The McGrath Bass Builder

Thank you for checking out our Bass Builder! It was entirely hand drawn by Madelyn McGrath and we are constantly adding new features.Design your dream bass without the years long wait. We pair premium components with rock-solid construction to deliver an exceptional custom instrument fast. Once your deposit is placed, we will contact you personally to confirm every detail before your build begins.If you need an instrument sooner, explore our In Stock inventory or visit our Dealers and Showrooms pages.

How It Works

1. Customize Your Build: Select your model, pickups, hardware, and custom finishes through the builder menu. If you have custom requests or need a specific option not listed, contact us directly.
   
   
2. Place Order: Pay in full or select a 10% deposit of the base price at checkout to secure your build slot.
   
   
3. Order Review: We review every order for specs and accuracy, reaching out personally to confirm all details, wiring preferences, and artwork before production begins.
   
   
4. Build Process: Handcrafting and finishing begin in our shop. Estimated lead time is typically 3 months (14 weeks for builds featuring Nordstrand or DiMarzio pickups). 
   
5. Quality Assurance: Every instrument undergoes final assembly, thorough electronic testing, and a complete playability setup before leaving our shop.
   
   
6. Shipping: You will receive tracking details via email as soon as your bass ships securely packaged in a premium Gator gig bag. Any remaining balance must be cleared prior to dispatch.
   
   

Standard Specs & Key Features

Roasted Flame Maple Necks: Exceptionally smooth, stable, and fast-playing.Carbon Fiber Reinforcement: Dual carbon-fiber rods paired with a 2-way truss rod provide ultimate neck stability and reliability.Stainless Steel Frets: Ultra-durable frets standard for long-lasting performance and slick playability.Fully Shielded Cavities: Premium cavity shielding comes standard for quiet, noise-free operation.Custom Hand-Painted Artwork: Finished by Madelyn McGrath with complete specification confirmation on every build.

Smart Control Configurations

Your control layout is entirely customizable. We offer everything from clean, minimal setups to complex custom routing without sacrificing visual appeal:McGrath Signature Controls: Features our custom 12-Way Rotary Pickup Selector and McGrath Tilt EQ. Layout includes Master Volume (push/pull preamp bypass), 12-Way Switch, Tilt EQ, and Passive Tone.Passive Layouts: Choose a master volume, master tone, and optional tactical switches or sliders for instant pickup toggling. Alternatively, opt for an independent volume layout or a series/parallel switch to expand your tonal range.Active 18V Preamps: High-headroom 3-band EQs with push/pull active/passive switches. Configure with blend knobs, selectors, or space-saving dual-concentric stacked pots.

Timeline, Deposit & Shipping

Lead Times: Most builds ship in 3 months. Builds requiring Nordstrand or DiMarzio pickups carry a 14-week lead time.Deposit Policy: A 10% deposit applies to the base instrument price (excluding custom add-ons) and is available for US customers. Custom orders are non-refundable, and cancellations are subject to a 20% restocking fee.

Every custom bass ships safely protected in a premium McGrath hybrid case. For custom requests, contact us at info@mcgrathguitars.com.