Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok, so I have not bought or really played anything that was not a Rickenbacker for several years now (9 actually). However last year at the Montreal Guitar Show I fell in love with a boutique guitar from bass builder Sheldon Dingwall. Dingwall basses have quite a cult following and are spectacular instruments on their own. He decided to get back into small strings after a long hiatus. The result was the Custom 1 and Custom 2 models. When i first picked up the prototype and tried it, I felt as though I had been playing it for 40 years, instantly feeling the sweet spots with no "getting used to it" time. I was blown away, similar to when I played my first 350V63. I ordered one last August and after a long wait and a lot of decisions regarding components, profiles and finish, the Fedex man is bringing me Dingwall Custom 1 serial number 001, due to arrive next week. Some photos before it was packed for shipping:
Now the wait for the truck begins.

This will be the final component of an all Canadian boutique rig that includes the Dingwall, a Phaez Jaguar amp head (built in Windsor, Ontario) and a custom made 2 x 12 that I built with my bass player from a set of plans by Bill Fitzmaurice. Pics of that to come next week.

Next up, a restored WB...

Fabulous looking (and obviously playing) guitar, Dean.

Congrats, mate!

Cool guitar!

Sweet guitar, she looks like a real player, wish you all the best with her...

Congratulations.

Ooh, nice! Congrats!

I don't usually like Tele shaped guitars,but that one looks sweet! Congrats and enjoy it, Dean!

Very nice! Love the colour...

Ooh, a TeleGretsch! No fanned frets?

Thanks everyone! It will be a change for me. Doesn't mean the Rics will not get played, just time shared

Joey, I am not generally a Tele or Strat shape guy myself. I have never found a Tele or Strat I got along with. But the differences in this T style were significant. The neck carve is very close to my 350V63, which I adore. The upper bout is smoother and less canted, and the line is continued into the cutaway, which is a sharp, sort of venetian style instead of a long rounded protuberance (I never liked the standard tele cutaway), and is very deep, allowing third finger access to the last fret naturally when the back of the palm bottoms against the body. I have never had a guitar like that before. The comfort carves and rounded over body add to the style as well. The headstock is a work of art on it's own. The inlays and matching side markers are pretty unique as well.

Jeff, no point in fanned frets on a 6 string guitar. The fanned frets only become a factor with seven string or baritone instruments, and of course basses, allowing a thinner gauge low B (and lower) string at slightly less tension providing a clarity of tone and ease of play on the bottom end. Not required on a regular old thin string. He is planning a fanned fret 7 string and a fanned fret baritone. For Gretschiness, there is a TV Jones Magnatron in the neck and a Classic at the bridge. Originally a Classic Plus, but the Classic provided better balance between the two. Master tone, Master volume. Nice and simple.

Spring modified Bigsby, Graph Tech recessed bridge, bone nut (Sheldon wrote me how surprised he was that the bone out performed the Graph Tech nut), Sperzel locking tuners, 5 piece walnut neck with wenge fingerboard and flame maple headstock face (from the same top wood piece used on the body), ash chambered body. I am looking forward to this.

Sperzel locking tuners

These are made on the near westside of Cleveland.

jps wrote:

Sperzel locking tuners

These are made on the near westside of Cleveland.

Enjoy the guitar Dean. Any instrument that becomes a natural extension of a player is a great instrument IMHO.

Very nice, bet you're just counting the minutes!

"Out for delivery"

Wow. Earlier than expected!