Dingwall
Dingwall Guitars Inc., founded 1987 in Saskatoon, Canada, hand-builds multi-scale (fanned-fret) bass guitars and proprietary pickups for professional touring and session bassists worldwide, sold through a global dealer network and direct e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSaskatoon, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dingwall does
Dingwall Guitars Inc., founded in 1987 by Sheldon Dingwall and headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, is a privately held specialty manufacturer of multi-scale (fanned-fret) electric bass guitars. The company pioneered the application of the Novax fanned-fret design to production bass guitars with the 1993 Voodoo bass and now operates two complementary product tiers — a Custom Shop (Z, ABZ, Afterburner I/II, Super J, Super P, Effigy, Prima Artist, plus signature and limited editions) and a Ready-to-Play catalog (SP1, D-Roc Standard, Combustion, Nashville Combustion, and signature models for Lee Sklar, John Taylor, Nolly Getgood, Rob Van der Loo, Jacob Umansky, and Kyle Konkiel) — built on in-house handmade pickups (FDV, FD-3N, Super-Fatty II, Prima Artist, P-Tone, SFII), dual-density body construction, a Quad-Tone rotary selector, and the only purpose-designed replacement strings for multi-scale instruments.
The technology platform is vertically integrated in Saskatoon: pickups are wound and assembled in-house (a capability built after a 1996 shop fire forced Sheldon Dingwall to self-finance manufacturing equipment by selling collectibles), and proprietary features include a co-developed Dingwall/Hipshot tuner and a new bridge platform engineered with former F1 engineer Federico Pecci of Riviera Gear on the Effigy. Every bass shares the same multi-scale architecture, which delivers per-string scale-length tuning for even tension, harmonic clarity, and intonation across the neck.
Dingwall makes money primarily through quote-based sales of ready-to-play and custom-shop instruments routed through a global authorised dealer network spanning 30+ countries, supplemented by direct e-commerce sales of branded strings, apparel, and accessories via dingwallstore.com (international) and dingwallguitarsusa.com (USA), and periodic limited-edition releases that drive collector and enthusiast demand at premium price points. The company serves professional touring bassists, session players, and high-end enthusiasts, with credibility built through an artist-endorser roster spanning rock, metal, jazz, pop, and theatre.
Dingwall firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dingwall
- Legal name
- Dingwall Guitars Inc.
- Website
- https://dingwallguitars.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dingwall Guitars Inc., founded 1987 in Saskatoon, Canada, hand-builds multi-scale (fanned-fret) bass guitars and proprietary pickups for professional touring and session bassists worldwide, sold through a global dealer network and direct e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dingwall industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bass Guitars
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (45914), Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Instruments & Sheet Music Retail (CRALAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Used & Vintage Musical Instruments Retail (CRALAEAH), Instrument Rentals & Leasing (Band/Orchestra Programs) (CRALAEAG), Pro Audio & Recording Equipment Retail (MI-adjacent) (CRALAEAC), Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE), Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA)
Keywords
Where Dingwall is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saskatoon
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Dingwall business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ready-to-play and custom-shop bass guitar sales: Primary revenue from sale of multi-scale bass guitars via authorized dealers and direct custom-shop orders; build-to-order with configuration options driving average selling price.
- Accessories and apparel sales: Direct e-commerce sales of Dingwall-branded strings, apparel, knobs, pickups and other accessories through dingwallstore.com (international) and dingwallguitarsusa.com (USA).
- Limited-edition and signature-model releases: Periodic limited runs (e.g., D-Roc Hellboy, Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion, John Taylor Signature Rio Dream, 35th Anniversary Pedal) that drive collector and enthusiast demand at premium price points.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | Quote-based pricing via authorized dealers for Ready-to-Play and Custom Shop models. |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Dingwall product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dingwall designs and manufactures multi-scale (fanned-fret) bass guitars from its Saskatoon, Canada workshop, organized into three program tiers: a Custom Shop (Z, ABZ, Afterburner I/II, Super J, Super P, Effigy, Prima Artist, D-Roc Custom, plus signature models), a Ready-to-Play catalog (SP1, D-Roc Standard, Combustion, Nashville Combustion, plus ready-to-play signature models), and a Limited Editions line (D-Roc Hellboy, Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion, Rio Dream bass, 35th Anniversary Pedal). The company also sells Dingwall-branded multi-scale replacement strings, apparel, and accessories through dedicated storefronts.
Product overview
Dingwall Guitars (founded 1987, based in Saskatoon, Canada) is a single-vertical bass guitar manufacturer organized into two complementary program tiers: a Custom Shop (Z, ABZ, Afterburner I, Afterburner II, Super J, Super P, Effigy, Prima Artist, Lee Sklar Signature, D-Roc Custom, Rob Van der Loo Signature) and a Ready-to-Play catalog (SP1, D-Roc Standard, Combustion, NG Adam "Nolly" Getgood Signature, Jacob Umansky 'Sol' Signature, John Taylor Signature, Nashville Combustion), with a parallel Limited Editions line (D-Roc Hellboy, Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion, Rio Dream bass, 35th Anniversary Pedal). Every bass shares the Novax fanned-fret / multi-scale architecture, the Quad-Tone (or Tetratone) rotary pickup selector, and Dingwall's in-house handmade pickup line (FDV, FD-3N, Super-Fatty II, Prima Artist, P-Tone). The Dingwall Strings, Apparel & Accessories brand extends the platform with multi-scale-specific replacement strings sold through dedicated storefronts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Z Bass Flagship multi-scale (fanned-fret) bass in 5 and 6 strings with dual-density Swamp Ash body, 5-piece maple neck, Novax fanned-fret system (24 banjo frets), Dingwall Super-Fatty II pickups with neodymium magnets, and Quad-Tone rotary selector; available passive or active (Darkglass, Rupert Neve Designs, or Trickfish pre-amps).
- ABZ Bass Multi-scale bass with Swamp Ash body (satin finish) and optional Fijian Mahogany, available as 4, 5, or 6-string; standard passive FDV pickups with Quad-Tone selector and pre-amp options including Darkglass Tone Capsule, Rupert Neve Designs, or Glockenklang.
- Afterburner I Bass Multi-scale bass with two-piece Alder body, FDV pickups, and Quad-Tone pickup selector; offers an optional on-board Darkglass distortion circuit.
- Afterburner II Bass Flagship Afterburner series bass with semi-hollow Walnut body, internal tone chambers, average weight ~8.75 lbs, passive FDV pickups, and Quad-Tone pickup selector.
- D-Roc Custom Bass Multi-scale bass with African Mahogany (Khaya) body, handmade pickups, Dingwall D-Roc bridge, and Dunlop locking strap pins.
- Rob Van der Loo Signature Bass Signature model for Epica bassist Rob Van der Loo, offered through Dingwall's Custom Shop.
- Super J Bass Multi-scale bass with Alder body, available as 4, 5, or 6-string; passive FDV pickups with Quad-Tone selector standard, with optional Darkglass or Glockenklang pre-amps.
- Super P Bass Multi-scale bass with Alder body and a traditional P/J pickup configuration, passive electronics with Switchcraft barrel jack.
- Effigy Bass Multi-scale bass featuring a new bridge designed in collaboration with former F1 engineer Federico Pecci of Riviera Gear, combining Dingwall's Minimalist bridge with the Riviera Gear vertically integrated tuning system.
- Lee Sklar Signature Bass Signature model for Lee Sklar with dual-density Walnut/Maple body (Northern Ash on bass side, Alder on treble side), carbon-fiber-reinforced neck, mandolin-size fretwire, and a Lee Sklar-modified Glockenklang 3-band pre-amp.
- Prima Artist Bass Premium multi-scale bass with dual-density Prima select Figured Walnut/Figured Maple body, 5-7 piece exotic wood laminated neck, and handmade Prima Artist pickups (FD-3 treble coil with custom-wound bass coil) installed into wooden shells cut from the actual body top.
- SP1 Bass Ready-to-play multi-scale bass with Nyatoh body, aimed at delivering vintage passive P/J-style tones on a fanned-fret platform.
- Adam "Nolly" Getgood NG Signature Bass Ready-to-play signature model for Periphery's Adam "Nolly" Getgood with Nyatoh body, FD-3N pickups, passive electronics with Tetratone pickup selector and passive tone.
- Jacob Umansky 'Sol' Signature Bass Ready-to-play signature model for Intervals' Jacob Umansky, based on the Z platform.
- D-Roc Standard Bass Ready-to-play multi-scale D-Roc with Khaya body and matching wood pickguard, average weight 8.5-9.5 lbs, passive FDV pickups, and Quad-Tone selector.
- Combustion Bass Ready-to-play 2-3 piece Swamp Ash body bass, average weight ~8.75 lbs, passive FDV pickups with Quad-Tone selector, optional Darkglass pre-amp.
- John Taylor Signature Bass Ready-to-play signature model for Duran Duran's John Taylor.
- Nashville Combustion Bass Nashville Edition Combustion featuring an onboard Rupert Neve Designs preamp for extended tonal variations.
- D-Roc Hellboy Limited Edition Bass Limited edition D-Roc variant with Hellboy Graphics and a matte finish.
- Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion Limited Edition Limited edition signature Combustion model for Bad Wolves bassist Kyle Konkiel.
- Rio Dream (John Taylor Signature) Limited Edition Bass Limited edition Rio Dream bass, a John Taylor signature variant.
- Dingwall 35th Anniversary Pedal Limited edition pedal celebrating Dingwall's 35th Anniversary.
- Dingwall Strings, Apparel & Accessories Brand of replacement bass strings (Long-Scale Nickel and Stainless Steel sets for 5- and 6-string basses), apparel, and accessories designed specifically for multi-scale (fanned-fret) instruments, sold through dedicated dingwallstore.com (international) and dingwallguitarsusa.com (USA) storefronts.
Companies that use Dingwall
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles3 records
Dingwall technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Dingwall partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dingwall competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sandberg: German boutique bass manufacturer offering hand-built, custom-order basses with proprietary pickups — directly comparable in craft, pricing, and dealer-driven GTM to Dingwall.
- Spector: Boutique bass manufacturer (NS, Euro, Legend series) with a strong endorser roster, premium positioning, and hybrid dealer/direct distribution closely mirroring Dingwall's go-to-market.
- Lakland: US boutique bass brand (Skyline, US series) with hybrid US production and overseas SKUs, comparable to Dingwall's mix of hand-built Canadian Custom Shop and Ready-to-Play tier.
- Warwick: German-based boutique bass guitar manufacturer (Streamer, Thumb, Corvette) producing high-end, often-built-by-hand electric basses. Directly comparable to Dingwall as a premium boutique bass brand selling globally through dealer networks with a strong endorser culture.
- Ken Smith Basses: US boutique bass luthier focused on custom-order, hand-built basses with proprietary tone and premium pricing — a close analogue to Dingwall's Custom Shop positioning and customer profile.
- Fodera: Long-established New York boutique bass builder known for hand-built, custom-order instruments with proprietary pickups, comparable in philosophy and price tier to Dingwall's Custom Shop.
- Alembic: Iconic California boutique bass and guitar manufacturer (founded 1969) with a hand-built, custom-order, endorser-driven model in the same ultra-premium price tier as Dingwall.
- Mayones Guitars & Basses: Polish boutique manufacturer of hand-built basses and guitars with endorser roster and global dealer distribution; comparable in scale, build philosophy, and price tier to Dingwall.
Emerging players
- Strandberg: Swedish multi-scale fanned-fret guitar and bass manufacturer (Boden) that pioneered 'Bolt-on' and headless multi-scale designs. Most directly competitive with Dingwall on the multi-scale concept, though positioned slightly broader (guitars + basses) and more modern-metal/tech-focused.
Broad incumbents
- Ibanez: Mass-market Japanese guitar and bass manufacturer (SR, EHB, RG, RGMS) that has aggressively pushed into the multi-scale bass category at lower price points. Comparable as both a competitor (multi-scale) and as the broader incumbent in the bass segment Dingwall operates in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dingwall social profiles
Digital presenceDingwall compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Dingwall financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dingwall leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Dingwall subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Dingwall funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dingwall M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dingwall
What does Dingwall do?
Dingwall designs and manufactures multi-scale (fanned-fret) bass guitars from its Saskatoon, Canada workshop, organized into three program tiers: a Custom Shop (Z, ABZ, Afterburner I/II, Super J, Super P, Effigy, Prima Artist, D-Roc Custom, plus signature models), a Ready-to-Play catalog (SP1, D-Roc Standard, Combustion, Nashville Combustion, plus ready-to-play signature models), and a Limited Editions line (D-Roc Hellboy, Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion, Rio Dream bass, 35th Anniversary Pedal). The company also sells Dingwall-branded multi-scale replacement strings, apparel, and accessories through dedicated storefronts.
Is Dingwall a public or private company?
Dingwall is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dingwall founded?
Dingwall was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dingwall based?
Dingwall is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Dingwall make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ready-to-play and custom-shop bass guitar sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and apparel sales and limited-edition and signature-model releases.
Who are Dingwall's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sandberg, Spector, Lakland, Warwick, Ken Smith Basses, Fodera, Alembic and Mayones Guitars & Basses. Strandberg is listed as an emerging player. Ibanez is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Dingwall have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dingwall.
What industry is Dingwall in?
Dingwall's product category is Bass Guitars. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAIAE, Music Instruments & Sheet Music Retail, with a secondary code of CRALAEAH, Used & Vintage Musical Instruments Retail. Its NAICS code is 459140 and its SIC code is 3931.