We all love a cool bass, and we’re excited about the new Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3. A new Epiphone version of one of Gibson’s lesser-known gems? A new Mike Dirnt signature model? Sounds good to us!
Dirnt is usually associated with Fender basses, particularly his signature P-bass, but he’s owned and played a Gibson G3 since before Dookie, even playing the iconic Longview bassline with it. On Green Day’s recent Saviors tour, he used it for the old favourites, so it’s still hammering out the classics. In this guide, we’ll look into all the key specs of the bass you need to know about… and why it’s come to be!
In a hurry? Here are the basics
A solid maple body with a three-piece maple neck, three hum-cancelling Gibson USA pickups with “buck-and-a-half” wiring for noise-free operation, and a Badass II bridge. It’s an affordable bass that’s designed to offer great tones and reliability. Plus, it comes in a fitted hardcase.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The three-pickup layout and “buck-and-a-half” switching keep single coil hum at bay | Single volume/tone control setup may feel a bit limited |
| The pickups come from the Gibson Pickup Shop in Nashville | It’s only available in silverburst |
| High-quality construction through the wood and hardware | |
| The Leo Quan Badass II bridge string-through build gives great sustain | |
| It comes with a fitted hardcase |
Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 Bass explained
What is it?
Epiphone’s Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 is a new take on an old favourite. Dirnt got his original Gibson G-3 while touring the Kerplunk! album. For this new version, though, he’s gone to Epiphone rather than Gibson – the latter couldn’t offer the bolt-on neck he prefers.
The result of this collaboration is a new signature model at an affordable price. If you like good basses and/or Green Day, then this is one for you.
Materials and build quality
The Mike Dirnt G-3 has a maple body and chunky three-piece maple neck that’s built for gigging. You get an ebony board, plus open-gear tuners and a bone nut that help it stay tight and stable no matter how hard you play.
A Leo Quan Badass II bridge and through-body stringing gives you all the sustain you need, and the build quality makes it a great choice if you need something that’ll last on the road!
Playability
As soon as you grab the Grabber, you know it’s going to be fun! There’s the familiar 34” scale, and the bevel on the body is a subtle but thoughtful touch. It’s a comfortable, easy-to-play design, with one of Gibson’s lesser-known shapes…
The original G-3 was loved by Gene Simmons and Krist Novoselic, as well as pop punk’s finest. It’s a bass with real rock credibility.
Sound quality and performance
The three pickups and “buck-and-a-half” wiring layout set this apart from the standard G-3. It uses three single-coil pickups, and you can choose to use the neck and middle, middle and bridge, or all three together.
Thanks to this, the G-3 offers a solid, bright tone without hum. It’s designed to cut through a loud and busy mix without sounding harsh.
Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 Bass specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Body | |
| Shape | Grabber |
| Material | Maple |
| Neck | |
| Material | 3-piece maple |
| Profile | C |
| Nut width | 41mm / 1.61" |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 34” |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Nut | Bone |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Leo Quan Badass II |
| Pickguard | 4-ply black |
| Tuners | Open-gear with clover buttons |
| Plating | Nickel |
| Electronics | |
| Pickups | 3 Gibson USA G-3 pickups |
| Controls | Master volume/tone with black speed knobs |
FAQs
What bass does Mike Dirnt use?
Mike Dirnt has used many different basses over the years, most notably Fender Precision basses, including his signature model. He’s also a long-time fan of Gibson’s G-3 Grabber, leading Epiphone to release a new signature model.
What’s the difference between the Gibson Grabber and Ripper basses?
The main differences between Gibson’s Grabber and Ripper basses are at either end of the neck – the Grabber has a bolt-on neck with a V-shaped headstock, while the Ripper features a set neck with a Les Paul-style headstock. The available finishes are also different.
Where is the Epiphone Grabber made?
As with most Epiphone basses, the Grabber G-3 is made in China, including the new Mike Dirnt signature model. However, the signature version uses hardware found on high-end models, including a trio of Gibson USA pickups and the Leo Quan Badass II bridge.
Final thoughts
If you’re interested in this bass, you probably grew up listening to Green Day and were inspired by what you heard. But even if you weren’t, the Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 is a quality bass that’s likely to find its way onto a lot of stages. It’s well worth trying one if you get the chance.
0 Comments