Epiphone & Mike Dirnt Bring Back a Punk-Rock Icon: The Grabber G-3 Returns
Epiphone has officially unveiled the Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3, a signature bass built to honor the instrument that helped carry punk rock from Bay Area clubs to stadiums around the world. Available in Silverburst and Natural, this new model pays tribute to the original G-3 that Dirnt used across countless Green Day performances — including the landmark Dookie era — while offering modern reliability for today’s players.
For Detroit Guitar customers, the Silverburst model is available now!
A Bass With Punk History Running Through Its Maple Veins
The original G-3 has been part of Mike Dirnt’s musical DNA since the early ’90s, famously driving the low-end punch of tracks like “Longview” and earning its place in Green Day’s rise from East Bay venues to international stages. With Dookie celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, this new Epiphone signature model arrives at the perfect moment — blending history with the visceral power that made the G-series basses a ’70s staple.
The Grabber shape itself returned to the Epiphone catalog last year due to overwhelming demand. Longtime fans will recognize it as a sibling to the G-3 and Ripper models, all of which have been played by legends such as Gene Simmons, Krist Novoselic, and Lou Barlow.
Built Like the Original — Finished for Today’s Stages
The Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 captures the vibe of Mike’s original instrument while upgrading the feel and functionality for modern performance.
- Double-cutaway maple body with classic G-series contours
- 34" scale, three-piece maple neck for stability and punch
- Choice of ebony fretboard (Silverburst) or maple fretboard (Natural)
- 20 medium-jumbo frets with traditional dot inlays
- Classic Grabber V-shaped headstock and open-gear tuners with clover buttons
- A bone nut for clean resonance
- Legendary Leo Quan Badass II bridge, string-through-body for huge sustain
- Includes a hardshell case — a must for a touring-ready signature bass
Every detail is geared toward tone, durability, and paying homage to the instrument that shaped Dirnt's iconic style.
The Heart of the Beast: Three G-3 Pickups Straight from Nashville
At the core of this signature model are three Gibson G-3 pickups, handcrafted in Nashville at the Gibson Pickup Shop. These aren’t off-the-shelf units — they’re voiced specifically to recreate the snap, aggression, and clarity that defined Mike’s original bass.
And with the signature “buck-and-a-half” wiring, players get three humbucking combinations through a simple three-way toggle:
- Neck + Middle
- All Three Pickups
- Middle + Bridge
Master volume and tone controls keep things straightforward and stage-ready. The result? A bass that can go from thick, muscular growl to articulate punch with real authority.
From Punk Clubs to The Saviors Tour
Even as he tours the world on The Saviors Tour, Mike continues using his original Gibson G-3 alongside his new Epiphone signature models. For players chasing the Green Day sound — or anyone who wants a versatile, hard-hitting bass rooted in rock history — this signature G-3 is built to deliver night after night.
Get the Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 at Detroit Guitar
Whether you’re a Green Day fan, a collector of ’70s-inspired bass classics, or a player needing huge tone and bulletproof reliability, the Mike Dirnt G-3 is one of the most exciting Epiphone signature releases in years.
