Gibson Vs Dingwall (is modern really better?!)

[@BYLRPhil]

I gotta say, Ian Martin Allison is the only SBL presenter I always watch. He’s just the best.

[@jamesd7678]

Agree

[@restojon1]

Same here

[@rome8180]

I just love his enthusiasm. And his musical tastes are awesome too.

[@ralphbyers6136]

Me too!

[@buckemptier]

It's true that Ian was born to do this. I have the utmost respect for Scott, though, for creating this where there was nothing before. Everyone should remember that and show at least reverence for the man who started this, not only was he the guy who came up with this channel, there was nobody talking about the bass guitar on you tube before Scott, not really, maybe some obscure asshole but Scott is the O fucking G, and it's no fault of his that he isn't as exciting as Ian is to watch, let's face it, no one is excited about bass the way Ian is. I love both these guys for different reasons.

[@RufusMann]

7:53 perfectly balanced, as all things should be 🙈

[@ronsmith6662]

Many 5 strings with standard frets seem to have a loose floppy feel on the B string. On a Dingwall, the tension is very even across all the strings. I love mine. Sklar is my favorite bass player. He has played on over 24 thousand tracks and toured with many major artists.

[@garethjones3979]

Weirdly I've abandoned all my 35 inch scale 5 strings and gone back to 34s. Really happy with my Ibanez and G&L 5s

[@restojon1]

I only relatively recently discovered Mr Sklar, I knew he'd had an illustrious career but I had no idea he'd played on that many tracks. What an amazing career, he must've forgotten more than I know 😁

[@sheldonsmith9438]

@@garethjones3979 ...funny I've had my DIngwall 5 for decades now but the other bass that rivaled it for me was a G&L L1505 I custom ordered and my buddy had a beautiful black MM5 maple neck....loved those basses.

[@angelrodriguez7015]

?

[@angelrodriguez7015]

@@restojon1 u hh t h

[@rabonour]

I love the message of this video. I think musicians (guitarists as well as bassists) often get way too wrapped up in matching different instruments to the genres they are "supposed" to play and Sklar is such a good counter-example.

[@mr.neodymuim]

very well put 🤘

[@buckemptier]

That Dingwall is maybe the best sounding 5 string I've ever heard. This is the first time I've heard one played by itself, and i love it

[@halcyondraconis7437]

I've played a Thunderbird for two decades now and have loved every minute of it, neck dive and all.

[@hoovesandpawsanimalrescue]

This dude can be explaining how the bowel system works and I would have to watch! Always brings the passion to his commentary.

[@overseer_grimal]

I have got Dingwall NG3 recently. I can say that it is amazing. You can get whatever sound you want. Especially if you don't limit yourself in using darkglass gear only. You can get kind of p-bass sound if you use individual pickups, parallel mode sounds like a modern jazz bass. Playing with a pick or with fingers with hard attack in series mode gives you that clanky metal sound that modern metalheads like. Low E and B strings have very defined sound and perfect attack. As a guitarist I sometimes regret that I cannot play that good to utilize it at 100%. Maybe I am a latent bass player because I enjoy playing this instrument more than my guitars. I personally prefer modern instruments because they are better engineered. Better ergonomics and playability, lower weight. That vintage sound is usually just the result of low-output pickups. Therefore I don't have any illusions about guitars made 50 years ago.

[@buckemptier]

What does dark glass have to do with dingwall, are the companies related somehow?

[@hdrghcftyhh2439]

@@buckemptier its just the combo that gives you perfect modern metal tone. A guaranteed combo for success if you're trying to get modern aggressive metal tones, and so a lot of people utilize it

[@AndyRipley42]

I also own an NG3. It's by far my most stable instrument. Where I live is terrible for neck stability. Very humid summers and very dry winters. My dingwall bass is the only instrument I don't have to regularly adjust. It's honestly one of the main selling points of that instrument for working musicians. You're also 100% correct on the amount of sounds you can pull out of it. I use mine with a Helix and I can play nearly any genre and get the sound I need. My only complaint is string availability but that's improving in just the year I've owned mine.

[@buckemptier]

@@hdrghcftyhh2439 personally I think that dark glass shit is overrated. I bought one of their amplifiers in fact I guess you could say I bought two of them because the first one didn’t work right, it was defective, so sent it back and got another one and it was defective too, I shit you not. Traded it for a Mesa TT800. Cheaply made for an outrageous price. And I didn't even think the distortion was that good anyway, I have a source audio aftershock distortion pedal that blows all of that dark glass stuff away, and I didn't have to pay $500 for it like dark glass. What is the "modern bass" sound other than a marketing slogan by dark glass - distortion? That's nothing new. I have a bi amp rig now, the Mesa TT800 and an Orange terror guitar amp, and I have a Rickenbacker with stereo outputs so the bridge pickup goes to the orange terror and the neck pickup to the Mesa. That's my modern bass sound, and it's loud as fuck, and all of it is made in the USA and the UK, I'm pretty sure dark glass must be outsourcing their stuff to China, despite being, what, Norwegian or something? It's not that I'm some nationalist douchebag, I'm just saying it's better quality and it sounds awesome.

[@martinezdecap]

This is making me want to buy a dingwall!! I’ve been looking at them as of recently

[@mattrb1701]

The Dingwall is the next purchase on my list. Love it and am definitely making a trip out to Saskatoon.

[@lunacy_bass]

That tapping lick is DOPE.

[@SimonBrisbane]

Love Ian’s passion. Thanks dude for learning me in the ways of Dingwalls.

[@MattDale3000]

Ian you are such a delight: killer player but WAAAY more importantly you encapsulate, through your knowledge of and love for Bass, why many of us became bassists in the first place. You’re the best, thank you for the joy

[@devinebass]

👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@sheldonsmith9438]

Thank You Ian!!...such a mature and eloquent way of presenting both instruments. I own 2 Canadian made Dingwall's...but the very first bass I ever touched was a Gibson RD Artist. I was immediatley smitten!!...lol...I'm pretty sure it weighed 25lb but I'll never forget that bass. So glad you do what you do!!

[@alexanderlyon]

My first impression was that the Dingwall was just a gimmick but WOW! does that sound great! Such a full, pro sound.

[@regpatton7068]

The Dingwall is not a gimmick. It's a great bass. I've had mine for about nine years and I love it.

[@PhullyNo1]

Wow, not at all a gimmick. Neck is better on the dingwall thunderbird has more room for your right hand. The only complaint I have about the droc is there is so much space taken up by those pickups.

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

Man, I so needed a hit of Ian, today. Always a good day when we have new IMA content.

[@ulash12344321]

Hi Ian, First I wanna say the vids are getting cooler by the time. I'm really enjoying them... I'm playing many genres of music from blues to heavy metal. You can see me on stage playing Pantera with my 5 string ibanez one day, the next day playing BB King with my P bass. I love all the genres I'm playing so as the sounds needed in them. Because of that I can't make a decision beside those two. They look and sound cool in different ways. I like and want them both ;)

[@czarpaul01]

I have a 4 string D-roc. Perfect balance, many tones. Been playing it a ton since I got it last summer. I play in a singer songwriter style band, works perfectly.

[@tofnbad]

Best host on SBL by far.

[@matteomarasco8655]

I use my dingwall in jazz too, it's so good. I mean the look aren't spot on for a jazz gig, but hey it does it's job well

[@Petehagoras]

I love my T-bird, and i play Everything with it. paired with a Tube preamp, it's sound is killer in my opinion. great comparison though, thanks a lot 👍

[@buckemptier]

Is a thunderbird sold under Gibson or Epiphone or both?

[@Petehagoras]

@@buckemptier it's sold under both brands. some say the difference is not to severe, in my opinion it's huge, but it's a very subjective thing i guess.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I always loved Thunderbirds and the variety of tones you can get from them, Sweet Emotion has always been one of my go-to bass lines for those basses and while they do Drop D really well it’s super fun to lower them more to Drop C# and Drop C to rip some System of a Down since Shavo is an absolute monster on his Thunderbird

[@rrdream2400]

Sweet Emotion was recorded with a 1960 stack knob Jazz Bass, he got that wrong about it being a Gibson.

[@mikewolfe9458]

I want that helix preset at 3:20 !! Great video. Thanks guys!

[@maartenarnou]

I clicked "like" after 40 sec in. Awesome stuff! Ian is just so much fun to watch. And even as a seasoned player, I still learn new things.

[@danrees5520]

love your energy when you play . I could watch this vid all day!!

[@bassbutter4767]

.... Your videos are always informative making their point concisely with sonic excellence!! And by the way, you ROCK on the bass, bro !!!

[@mattgalbraith3050]

Ian is awesome! I remember him from back in the day doing demos for Lakland.

[@jimbrowncreates]

Your man is always so good and on point❤️‍🔥 Always delivering what we are thinking and feeling as musicians and he does it with passion. 💪🏾

[@jasonvegan5761]

How does Scott go back and forth so seamlessly between a British and American accent??? The dude is linguistically skilled!

[@theGefilteFist]

A.I.

[@Thorsten_Kueppers]

I tested a Dingwall last year, it just blew my mind soundwise 🤩

[@kevinkwmiller]

Been waiting for this one since you teased it a while back! You are killing it Ian! I love my D-Roc. It has so many great tones, it makes me want to buy more passive basses. My only criticism is the angle it makes me hold my plucking arm is quite different than most basses.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Last time I watched this I didn’t own a Dingwall, 5 months later tho 🎉😊 and it could dry well be my favorite bass!!and I have nice basses D roc for me!!

[@benjaminlichtenstein6747]

Pickup tone comparison was super helpful!

[@vittusossi]

Great point in the end. 🎉

[@ajferrermusic]

SO GOOD Ian!!! You're the best!!!

[@meyersguitars2196]

Great video and love how you show the versatility of these basses.

[@EndyHawk]

I have a t-bird, and if you solo the neck pickup, put some good ol mute foam under the bridge, and play with the side of your fingers like an upright player would up on the neck itself, it totally works in a jump-bass kind of way. Just a warm air-mover, subwoofery kind of sound

[@mvarick1]

Thanks for the video! I am an old friend of Sheldon since we were pups, Thanks for the treatment on his guitars. I know Sheldon has worked so hard to give guitarists the best he can!

[@devinebass]

Killer instruments!

[@restojon1]

I'm a dyed in the wool vintage Gibson bass player, I love Thunderbird basses and I've never liked Dingwall basses... for me, the clear winner is the Dingwall 🤯🤔. I absolutely love the fact that it's more than just a metal bass (I'm largely a metal player btw), I love how it looks although perhaps a different colour would be preferable to me personally and I'm totally on board for a next gen T Bird with fanned frets, grrr pickups and no neck dive. I still love the TB Bass but the Dingwall is top of my Christmas list... Dear Santa, I have been a good boy... mostly...

[@thillwl]

I have the Dingwal NG2 and I play a wide range of styles on it. The best B string in the industry. Love it!

[@MrMllx]

Love my T-bird !!

[@nagynorbie]

Random side note, but I've always disregarded these basses because of their body shapes. Aesthetically I thought they were super cool, just seemed really uncomfortable for my right hand. Recently however I started resting my forearm way less on the body and just using my thumb for guidance. Keeping my wrist straight like this definitely seems to alleviate a lot of pain. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is maybe I should give the Thunderbird another chance.

[@loganmcgee18]

Just want to say, I'm happy you took time for this "random side note". Recently I played a show with a drummer I hadn't played with before. We locked in immediately, and the show ended up going a lot longer, with extentions to every song. High energy and I was really pushed to the edges of my ability, which had my wrist really hurting after. A hurt I hadn't felt since my younger days of practicing for hours and hours - if I hadn't read your comment I think I might've just brushed it off, but I think I'm gonna rest my forearm on the body less, especially if I'm on the 6-string.(the ibanez multiscale fwiw. Def am a believer in them) Tl;DR: Just wanted to say a premature "thanks" for potentially saving me from years of wrist pain by your random side note lol

[@chrisreynolds3204]

Excellent presentation.

[@paulcoverdale8312]

Fantastic tutorial on these basses. Thanks for the education mate. ❤❤❤🙏🙏🪬🪬💎💎🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🥃🥃

[@devinebass]

👍👍👍

[@shinchirei2381]

Dingwall won me over for a long time! Great presentation here! 🤘

[@mikeanthonybrooks]

Traditional basses of old times were built to the style of music of the time. Extreme forms of music were not even a thing in the times of those instruments, so yeah, maybe apples to apples is a hard comparison but who says a Thunderbird can't play Meshuggah? 😉

[@southofheck]

I’d worry about how thick the neck is over the sound. I’ve never played a Dingwall, but I doubt it’s neck is as thick as the actual log that is the Tbird’s neck.

[@FlamingKapra]

@@southofheck OH BOY, I remember trying the Thunderbird V (the 5 string), and that thing has A WHOLE TREE just on the neck... I can't hold it, it's just WAY too heavy. (I'm 21yo that doesn't do much weight-lifting, but still)

[@gmyersgilmer9470]

Meshuggahs bassist uses Zon basses, which are far better than Dingwall

[@moriyokiri3229]

My custom D Roc 5 is in the mail at last and I can’t wait

[@RyvenProductions]

Not sure why, but neck dive has never bothered me. If the bass feels and sounds good, let the neck dive all it wants. Great video.

[@athmaid]

Did not expect Meshuggah on here, awesome!

[@Yasin5791-d7u]

2:42 sweet emotion 3:23 Dr feelgood 4:52 sounds funky 5:08 funky

[@ericamccool345]

"UHHH!"

[@jedhood6986]

I absolutely love the Thunderbird for its simplicity. Although….this video has made me want to look more towards the Dingwall. Especially since you showed more stuff than just the clanky metal stuff that is usually the only thing shown in DW videos.

[@coreywoodruff490]

I have an 08 Gibson Thunderbird studio bass. Been trying to get my hands on that Dingwall

[@devinebass]

Dingwall's are really a work of art!

[@martinmcbeath3052]

Love my T-Bird, so right about it being more versatile than you think!

[@marcthiele]

Love your passion, man! 🙌

[@Watchdogshotseat]

Wait! Ian… like Ian from DnA? Wtf? This dude and that band are legendary! I’m literally shaken! Well Ian, if for some weird reason you see this comment, this is Brad from Live Native/Echo Effect and you are amazing! Great video and I can’t wait to see more!

[@JackieTheCatfox]

Before I start: I just got an ad for Scott's Bass Lessons before this Scott's Bass Lessons video.

[@mikeymacaque]

Every time I’ve played a Tbird in person, I’ve loved it. I wish Gibson made more of them so I could actually grab one when the funds were right.

[@michelechiavarini9218]

Impressive presentation! Very well done! Thanks

[@rossco420]

Both beautiful beautiful basses 👌🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@jaymil53]

I saw the video of Lee Sklar talking about his Dingwall. I thought it sounded great, the fanned frets intrigued me. Now, his signature bass was north of $5K, too rich for my blood. I'm 68 and play in a church band. so I looked around and found a less expensive multi scale bass, still not cheap, but more reasonable at $1600. LTD B-1005. Gotta say the resonance of this bass compared to other 5 string is pronounced. Fanned frets are more ergonomic, the only real adjustment is having part of your hand behind the nut when playing first and second frets. I'm glad I got it.

[@Tokolele]

Love the 4 examples at the beginning ! 👍

[@WakizashiSabre]

WHite/Ebony Tbird guy here. love the old stuff. Whens strap is at the back, neckdive is practically not existing. This applies to a IV version, which has jazz type neck. I think old style tbird has chunky neck so neckdive would be an issue there.

[@rrdream2400]

Dude, great vid but Tom Hamilton played a 1960 stack knob Jazz Bass on Sweet Emotion not a Gibson. He used that '60 Jazz on all of Toys in the Attic and Rocks. Pretty well documented too.

[@dwightdawson3578]

First time ever I imagined myself trading in almost every bass I own for a Dingwall and I have always wanted a Thunderbird. Gear Acquisition Syndrome is at an all time high. And, thanks for doing it without an English accent lol!

[@Myulls]

What’s the recording signal? Ian’s videos always have absolutely bangin’ tone!

[@markwarner5554]

Ian...you are really the best. Wasn't expecting the 'shuggah.

[@daveinnh2292]

Lee turned me on to Dingwall too. And Sheldon’s crew is so easy to work with. I have one for every occasion now. Combustion 4 with EMG pre, NG3 with a Darkglass pre and a custom ABII with a Glockenklang pre. Each is so different yet consistent in sound and quality. Thx Mr. Sklar, Mr. Dingwall and all the folks at SBL.

[@buckemptier]

You have a dingwall for every occasion? Must be nice, do you have a different car for each day of the week, too?

[@daveinnh2292]

@@buckemptier Actually…. Never had the chance to go to college, so I just worked harder than anyone else. Earned every bit of my success. Vehicles? Not for every day, but I have a small selection. See my LinkedIn profile for verification.

[@rlbink2498]

20 year T-bird player here. Never played a Fender I liked. Bought a P-bass recently, too. It’s back in its bag cos the Thunder is just too goooood!😂

[@MaxPowweer1]

Love my Epiphone T-Bird and play it with anything from Beatles, Motown, slipknot or Deftones. They get type cast because of famous players, but I'm a firm believer any bass / guitar can play any style of music if you want it to

[@jwilste]

I actually owned the D-Bird that came out several years ago before Gibson made Dingwall change a few things. At the same time I owned the Gibson Thunderbird. I have to say when I played the T-bird I kept the knob setting at one place and played oldies. The T-bird was amazing but it would tire your left hand out. Then the Dingwall D-bird easier to play, louder, more tones and light as can be... I sold the D-bird and wished I hadn't. Wont sell the Gibson, nope.

[@humanbass]

I always thought that a thunderbird with a 2x2 headstock with ultra light tuning machines and a titanium truss rod could alleviate the neck dive.

[@robertmansell3667]

First of all top playing sir! Both of those basses are Dope,but as a Rock kid of the seventies that Gibson is just so iconic to me 😍

[@Oscaraha]

That Dingwall looks really boss, modern prog or metal for sure.

[@blue_beaver_2747]

I have a 2021 gibson sg, and yes the headstock dive is INSANE but by god I don't know what it is if not the nicest sounding bass I've played

[@nafis6668]

That digwall sounds powerful and articulate. Thanks for the video!

[@Wharbaby]

Also would love to see you do a comparison between a Ripper and that Serek Lincoln in the background.

[@Sprucetroy69]

I have the New Gibson G2 Thunderbird, and it is amazingly beautiful and sounds as good as she looks! Also...the neck dive is gone!! With the set neck design! Great improvement! This G2 Far Out performs my 93' Thunderbird... G2 is a MUST own! 😎🤟

[@00Dusty]

Gibson are renowned for just being extremely expensive average instruments 🤷🏻‍♂️ the Dingwall is an insane amount for the money. The thing I noticed most about Dingwall is they are insanely light and resonate like crazy and super tight

[@johnbills1842]

Both are cool. I’ve been a sucker for the ol’thunderbird for years.

[@coreycefail6704]

That’s a badass looking bass…. That color is rad

[@darrylmoore127]

T bird is my main bass , have 62 Hofer beatle bass , had Ric 4003 V63 4001, Music Man , Martin acoustic bass . T bird can do any style , depends on strings , amp set up , have V4B 6X10 HLF, do many Genre's of songs. Love the 3 pups on it .

[@roadbull1]

Love the content man! I am a Canadian and Dingwall fan - however I struggle paying made in US prices for their made in China line up. But holy man they sound rad!!!

[@jesseblanchette6861]

I have a D Roc 4 Standard and it’s absolutely insane. Don’t let China hold you back on these. They’re built nice with more attention to detail than some USA guitar factories who’s name’s I won’t mention. 10/10 would recommend.

[@lolcat23]

Wow, that Dingwall sounds niiice!

[@venomouspontifex4434]

My thought as far as a “winner” here would be the Dingwall, particularly for its sonic versatility. Aesthetically, I’m not a fan, think the pickup housings make it look haphazardly put together vs. the cool, artful look of the Thunderbird, but at the end of the day, it’s comfort and tone that really make a bass great. Now, do I think the T-Bird is obsolete? No. A well-maintained instrument in capable hands can outlive the original player by decades. I just think the design might be well-served by a 3-pickup model maybe with a Jack-Casady-style 2+2 headstock to help with balance, effectively making it a more traditional 4-string Gibson take on the Dingwall style.

[@sheldonsmith9438]

Gibson RD Artist??

[@kakelso]

I play a 1982 Gibson Victory Custom, which has the Thunderbird headstock, and it dives bad! But I love it! I bought it when I was a teenager. The Thunderbird was my dream bass at the time, but the Victory was about a third of the price!

[@goosemeister12]

Heya Ian/SBL! Fellow Dingwall user here, absolutely love the instruments! What company do you get your strings for the Dingwall's scale length? Thanks!

[@lunacy_bass]

I was a Curt Mangan Strings user before I started playing Dingwall basses. You can order their strings with a XL B and E. Kalium in the US and Payson in the UK make Dingwall strings, and of course Dingwall has their brand.

[@goosemeister12]

@@lunacy_bass Awesome! I didn't know Payson were based in the UK! I'll give them a look. Been using the branded Dingwall strings which are great, just a bit sparse to find in shops. Should probably get multiple packs at a time so I'm sorted for a long time. Thanks for the info!

[@ObeseChess]

@@goosemeister12 Payson are in Texas but their shipping isn’t too outrageous. Wonderful strings!

[@goosemeister12]

@@ObeseChess I thought they were based somewhere else! Just took in the first bit of information and left! - I'll give them a look, I've heard so much about Payson in general but have been slightly hesitant due to price - but then again, bass strings are bloody expensive. Thanks!

[@BassAndTenor]

We need a thunderbird Video ❤

[@christophermcguinness8200]

I very nearly bought an NG3 5 string recently because the B is so good. I've owned a thunderbird bass before, I didn't find it to be nearly as versatile as you're suggesting in this video.

[@garrettlowell7637]

Between these two, I will always go for the Gibson. The Ding is a stunner, though.

[@m6rkf6rk6s]

I live for the dingwall metal tones! ALL OF THEM

[@bassbutter4767]

The Dingwall rocks bro!! To be an inanimate object, it's almost intuitive ! But definitely inspiring! It does exactly what an Instrument should do… Let you express all the tones and sounds you hear in your head and heart into a myriad of fantastic, articulate, beautiful sound !! Thanks for the great video. Your videos are always

[@jeffjones1359]

Gawd, that Dingwall is lovely!

[@paulbalistreri2633]

What do you mean OR? I'm so glad both exist. Fun video.

[@BudiPrasetyoHarsono]

I've got Epi Thunderbird and it's my number one now

[@Lurch350Z]

My dad has a T-Bird, and that is what I first started playing electric bass on, so my heart and bias leans towards the Gibson. But the Dingwall is a fantastic instrument.

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

To me, the only excuse to _not_ use variable scale length is going fretless. My Dingwall has got exactly the right tension on every string for the perfect sound, so it does not go flabby on the bottom, but it also does not go incredibly hard on the fingers on the high string. Sure, I have other basses, but every new one I would buy would have to be with fanned frets.

[@devinebass]

Nice one dude! Glad its working for you! 🤘🏻🔥

[@iPivo]

Two things: - You CANNOT play that aggressive tapping while smiling... it makes us mortals look bad - I wish you had played "Sweet Emotion" on the Dingwall, that would be a fun comparison ;)

[@Michael-kx2bn]

I like the dingwall

[@jaimemoralacreacion]

Dingwall for me

[@devinebass]

Killer basses. That's for damn sure.

[@Patrickdoconnell]

Dingwall has more diversity on the pick ups I always found Gibson pick ups dead or muted sounding.