Ibanez Mikro GSRM20 short scale bass. Demonstration & review
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- Опубліковано 12 чер 2024
- In this unsponsored video, we will explore the available sounds on this super short scale (28.6") Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro 4 string bass. We will then discuss the good things and the shortcomings of this bass. Can such a short bass sound good? If you work around the shortcomings, I think it can!!
The bass was recorded direct through a Line6 Pod Go with my usual GK800RB model settings. No EQ or compression was added in post.
*For the best sonic experience, headphones or quality speakers are recommended.
00:00 Intro
00:14 Quick Specs
00:51 Sounds
07:27 Track
08:53 Assessment
jonathanwong.bandcamp.com
Let me start by Thanking You for not saying, "This bass is good for children or people with small hands." The normal go-to for people reviewing this bass.
After two shoulder surgeries I found this bass to be extremely comfortable, and a joy to play. Was very pleased Ibanez makes a Left-Handed short-scale bass.
I have D'addario flatwound (45 to 100) strings and play mostly jazz & Gypsy Jazz.
Looking forward to giving it a much needed rest when my Sire U5 fretless arrives.
Thanks for a nice review on my bass.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your story!
Torn rotator cuff and arthritis got me interested in short scales. There awesome.
Best money I've spent on a guitar, and only $200. For comparison, I bought an Epiphone SG modern with all bells and whistles for about $600 and 3 years later am still trying to "like" it, but this Mikro bass made me smile from the first touch in the guitar shop and had me all over it for hours after I got it home. Also, I have a full scale Ibanez, also low end ($280) and BOTH of them have the most amazing feel to their necks. Superb.
Ibanez has always had a way with nice feeling necks! I’m so glad you had a good experience!
Thanks for watching and sharing!
After watching quite a few videos about this Ibanez GSRM20 GIO bass I can say that yours is the best, most profound review of this instrument! And so are your other videos. Well crafted videos, with a really good sound, no blatant self-promotion, just honest work representing the love for basses.
Thank you very much for your efforts!
You are so kind for saying that! Thank you so much for the encouragement! Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music can this guitar be used for gospel ?
@@mickie43768 I don't see why not! I suppose it will depend on what kind of gospel music we are talking about. Due to the nature of the design, and the size/scale length, and the fact that it only has 4 strings, it will likely never sound like a 5 or 6 string Ken Smith or a MTD, which tend to be more 'Gospel chops' type basses. However, this exact bass is used by the bass player in the church band I lead, so in that sense, it absolutely can be used for contemporary church music!
Thanks for watching!
This video prompted me to get out my Mikro for the first time in a while. For anyone considering one, the simple answer is, it's great bang for the buck. Incredible ergonomics: very light, extremely well balanced and comfortable, with thoughtfully rounded body edges. Easily the most comfortable of all my basses. The frets are dressed well. With a little setup work, you can get pretty good intonation and low action. The pickups are hot and the tones a little coarse, so while you can play different genres on this, it's especially suited for hard rock or metal. This thing is small but puches hard. The control knobs have a little static crackle sometimes, and they don't offer subtle gradations of tone or volume, but they're effective enough for a very inexpensive instrument. The cable jack is strong. The styling is simple and attractice and neither too retro nor too modern or odd. If you're up for a short scale, this is definitely one to try, particularly as a first bass or travel bass. (It's not much bigger than a typical electric guitar.)
Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your thoughts on your Mikro!
Thank you, this presentation was very helpful in me understanding what I have. I'm a novice bass player and I'm using an Orange 50 am. My main sound is Latin and African Jazz percussion but I've always wanted to play bass, your video will help me get started, thanks again.
Welcome to bass! Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for the video. This is one I've been meaning to try out sometime myself as a short scale option.
Thanks for watching! This example played better than I thought it would. I might hang onto it and swap the pickups, as a fun experiment.
A great, to-the-point review. I've watched many videos of this bass; yours is the best. The brown truck brings mine today.
Thanks so much for watching and for the encouragement! Much appreciated!! Hope you enjoy your Mikro!
I just bought the 5-string version. I love it so far. Thanks for the review.
The mezzo 5? Looks great. Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music No, I think jb791505 meant the mikro 5 strings version, which is the GSRM25.
Enjoyed your review and learned a lot. Also, learned a lot from your comparison of this bass to the Squier Mini. I started playing bass three years ago on a Kala u-bass. Enjoy that one, but seriously considering adding the Ibanez. For me it will be a longer scale (28.6” vs 20”), but the scale and body shape will give me more access to notes up the neck.
Thanks so much for watching and for your kind words! I just uploaded a video on the Jackson minion if you'd like another 28.6" bass to consider!
Great review! I recently bought a Mikro 5 string. I will try the tone settings you recommended.
Thanks for watching!!
I listened and watched this video prob 10+x to pick up some of your bass chops . Very cool and funky . I just received my Mikro yesterday to add to my Fender Squier Mini bass . The Ibanez Mikro has a fatter rounder neck in the back but the width is exactly the same as the Squier Mini neck . Mikro feels heavier than the Squier Mini but not by much . The sound and feel of the Ibanez Mikro feels a slight more solid than the Mini and the sound is a bit better / different than the Mini also . The setup was very very good upon arrival but I did tweak it more to my preference. All in all I love both basses and i consider them my 2 kids now . They each have their own feel and playability. Thank you for your video and nice bass lines .
I think the stock Mikro P pickup is darker and rounder than the stock mini P pickup. I’m glad you’re liking them! I made a comparison video of these two with different genres/styles, which I’m sure you’ve seen!
Thanks for watching and for the encouragement!
I love this bass ! Great sound , and easy to play, even with my damaged fingers (sport).
Bought an Orange Amp . These two are unbeatable ❤
Thanks for watching! Ibanez + orange = rock on!
Excellent review.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Nice review 👍🏻
Thanks for watching!!
Beginner bass players here. Just picked up a Mikro as my first guitar. Grabbed a used one in excellent condition for $75. Nice review.
Thanks for watching! How you like your Mikro!
You’ve done by far the best review of the GSRM20. Guitar Center has them on sale for $160 through Black Friday and has a liberal return policy, so I couldn’t resist trying it out. I’m primarily a guitarist but would like to have a bass available for multitrack recording. The short scale and light weight makes the transition from guitar relatively easy. I think with a bit of EQ the tone will fill the bill. The lowest few notes do seem a little flabby (which to me means having some weird harmonics) but some of that may be my imprecise fretting on a scale a bit longer than I’m used to.
Thanks so much for watching and for the encouragement!! That’s an awesome deal! I hope it fills in the low end on your tracks! Thanks again!
I bought this bass a few years ago, and it's perfect for what I need. In fact, I feel like I am the target market for this bass. I'm a guitar player who wants to dabble in the bass (poorly, I might add!), lay down a simple bass track in Garage Band every now and again, or be an emergency backup substitute bass player at church. The reason I like it so much is because the scale length is so close to a guitar. Playing a full-scale bass feels so foreign to me, but this little Ibanez feels natural. I will say there are a few downsides: mine is kind of hard to keep in tune, and it has pretty bad intonation up the neck. But it's 100% good enough for what I need.
Great review!
Thanks for watching! Short scale basses, in general, are a little more difficult to accurately intonate than full scales. The super shorts (
I play both bass and guitar (and surprise - both are short scales!) so I get it :)
@@yeoldefoxeh254 right on! Doubling and instrument changes is way easier with a more similar scale length! For me, switching between short scale basses and cello has become waaaay easier (~30" vs 27" on the cello)
Try a Graphtech XL nut. They have Teflon in the material, that let's the strings glide and stay in tune.
@@sniperturtle1 nice suggestion! On these super short scale basses, I hypothesize that the big strings create a different palette of overtones that seem to clutter and confuse the tuner. But having a stable, smooth gliding nut is always a welcome addition! Thanks for commenting and watching!
Hi Jonathan! I was supposed to buy a Squire mini to make a fretless. I changed my mind and I'm going with the Mikro. Like you told me it offers more possibilities, plus I like the satin look on the Walnut version. Thanks again for helping me make my choice!
The walnut stain looks classy! Especially for a fretless. One of my all time favourite fretlesses is the original Ibanez Gary Willis GWB1. I had an early serial #, MIJ GWB1 and I still miss it. (it got to be too big for me to play due to my arthritic and inflamed hands/joints...I also had it strung E-C!). I do like the Soundgear body shape.
Thanks for letting us know!
Hi Jonathan, thanks for taking the time and effort to review the GSRM20. I thought your overall was positive, allowing for the price of the bass (In the UK they sell from around £190 to £220 depending on the finish). I like to mix the pickups on my Mikro with the emphasis being on the neck pickup and the tone around 30%. I find the shorter scale and lightweight body a joy to play. Just a couple of questions for you! Firstly, would you be comfortable playing a gig with this instrument
and secondly how did it compare with the Squier Mini P that you recently reviewed? I have both basses but have to say the Mikro wins for me because of the options it allows me. Thanks again and all the best
Thanks for watching and commenting!!
I have re-rented the Squire mini P so I can shoot a comparison video, so stay tuned!
For me, I think the Mikro’s body shape and neck is more comfortable for me to play. But that’s my body shape and arm size etc…. Tone-wise, I also think the Mikro wins by a hair. The reverse P likely is responsible for that. The D and G strings on the Mini P are more strident and less warm. Would I gig it? I think I would! (Would be nice to have a small bass for tight stages/pits or for outdoor gigs where you don’t want to bring a more expensive instrument). In fact, I’m toying with the idea of keeping this Mikro and putting EMG geezers in it, as I do feel the electronics are holding it back. Having said that, it’s possible it’ll sound worse with ‘better’ pickups….stay tuned!
Yes, they are awesome!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Hello Jonathan,
yesterday I drove up to the instrument shop, to buy an Ibanez Mikro. 300 kilometers roundtrip. However, I returned home without any. 8-(
When I unpacked the bass in the store, it made a good oberall impression. Well built, good craftsmanship, a really nice instrument. Physically.
But then I plugged it into one of the amps in the showroom...... and sounded aweful! Like a Telecaster. (I like Telecaster, but not as a bass!) I tested all amps in the showroom, and whichever I used, it sounded more or less equally ugly!
The strings were roundwound, as always. And I know that r/w have quite some more overtones, which make r/w sound twangy. But I never ever have had such a Telecaster sound on any of my basses with r/w.
Next thing I noticed was, that the intonation was poor. Even on the third fret, the tone moved uo a few cent. But when playing a while, the strings got kind of stretched and then intonation was okay.
But the D and G strings were significantly louder than the E and A, when using the P-pickup. On the J-pickup they were equally loud. Probably solvable by adjusting the height of the P-p/u. But astonishing.
But.... the worst is still to come. Both pickup-controls were working only on the last 2 millimeters. There were merely on/off-switches! No chance to blend the p/u with any lower percentage to modify the sound.
I tested one freshly unpacked (my intended one) and then one from the display in the showroom. Both had the same quirks (execpt the intonation).
They both were far from the sound in your presentation video. Note, the bass from the hook at the showroom have had a lower action. Likely setup by the store. No problem at all for the comparison.
The bass itself is 215 EURO, new strings (okay, granted, I prefer flatwounds), but also new controls / new pickup, move the price more into the 500 EURO zone. Then I could better choose an instrument with less problems. Perhaps the new Kala Solid Body or, way more expensive, a fretless Tiny Boy?
The ones I tested had the production date of March 2023 printed on their paper-label. My guesstimate is, that Ibanez (as all manufacterers do) installs different different electronic hardware over the years. One has to keep that in mind when comparing instruments of the same brand. Its like different years of wine.
I am a bit unhappy now . Well, I do not need that bass. But I was eagerly anticipation this new toy for me.
Anyway, the search continues! Boys remain boys.
Oh man!! I am so sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience.....I will admit that the demo bass I played and recorded required setup work in the form of neck adjustments, pickup height adjustments and intonation. *However, aside from setup, I can assure you that there was not any other funny business, trickery, or misleading representation of the bass in my hand. I've heard that the covid era has affected the quality control in many guitar factories, big and small. The good part of your story is that you found the issues before giving away your hard earned money and that you won't need to worry about return shipping (had you bought it online) or other forms of time wasted.
I wish you better luck with the next bass! Hope it is a better experience. Thanks for letting me know.
good review
Thanks for the feedback and for watching!
Thanks. You helped me make a decision, I already have the same blue one
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Yes, me too. Adorama sent me an email with a great offer for a black one of these so I looked for a review and found yours. I like your style of presentation and I have ordered the GSRM20 - I've got several guitars including Strats, been playing for just over 2 years now and was thinking about a bass to learn on and maybe lay down some backing tracks.
@@tedmawson260 Awesome to hear! Thank you. I hope you enjoy the Mikro! Thanks for watching!
Jonathan, thanks for the reply. My GSRM20 hasn't shipped yet but I'm supposed to get it in 2 days (Wed Nov 8th). I use D'Addario half round strings on my Strats; I see there are D'Addario flat wound Chromes available for short scale bass; what strings would you recommend?
@@tedmawson260 good question. The 28.6” scale makes things trickier. I made a whole video dedicated to finding strings for short scales.
The tricky thing is finding the correct string wound length. Especially important for flats as they can break and unwind around the tuning post if it’s the wrong length. Having said that, there are mixed experiences whether a short scale 30” string will work. Labella makes a flatwound specifically for 28.6” mini P. Otherwise, options are pretty limited unfortunately
I’ve owned this bass for a few years and I swapped the bridge for a hipshot bridge and it’s awesome
A or B hipshot bridge? That’s awesome! Thanks for watching!
Can you please tell us what specific Hipshot bridge you got for it?
Great video! I'm looking forward in making this my first bass. Mind if I ask what amplifier you have paired it up with? I'm still kind of new to all of this so any tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated 🙏 thank you!!
Thanks for watching! In the video, I recorded the bass direct through a Line6 Pod Go, there's no amp in the signal chain at all.
For my bass amps, I use either an old/vintage Gallien Krueger 800RB head or a Aguilar Tone hammer 350 going into a custom V Boutique 110 cab. But I almost never use that setup live. It's amazing how different those two heads sound.
Live, I use the Line6 Pod Go into a powered PA speaker. If I'm bringing my own, I'll use my QSC CP12. I just use one. If there's provided backline, I run my Line6 direct and use the monitors.
Last time I used 'real' bass amp rigs (eg Amp SVT 810) live was around 2004, when I was a younger man.....I simply can't most that stuff around anymore. So I bring the smallest, leanest stuff I can.
So it's not a 'new to bass' setup, unfortunately. If you are new to the instrument, I would suggest any number of solid state combo amps out there in the market. Most amps these days sound pretty good without much knob twiddling. The little Boss katana amp is amazing for the price!
Arthritis and a torn rotator cuff kept me from playing. Bought that little bass and couldn’t put it down. I did have to file down some sharp fret edges. It sold me on short scale basses. Worth investing in a higher quality instrument if your an experienced player but this bass is a good buy.
I hear you re arthritis. It was my autoimmune skin/joint/muscle disease that got me into short scales! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I got one of these because I'm really a guitarist. And I thought it would make swapping instruments easy. But it has the massive drawback that the E string when tuned correctly just doesn't have the tension it needs because of the scale length.
Ended up getting a full size Jazz Bass.
Fair enough. The 28.6” scale length is not for everyone. I, myself, prefer 30.5” as I find the 28.6 a bit cramped. In the end, one has to be comfortable with your instrument. Only then can the focus be on the music, instead of the instrument. Due to medical illness, I had to play shorter instruments otherwise it was waaaay too uncomfortable and painful to play. Took away the focus on the music.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Jonathan, I’m a huge fan of your reviews, they’re both honest and informative. I’d pretty much decided on this Ibanez as my first bass, but after enjoying the series on modding the Squier Bronco I’m now undecided. Unfortunately there isn’t a music shop nearby where I can try them both. Size and weight are a major factor for me due to injuries, hence opting for a short scale. Which of the two would you choose if you were me?
Thanks so much for the encouragement and for watching! Modding isn’t for everyone, and if you make non-reversible changes like routing the body or new holes, you’ve destroyed the resale value (even if the mod sounds fantastic!). The 28.6” scales are small, so left up to my own preferences, I prefer a 30” scale. But that is purely a feel thing for me. The Mikro is a solid bass, though. A few viewers have commented on quality control issues, but unfortunately that’s found in all overseas guitar manufacturing and can be unpredictable.
Sorry for confusing your choice! In a few weeks, I plan on a new series about modding a squier mini p with different pickups. We will see where that takes us!
Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music Thanks for the reply Jonathan.
Good luck!
Thanks, I bought the Bronco and am really pleased with it. 👍
Just saw this. That’s awesome! I’m so glad you’re pleased with the instrument!
I like that bridge pickup @ 25% tone very much. With my eyes shut, I'm not sure I would know it was a short scale. A sub 250USD short scale? No way. Great value for money bass. Thanks for your review.
I agree, this bass sounds better with the tone knob dialed down-fatter sounding! I’ve heard of some QC issues from viewers so best to try before you buy if possible, but the demo bass I had was pretty good in that regard!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Very helpful review. Thank you. Are you able to tell me please how it balances on a strap. Does have the typical short scale bass neck dive?
This particular Mikro balanced very well. It has a shorter and smaller headstock compared to a fender shaped object, which helps in that department. The caveat here is that I’ve had a chance to try bunch of different Mikros and there is a large variation in overall weight, so the balance points are not consistent. Overall, it does balance better than the squier equivalent.
Thanks for watching!
My first bass and still my favorite to practice with.
I just feel so much more comfortable playing this
than a full scale bass.
Thanks for watching! It’s a fun compact bass!
I have a Ibanez GSR 200 same red, same JP pickups, same bridge and all but it's a 34 inch scale.. This GSRM 20 seems exatly my 200 in video! Mine 200 has a pair of frets not so precise but, for the rest, it's a good entry level instrument with a good precision sound.
Yeah! Ibanez makes great instruments at all the price points! Thanks for watching!
Greeting from Brussels (Belgium)
Thanks for watching from across the ocean! I played a gig in Liege many many years ago. Beautiful city and country.
A bass like this, in prestige brands, is twice the price !
At least! Although not many makers are making more modern styled short scales. Spector makes the bantam. Otherwise, most are FSOs (Fender shaped objects)!
Always wondered about this bass . . . Might make a great cheap Piccolo bass with the P-bass pickup . . . .
It totally would! Piccolo set with distortion. Play like joe satriani!
@@jonathanwong458music So Cool!
I'm considering this model to put lighter strings on and go up 1 octave for Piccolo. Would the pickups be suited for that?
I had a similar thought (strung octave up)! I previously had the D'addario piccolo set on a 34" bass. It was fun and different!
In terms of pickups, I think it would depend on your tonal goals - the stock pickups would certainly work. Do you want it to sound like a bass... vs, a jazz box front p/u type sound, or a shredder 80s super Strat type sound (with distortion, effects etc). Lots of options!
Thanks for watching and asking!
It has fairly neutral sounds, so a little more versatility.
It also seems comfortable.
It's a very successful bass
It’s a comfy bass! Thanks for watching and commenting!
This is the bass that turned me from a guitarist who dabbles on bass into a bassist who dabbles on guitar.
That’s so awesome! Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for your vid. How much does it weigh?
Feels very light weight. This particular one was under 8 lbs. thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music ok. Thanks mate
Could you screw down the pickups to counter the hotness?
Yes you could. There’s lots of room to do that on this bass. I adjust pickup height based on tone, so the lower (further away from the string) you go, the tone will start to lose some richness and body. But every bass behaves slightly differently, just have to find the sweetspot that works for you. Thanks for watching!
I have two of these and love them. However, I think there are snags. Even by the standard of short-scale basses, these are short. That means that the strings are quite slack and to my mind the tuning is less stable. The instrument arrives with Ibanez's own roundwound shortscale strings, but I prefer Rotosound short-scale flatwound and D'addario ETB92S tapewound strings.
There is a five-string version which I have also. I find it impossible to get a satisfactory fifth string.
Agreed! I’m surprised this example played as relatively in tune as it did. But yeah, pretty twitchy needle when intonating it. It played pretty well though!
Thanks for watching!
I put Dunlop SS flats on mine.
@@RaiderNation-North how do you like the Dunlops? how's the tension on the 28.6" scale?
this looks small...does this fit in a standard electric guitar gig bag????? looks like the overall length of a tele??? thanks!!!
It is small!! 28.6” scale vs the 25.5” of the tele. The squier mini P which is the same scale fits in an electric guitar gig bag and I think the Mikro is even shorter due to the headstock. Don’t have one on hand so I can’t measure .
Thanks for watching!
hi from nyc! I appreciate you! which bass is better? the squire or this?? thanks@@jonathanwong458music
I made a video to answer this exact question! Here’s a link:
Squier Mini P Bass vs. Ibanez Mikro Bass: A comparison of two 28.6” short scale basses
ua-cam.com/video/gghCLWm0gm8/v-deo.html
If you’re looking for a super short scale bass, both have their pros/cons. I’m a P bass guy, so my eyes lean toward the mini P, but the Ibanez is a good option too.
danke@@jonathanwong458music
The squire is approx 39” long end to end.
I find the original pickups to be quite good. There is no need to change them immediately. With good strings and a well-tuned amp, it is possible to have a good sound, the rest is the fingers that create the melody
I think so too. The bridge J hums a bit like all single coils do but for the asking price, they’re just fine!
Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music A few years ago I had a short scale Vintage Modified Jaguar Squier.
I was always plugged in only the P pickup and I sometimes opened the J pickup a little to give a little color to the sound. The tone button is always closed
I never used the J pickup alone because it was too close to the bridge
Right on. I completely disconnect the J pickups in my PJ basses for similar reasons. I also can’t tolerate the hum! I’m a P guy most of the time! Thx for watching!
sounds like a flee bass reminds me of a spector sound.
With the reverse P + J, for sure. Spector with EMGs. Thanks for watching!
$175-199 in the US
Thanks 👍
Right on. Thanks for watching!
I own 2 of these bass i have one standerd and tge otber has piccalo strings on it . if any one owns tbese bass add piccalo strings and be amazed . next time show all positions of the bridge pickup it does a lot
Thanks for the feedback and for watching!
I wish the PJ setup would go away. I’d rather have one P or space permitting, 2. Or just have a single soap bar. You can get a lot of different tones with one pickup by varying right hand position.
Agreed! On my own basses with PJ config, I completely de-solder the bridge J to take it out of the circuit. It's surprising how much of a tonal difference that makes (sounds more open and clear). I only run a bridge J in a J-style bass.
I prefer it to the Sonic Bronco.
In addition, for the Ibanez, no need to shield the cavity and no need to change the pickups and more versatility.
I saw it in brown walnut, very classy
The walnut finish does look pretty good! Thanks for watching!
I have that exact one, I put flats on it.
It’s a cool compact bass! Thanks for watching!
Where did you find the right size strings? I'm having a hard time finding flat wounds for a bass with a 28,6" scale.
@@SGL22 Labella makes flats for the mini P. It's a 4 in line rather than a 2+2. Here's a link: www.labella.com/product/760fm-p-deep-talkin-bass-flats-mini-p-strings/
@@jonathanwong458music Thank you, much appreciated! So with these strings the silk begins after the nut just before the tuners, right?
@@SGL22 you will need to look at the label very carefully! And if you get it shipped, make sure they ship you the right pack - because you're absolutely right....where the silk starts is key. The silk should start after the nut (between the nut and the tuner peg). There should not be silk over the saddle or over the fingerboard. I'll be making a video about this topic soon. Stay tuned!
132_May28_2024_WhatsWithTheToneAtZero_GuitarsNever_IsThisUsefull_InAnyRecordingSituation_SeemsUA-camBassCommonlyDoThis_🧐
Every tone setting can have a place in the right setting and musical context.
Thanks for watching and commenting!