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Dingwall Owners Club

Get a great wig, they’ll never even notice the bass. Bonus points for leather pants and heels.
This is the answer I would start with. Nail the look, learn the parts and play them flawlessly, sing great backing vocals if you’re capable, and be personable. If you do all of that I’m guessing no one will take issue with your bass which, despite modern appurtenances, has fairly traditional styling of basses that were commonly used in that era and genre.
 
Great suggestions. Wig is mandatory i think. Pink PG with the green blocks would be beyond annoying but probably perfect :laugh::laugh::laugh:

Anyone got a lead on who makes good NG/Combustion pickguards? I can't order from Chandler/Pickguard Heaven.... I'll just leave it at that. :roflmao:
 
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My first Dingwall Dilemma is at hand :roflmao: I need your opinions...

A drummer friend of mine just got hired by a 80s hair metal tribute singer/BL that does corporate and other high end events. Of course my drummer buddy threw my name in the hat as a possible bassist. And, believe it or not, I really like money so obviously I'm interested.

Here's the dilemma - it's wigs, costumes, full "era" style gig. None of my parallel fret basses that would look "suitable" for an 80s gig don't have half the sound my NG3 modded with FD3's does. I can nail every tone with this NG3. And it's a million times more comfortable to play, especially in the lower registers. I really am kinda over the parallel fret basses I own, they just dont feel "right" anymore. Not too hip on the sound anymore either.

So.. What would you do? Show up with the NG3 and see what happens? Bring a more "appropriate" bass that cant nail the tones or is a little less comfortable to play? First jam is this week. I added a little neck illusions bling to "Retro" it up a little bit and see if that helps with the first impression.

View attachment 4684473
I’ll bet there’s a bunch of tunes that were in E that are transposed lower..your definitely going to want a 5 string. IMO your bass looks plenty Rock n Roll…chances are people won’t really even notice.
 
I’ll bet there’s a bunch of tunes that were in E that are transposed lower..your definitely going to want a 5 string. IMO your bass looks plenty Rock n Roll…chances are people won’t really even notice.

Nailed it.. he does everything a full step down. I already had this bass setup that way, that's another reason I was hoping to just slide the NG right in, lol.

Also, not sure what “niche” of 80’s hair your doing but don’t underestimate the effectiveness of a good chorus pedal when appropriate.

Good to keep in mind. Thanks!
 
My first Dingwall Dilemma is at hand :roflmao: I need your opinions...

A drummer friend of mine just got hired by a 80s hair metal tribute singer/BL that does corporate and other high end events. Of course my drummer buddy threw my name in the hat as a possible bassist. And, believe it or not, I really like money so obviously I'm interested.

Here's the dilemma - it's wigs, costumes, full "era" style gig. None of my parallel fret basses that would look "suitable" for an 80s gig don't have half the sound my NG3 modded with FD3's does. I can nail every tone with this NG3. And it's a million times more comfortable to play, especially in the lower registers. I really am kinda over the parallel fret basses I own, they just dont feel "right" anymore. Not too hip on the sound anymore either.

So.. What would you do? Show up with the NG3 and see what happens? Bring a more "appropriate" bass that cant nail the tones or is a little less comfortable to play? First jam is this week. I added a little neck illusions bling to "Retro" it up a little bit and see if that helps with the first impression.

View attachment 4684473

You could also get some polka dot vinyl decals and put them on your bass. Should be easily removable and non-permanent, even reusable. Extra points if you can find neon coloured ones, but white would do.

I've picked up a few 80's keyboard bass parts recently and they can be a lot harder than they seem. Check out "Never Gonna Give You Up". It's not your typical bass part and it's syncopated.
 
My first Dingwall Dilemma is at hand :roflmao: I need your opinions...

A drummer friend of mine just got hired by a 80s hair metal tribute singer/BL that does corporate and other high end events. Of course my drummer buddy threw my name in the hat as a possible bassist. And, believe it or not, I really like money so obviously I'm interested.

Here's the dilemma - it's wigs, costumes, full "era" style gig. None of my parallel fret basses that would look "suitable" for an 80s gig don't have half the sound my NG3 modded with FD3's does. I can nail every tone with this NG3. And it's a million times more comfortable to play, especially in the lower registers. I really am kinda over the parallel fret basses I own, they just dont feel "right" anymore. Not too hip on the sound anymore either.

So.. What would you do? Show up with the NG3 and see what happens? Bring a more "appropriate" bass that cant nail the tones or is a little less comfortable to play? First jam is this week. I added a little neck illusions bling to "Retro" it up a little bit and see if that helps with the first impression.

View attachment 4684473

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the NG for an 80’s look. I think it would go very well. I’ve always thought the Combustion/NG/Afterburners look a lot like a Peavey Cirrus. It could easily pass for an 80’s bass (Peavey, Aria, Jackson/Charvel) etc. the NG kind of has that “pointy” look. It might look out of place if you’re trying to do a period exact 60s or 70s thing, but the bass market and shapes other than FSOs exploded in the 80s. Nobody is gonna notice the multi scale either. I think it will be just fine.
 
My first Dingwall Dilemma is at hand :roflmao: I need your opinions...

A drummer friend of mine just got hired by a 80s hair metal tribute singer/BL that does corporate and other high end events. Of course my drummer buddy threw my name in the hat as a possible bassist. And, believe it or not, I really like money so obviously I'm interested.

Here's the dilemma - it's wigs, costumes, full "era" style gig. None of my parallel fret basses that would look "suitable" for an 80s gig don't have half the sound my NG3 modded with FD3's does. I can nail every tone with this NG3. And it's a million times more comfortable to play, especially in the lower registers. I really am kinda over the parallel fret basses I own, they just dont feel "right" anymore. Not too hip on the sound anymore either.

So.. What would you do? Show up with the NG3 and see what happens? Bring a more "appropriate" bass that cant nail the tones or is a little less comfortable to play? First jam is this week. I added a little neck illusions bling to "Retro" it up a little bit and see if that helps with the first impression.

View attachment 4684473

just dress the part. No one pays attention to the bass player anyways. :laugh:
 
In:

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Man, I like this one even more than the D Roc.
 
My first Dingwall Dilemma is at hand :roflmao: I need your opinions...

A drummer friend of mine just got hired by a 80s hair metal tribute singer/BL that does corporate and other high end events. Of course my drummer buddy threw my name in the hat as a possible bassist. And, believe it or not, I really like money so obviously I'm interested.

Here's the dilemma - it's wigs, costumes, full "era" style gig. None of my parallel fret basses that would look "suitable" for an 80s gig don't have half the sound my NG3 modded with FD3's does. I can nail every tone with this NG3. And it's a million times more comfortable to play, especially in the lower registers. I really am kinda over the parallel fret basses I own, they just dont feel "right" anymore. Not too hip on the sound anymore either.

So.. What would you do? Show up with the NG3 and see what happens? Bring a more "appropriate" bass that cant nail the tones or is a little less comfortable to play? First jam is this week. I added a little neck illusions bling to "Retro" it up a little bit and see if that helps with the first impression.

View attachment 4684473
Would a D-Roc be an option? Nikki Sixx plays a thunderbird/thunderbird style bass, so that would still work :)