Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with John Taylor of Duran Duran.

Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style. “John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”

The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colours; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.

Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic which complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.

Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”

Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”

For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com

ABOUT DINGWALL GUITARS

Founded in 1987, Dingwall Guitars was born with a simple philosophy: build the best, most versatile bass guitars on the planet. Company CEO, Sheldon Dingwall, is the kind of luthier who isn’t afraid to take risks and experiment with unusual and innovative ideas, from fanned fretboards to a 37″ scale length B string or a truss rod inserted into the neck under nearly 1000 pounds of pressure. His workshop based in Saskatoon, Canada produces all manner of intriguing designs, from banjo-sized frets inspired by renowned session player Leland Sklar, to the NG Signature model, which was developed to meet the punch and power required by Periphery bassist Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood.

ABOUT JOHN TAYLOR

With over 100 million albums sold over their 45-year career, Duran Duran are still as full of energy as ever. Inspired equally by disco and punk rock, bassist and founding member John Taylor has infused Duran’s many hits with his supremely slick and effortlessly funky range of bass parts that have entered the DNA of the bass community. In September 2023, Duran Duran wrapped up their 26-date North American arena tour, with both Bastille and Nile Rodgers & CHIC joining them as special guests across the entire run. In addition, the iconic quartet released their 16th studio offering, DANSE MACABRE which threads together new tracks, covers, and alternative versions of Duran Duran classics. Duran Duran are playing some select dates across the US and Europe in 2024. For more info visit https://duranduran.com/tour/

Courtesy Bass Magazine