L&M Videos

Epiphone introduces the signature Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 bass. Aljon and Justin go over what makes the Green Day bassist's instrument unique.

0:00 Longview Intro
0:18 Introducing the Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3
1:07 Body, Neck, Bridge, and Pickups
2:45 Comparison with Other Grabber G-3 models
3:38 Playability
4:13 Neck Position (Neck and Middle Pickups)
4:30 Middle Position (All 3 Pickups)
4:49 Bridge Position (Middle and Bridge Pickups)
5:08 Outro

➤ Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 Bass:
Silverburst
Natural

Other gear used in this video:
➤ Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 Plus Bass Head
➤ Mesa Boogie Subway Ultra-Lite 4x10 Bass Cabinet
➤ Sennheiser EW 112P Lavalier Microphone
➤ Sennheiser MKH 416 Shotgun Microphone
➤ Zoom H6 Recorder

Mike Dirnt is the bassist and co-founder of the iconic punk rock band Green Day. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his distinctive bass lines, vocal contributions, and energetic stage presence have been integral to Green Day’s success. Now, Mike Dirnt has collaborated with Epiphone to recreate the Gibson Grabber G-3 bass that he has played on countless tours and albums, including Green Day’s groundbreaking 1994 album, “Dookie,” which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. 

The Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 bass has a double-cutaway maple Grabber body. The 34” scale three-piece maple neck has an ebony fretboard (maple on the Natural-finished model) with 20 medium jumbo frets, and black abalone dot position markers adorn the fretboard. The classic Grabber “V” headstock is equipped with open-gear bass tuners with historic clover buttons and a bone nut, while the other ends of the strings pass over a high-density Leo Quan Badass II bridge for increased attack and sustain and full intonation and action adjustment, then run through the body and are anchored with string ferrules on the back of the body for excellent tone and sustain. 

The three Gibson G-3 pickups are made at the Gibson Pickup Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and are wired in a “buck-and-a-half” pickup configuration. When the three-way switch is in the top position, both the neck and middle pickups are activated simultaneously, producing a humbucker effect. When the switch is in the middle position, all three pickups are engaged. When the toggle switch is in the bottom position, the middle and bridge pickups are activated, working together to produce a humbucking effect. This versatile pickup configuration, combined with the master volume and tone controls, offers a wide range of hum-free tonal options. 

The Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 bass comes packed in a hardshell case to help keep it safe when you’re out on your next world tour.