About MGCS Basses
About MGCS Basses
Hi, I’m Steve Mitchell — the builder behind Mr Grey’s Custom Shop Basses.
MGCS started in a garage workshop with a simple idea: build basses the way I’d want them built if I was buying them myself.
I’m a bass player first. I gig. I rehearse. I obsess over setup. I know what it feels like when an instrument just clicks — when the neck sits right in your hand, when the balance is spot on, when the tone feels alive rather than polite. That’s the standard every MGCS build has to meet.
Every bass is built by me, by hand, in the UK. I select the wood, shape the body, cut the neck pocket, wire the electronics, spray the finish, and set it up ready to play. No production lines. No outsourcing. No rushing it out the door. No two basses are ever the same.
I work in very small numbers so I can focus on the details:
- Solid, stable construction
- Thoughtful wood pairings
- Clean wiring and quality components
- Comfortable, player-focused setups
- Finishes that show character, not plastic perfection
Some builds are classic-inspired. Some lean more individual. But they all have the same goal: to be instruments that feel honest, responsive and inspiring in your hands.
I’m not trying to compete with factory brands. I’m building basses for players who want something with personality — something made by someone who actually plays the instrument.
Every instrument from Mr Grey’s Custom Shop is built and finished by hand.
That means care, attention and individuality — not factory-line uniformity.
While every bass is inspected and finished to a professional standard, minor cosmetic variations can occasionally occur. These do not affect playability, tone or structural integrity — they’re simply part of a genuinely handbuilt instrument.
Perfection is the goal. Character is inevitable.
Made to play. Built to last.
— Steve
MGCS Basses
About MGCS Basses
Why do I use aftermarket necks?
At MGCS, every element of a build is considered carefully — including the neck
.
Rather than producing necks entirely in-house, we partner with specialist neck manufacturers who focus exclusively on precision neck construction. These workshops are equipped with advanced machinery, controlled timber storage, and years of dedicated experience in producing consistently stable, accurately fretted necks to an exceptional standard.
This collaborative approach allows MGCS to focus on what defines each instrument:
- Carefully selected tonewoods
- Thoughtful body shaping and balance
- Hand-applied finishes
- Clean, reliable electronics
- Detailed setup and final voicing
A bass neck is the structural and tactile foundation of the instrument. By sourcing from established specialists, we ensure:
- Properly seasoned and stable timber
- Accurate fret slotting and truss rod installation
- Consistency across builds
- Long-term reliability
- Reduced build times
- We can re-finish as necessary
Every neck is still inspected, fitted, dressed and professionally set up in-house before an instrument leaves the workshop.
This approach ensures quality without compromise — while also keeping our instruments competitively priced within the boutique market. By partnering with dedicated specialists where it makes sense, we’re able to deliver premium materials and hardware without inflating cost unnecessarily.
The result is an MGCS bass that feels refined, plays effortlessly, and performs reliably — built with intention at every stage.
The Workshop
Every MGCS bass is built in my UK workshop, where traditional hands-on craftsmanship meets modern precision tools. The workshop is designed around one principle: consistency.
Custom instruments demand precision, and precision demands the right environment. The space is organised into clearly defined areas for machining, preparation, finishing and final assembly. Woodworking and spray work are kept separate, and final builds are completed in a dedicated clean assembly area to ensure finishes and hardware are handled in a controlled, dust-free space.
Timber preparation begins on professional-grade machinery including a precision table saw and dedicated bandsaw, ensuring accurate cuts and properly prepared blanks from the very start. Routing, surfacing and template work are carried out using high-quality equipment designed for repeatable tolerances and clean results.
Finishing is completed in-house under controlled conditions, allowing full oversight from raw timber to final polish. Once cured, instruments move to the clean assembly area for hardware installation, electronics fitting and a detailed final setup.
Every stage is deliberate.
Every stage is inspected.
Nothing leaves the workshop without being properly dialled in.
This isn’t volume production. It’s controlled craftsmanship — with standards you can rely on.
Made to Play. Built to Last.
Professional Workshop Equipment
At Mr Grey’s Custom Shop, every instrument is built using professional-grade, state-of-the-art woodworking equipment designed for precision, repeatability and clean results.
The workshop is equipped with a dedicated bandsaw for accurate body blank preparation and shaping, along with a precision table saw for clean, straight cuts and reliable jointing work. These core machines form the backbone of the build process, ensuring timber is prepared correctly before any routing or shaping begins.
From there, high-quality routers and dedicated surfacing systems handle template work, neck pockets, cavities and thicknessing — all carried out with accuracy and consistency in mind.
Modern tooling doesn’t replace craftsmanship — it supports it.
The result:
- Clean, accurate body outlines
- Tight neck pocket fitment
- Consistent thickness and flat reference surfaces
- Reliable hardware alignment
- Professional-level finishing preparation
Technology provides precision.
Experience provides judgement.
Both matter.
Made to Play. Built to Last.
In-House Spray & Finishing
At Mr Grey’s Custom Shop, every finish is done in-house.
We don’t outsource spraying. We don’t ship bodies off and hope for the best. From grain prep and sealing to colour coats, clear coats and final polishing, the entire finishing process happens right here in the workshop.
That means:
- Full control over quality
- Consistency from start to finish
- Attention to detail at every stage
- The ability to fix, refine and perfect as we go
Whether it’s deep nitro gloss, satin oil finishes, hard wax oil, or subtle bursts, each instrument is sprayed and finished with patience and precision — not rushed through a production booth.
Finishing is where a build comes alive. It’s also where shortcuts show.
We don’t take them.
A reminder: nitrocellulose finishes take time to cure properly. if you specify a nitro finish, that time is built into every MGCS build
Made to Play. Built to Last.
Dedicated Clean Assembly Area
Spraying and woodworking create dust. Dust and final assembly don’t mix.
That’s why MGCS operates a separate clean build and assembly space away from machining and prep work. Once a finish has cured, instruments move into a controlled, clean environment for:
- Hardware installation
- Electronics fitting
- Final setup and adjustment
- Inspection and dial-in
This ensures your bass isn’t being assembled next to a pile of sawdust and a screaming router.
Every stage has its own space.
Every detail gets proper attention.
Made to Play. Built to Last.
Custom Builds
Our Ethos
At Mr Grey’s Custom Shop, custom really means custom.
If you’ve got an idea — even a half-formed, scribbled-on-the-back-of-a-gig-poster idea — we’ll work with you to turn it into a bass that fits you.
From wood choices and finishes to hardware, pickups, neck feel and overall vibe, we’ll guide you through the options, explain the pros and cons in plain English, and help shape a build that suits your playing style, sound, and budget. No upselling, no waffle, no “because that’s how Fender did it in 1963”.
Whether you want something vintage-inspired, modern and aggressive, or a one-off piece that simply shouldn’t exist but absolutely does, the process is collaborative from first chat to final setup.
Built properly. Built to be played. Built with you — not just handed to you in a box.
Custom Order Process
1. The Conversation
Every build starts with a proper chat.
What do you play? What do you love? What do you hate? Vintage thump? Modern punch? Something that sounds like it could level a small village?
We’ll talk woods, scale length, neck profile, pickups, hardware, finish options and budget. If you’re not sure what you want yet, that’s fine — that’s what I’m here for.
2. Spec & Quote
Once we’ve shaped the idea, I’ll put together a clear specification and fixed price.
No mystery charges. No “oh by the way” extras halfway through.
You’ll know exactly what you’re getting — and why.
3. Deposit & Build Slot
A deposit secures your place in the build schedule.
Because these aren’t factory-line instruments, each one gets proper time and attention.
Good things take a little patience. (So does nitro.) Build timescale estimate given with quote.
4. The Build
Throughout the process, you’ll get updates and photos as your bass comes to life — from raw timber to final assembly.
Bodies are crafted in-house at Mr Grey’s Custom Shop, paired with premium aftermarket necks to ensure consistency, stability and value. Every component is chosen with performance and tone in mind.
No rush jobs. No shortcuts. No “that’ll do”.
5. Final Setup & Handover
Once finished, your bass is fully assembled, dialled in and professionally set up — ready to plug in and get to work.
Action, intonation, feel — all adjusted to suit your playing style before it leaves the workshop.
Then it’s yours.
Aftercare and Support
Questions after delivery? Want tweaks down the line?
I don’t disappear once the case closes.
If your bass has my name on it, I stand behind it.
Structural warranty on workmanship. Setup tweaks within 3 months for free.
Current Stock Basses For Sale
Walnut and Sapele Jazz Bass £950
Walnut and Sapele Jazz Bass £950
Walnut and Sapele Jazz Bass £950
If you like your Jazz basses with proper vintage tone but a boutique feel, this walnut and elm build delivers in spades. Nitro finished and loaded with Fender Pure Vintage ’66 pickups, it combines classic tone with premium components throughout.
This is an original MGCS custom build in excellent condition, fully set up and ready to gig or record.
Weight: 9.8lbs
Condition: There is a small cosmetic touch-in to the finish from a minor knock during assembly, now levelled and stable. Purely cosmetic and only visible on close inspection.
Setup: Low action, clean frets, professionally adjusted
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Construction & Specification
• Walnut top with elm body
• Roasted maple neck
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Nitrocellulose finish
• Fender Pure Vintage ’66 Jazz Bass pickups
• Bloodstone Guitarworks loom
• Hipshot bridge
• Guyker tuners
• Schaller strap lock buttons
• Fresh D’Addario EXL strings
• Supplied with gig bag
Walnut Shortscale P Bass £625
Walnut and Sapele Jazz Bass £950
Walnut and Sapele Jazz Bass £950
For sale is the latest bass from the MGCS Workshop — a hand-built 30” short-scale bass designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and genuinely fun to play, without sacrificing low-end authority. I’m happy for the buyer to come and try the bass in person with no obligation to buy if it’s not for you.
This is the kind of bass you reach for more often: compact, well balanced on a strap, easy on the fretting hand, and still capable of sitting properly in a band mix. Supplied with a new Fender short-scale gig bag.
A solid one-piece walnut body keeps the weight sensible while delivering a warm, punchy tone. The maple neck has been fully fettled in-house with levelled, dressed and polished frets, rolled fretboard edges, and a Graphtech Tusq nut for smooth, stable playability.
A custom pickup ring and control plate have been used to show as much of the beautifully figured walnut as possible, keeping the look clean and purposeful.
Carefully assembled, wired and set up in-house using upgraded hardware and UK-sourced electronics throughout. This is a finished, dialled-in instrument — not a project.
MGCS Basses “Made to play. Built to last.”
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Specifications
• Scale length: 30” short scale
• Body: One-piece solid walnut, hand-sanded, finishing oil, nitro clear lacquer
• Neck: Maple, adjustable truss rod, Graphtech Tusq 38 mm nut
• Fingerboard: Maple, rolled edges
• Frets: Levelled, dressed and polished
• Pickups: Tone Emporium TE18
• Wiring loom: Bloodstone Guitarworks (UK) with CTS USA pots, .022 µF capacitor
• Tuners: Retrovibe lightweight
• Bridge: High-mass style
• Controls: Volume / Tone with custom metal control plate
• Strings: D’Addario XL .045–.105
• Strap buttons: Schaller-type
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Condition
• Excellent overall condition
• One-off, hand-built instrument
• Minor cosmetic marks consistent with a thin nitro clear over natural wood (see photos)
• Fully functional, recently set up, and ready to play
This is not a factory instrument — it’s a custom bass with real wood character and individual personality. Build photos available.
Sapele P Bass £575
Walnut and Sapele Jazz Bass £950
Sapele P Bass £575
For sale is a hand-built MGCS Precision-style bass, built as a reliable, great-playing instrument using proven components and a comfortable, gig-ready setup.
This is a completed and fully set-up build — not a project — and it plays cleanly and confidently across the neck.
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Specifications
• Body: One-piece sapele
• Finish: Hand-sanded oil finish with durable clear topcoat
• Neck: Wenge with custom headstock
• Fretwork: Fully levelled, crowned & dressed
• Tuners: Hipshot USA Ultralite
• Bridge: Gotoh
• Pickups: Tonerider Precision Plus
• Wiring: Bloodstone Guitarworks loom
• Strings: D’Addario XL (.045–.105), recently fitted
• Strap buttons: Schaller-type
• Includes: gig bag
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Playability & Tone
The wenge neck has a smooth, comfortable feel with rounded fretboard edges and clean fretwork throughout.
Action is set low and comfortable with stable tuning and no dead spots.
Tonally, it delivers classic Precision-style punch — strong fundamental, solid low end and clear mid presence that sits well in a band mix. A dependable bass for rock, pop and general gigging use.
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Condition
This is a hand-built instrument and has a few minor cosmetic marks consistent with workshop assembly and handling.
There is also a professionally filled former string tree hole in headstock. This is cosmetic only and does not affect stability or performance.
There are no cracks, structural issues or functional faults. The bass is stable, properly set up and ready to play.