Dingwall Super PJ 5 Stormy Seas

Super PJ5

Sheldon Dingwall’s multi-scale

This is the Super PJ5 from Dingwall, in Stormy Seas with a maple burl top. The brand was founded by Canadian luthier Sheldon Dingwall. In my opinion, when it comes to modern bass design, Dingwall is in a league of its own.

Moreover, they’re known for forward-thinking craftsmanship and well-chosen components. Above all, they’re known for the trademark multi-scale, fanned-fret design.

Why fanned frets

Maybe you’ve struggled with a muddy low B on a 5-string or a thin high C on a 6-string. If so, you’ll understand the problem Dingwall solves.

Traditional basses use one scale length across all strings, which isn’t optimal for the balance between them. In contrast, Dingwall vary the scale length per string: longer on the bass side, shorter on the treble side.

As a result, you get tighter lows, rich mids and clear highs. In fact, every note feels defined and balanced all across the fretboard.

Thin polyester finish

Dingwall’s own polyester finish is as practical as it is good-looking. Although it gives the body a glassy look, it stays really thin. Therefore the wood can breathe and resonate naturally.

In addition, the body is slightly thinner than usual. Consequently, the bass is lighter in weight but still very dynamic.

For a more sculpted tone, the swamp ash body options give you a slightly scooped midrange. As a result, the bass gets a wider tonal range without losing any punch.

Scalloped headstock

One of Dingwall’s subtle but clever features is the scalloped headstock. Specifically, it’s a 3D Hot Rod-inspired flame carve that does more than just look cool.

In fact, it reduces mass, which helps against neck dive. However, it doesn’t change the bass’s classic silhouette. Basically, it’s the kind of feature you feel before you consciously notice it.

A P-bass, rethought

At first glance, the Dingwall Super PJ may feel familiar. Indeed, the shape nods to the classic P-bass we all know and love.

However, spend five minutes with it in your hands and you’ll realise it isn’t just a tribute. In fact, it’s a complete rethink, with a vintage feel, a modern design and Dingwall’s attention to detail.

Customised Hipshot tuners

Dingwall’s ideas don’t stop at the frets or the finish. For example, even the Hipshot Ultralite tuners, already among the lightest on the market, have been customised.

Specifically, Dingwall shorten the string posts and countersink them into the headstock. Furthermore, they remove the need for string trees. As a result, they take approximately 100 grams off the headstock.

Admittedly, 100 grams doesn’t sound like a lot. In practice, however, it really improves balance and playing comfort. In short, no more neck dive. Consequently, this bass hangs exactly where you want it, whether you’re seated in a studio session or jumping around on stage.

A glued-in truss rod

The Super PJ’s double-expanding truss rod is an industry-standard feature. However, Dingwall take it a step further.

In fact, they borrow a technique from Glenn McDougall of Fury Guitars. Specifically, the truss rod is glued into the neck under nearly 1000 pounds of pressure. As a result, this steel-to-wood coupling adds sustain and harmonic richness. Consequently, the bass feels more alive and resonant on every note.

Multi-scale, thin finish, light body

Of course, the multi-scale design is still the star of the show. In other words, every string sits in its sweet spot, from the low B to the G.

Likewise, the Super PJ has the same polyester finish as the other Dingwall models. In fact, it’s ultra-thin, which means that it’s acoustically transparent but still glassy to look at.

Moreover, the body woods are carefully selected for their tone. Meanwhile, the thinner-than-standard body shape adds resonance and keeps the bass very light.

For the P-bass player

If you’re a P-bass player who’s ever felt limited by tradition, the Super PJ opens a whole new world. Indeed, you get the comfort and familiarity of a vintage design with modern performance and Dingwall’s detail work. In short, it’s old-school feel with modern clarity.

Super Fatty II pickups

The heart of the Super PJ’s tone is a set of custom-designed Super Fatty II pickups with neodymium magnets. Specifically, they’re voiced for a big low end and a clear upper midrange. Moreover, they have a punch that cuts without sounding harsh.

For example, you might be grooving in a soul band or digging into progressive rock. Either way, these pickups give you the headroom and clarity to sit right in the mix.

Quad-Tone switch

For models with two pickups, Dingwall include the Quad-Tone rotary switch. In fact, it gives you a wide range of tones with four pickup combinations. Specifically, those are bridge, bridge/middle (MM-style), bridge/neck parallel (J-style) and neck.

What’s not to like?

The Super PJ keeps things clean and simple with a passive volume and tone setup. Furthermore, both are made in-house, because Dingwall want full quality control.

In addition, the soft-touch control knobs are exclusive to Dingwall. As a result, you get comfort and grip, especially on long sets or high-energy gigs. That’s a little extra icing on the cake. So, what’s not to like?