Epiphone... G-3?

[Bassybert]

On 11/11/2025 at 23:30, cetera said:

 

Looks great and sounds fabulous 👌🏻

 

£1200 though😮

[neepheid]

55 minutes ago, Bassybert said:

Looks great and sounds fabulous 👌🏻

 

£1200 though😮

 

With a hard case tho.

 

Try not to look at it through the prism of "it's an Epiphone" or "it's made in China" or whatever.  You're buying a G-3.

 

Your options right now are the Epi at £1200, around £2500 for a used OG Gibson G-3, or you can commission the likes of Baard or Decibel to custom build you one - can't imagine that'll be cheap.

Edited 9 hours ago by neepheid

[Eldon Tyrell]

Looks like the natural one will only be available on the Epiphone website (DTC):

"Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3, Natural, Exclusive"

https://www.gibson.com/en-gb/products/epiphone-mike-dirnt-grabber-g-3-natural-exclusive 

 

The silverburst one is already available in several stores but looks to be a bit on the heavy side. All around 4.4kg 😞

 

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

The silverburst one is already available in several stores but looks to be a bit on the heavy side. All around 4.4kg 😞

 

In my experience, in terms of maple bodied Gibsonesque basses these weights are very reasonable, actually.

[Eldon Tyrell]

3 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

In my experience, in terms of maple bodied Gibsonesque basses these weights are very reasonable, actually.

I guess I'll have to stick to my all maple Spectors - smaller body, less wood, less weight. 

[snorkie635]

Back when I were a lad!

 

 

[neepheid]

9 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

Back when I were a lad!

 

 

 

Nice pair!

[snorkie635]

10 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Nice pair!

You saucy minx, you.

[Minininjarob]

On 12/11/2025 at 09:50, neepheid said:

Now, I know I popped off ad nauseum at the price of the Grabber.  Because it was effing ridiculous.  But I'm not so outraged about this one.  Why?  Because they seem to have done a better job of this one in the following ways:

 

Functionality identical to the OG bass (in terms of pickups, controls etc.)

Strung through the body like the OG bass

Bridge is WAY better than the OG bass

The pickguard is still wonky, but the silverburst kinda hides it - I think because the pickguard follows the shape of the burst, giving it some context instead of it just floating there

 

I think I'd like to get one, because it ticks all the G-3 boxes which a former (and very regretful) Gibson G-3 owner would be looking for, and while it may well still be a tad overpriced for what it is, it'll be a damn sight cheaper than trying to procure a Gibson G-3 now, or commissioning the likes of Decibel or Baard to make me one.

Yeah I think it’s pretty good. I would be torn between the black one which looks nice and the one which looks like Mikes original one in bare wood. 
They’ve moved the strap pin to a better place and it’s got a nice bridge AND a PROPER hard case too, which some £3k basses don’t come with. 
 

The pick guard - you could get one made which is longer past the jack socket to mirror the shape of the body like the original. Not ideal to have to spend more money but it’s an option. Doesn’t bother me really.