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Mike Dirnt's Basses Pre-Fender


thisisAB

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Wow ok so this forum's changed and exploded a shit ton since I've last posted. Anyways I'm a bass player and a huge fan of Mike and bass gear and I have a few questions about the basses Mike's used before he got turned onto Fenders. I know he used a Gibson G-3 for the majority of their early career (a bass I'd love to someday purchase and have tuned half a step down) but Wikipedia says he also used the following:

Kramer 250B (no longer used)
Peavey Patriot Bass (no longer used)
Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray IV (Seen on top of the pops performance on 1/26/1995)
I fucking love Ernie Ball's and I couldn't find a video of the above performance anywhere, I'd love to see what colour combination and shit he used, as well as how that crazy bass would sound with Green Day.
And are there any pictures of Mike playing any of these basses besides the Peavey? Turns out it's been used in the Pinole Valley High show (great video btw) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-yiWXtSz_g and here's a (slightly) better quality picture of it http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxJcZXTzc9s8CbG5f3N8lU36KlLi2Owv2cZT2zXWxJwqIEInGG
Also, is the Kramer the one he used during Paper Lanterns at Woodstock? I've heard that bass is at a rock museum or something, somewhere - that be true?
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Mike owns a Gretsch Broadkaster but I can't confirm that he's ever used it live. It's also AI-era so I don't know if it's of any interest to you.

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He used a Gibson G3 alot in the Kerplunk - Insomniac Era.


358.jpg

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He used a Gibson G3 alot in the Kerplunk - Insomniac Era.

358.jpg

And he used it in Montréal during the 21st CB tour!

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One of Mike's first bass guitars was a Gibson but I can't remember which model but he also used a lot of Femders

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Mike used some Fenders back then

All-white Fender Precision in 1993

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utIuIxD1Ahk

And unknown basses in this pictures and at Duchess Of York '94 (maybe Fender Presicion too)

v167xyodvchg.jpg

p9ck4n7ui2q7.jpg

Unknown bass #2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f016jlbOZn8

Hey thanks for all the info! The white Precision must be what he recorded Dookie with. If Billie was the one who bought him his first P Bass, which I thought was Stella (I could be mistaken though) could this be Stella before he put the sticker on it (and changed the pickguard)?? I've heard mixed things about his first P-bass though...

(quote from a Fender interview)

How’d you get your very first P Bass?

Billie bought me my first P Bass. We had just started writing songs for “Nimrod.” He sent Bill Schneider, my bass tech, out to look for one. And, he got me – still to this day – probably one of my best recording P Bass guitars. It’s a ’69 Sunburst P Bass. It’s flawless!

The stickered bass looks cool, I wonder what happened to it..

And cool info about the G&L too, thanks!

If anyone finds the Ernie Ball bass I;d love to see pics of that :D

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  • 8 months later...
  • 1 month later...

Wow ok so this forum's changed and exploded a shit ton since I've last posted. Anyways I'm a bass player and a huge fan of Mike and bass gear and I have a few questions about the basses Mike's used before he got turned onto Fenders. I know he used a Gibson G-3 for the majority of their early career (a bass I'd love to someday purchase and have tuned half a step down) but Wikipedia says he also used the following:

Kramer 250B (no longer used)

Peavey Patriot Bass (no longer used)

Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray IV (Seen on top of the pops performance on 1/26/1995)

I fucking love Ernie Ball's and I couldn't find a video of the above performance anywhere, I'd love to see what colour combination and shit he used, as well as how that crazy bass would sound with Green Day.

And are there any pictures of Mike playing any of these basses besides the Peavey? Turns out it's been used in the Pinole Valley High show (great video btw) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-yiWXtSz_g and here's a (slightly) better quality picture of it http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxJcZXTzc9s8CbG5f3N8lU36KlLi2Owv2cZT2zXWxJwqIEInGG

Also, is the Kramer the one he used during Paper Lanterns at Woodstock? I've heard that bass is at a rock museum or something, somewhere - that be true?

Ummm...he also used Ernie Ball on Hotel Babylon thingy.
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  • 5 months later...

I've attempted to compile full list with pictures of Mike Dirnt's basses and other gear before 1997. I ripped the layout off Livenirvana.com's Kurt's gear guide.

1. Basses

Make/Model: Peavey Patriot
Color: Natural Brown
Pickguard: Black
Fingerboard: Maple
Pickups: S (stock Peavey Super Ferrite)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features:
Two "Sweet Children" stickers and other unidentified stickers applied to pickguard, 1989
"Very Small Records" sticker applied to front, May 1990
First recorded use: circa 1987-1988
Last recorded use: Sweet Children EP
Current state: Broken; body cracked in two
Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Gibson G-3
Color: Blonde
Pickguard: Black
Fingerboard: Maple
Pickups: S-S-S (Bill Lawrence stock single pickups)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: 1990-07-07 @ Basement, Milwaukee, WI
Last recorded use: 1996-05-18 @ FOX Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Current state: Retired from touring after its neck broke third time
Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified Precision Bass
Color: Black
Pickguard: None
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: P (Stock)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features:
"Spitboy" sticker applied to headstock

Some stickers applied to front

Matching headstock

First recorded use: 1991-05-xx @ North Shore Surf Club, Seattle, WA
Last recorded use: 1991-08-24 @ The Star Club, Tampa, FL
Current state: Unknown; replacement for Gibson G-3

Pictures: Gallery


Make/Model: Ibanez RB760BK
Color: Black
Pickguard: None
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: J-P (JV7-P5S)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-12-17 @ The Joiner's Arms, Southampton, ENG
Last recorded use: 1991-12-21 @ The Den, Wigan, ENG
Current state: Returned to owner
Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified
Color: Black/Blue sunburst
Pickguard: Unknown
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: Unknown
Bridge/tailpiece: Unknown
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-12-22 @ The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, ENG
Last recorded use: 1991-12-22 @ The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, ENG
Current state: Returned to owner

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Ibanez Roadstar II RB630
Color: Red
Pickguard: Black (Silver controls plate added due to broken pickguard?)
Fingerboard: Rosewood (Original neck was replaced with the other one)
Pickups: P (Super P4; Stock; J pickup removed)
Bridge/tailpiece: Unspecified
Features:

"Monsula" sticker applied to front
A few other stickers applied to front and back of headstock
Broken headstock

First recorded use: 1991-10-20 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: 1991-10-20 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA
Current state: Returned to Bill Schneider, owner

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified Precision Bass copy
Color: (Sunburst?)/(Black?)
Pickguard: White
Fingerboard: Maple
Pickups: Unspecified
Bridge/tailpiece: Unspecified
Features: Pickup is placed at very weird angle
First recorded use: 1991-10-20 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: 1991-10-20 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Gibson Ripper
Color: Black
Pickguard: Black
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: H-H (Bill Lawrence)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: Described to be just like Krist Novoselic's Ripper
First recorded use: Spring 1992 @ Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: Unknown (later 1992?)
Current state: Sold to Mike's friendtrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Fender Precision Bass
Color: White
Pickguard: White
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: P (Stock)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: 1993-01-27 @ The Covered Dish, Gainesville, FL
Last recorded use: 1993-05-30 @ SOMA, San Diego, CA
Current state: Unknown; replacement for Gibson G-3

Pictures: Gallery

trans.gif
Make/Model: Fender Precision Bass
Color: (Dark green?)
Pickguard: (Tortoise?)/(Black?)
Fingerboard: Maple
Pickups: P (Stock; White?)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: 1994-04-05 @ The Oz, Seattle, WA
Last recorded use: 1994-04-05 @ The Oz, Seattle, WA
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Fender Precision Bass
Color: Black
Pickguard: Unknown
Fingerboard: Unknown
Pickups: J-P (Stock)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: NRente
First recorded use: Dookie
Last recorded use: Dookie
Current state: Returned to SIR Rentalstrans.gif

Pictures: N/A

Make/Model: Gibson Victory
Color: Black
Pickguard: Black
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: H (Stock)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: Some stickers applied to the back of headstock
First recorded use: 1994-06-06 @ Astoria 2, London, ENG
Last recorded use: 1994-06-05 @ The Duchess Of York, Leeds, ENG
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Kramer 250B
Color: Natural/Blonde
Pickguard: White
Fingerboard: Ebonol
Pickups: H (Unspecified; non-stock; white)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features:

Black and silver duct tape around strap buttons

All knobs removed
First recorded use: 1994-06-10 @ Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA
Last recorded use: 1994-08-14 @ Woodstock '94, Saugerties, NY
Current state: Unknown (broken in mud fight at Woodstock?)

Pictures: Gallery

trans.gif
Make/Model: Unspecified Jazz Bass
Color: 3-Tone Sunburst
Pickguard: White
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: J-J (Stock)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: Unknown 1991-12 show (aka Punk N Core show)
Last recorded use: Unknown 1991-12 show (aka Punk N Core show)
Current state: Returned to owner

Pictures: Gallery

trans.gif
Make/Model: Music Man Stingray
Color: Blonde
Pickguard: Black
Fingerboard: Maple
Pickups: H (Stock)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: 1996-03-13 @ MTV Studios, London, ENG
Last recorded use: 1996-04-27 @ ITV Studios, Birmingham, ENG

Current state: Unknown

Pictures: Gallery

trans.gif

Make/Model: Gibson Les Paul
Color: Unspecified (Goldtop?)
Pickguard: None
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: H-H (Unspecified)
Bridge/tailpiece: Stock
Features: None
First recorded use: 1993-01-21 @ Lewis', Norfolk, VA
Last recorded use: 1993-01-21 @ Lewis', Norfolk, VA
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

2. Heads

trans.gifMake/Model: Yamaha G100 II
Features: Also used by Billie Joe
First recorded use: Circa 1989
Last recorded use: 1995 @ Geek Stink Breath music video filming
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Gallien-Krueger 400B
Features: None
First recorded use: 1989-09-09 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: 1991-06-16 @ Graduation party, Concord, CA
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Gallien-Krueger 400RB
Features: None
First recorded use: Spring 1992 @ Sproul Plaza, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: Spring 1992 @ Sproul Plaza, Berkeley, CA
Current state: Returned to owner

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Gallien-Krueger 800RB

Features: None
First recorded use: 1993-01-02 @ Silver Dollar Club, Phoenix, AZ
Last recorded use: 1994 @ "Basket Case" music video filming
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified Ampeg
Features: None
First recorded use: 1992-06-08 @ The Outhouse, Lawrence, KS (aka 1992-05-01 @ Unknown, Kansas City, MO show)
Last recorded use: 1992-06-08 @ The Outhouse, Lawrence, KS (aka 1992-05-01 @ Unknown, Kansas City, MO show)
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Marshall JMP 2203
Features: None
First recorded use: Unknown show (1991)
Last recorded use: Unknown show (1991)

Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Ampeg SVT-II (one+spare, seen at Woodstock)
Features: None
First recorded use: 1993-09-09 @ Marquee Club, Bakersfield, CA
Last recorded use: 1996-05-18 @ Fox Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Ampeg SVT-II PRO
Features: None
First recorded use: 1994-08-05 @ Randall's Island, New York, NY
Last recorded use: 1996-05-18 @ Fox Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Fender Bassman
Features: None
First recorded use: 1993-05-05 @ The Cricketer, Wigan, ENG
Last recorded use: 1993-05-05 @ The Cricketer, Wigan, ENG
Current state: Returned to owner

Pictures: Gallery
trans.gif

Make/Model: Unspecified (stereo system?)
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-11-10 @ Gryfinsky Dom Kultury, Gryfino, PL
Last recorded use: 1991-11-10 @ Gryfinsky Dom Kultury, Gryfino, PL
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Marshall JMP 50 Lead
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-12-17 @ The Joiner's Arms, Southampton, ENG
Last recorded use: 1991-12-21 @ The Den, Wigan, ENG and unknown 1991-1992 show
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified (Peavey?)
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-12-22 @ The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, ENG
Last recorded use: 1991-12-22 @ The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, ENG
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

3. Cabinets/Combostrans.gif

Make/Model: Acoustic 104; 6x10
Features: None
First recorded use: 1989-02-11 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: 1995 @ "Geek Stink Breath" music video filming
Current state: Unknown

Pictures: Gallery

trans.gif

Make/Model: Unspecified; 6x10
Features: None
First recorded use: Spring 1992 @ Sproul Plaza, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: Spring 1992 @ Sproul Plaza, Berkeley, CA

Current state: Returned to owner

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified; 4x10

Features: Misses grill cloth
First recorded use: Unknown show (1991)
Last recorded use: Unknown show (1991)
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Peavey 1810; 1x18 & 2x10

Features: None
First recorded use: 1992-06-08 @ The Outhouse, Lawrence, KS (aka 1992-05-01 @ Unknown, Kansas City, MO show)
Last recorded use: 1992-06-08 @ The Outhouse, Lawrence, KS (aka 1992-05-01 @ Unknown, Kansas City, MO show)
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified Ampeg (SVT610HLF?); 6x10
Features: None
First recorded use: Dookie
Last recorded use: Dookie
Current state: Unknown

Pictures: N/A

trans.gif
Make/Model: Ampeg SVT810E; 8x10 (2x)
Features: "Oleven" logo attached to one of the cabinets
First recorded use: 1993-09-09 @ Marquee, Andoain, SP
Last recorded use: 1996-05-18 @ FOX Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified Marshall (?); 4x10 (?)
Features: No logo
First recorded use: 1991-12-17 @ The Joiner's Arms, Southampton, ENG
Last recorded use: 1996-05-18 @ The Den, Wigan, ENG
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified (stereo system speaker?); (?)
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-11-10 @ Gryfinsky Dom Kultury, Gryfino, PL
Last recorded use: 1991-11-10 @ Gryfinsky Dom Kultury, Gryfino, PL
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Unspecified; (?)
Features: None
First recorded use: 1991-12-22 @ The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, ENG
Last recorded use: 1991-12-22 @ The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, ENG
Current state: Returned to ownertrans.gif

Pictures: N/A

4. Effects & Misc.trans.gif

Make/Model: Unspecified effect
Features: None
First recorded use: 1990-11-17 @ Playground Theater, Chicago, IL
Last recorded use: 1991-06-30 @ Unknown, McKinleyville, CA
Current state: Unknown

Pictures: Gallery

trans.gif
Make/Model: Unspecified effect
Features: None
First recorded use: Spring 1992 @ Sproul Plaza, Berkeley, CA
Last recorded use: 1993-01-12 @ McGregor's, Elmhurst, IL
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: Gallery

Make/Model: Eclair Engineering Evil Twin Tube DI
Features: None
First recorded use: Dookie
Last recorded use: Dookie
Current state: Unknowntrans.gif

Pictures: N/A

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  • 2 months later...

Settings on Gallien-Krueger 400B amp

Atten. - -10dB

Contour - Off

Bright - On

Volume - 2

Treble - 3

Hi Middle - 4

Low Middle - 8

Bass - 8

Boost - 7

Master Volume - 2

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