Dingwall SP1-5 Black High Gloss

The SP1-5 is Dingwall’s modern take on the roots of electric bass. Think classic offset vibes, but with everything that makes a Dingwall feel like a precision instrument for the modern player: multi-scale design, tight low B, and a voice that punches as much as it sings.

It looks simple. It’s anything but.

At first glance, the SP1-5 feels almost vintage—an offset body, passive controls, and that stripped-back aesthetic. But underneath the surface, this thing is loaded with clever detail.

Of course, the magic really comes alive with the fanned fret design:
35” scale on the low B down to 32” on the G gives you super-tight lows without sacrificing playability up top. That B-string? Ridiculously focused. It sits in the mix like a floor tom and never blooms too wide. It’s what Dingwall’s known for — and it’s here, loud and proud.

The minimalist bridge and GraphTech nut round out the hardware — nothing fancy, just stable, smart design that lets the bass do its thing.

Alder body keeps the weight comfortable and the tone honest. The maple neck and rosewood fingerboard keep things familiar under your hands.

This isn’t some one-pickup punk statement — the SP1-5 comes armed with a Dingwall FD3n bridge humbucker and a Dual-P split coil in the neck. Add the Quad-Tone rotary switch, and you’re looking at a passive setup that covers more tonal ground than most active basses:

• Position 1 – Bridge only: Barky, mid-forward, great for pick work or tight funk

• Position 2 – Bridge + Neck in Series: Thicker and punchier — borderline vintage humbucker territory

• Position 3 – Bridge + Neck in Parallel: Clearer, more open; great for slap or fast fingerstyle

• Position 4 – Neck only: Classic P-style warmth and round low end

It’s all wired passive with just Volume + Tone, but the way it’s voiced makes every position useable. You don’t miss a preamp here — the tone knob is super responsive and pairs beautifully with pedals or tube heads.