Canadian bass maker tells us how and why he developed his unique basses
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
November 2, 2020
By David Sands
Dingwall basses tend to stand out because of their harplike fanned-fret designs and powerful sound. The instruments, popularized by artists like Leland Sklar and Adam “Nolly” Getgood, are the brainchild of Canadian Sheldon Dingwall. The founder of Dingwall Designer Guitars first got into the business of making instruments when he was 24 years old. Inspired by luthier Ralph Novak, he eventually adopted a fanned frame system for his basses. Dingwall’s headquarters in Saskatoon, Canada now employs a core team of 14 people and occupies over 6,000 square feet in the city’s industrial center.
Dingwall met up with FBPO’s Jon Liebman earlier this year at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California for a conversation that touched on his early days as a musician and luthier, the dynamics of his fanned fret designs and Leland Sklar’s intriguing photo collection.
Watch our interview with Sheldon!
See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview, here.
