Dingwall Super PJ 5 Stormy Seas

Super PJ5

When it comes to modern innovation in bass guitar design, Dingwall sits in a league of its own. Founded by Canadian luthier Sheldon Dingwall, the brand has become synonymous with forward-thinking craftsmanship, premium components, and above all, their trademark multi-scale (fanned fret) design.

If you’ve ever struggled with a muddy low B on a 5-string or a thin high C on a 6-string, you’ll understand the problem Dingwall solves. Traditional basses use a uniform scale length across all strings, which isn’t optimal for tonal balance. Dingwall flips the script by varying scale length per string—longer on the bass side, shorter on the treble side—bringing out tighter lows, rich mids, and articulate highs. Every note feels alive, defined, and harmonically balanced across the fretboard.

Dingwall’s proprietary polyester finish is as functional as it is beautiful. While it gives the body a sleek, glass-dipped aesthetic, it remains remarkably thin, allowing the tonewood to breathe and resonate naturally. Pair that with a slightly thinner body construction, and you get an instrument that’s lighter in weight yet full of dynamic response.

For those seeking a more sculpted tone, swamp ash body options provide a slightly scooped midrange, giving the bass a wider tonal contour without sacrificing punch.

One of Dingwall’s subtler but clever features is the scalloped headstock—a 3D Hot Rod-inspired flame carve that does more than just look cool. It reduces mass, helping to combat the dreaded “neck dive” without compromising the bass’s classic silhouette. It’s the kind of feature you feel before you consciously notice it.

At first glance, the Dingwall Super P may feel familiar—its silhouette nods to the classic P-bass we all know and love. But spend five minutes with it in your hands, and you’ll realize this isn’t just a tribute—it’s a complete reimagining. It’s where vintage soul meets cutting-edge design, wrapped in Dingwall’s uncompromising attention to detail.

Dingwall’s innovation doesn’t stop at the frets or the finish. Even the Hipshot Ultralite tuners—already among the lightest on the market—have been customized for maximum efficiency. By shortening the string posts, countersinking them into the headstock, and removing the need for string trees, Dingwall has managed to shave off approximately 100 grams of headstock weight.

It might not sound like much, but in practice, this small detail radically improves balance and playing comfort. Say goodbye to neck dive—this bass hangs exactly where you want it, whether you’re seated in a studio session or jumping onstage.

The Super P’s double-expanding truss rod is an industry-standard feature—but Dingwall’s implementation takes it to the next level. Borrowing a technique from Glenn McDougall of Fury Guitars, the truss rod is glued into the neck under nearly 1000 pounds of pressure. This steel-to-wood coupling enhances both sustain and harmonic richness, making the instrument feel more alive and resonant with every note.

Of course, the multi-scale design is still a star of the show, ensuring every string—from the thunderous low B to the singing G—sits in its tonal sweet spot. And just like other Dingwall models, the Super P features a polyester finish that’s ultra-thin yet visually striking—acoustically transparent but visually glassy.

Body woods are thoughtfully selected for tonal nuance, and the thinner-than-standard body shape enhances resonance while keeping the instrument feather-light.

If you’re a P-bass player who’s ever felt limited by tradition, the Super P opens a whole new world. It delivers the comfort and familiarity of a vintage design, but with modern performance and Dingwall-grade detail. It’s the perfect blend of old-school mojo and next-gen clarity.

At the heart of the Super PJ’s tone are custom-designed Super Fatty II pickups, loaded with neodymium magnets. These pickups are voiced for a big, bold low end, a clear upper midrange, and a punch that cuts without sounding harsh. Whether you’re grooving in a soul band or digging into progressive rock, these pickups give you the headroom and clarity to sit right in the mix.

For models with dual pickups, Dingwall includes the Quad-Tone rotary switch, which unlocks a wide array of tones by offering different pickup combinations:

• Bridge

• Bridge/Middle (MM-style)

• Bridge/Neck Parallel (J-style)

• Neck

The Super PJ keeps things clean and simple with a passive volume and tone setup—both of which are manufactured in-house for ultimate quality control. The soft-touch control knobs are exclusive to Dingwall, adding comfort and grip to your playing experience, especially on long sets or high-energy gigs.