Pricing and availability

Average Price: $2,999

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Paul Reed Smith Gary Grainger 5 String Bass is a masterful blend of craftsmanship and innovation, designed in collaboration with renowned bassist Gary Grainger. This electric bass guitar offers a versatile tonal range and superior playability suited for both stage and studio performances. Its proprietary PRS-designed pickups deliver a rich, dynamic sound with crisp clarity and deep, resonant lows, catering to a wide array of musical styles. The combination of a sleek body and ergonomic neck ensures comfort during extended play, while the cutting-edge hardware guarantees reliable performance and tuning stability.

This bass guitar is crafted with a high level of attention to detail, featuring a maple neck and fingerboard that provide smooth action and fast response. The body’s elegant contour complements the instrument’s high-quality electronics and hardware, making it both visually stunning and acoustically impressive. Whether you're laying down funky grooves or intricate solos, the Gary Grainger 5 String Bass offers exceptional control and expressiveness.

Key Features:

  • Proprietary PRS-designed pickups for versatile tonal expression
  • Five-string configuration for extended range
  • Maple neck and fingerboard for smooth playability
  • High-quality PRS hardware for tuning stability
  • Ergonomic body shape for comfortable handling
  • Designed in collaboration with bassist Gary Grainger
  • Suitable for a wide range of musical genres

Product specs

Brand PRS
Model Gary Grainger Signature 5-String 10-Top with Maple Fretboard, Gary Grainger Signature 5-String 10-Top with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish Black Gold Burst, Blood Orange, Charcoal Burst, Faded Whale Blue, Fire Red Burst, Gray Black, Honey, Jade, McCarty Sunburst, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst, Orange Tiger, Trampas Green, Violet
Year 2013 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories 5- and 6-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 5-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Paul Reed Smith Gary Grainger 5 String Bass suitable for?

The PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass is versatile and excels in modern music applications, making it suitable for genres like jazz, funk, rock, and fusion due to its dynamic voice and versatile preamp.

What are the tonal characteristics of the PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass?

This bass offers a rich and dynamic tone with a well-balanced frequency range, thanks to its passive pickups and active preamp, which allow for quick tone shaping to suit various musical styles.

Is the PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass comfortable for long playing sessions?

Yes, the PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass features a double cutaway design and a comfortable neck profile, making it ergonomic and suitable for extended playing sessions.

What is the neck profile like on the PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass?

The neck of the PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass is crafted from maple, providing a smooth and fast playing experience ideal for intricate bass lines and solos.

Does the PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass come with different fretboard options?

Yes, this bass is available with either a maple or rosewood fretboard, allowing players to choose based on their preference for tone and feel.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

PRS Gary Grainger 5-string Bass Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Video thumbnail for PRS Gary Grainger 5-string Bass Demo - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

PRS Gary Grainger 5-string Bass Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Review Demo - PRS Guitars Grainger 5-String Bass by Premier Guitar

Review Demo - PRS Guitars Grainger 5-String Bass

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass Demo - 'GBBC' by Bassist ‘김현진’ (Hyeonjin Kim) by Music Force Official

PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass Demo - 'GBBC' by Bassist ‘김현진’ (Hyeonjin Kim)

Music Force Official

Music Force Official

Video thumbnail for PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass Model Demo (No Talking) by Music Force Official

PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass Model Demo (No Talking)

Music Force Official

Music Force Official

Video thumbnail for PRS GG GARY GRAINGER 5 STRING BASS DEMO by The Guitar Shop Canada

PRS GG GARY GRAINGER 5 STRING BASS DEMO

The Guitar Shop Canada

The Guitar Shop Canada

Video thumbnail for Ove's GearCheck | PRS Gary Grainger 5 by Ove Bosch

Ove's GearCheck | PRS Gary Grainger 5

Ove Bosch

Ove Bosch

Video thumbnail for Paul Reed Smith | Grainger 5strings Bass by 三木楽器 / MIKIGAKKI 公式チャンネル

Paul Reed Smith | Grainger 5strings Bass

三木楽器 / MIKIGAKKI 公式チャンネル

三木楽器 / MIKIGAKKI 公式チャンネル

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass.

Build quality

  • The Kingfisher's neck-through design offers impressive sustain but results in a notably heavy instrument, making extended standing play challenging.

    Source
  • The Kestrel bass features all Hipshot hardware, contributing to a darker tone compared to a Fender Jazz.

    Source

User experience

  • The Grainger bass is reported to have a sterile and lifeless tone, disappointing for its price range, despite being showroom-new.

    Source
  • The Grainger is criticized for electronic issues, deceptively marketed as a HH bass but actually functioning as a SS with dummy coils.

    Source
  • The Grainger 5 String Bass is praised for its luxurious playability and aesthetic appeal, though its high price may limit accessibility without artist pricing.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Kingfisher includes a two-band EQ, Active/Passive switch, and a rotary pickup selector for versatile sound options.

    Source
  • The Gary Grainger 5 String Bass allows for blending pickups with individual volume controls and offers coil tapping for single coil tones from bridge or neck.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The SE Kestrel and Kingfisher models are likened to Ibanez, offering similar features without a distinct advantage, making them less appealing at their price points.

    Source
  • The Kestrel model, part of PRS's SE production line, is likened to a Fender Player Series Jazz Bass in terms of design and functionality.

    Source

Other

  • Despite their build quality, PRS basses are noted for being hard to find, which may impact their accessibility and visibility in the market.

    Source

Critic Reviews

PRS Grainger 5 Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass dazzles with its striking aesthetics and versatile sound. Its mahogany body and flame-maple top are visually stunning, paired with a maple neck that ensures smooth playability. This bass shines with dynamic tones, excelling in both rock and R&B/funk settings. The innovative 18-volt preamp offers flexibility with quick tonal shifts between active and passive modes without volume drop. While some might find its modern styling polarizing, the Grainger 5 is a high-quality U.S.-made instrument at under $3,000, delivering excellent craftsmanship and a unique voice, making it a fantastic choice for contemporary bassists.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Cooper uses PRS Gary Grainger 5 String Bass

John Cooper

Singer, Bassist

Skillet

...
Verified via YouTube

For a short time during 2014 John cooper used a Paul Reed Smith Gary Grainger 5 string bass which can be seen in a few videos of Winterfest 2014.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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