work!

[@j.c1574]

I always find it so weird to see people play thunderbirds with their fingers instead of a pick haha

[@joannalewis5279]

I don't like Thunderbirds but I like watching videos about bassesI don't like.

[@rafsnchz]

guitarist from my band has the same bass, this exact color as well. while build quality is just flawless on this thing - frets, finish, everything. I can't but to me this neck feels cheap, idk why, it's just the profile and finish feels like 200-300€ Ibanez bass.

[@JonathanGarcia-iu3ln]

Dingwall for the win! TBH, the ultimate upgrade you can do to a Gibson Tbird is to sell it and buy something else XD

[@BassRacerx]

based on this video i like your thunderbird better but kind of need more info as you said this is not a legit a/b test. Happy birthay

[@joranversonnen4458]

Bas

[@McDoinky]

don't you hate it when bassists tap the strings?

[@Inferno5150]

T-Bird, it's NOT multiscale, and looks better. (Just my opinion and preference, of course)

[@heavyd9154]

ESP/LTD > Dwall. TBird for the win

[@Kcducttaper1]

Honestly, I'd take just about anything over a Gibson. Just not a Gibson fan after the stunts they've been pulling and terrible value for money instruments when compared to brands like Schecter or Ibanez.

[@francoishtzl157]

3/4 volume on a 410 with the exponent 500 XD joke

[@RelaxMax-fj8hd]

Thunderbird sounds awfully muddy, no high end, no clarity or versatility. Maybe good for reggae stuff... but not rock

[@Swift016]

Completely pointless to have a comparison video when the Thunderbird is modded with EMGs of all things. Good joke.

[@davefuelling7955]

First off, no one cares if it's your birthday. I want to hear about the comparison, and not wait 20 minutes in to get it.

[@TheBassChannel]

A few people cared

[@barclaybass2327]

Dude, relax a little with what a genius you are for making the same changes to the Gibson Thunderbird that countless others have, INCLUDING Gibson a few years back. Many many people change the bridge, tuners and pickups, or the change one or two of those things. You act like you made some incredible discovery, its a little precious actually.

[@TheBassChannel]

Thank you for recognizing my genius.

[@moriyokiri3229]

The idea that a 36.25" bass doesn't make a good B string is outrageous and the BEAD part makes zero sense.