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ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 874
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 6:07 pm:   Edit Post

Folks, up for sale is my '04 Dragon's Wing. Why am i selling it? Well, since I got my Series II, it just isn't getting the love it needs and demands. I reach for my Series II and my SC Sig Std more than I do this one, and I feel it should be in the hands of someone who will give it the love it deserves.

A few deets ....

I had a heat bend done by Alembic on this bass a few years ago. I use .40-.100 DR High Beams, and it needed it (just couldn't get enough tension on the neck with those strings). It plays beautifully now, and will play equally beautifully with standard gauge (.45-.105) stings.

A couple of years ago, the harness for the LEDs broke. This was in the days before they did modular LED hook ups. As a result, Mica sent me a new harness, and I had to cut the wires from the old one and then connect the new one. I am not skilled at soldering, so I used electrical tape. Anyone buying this instrument will have the option of having me have it soldered professionally (via Lava Cable; www.lavacable.com) or having it shipped as is and having some money shaved off the sale price. I have the original battery harness as well as the card from Alembic verifying all of this.

Anyway ...

Looking for $4K. The only nicks are two small scratches on one of the backplates (which could be rubbed out if desired). Other than that there are no nicks, dings, or marks. Case is in excellent condition, and I only gigged this bass once.

I accept Pay Pal, cashiers check and bank check. I'll drive 50 miles to meet someone for sale purposes if need be. Buyer pays shipping (it will not be cheap - case is pretty big).

Alan

Alan









(Message edited by davehouck on October 14, 2010)
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2505
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 8:59 pm:   Edit Post

That's a bargain for someone!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2186
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 12:08 am:   Edit Post

Yeah it is, I had the pleasure of trying one of these out a couple of years ago at the UK Alembic distributors shop and it had a great clear punchy tone.


Jazzyvee
otis
Advanced Member
Username: otis

Post Number: 239
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 8:47 am:   Edit Post

That is one bad ass bass, Alan! Wish I had the cash!
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 21
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 9:59 am:   Edit Post

Wanna Trade 4 a Dingwall 6 string bass?
glocke
Senior Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 779
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 10:10 am:   Edit Post

hmmm...need any jazz basses?
jbybj
Advanced Member
Username: jbybj

Post Number: 314
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 10:16 am:   Edit Post

MMmmmm, delicious. Electronics? V/V/F/F/Q/Q? And in the picture those pups look big, are they fatboys? Or AXY/MXY? 32"? 34"? How much does it weigh, and where do you live?

Good luck with the sale. Who knows, you could be my new best friend..........
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 875
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post

All - thanks for the kind words.

Nahh, not interested in trades. I have a '73 Jazz and a Sadowsky Vintage 4, so I'm all set in the Jazz Bass Department. I'm also a four string player - hell, I wouldn't know what to do with 6 strings.

Electronics are Signature (V/B/F/F/Q/Q), and it also has red side LEDs. It's a 34" scale. I'll have to weigh it when I get home, and I live in Fayetteville, NC.

Alan
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 876
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 1:49 pm:   Edit Post

Weight - my scale reads 11.4 Pounds, but it could be a little off. I can say that with a wide strap the bass fits fine, with no shoulder pain or neck dive.

From the build card:

Date Completed: 28 June 2004
Top Laminate: Coco Bolo
Back Laminate: Coco Bolo
Neck: Maple/Purpleheart
Accent Wood:Maple/Purpleheart
Body: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Inlays: Abalone
Veneers: Coco Bolo
Electronics: Signature with side Jack
Custom Features: Side LEDs, Inlaid Logo with Shell
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 9:04 pm:   Edit Post

C'mon Dude,
The middle strings r the same lol
E A D G you just have a low B & a high C. Much to be said 4 the POWER of a low B, especially with the Dingwalls that have an astounding 37" scale, talk about low end, not even the legendary ebony neck lams could touch this puppy. Each string has a different scale length SO the B starts @ 37" and the C is 33" each string is about an inch or so different in length. The theory is just because the B requires a longer scale doesn't mean the rest of the strings do & the frets are fanned or slanted check out www.dingwallguitars.com for details!!

peace
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 877
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry, I don't agree, based on my experience with this particular instrument.

Power of a low B? Only if your amplification is up to the task in my experience. Most Five string bassists here in Fayetteville that I know use 10s. This means that their extended range basses will sound like a fart in most cases.

If you're an extended range guy, have at it. It's not for me. As many have said before me, Jaco did it with four strings.

Alan
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 878
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, October 18, 2010 - 11:06 am:   Edit Post

No takers, I guess. I guess I'll give it another day or so before I take it to Talkbass and/or eBay. Thanks to everyone for the interest thus far.

Alan
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 25
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post

Oh Contrar my fellow Alemni,

My WMD's of choice 4 many happy years were a Europa 5 , Ampeg SVT 4 pro & either Eden or Hartke 4x10's usually 2 in series 2 get that 4 ohm load & full power out of the Ampeg.

I base my statement using THOSE tools and trust me I was able 2 get the proper freq response, if 1 were 2 compare it to a "fart" it would be that of the largest dinosaurs that ever walked the earth lol.

Yup Jack Bruce & John Paul Jones did it with 4 strings 2 BUT look how they evolved especially JPJ i.e. "Zooma" & "Crooked Vultures" God only knows what he's playn with TCV lol......

Good luck with the sale mate
R U sure I cant interest U in a "trial swap" lol
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 879
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 3:07 pm:   Edit Post

Z - like I said, that hasn't been my experience, but if it works for you, cool. BTW, I had an SVT-4 Pro as well at one time ... Very nice amp.

I've played Dingwalls, and they're nice instruments. I'm just not an extended range kind of guy, I guess.

Alan
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 880
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

Off to Talkbass she goes ....
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 9:22 am:   Edit Post

Oh the pain, Puff is off to the slaughter house, should be a law against doing this 2 a perfectly good dragon lol. Oh well I tried.....sigh......wish I had an xtra 4k...........
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 881
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 9:59 am:   Edit Post

Still available, Z. I just thought I'd offer it to lib members first.
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 27
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 12:09 pm:   Edit Post

Tell U what AJ,

I have a few "irons" in the fire & a ton of gear that could use a different home SO I am going 2 get some things in motion & see if I can raise some cash. As U know I have a Dingwall im looking to unload SO if you know anybody that may b looking for somethin like that please send them my way & perhaps I should list the items im lookn 2 part with. I noticed ur a jazz bass fan, I have a 92 American standard; sea foam green with green ghost lines on it if interested. I am going 2 take inventory & list what I have here @ the club. Hope I can move fast enough on this!!!

Thanx,

Stephen
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2759
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 4:59 am:   Edit Post

Stephen. Just for info, JPJ is playing a selection of custom built Manson basses and has been for a number of years. In fact, if you click on the link they have a gallery of instruments they've made for him including a 5 string fretless and a pair of 12 string basses. They've also just announced they'll be producing a limited edition JPJ bass that's as near as they can get to John's stage instrument.

Graeme

p.s. good luck with the sale Alan.
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 28
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 7:45 am:   Edit Post

Thanx for sharing that Graeme,
I was wondering who was behind those axes, especially that slide thingamobober, although the 1 in the TCV video looks a bit different. What an AWESOME TALENT & absolute pioneer JPJ is eh? I think the most underated bassist in history!!!

Bravo!!
Thanx Again!!!
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2507
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 4:48 pm:   Edit Post

Here I was thinking this was a thread about AJ selling his bass. Who knew it was the place to come for JPJ or to see Dingwalls pushed hard...
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 882
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 4:54 pm:   Edit Post

Bobl - it's all good.

Z - I'm not getting much traction over at Talkbass, so no worries. Not really looking to trade for another bass as I have too many already! Besides, my '73 Jazz and the Sadowsky are all I need I think. Not playing with a group at the moment (I'm in musical hell, also known as Fayetteville, North Carolina), so the need for another bass isn't a priority.

Thanks,

Alan
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 883
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 4:56 pm:   Edit Post

Bob - it's all good.

Z - If I come across anyone wanting a Dingwall 6, I'll let them know you're looking to sell. As for the J-Bass, I have two (my '73 and the Sadowsky) so I'm good, but thanks for the offer.

Alan
mostwize
New
Username: mostwize

Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2010
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 6:32 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Alan,

Gorgeous axe...just what I'm looking for...I'll buy it if I get paid in time!

My Best, Gail
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 884
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, October 22, 2010 - 4:56 am:   Edit Post

Bob - it's all good.

Z - If I come across anyone wanting a Dingwall 6, I'll let them know you're looking to sell. As for the J-Bass, I have two (my '73 and the Sadowsky) so I'm good, but thanks for the offer.

Alan
zemog59
Junior
Username: zemog59

Post Number: 30
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Friday, October 22, 2010 - 5:04 am:   Edit Post

Thanks AJ,

I appreciate that, Yup IT IS all good !!

Got luv the Spontaneity, eh fellas ?

That's what makes this forum GREAT, nothin like the Camaraderie of high end gear heads lol !!!
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 885
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - 12:13 pm:   Edit Post

I've had some questions on the Wing, so I thought I'd answer them here....

Q: How wide is the fingerboard at the nut?
A: 1 5/8"

Q: Is the case included?
A: Yes, and it is in near perfect condition; all tools and documentation are included as well.

Q: What is a heat bend?
A: Mica could answer this better than I could, but as I understand it heat is applied to the neck and the neck is gently manipulated to obtain the desired result (relief). Again, Mica could answer this much better than I just did.

Q: Is the neck straight?
A: It currently has .016" of relief at the 10th/11th frets, measured with a capo at the first fret and using feeler gauges. If someone wanted it perfectly straight a simple truss rod adjustment would get one there.

Q: Will it work with .45-.105 strings?
A: I don't see any reason why it wouldn't.

Q: Does the bass have low action?
A: Right now, the action is 5/64" as measured on the E string at the 24th fret. I don't see any reason it can't be adjusted higher or lower than that depending on individual tastes and playing techniques.

Q: What scale?
A: 34".

Q: Is the brass tarnished?
A: No, but it could use polishing.

Q: What color LEDs?
A: Red.

Thanks for looking,

Alan
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 887
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, November 05, 2010 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

This bass is sold to John P. Thanks to everyone for their interest and best wishes during the sale.

Alan

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