In the Mesa thread, the reports are mostly good with fast shipping, and responsive staff. That could be completely different on the Epiphone side, but it's all the same company.
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Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber...definitely won't be grabbing one!
- Thread starter jd56hawk
- Start date
The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Grabber was released over a year ago at $1000. I think most of that cost was from the extra long name when printing it! $300 more with this version and with the uncertainty of tariffs this doesn't seem out of line for them. Would I like it cheaper, sure thing.
Different wood (maple body vs. alder body), different stringing (thru-body w/genuine Badass Bass II vs. thru-standard bridge), USA pickups vs. China. Ebony fingerboard option, hardshell case.
The price difference is well justified.
I went down to L&M to try one out and was impressed! Did not love the slap tones, but this is a nice option for fingerstyle and pick playing. I ordered the silverburst online, should be here next week 
Felt light, neck was smooth, and THAT TONE. It's a killer new release, don't let the Epi logo dissuade you if you're interested in one at all.
Felt light, neck was smooth, and THAT TONE. It's a killer new release, don't let the Epi logo dissuade you if you're interested in one at all.
Congratulations! Hope you can share clips and a review!
The L&M near me doesn't have one in store. It looks nice and sounds great, but i dont think the fact it's an Epiphone that bothers people, but the price tag. At 2k CAD you're entering custom build territory, but I digress, nothing like ordering a new bass! The silverburst looks amazing!
The L&M near me doesn't have one in store. It looks nice and sounds great, but i dont think the fact it's an Epiphone that bothers people, but the price tag. At 2k CAD you're entering custom build territory, but I digress, nothing like ordering a new bass! The silverburst looks amazing!
Definitely the 2k price tag. While most of my gear is stuff i've built/pieced together, those which are factory, least in terms of guitars, are epiphones, & they play great. But i wouldn't spend 2k on an epiphone, a friend of mine spent the bucketload for the epiphone custom shop Adam Jones LP silverburst - granted he loves it overall, but damn that's a lot of money i would've spent for either a vintage bass of sorts or anywhere else.
I will say, i'm not saying i'll never spend 2k - 3k on something in my life, i already have twice: one was a synth i gifted to myself which i use most daily, & the other was a schecter bass, which ultimately got used so few times, i ended up trading it & a hardcase, for a vintage guitar amp, a few hundred dollars, & a LP hardcase. I'm better off. There are things that are worth it to spend the money on, i just don't find this Epiphone MD G3 to be one of them. I'd much rather find a vintage 70's Gibson G3 for that money & call it a day, it'd complete my overall collection with the 75 grabber G1 i've got.
I received a silverburst Dirnt G3 yesterday and I couldn't be happier with the purchase. Got it from an independent shop for significantly less than the $1299 MSRP (US), tax and shipping included. Even at full price though it would be worth it.
The overall build quality and QC is excellent. The ebony fretboard neck is about as nice as the one on my Fender Jazz Ultra II. I haven't weighed it but it feels lighter than my Ric and Fenders which are all 9 lbs plus. I've no experience with the original G3, but my first gigging bass back in the 70s was a Ripper. Long time ago, but I'm liking this G3 more. I kinda wanted to buy a natural finish as that was what my Ripper had, but I do find the silverburst looks a whole lot better. I've had Jack Cassidy and Embassy basses, which were really good at their price point, but both of them aren't close to the level of the new G3.
Try one before dismissing them.
The overall build quality and QC is excellent. The ebony fretboard neck is about as nice as the one on my Fender Jazz Ultra II. I haven't weighed it but it feels lighter than my Ric and Fenders which are all 9 lbs plus. I've no experience with the original G3, but my first gigging bass back in the 70s was a Ripper. Long time ago, but I'm liking this G3 more. I kinda wanted to buy a natural finish as that was what my Ripper had, but I do find the silverburst looks a whole lot better. I've had Jack Cassidy and Embassy basses, which were really good at their price point, but both of them aren't close to the level of the new G3.
Try one before dismissing them.
I think the fact that they’re sold out at sweetwater and at t Gibson (for the exclusive naturals) bodes well that these will be enough of a hit to stick around!
Buying new from a reputable retailer with a return policy helps though.
With the way this is routed, I could use this as a platform to do my own Ripper reissue after a pickup/pickguard swap. I can live with a bolt on neck (kinda prefer that, honestly), a badass bridge (kinda prefer that, too), and a different headstock (dont prefer that).
Too bad almost all videos of the G3 or this Epiphone use Greenday style pick playing. I had two G3 basses. The bass is capable of so much more. I especially liked the first position (bridge and middle pickup). Fingerstyle.
Sad to say that these prices are common to the MIM signature models now as well. Soon you won't be able to get anything US-made for under $2k
Congrats with your bass! I really would like to know how much the Epi sounds like the real Gibson G-3? Would be really helpful if you could make a small comparison recording or video of all 3 pickup switch positions. You say the Epi sounds brighter? Does the Epi have that distinct G-3 tone? Thanks.
Well, the "brighter, more articulate" sound may actually be a defect in the bass I received. I finally got my own turn with the bass, and the output is seriously low and thin. We A/B'd with the vintage G3 and my son's p-bass and the output was less than half using the same cable, amp, and settings. It's a major bummer for a lot of reasons.
