As near to perfect as a modern rock bass gets, the NG Signature model incorporates the collective know-how of Dingwall engineering and Darkglass Electronics in one instrument. Developed to meet the punch and power required by Periphery bassist Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood, the NG has also served the likes of Tony Levin (Liquid Tension Experiment), Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox), William Shively (Boyz II Men) and Patricia Ligia (Karen G).

BODY & NECK

Anyone familiar with the Combustion will feel immediately at home with the NG. Having been through a long development cycle involving Periphery bassist Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood, the NG shares many of the same characteristics as the Combustion, including the body shape and general layout. However, the body wood is alder instead of the customary swamp ash of the Combustion, which is paired with a bolt-on maple neck and fingerboard. “Nolly had been touring and recording with two Combustions,” explains Sheldon Dingwall. “He had given his custom Dingwall ABZ plenty of testing, too. The NG combines everything he liked best about both models.”

“Our first look at the NG3 itself brought one word to mind: ‘gnarly.’ They are just cool-looking instruments. With the body contours and the fanned-fret neck. This bass rocks in every sense of the word.”

PICKUPS & ELECTRONICS

Like the frets, the Dingwall FD3n neodymium pickups are also slanted. They’re wired to bass, low-mid and high-mid controls courtesy of the Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp, along with master volume and a 4-position Quad-Tone pickup selector that lets you solo each pickup or dial them in conjunction with one another. All of which is augmented with an active/passive selector switch. “As soon as I tried a Dingwall, I knew right away this was the sound I wanted to have with Periphery,” says Nolly. “The low strings have clarity beyond anything I’ve ever heard before. You owe it to yourself to try one! I guarantee you’ll be blown away.”

HARDWARE

The NG is kitted out with tour-grade hardware appointments, including lightweight open-gear Hipshot tuners and a staggered bridge design for greater sustain and resonance. Dingwall collaborated with Hipshot to modify their Ultra-lite tuners, which resulted in a shorter tuning peg that allows proper downward angle at the nut for maximum sustain and improved stability.

“The string spacing works well, while the multi-scale layout feels quite natural after a few playing sessions. Take it from Lee Sklar: fanned-frets work just fine! Hipshot open-gear machine heads keep the headstock weight down. Extra touches include a recessed jack socket and the easily removed magnetic plate covering the battery cavity. Tuning stability is equally impressive across the whole instrument.”

DINGWALL STRINGS

Dingwall strings have been meticulously tested to maximize performance and deliver a tone that blends effortlessly with any style of music. Dingwall were the first company to design strings specifically for multi-scale instruments. Dingwall strings provide an even tension for optimal balance, letting you experience the warmest highs and the tightest lows possible.