The New Epihphone Mike Dirnt Bass Is Here, and Fans Are Losing It
Back in the early years of Green Day, when the band was still grinding in small clubs and sleeping in vans, Mike Dirnt’s main bass fell apart right before a show. A friend handed him a Gibson Grabber G3, and Mike clicked with it right away. That bass became part of the sound on Green Day albums like Kerplunk, Dookie, and Insomniac, and he still plays it to this day.
Now the story comes full circle. After years of rumors, Epiphone has released a new version made with Mike, based on his old G3. He has been using these new ones on tour for two years, which is why fans and gear nerds have been buzzing about them.
Mike got his first G3 when he was a teen and never let it go. It even survived amps falling on it during shows. That old bass was one of a kind, which made it hard to copy exactly, but they studied everything about it to get close
Mike and his tech, Bill Schneider, worked closely on every part of this bass. They tried different boards, checked old pickups, added the bridge that felt best, and shaped the neck to match the feel of the old one. Mike wanted the bass to be simple to use, strong, and able to cut through loud guitars and drums.
What Makes This Bass Special
The new model is made by Epiphone and Gibson together. It has Gibson pickups, a strong maple body, and a three-piece maple neck with a full 34 inch scale. You can pick an ebony board with a Silverburst finish or a maple board with a Natural finish. Both have dot inlays and 20 frets. The bass also has a string through body and a Badass II bridge, which helps with feel and sustain. Mike even added an extra truss cover so players can make their own custom plate.
Mike says he tested this new bass himself for two years on stages all over the world. In the rain, in the hot sun, and everywhere in between, and it held up better than he expected. Some people complain about the price because it has the Epiphone name on it, but Mike says you have to try it first.
The build quality of this bass speaks for itself. Even if someone is hung up on the Epiphone name, they are missing the point. Both Gibson and Epiphone worked together on every step. For Mike, having both a Gibson and a Fender signature model is rare and wild, and he is proud of this new chapter.
If you want a bass with punch, feel, and that classic Green Day vibe, the new Mike Dirnt signature bass is worth a look.
