Another great video Jonathan, thank you. Funny name - 60's PJ pickups from an era with no PJ basses! I don't think any players made that mod until the early 70's (if I recall correctly). This set is far and away the best thus far for the mikro!
The stock pups sound anemic in comparison to the DiMarzios. By all accounts I like these better than the previous pups in this series. But that's just me, I tilt towards vintage mostly, our band plays a lof of blues. Thanks Jonathan. Cheers from Utah
AMAZING! This is EXACTLY the set of pickups I have on order for my Mikro. It was a toss-up for me between the Sixties PJ set and the hotter Relentless pickups, and after listening to a lot of samples I felt these ones were a bit warmer and less harsh. On the other hand, I'm hoping to switch from roundwounds to flats, which might also take away some of the bite, and so I hope this isn't too much of an over-correction that leaves me with a sound that's too muddy. We'll see soon, I guess, but the Canada Post mail strike has left my pickups in limbo probably over the holidays. I'm interested to see how it goes, but the longer I wait the more I question whether this was the right platform to get the short-scale experience I wanted. I do love the Jaco-style "burpy" tone on that J pickup though! Not bad, especially for a fretted neck!
Thanks for watching! I preferred these Sixties over the Relentless. It was more dynamic. The Relentless were too brash and aggressive for me and more difficult to tame down. Best of luck in your short scale journey!
Of each of the sets you've tested with this bass, I like these the most. They have a big full sound and the treble while present, is nicely rounded off. Of most of the styles I like and play, I was thinking the Geezers would have been the best, But I like these more. I was even thinking the Relentless, but if they're hotter, then that would likely be too much for me. I also have a preference for passive basses, mostly humbucker equipped basses. My number one is my Ashdown Roasted Saint Soap, then a highly modified Harley Benton PB-50 (Dusty Hill Peeler P copy) with the SD Stinger and my new Sterling Joe Dart. All three humbuckers that are moderately hot, with the Stinger being the hottest. I also have a TMB-100 Talman, that I've changed the pickups a couple of time and replaced the stock preamp. I haven't fund a an easily repeatable sound I like from it. I might try these in a passive setup in the Talman.
I liked these the best of the lot too! And it's what I'm going to suggest to the owner to keep in. They sound HUGE in the room. I also like passive setups. These and relentless almost sound active, in a way. The relenetless set was too aggressive for my ears. Thanks for watching!
Hi Jonathan. You continue to do great work. In this case, the DiMarzios way outshine the stocks. Partly as a result of watching you, I bought a used Mikro today, this time a 5-string. I didn't like the Mikro before, but as a 5-string, it has something the other 'mini' basses don't have. I'm hoping it will jump-start my 5-string playing. The pickup config on this model is Jazz rather than PJ. Any recommendations in case I decide to make a change. There's a bit of noise, but not much. Thanks, Dan
I think you will be looking at a standard J shell, but due to the 5 strings and narrow spacing, probably best to get a bar magnet that runs the full width. If you want to go active, the EMG J set would be a good choice.
On your last reply, I thought to point out that the neck width of the Mikro is almost exactly the same as the full scale Ibanez GSR 20555SM, a bottom of the line model which has no name. To me, that thin neck was always a good thing about the multi stringed Ibanez basses
Thanks for watching! Are you looking for roundwounds are flatwounds? For both, getting the correct string-wound-length is the most important part - so the silk or step taper is between the nut and the tuner. This allows for a smaller diameter string to wrap around the tuning post. If you wrap the full string thickness around the tuner, you risk string breakage. Most relevant for the low E as it's the biggest. For roundwounds, Ibanez makes their own brand of strings that fit the smaller scale, but other brands are difficult if not impossible to find. *Here, you might be stuck using the 'short scale' sets. Many brands do not publish their string-wound-lengths, but a D'Addario short scale is around 32.25", ball end to taper. I don't have a Mikro in front of me to measure, but 32.25" might still have the thick part of the string wrap around the tuner. Having said all of that, the string I have had the best luck with, that didn't break when repeatedly re-stringing them on shorter basses is D'Addario XL. (eg Using longer scales on a 30"). I am not sure what the string-wound-length on the short scale Ernie Balls is. If you are looking for flatwounds, as they are more expensive, the last thing you want is string breakage. In that case, Labella makes a specialty flatwound set marketed for the Mini P, which has the same scale length. The string-wound-length on those are 31". Labella also supplies a few luthiers with custom strings for
Where do you live? Online is probably your best bet, or your local guitar store can probably order in the D'addario or Ernie ball short scale sets. The Fender short scale rounds would also be a reasonable choice - they come stock on the mini P with some over-wrap on the tuner.
@@jonathanwong458music I live in Malaysia, I just ordered the Ernie Ball short scale brand. But I'm not sure if I can use it or not. If it's not the same, I tried to order the fender that you recommended. I bought it online at Shoppe.
These are super cheap basses. I always think that ‘upgrading’ the pickups is a bit like putting a Ferrari engine in a pickup truck. You might have fun doing it but you’re never going to be satisfied with the results. Save up and get a better all round instrument and it’s going to hold its value, perform better and you are more likely to want to keep it long term. Just my opinion.
From an economics perspective, you are absolutely correct. These Dimarzios cost as much as the bass itself. Yes, you can only polish an entry level bass so much.....but in this scenario, the options for a 28.6" short scale bass is limited, unless you go with a custom build. For people who either need or prefer short scales
Great to see another video!!! All the best!!👍🇨🇱🇨🇦
Thanks for watching and for your continued support!
Glad you made it around to these. One of my favorites. Although I really enjoy the crushing Relentless tone also.
I quite enjoyed these pickups!
Thanks for watching!
Another great video Jonathan, thank you. Funny name - 60's PJ pickups from an era with no PJ basses! I don't think any players made that mod until the early 70's (if I recall correctly). This set is far and away the best thus far for the mikro!
Yeah! For this bass, of the pickups I tried, I think it fits the outfit the best too!
Thanks for watching and for the encouragement!
The stock pups sound anemic in comparison to the DiMarzios. By all accounts I like these better than the previous pups in this series. But that's just me, I tilt towards vintage mostly, our band plays a lof of blues. Thanks Jonathan. Cheers from Utah
Thanks for watching! Yes agreed! These dimarzios sound HUGE. The recording doesn't quite do it justice. It sounds big in the room.
Great pups❤
Right on! Thanks for watching!
AMAZING! This is EXACTLY the set of pickups I have on order for my Mikro. It was a toss-up for me between the Sixties PJ set and the hotter Relentless pickups, and after listening to a lot of samples I felt these ones were a bit warmer and less harsh.
On the other hand, I'm hoping to switch from roundwounds to flats, which might also take away some of the bite, and so I hope this isn't too much of an over-correction that leaves me with a sound that's too muddy. We'll see soon, I guess, but the Canada Post mail strike has left my pickups in limbo probably over the holidays. I'm interested to see how it goes, but the longer I wait the more I question whether this was the right platform to get the short-scale experience I wanted. I do love the Jaco-style "burpy" tone on that J pickup though! Not bad, especially for a fretted neck!
Thanks for watching! I preferred these Sixties over the Relentless. It was more dynamic. The Relentless were too brash and aggressive for me and more difficult to tame down.
Best of luck in your short scale journey!
Of each of the sets you've tested with this bass, I like these the most. They have a big full sound and the treble while present, is nicely rounded off. Of most of the styles I like and play, I was thinking the Geezers would have been the best, But I like these more. I was even thinking the Relentless, but if they're hotter, then that would likely be too much for me.
I also have a preference for passive basses, mostly humbucker equipped basses. My number one is my Ashdown Roasted Saint Soap, then a highly modified Harley Benton PB-50 (Dusty Hill Peeler P copy) with the SD Stinger and my new Sterling Joe Dart. All three humbuckers that are moderately hot, with the Stinger being the hottest.
I also have a TMB-100 Talman, that I've changed the pickups a couple of time and replaced the stock preamp. I haven't fund a an easily repeatable sound I like from it. I might try these in a passive setup in the Talman.
I liked these the best of the lot too! And it's what I'm going to suggest to the owner to keep in. They sound HUGE in the room. I also like passive setups. These and relentless almost sound active, in a way. The relenetless set was too aggressive for my ears. Thanks for watching!
Hi Jonathan. You continue to do great work. In this case, the DiMarzios way outshine the stocks. Partly as a result of watching you, I bought a used Mikro today, this time a 5-string. I didn't like the Mikro before, but as a 5-string, it has something the other 'mini' basses don't have. I'm hoping it will jump-start my 5-string playing. The pickup config on this model is Jazz rather than PJ. Any recommendations in case I decide to make a change. There's a bit of noise, but not much. Thanks, Dan
I have a Mikro 5 here waiting to be filmed! Stay tuned! Thanks for watching! I appreciate your continued viewership!
I'm always watching. Now I will be waiting for your words of wisdom on the Mikro 5-string. Thanks! Dan
I think you will be looking at a standard J shell, but due to the 5 strings and narrow spacing, probably best to get a bar magnet that runs the full width. If you want to go active, the EMG J set would be a good choice.
On your last reply, I thought to point out that the neck width of the Mikro is almost exactly the same as the full scale Ibanez GSR 20555SM, a bottom of the line model which has no name. To me, that thin neck was always a good thing about the multi stringed Ibanez basses
hi bro, I have an Ibanez gsrm20b micro, I want to change the strings. short scale ernie ball brand, is it suitable for this bass?
Thanks for watching!
Are you looking for roundwounds are flatwounds? For both, getting the correct string-wound-length is the most important part - so the silk or step taper is between the nut and the tuner. This allows for a smaller diameter string to wrap around the tuning post. If you wrap the full string thickness around the tuner, you risk string breakage. Most relevant for the low E as it's the biggest.
For roundwounds, Ibanez makes their own brand of strings that fit the smaller scale, but other brands are difficult if not impossible to find.
*Here, you might be stuck using the 'short scale' sets. Many brands do not publish their string-wound-lengths, but a D'Addario short scale is around 32.25", ball end to taper.
I don't have a Mikro in front of me to measure, but 32.25" might still have the thick part of the string wrap around the tuner. Having said all of that, the string I have had the best luck with, that didn't break when repeatedly re-stringing them on shorter basses is D'Addario XL. (eg Using longer scales on a 30").
I am not sure what the string-wound-length on the short scale Ernie Balls is.
If you are looking for flatwounds, as they are more expensive, the last thing you want is string breakage. In that case, Labella makes a specialty flatwound set marketed for the Mini P, which has the same scale length. The string-wound-length on those are 31". Labella also supplies a few luthiers with custom strings for
@jonathanwong458music I'm really stuck, I don't know where to find this bass string, my string is broken in the E part.
Where do you live? Online is probably your best bet, or your local guitar store can probably order in the D'addario or Ernie ball short scale sets. The Fender short scale rounds would also be a reasonable choice - they come stock on the mini P with some over-wrap on the tuner.
@@jonathanwong458music I live in Malaysia, I just ordered the Ernie Ball short scale brand. But I'm not sure if I can use it or not. If it's not the same, I tried to order the fender that you recommended. I bought it online at Shoppe.
These are super cheap basses. I always think that ‘upgrading’ the pickups is a bit like putting a Ferrari engine in a pickup truck. You might have fun doing it but you’re never going to be satisfied with the results. Save up and get a better all round instrument and it’s going to hold its value, perform better and you are more likely to want to keep it long term. Just my opinion.
From an economics perspective, you are absolutely correct. These Dimarzios cost as much as the bass itself. Yes, you can only polish an entry level bass so much.....but in this scenario, the options for a 28.6" short scale bass is limited, unless you go with a custom build. For people who either need or prefer short scales
#25_MyChoice_🫠🇺🇸
Right on! Thanks for watching!