Dingwall Afterburner I 6-string

Flamed maple top with natural finish. For a complete rundown of features I recommend checking out the Dingwall website http://www.dingwallguitars.com/html/products_afterburner.html.

Purchased new from Bass Central (recommended) for $2290. Included SKB hard case, wrenches, literature, and extra set of Dingwall strings.

Between the pickup selector (neck pickup, series, parallel, and bridge pickup only), the tone knob, and the bluEQube, you can get a lot of useful tones from the Afterburner I. I particularly like soloing the neck pickup for P Bass-like tone. The bluEQube seems to cut highs (to my ears, anyway) rather than mids. With both pickups in series, the sound is full, clear, and robust. Set to parallel, the bass sounds a little too compressed for my taste. There is a nice and balanced feel to strings ???C??? through ???B,??? owed in large part I???m guessing to instrument???s multiple scale lengths. One thing I notice when playing in the upper register is just how in tune this bass sounds. Perhaps this is due to the banjo frets, I don't know.

The "B" string is just great. The "B" string on my F Bass, which I love, sounds puny by comparison. F Bass owners please do not send me hate mail.

Having said this, I would not consider the Dingwall practical for all musical applications. It wouldn't, for example, be my first choice if I were playing with a loud rock band. Nor would it be my first choice if I didn't feel like taking 20 minutes explaining to people why my bass has 6 strings and slanted frets.

The fit and finish on this bass is fantastic. The pickup routing, neck pocket, nut slots, and finish are first rate. It also smells great. Seriously, folks, each time I open the case it's the bass owner's equivalent to that new car smell.

There is, however, a slight discoloration on the treble side of the headstock (an imperfection in the wood I'm guessing). One point deduction.

I've been playing this bass for over two years now. Now granted, I have not abused it, and if I were playing somewhere where I thought the bass might get beaten up, I'd bring my clunker. The strap buttons are high quality, though I think I'd prefer strap locks. Since there is no battery to worry about, I don't have to worry about keeping spare 9 volts handy. I would use this bass without a backup; however, I would be concerned if I did not have a spare set of Dingwall strings as I'm not sure the "B" in a standard set of strings would be long enough to accommodate the 37" scale length. On the other hand, have you ever broken a "B" string?

Sheldon Dingwall replied quickly to the few emails I sent, which makes him okay in my book. I had some initial set up questions that Sheldon himself answered.

As for the warranty, I'm not sure how long it is for.

Dingwall owners, in general, seem like a very happy lot. I can see why. The Afterburner I is Dingwall's version of a "budget" instrument, but the biggest difference I see when comparing the ABI with my F Bass, for example, is the lack of an onboard active preamp. Frankly, I don't miss it, not on this bass anyway. Twisting the knobs on my active F Bass does not give my any greater sense of satisfaction than turning the ones on my passive Afterburner I.

One thing I would perhaps change is that I think I would still like to have a pickup pan knob. Sheldon Dingwall states on his website that pan pots have a "high frequency robbing effect." Even if this is so, I think I would still find one useful. I know, call me old fashioned. That being said, the Afterburner I 6 string is still a remarkable, forward-thinking instrument.