Epiphone and Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt unveil the Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3, a signature bass that brings back the Gibson Grabber G-3 with modern updates. The original instrument played a crucial role in shaping punk rock’s breakout moment, including its presence on Green Day’s 1994 album ‘Dookie’, which marked its 30th anniversary recently. Dirnt still plays his cherished Grabber on stage, including throughout Green Day’s The Saviors World Tour in front of millions worldwide.
The bass comes in Silverburst finish at authorized Epiphone dealers, Gibson Garage locations in Nashville and London, and online. A Natural finish is available exclusively through Gibson Garage and online globally. Dirnt’s punchy bass lines and commanding stage presence have defined Green Day’s sound for decades. This signature model honors that legacy with classic construction meeting contemporary performance capabilities.
The Grabber G-3 features a double-cutaway maple body and 34-inch scale three-piece maple neck for smooth playability and strong resonance. Players can select between ebony or maple fretboards depending on finish choice, both with black abalone dot inlays and 20 medium jumbo frets. The headstock sports the classic Grabber “V” shape with open-gear bass tuners and historic clover buttons. A bone nut boosts resonance while the Leo Quan Badass II bridge provides powerful attack and full adjustability.
Three Gibson G-3 pickups handcrafted in Nashville at the Gibson Pickup Shop power the instrument. The unique “buck-and-a-half” wiring configuration offers humbucking combinations through a three-way toggle switch, giving players neck and middle, all three, or middle and bridge options. Master volume and tone controls round out the versatile, noise-free tonal range. The bass ships with a hardshell case ready for studio work or touring.
Green Day formed in the late 80s when Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt joined forces to create their signature sound drawing from East Bay punk, power pop, 60s garage, and hard rock. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the band in 2015 after releasing 14 studio albums, including the double diamond ‘Dookie’ and ‘American Idiot’, which became a Broadway musical. Their latest album ‘Saviors’ earned a Best Rock Album nomination at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards and received a deluxe reissue in 2025 as ‘Saviors: Édition De Luxe’ with bonus singles and videos.