McGrath Bass Builder
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Read reviewsBuilt to order in about 3 months (14 weeks with Nordstrand or DiMarzio). We confirm every detail with you before we start.
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What people are building
Real basses players have ordered from this builder. Open any of them, make it yours, and reserve it with a deposit.
P 4-string in Violet Storm
Three EMG MM-HZ pickups, EMG B30 EQ, ash body, roasted flame maple board
Ordered yesterday
Start from this build
P 4-string in Black Sands
EMG HZ Thunderhorse with the McGrath 12-way, EMG B30 EQ, ash body
Ordered yesterday
Start from this build
P 5-string in Aquamarine
Nordstrand Big Blade set, Tilt EQ, 12-way, ebony board, matching headstock
Ordered 3 days ago
Start from this build
P 4-string in Voodoo Blue
Nordstrand Big BladeMan pair, Tilt EQ, mahogany body, roasted flame maple board
Ordered 7 days ago
Start from this build
P 4-string in Inca Silver
Lindy Fralin P, gold Badass bridge, cream pickguard, alder body
Ordered Sep 22
Start from this build
J 5-string in Satin Black
Three EMG 40J pickups, ebony board, matching headstock
Ordered Sep 22
Start from this build
P 4-string in Race Red
Lollar Thunderbird pair, Tilt EQ, tortoise pickguard, matching headstock
Ordered Sep 18
Start from this build
Short-scale P in Orbital Ink
Lollar Thumper, pearl pickguard, mahogany body, matching headstock
Ordered Aug 20
Start from this build
Fretless J 4-string in Vice City
Lindy Fralin pickups, nickel MassKicker, ebony board, matching headstock
Ordered Aug 8
Start from this build
Short-scale P in Coffee
Nordstrand Zen Blade and NP4V, ash body, tortoise pickguard
Ordered Aug 5
Start from this build
Short-scale J in Black Sands
Gold hardware, black sparkle pickguard, mahogany body, matching headstock
Ordered Aug 1
Start from this buildFrom the workshop
Fresh off the bench
McGrath ProTec hybrid gig bag included
Every Bass Builder bass ships in our padded ProTec hybrid gig bag, free to anywhere in the US.
McGrath Custom Bass Guitar Builder - Handmade P, J & Rebel Basses
$1,999.00
McGrath Guitars Bass Builder
Thanks for checking out our Bass Builder! Madelyn hand-drew every part of it, and we’re always adding new options. Design the bass you’ve been imagining, and we’ll build it with premium components and rock-solid construction.
After you order, we’ll contact you personally to confirm every detail before your build begins. Need a bass sooner? Browse our In-Stock Instruments or visit one of our Dealers.
How It Works
1. Design Your Bass: Choose your model, pickups, hardware, and finish in the builder. Want something that isn’t listed? Just ask.
2. Place Your Order: Reserve your build slot with a 25% deposit of your build price, or pay in full.
3. We Review It Together: We check every order for specs and accuracy, then reach out to confirm the details, wiring preferences, and artwork before we start.
4. We Build It: Your bass is handcrafted, painted, and finished in our San Diego shop.
5. Final Setup: Every instrument gets final assembly, full electronics testing, and a complete playability setup before it leaves the shop.
6. It Ships: Once any remaining balance is paid, your bass ships in a hybrid case and you’ll get tracking by email.
Standard Specs
- Roasted flame maple neck
- Dual carbon fiber reinforcement
- Stainless steel frets
- Fully shielded cavities
- Custom hand-painted artwork by Madelyn McGrath (except solid colors)
Active Electronics with McGrath Tilt EQ
1 pickup: Master volume (push/pull preamp bypass), McGrath Tilt EQ, master tone.
2 pickups: Master volume (push/pull preamp bypass), second pickup volume, McGrath Tilt EQ, master tone.
3 pickups: Master volume (push/pull preamp bypass), our McGrath Switch (12-way rotary pickup selector), McGrath Tilt EQ, master tone.
Output jack:
- Active P-Style: side-mounted jack.
- J-Style with 3 knobs: jack on the control plate.
- J-Style with 4 knobs: side-mounted jack.
- Rebel: always a side-mounted jack.
Passive P-Style Electronics
Controls: A volume for each pickup (the first volume has a push/pull mute) and a master tone.
Output jack: Top-mounted.
Want something different? We also offer custom passive layouts, a high-headroom 18V active 3-band EQ, toggle switches, sliders, and stacked concentric pots.
Timeline, Deposit & Shipping
Lead time: Most builds ship in about 12 weeks. Builds with Nordstrand or DiMarzio pickups take about 14 weeks.
Deposit:
Reserve your build slot with a 25% deposit of your build price, or pay in full. The remaining balance is due before your bass ships.
Cancellations: Your deposit is fully refundable until we confirm your specs and begin your build. Once your build begins, it’s made just for you and is non-refundable.
Included: Every custom bass ships in a McGrath x Protec hybrid case.
Questions before you order? Email info@mcgrathguitars.com. We’re happy to talk through options by email or video call.