Any Gary Grainger owners out there? Help!

[NG51]

Hi Everyone,
I'm beginning to look for a new bass, and I have a pretty good amount of credit with a local music store. They give me amazingly good pricing on stuff, too.
I'm thinking of the PRS Gary Grainger bass, but I can't find anywhere around here to try one. I'm wondering what the tonal range of the bass is-I play primarily jazz( 60s-70s stuff- not much fusion) , but I don't slap or anything like that(at least not yet)...). I've been playing for about 40 years, and am looking for a bass that could kind of slot in where an active Jazz bass would go-I have a passive J, A fretless, a nice active 5-thinking of a Grainger 4.
It would be great if I could use the bass for what I'm playing now, with an eye toward expanding into the more modern stuff.
Any insight any of you Grainger players have would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[SethD]

There are two decent videos of Gary and PRS demoing the range of the bass. First one is the Private Stock.

 

[NG51]

Thanks-I'll check them out.

 

[basschanges]

Gary Grainger is awesome. You might just want to check out Ken Smith's basses also. Paul Reed Smith comes off as a giant tool.

 

[Gougedeye]

I played a GG Signature today! It was an incredible instrument, both physically and sonically. There are a massive amount of tonal variations and possibilities with the way the controls are configured. And it played like butter! Very comfortable neck and a a very solid B string. Expensive, but a really finely crafted instrument!

 

[bholder]

Paul Reed Smith comes off as a giant tool.

Having one is but being one is

 

[NG51]

Thanks for the input! Still struggling with this one,as the price point is a trifle lofty...

 

[Dr. Cheese]

There are two decent videos of Gary and PRS demoing the range of the bass. First one is the Private Stock.

It sounds like the Ken Smith he used to play.

 

[Gougedeye]

I would call the sound of this bass very modern/hifi. The preamp is powerful! and the active/passive push/pull pots allow for many variations in tone shaping. A very slick and well made bass by all measure, in my opinion.

 

[thumbs&fingers]

I still don't regret the purchase. It's currently my number one Because of the variety of tones.

 

[CRH]

The GG is a beast! Not the most expensive bass I own, but by far the best sounding and the fullest range I've ever experienced in my 40+ years of playing. It has definitely become my "go to" guitar. I have yet to find anything that it won't do, tonally. Quite honestly, I couldn't be happier with this instrument. I've had mine for a little over a year now...no complaints.

 

[laneline]

+1 on previous props for it. I have a 5 with a Maple board and I'm seriously thinking of selling some of my others to get another one with a rosewood board because like tonight everytime I play it I find myself thinking I need another.
The neck is probably the best I've ever had, it does lean to modern and the pre amp is hi fi but with having passive and a high end 3 band it's very versatile.
I think it would fit in very well for what your looking for. I don't notice it being a 24 fret neck either like I did with an EBMM Bongo.
Highly recommended bass. Same extremely high quality just as their guitars. Good luck.

 

[thumbs&fingers]

I that it was just me that keeps thinkin I need another! Must be something they put in the finish that induces hoarder mentality.....

 

[scubaduba]

Anybody have a 5 string they'd like to sell me?

 

[Danny2454]

The Gary Grainger Bass seems to be a great combination of Hi-Hi basses. However, I haven't seen them on any of the big stages, or night shows. Is it the weight?
Wondering why I don't see more user videos expounding on the awesomeness of these PRS basses?
What is the opinion of the group?

 

[chadds]

Paul Reed Smith does great work. His guitars are top drawer.
Gary Grainger is an amazing player. I’ve heard him for years.

Neither of those things bring qualities that are at all good if the bass doesn’t speak to you.

This is coming from someone who had two of his first gen basses. A fretless and a fretted with doves.

If you hold one and it says, “I’m yours,” you’ll know.

Choose from your heart and intuition as well as specs because you have to hold this bass close and bring us the music.

 

[Danny2454]

Paul Reed Smith does great work. His guitars are top drawer.
Gary Grainger is an amazing player. I’ve heard him for years.

Neither of those things bring qualities that are at all good if the bass doesn’t speak to you.

This is coming from someone who had two of his first gen basses. A fretless and a fretted with doves.

If you hold one and it says, “I’m yours,” you’ll know.

Choose from your heart and intuition as well as specs because you have to hold this bass close and bring us the music.

Thanks Chadds. A very nice philosophical response.

I agree; Gary Grainger, and Rhonda Smith, sound amazing with these basses. That said, when I think about their style of playing, its not a style I get incorporate too often in these corp. top 40, and tribute bands.

How's your experience been out on the road, playing various venues, stages, clubs, etc.. How do you feel about the tone finding its way in the mix of large, and small format bands?

Cheers!

 

[chadds]

I had a sold two of the first gen PRS basses.

This pic from interwebs. Michael Manring sounded amazing on these.

I did not have the new one. I've heard it live twice. One time GG was playing it. He sounded like GG. He was playing the new PRS through a Puma 2x12 and head. The second time on a multiple bill the next bassist up had one. He was playing it through an AG 750 and AG 4x10. His sound was between ordinary and not good. I was standing right next to him. I guess he doesn't know how to gain stage and his sound was burp fart grit. He wasn't showcasing this great gear. He wasn't showcasing other than average touch.

I am not sure they sound as exceptional as the price.

 

[s_wood]

Love my Graingers!

 

[chadds]

I had a sold two of the first gen PRS basses.View attachment 5155157

This pic from interwebs. Michael Manring sounded amazing on these.

I did not have the new one. I've heard it live twice. One time GG was playing it. He sounded like GG. He was playing the new PRS through a Puma 2x12 and head. The second time on a multiple bill the next bassist up had one. He was playing it through an AG 750 and AG 4x10. His sound was between ordinary and not good. I was standing right next to him. I guess he doesn't know how to gain stage and his sound was burp fart grit. He wasn't showcasing this great gear. He wasn't showcasing other than average touch.

I am not sure they sound as exceptional as the price.

I made the comment above now adding a strong IMHO and YMMV.

In this range of basses, preference goes to what choices the builder makes that are distinct from other builders. The builder's personal vision expressed in the final product is what we are paying for. When those align with our unique tone goals it works.