Dingwall Unveils the Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion Bass

The new model features three of Dingwall’s highly-rated FD3-N pickups, Dingwall’s Quad-tone switching system and a Nordstrand 3-band active EQ

Bass Magazine / Jan 16, 2023

Dingwall Unveils the Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion Bass

The new model features three of Dingwall’s highly-rated FD3-N pickups, Dingwall’s Quad-tone switching system and a Nordstrand 3-band active EQ

Bass Magazine / Jan 16, 2023

Dingwall’s latest addition to its ever-popular artist signature line is the Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion, which has been produced to the exact specifications of Bad Wolves bassist Kyle Konkiel. It’s an alder-bodied instrument with a maple neck, wenge fingerboard and Ralph Novak’s multi-scale, fanned-fret system, which results in a 34–37-inch scale spread across the five strings (the scale length of the B-string is three inches longer than the G).

The alder body is brought to life by a purple and green color-shift finish, meaning it can change color depending on the lighting and angle it’s viewed at. “I got the idea from a Lamborghini I saw cruising around LA,” says Kyle. “It had the same color-shift finish.”

The Kyle Konkiel model has a distinctive tone too, thanks to three of Dingwall’s highly-rated FD3-N pickups, Dingwall’s Quad-tone switching system and a Nordstrand 3-band active EQ, with each position of the four-way selector switch yielding a voice that’s distinct and musically useful. “This bass manages to provide not just one, but a whole collection of great bass tones that have loads of character,” says Kyle. “It’s been designed with the heavier stuff in mind, but Sheldon’s realised the design so well that it’s turned out to be a really impressive all-rounder too.”

To make it a truly versatile instrument, Kyle chose to compliment the Combustion’s already hard ’n’ heavy setup with a simple selector switch for the middle pickup that allows for an additional configuration – the first time this feature has been used on a Combustion. “What you get is a fantastic blend of vintage and modern bass tones that should appeal to just about anybody,” says Dingwall CEO, Sheldon Dingwall. “The tones are warm, clear and powerful without being overbearing when you need a bit of subtlety.”

From a player’s perspective, this is a great-looking, versatile bass that covers what might be termed ‘Dingwall territory’ – and then some. The Kyle Konkiel Signature Combustion is limited to just 25 instruments.