Looking for the first guitar is always exciting. But, for the most part, deciding what to buy is really annoying. On top of that, when you are on a tight budget, you have very few options left. Thankfully, Ibanez always brings the best options for decent and affordable guitars.
Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro short-scale bass is of their best-selling bass. It brings all the aids of a short-scale bass by balancing performance and price. In fact, it’s a dream model for many beginner small players and youngsters.
From the Ibanez Mikro bass review, you’ll get to know why it is one of the winners among competitors. Not just that, it is on top of our list for the best short scale bass under $500.
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Highlights of the Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Short-Scale Bass Guitar
Build Quality
Similar to the Ibanez standard, it features the same outlines as the GSR line. The solid Mahogany body comes with a glossy finish of different paint jobs, from metallic purple to pearl white. The bass is an overall 28.6″ scale, which is shorter than any average bass.
Then, the neck is maple with rosewood fingerboard and Jatoba fretboard with white dot inlay. Its narrow nut at 1 ½” makes the neck quite fast. Above all, the fits and finishes are just perfect.
Hardware
The hardware is quite basic, like standard Ibanez. It has standard B10 Bridge along with fully adjustable saddles at one side and die-cast tuning machines on others. The Bridge is similar to fender style stamped plate.
Also, this is a 4-string bass that has 22 medium-sized frets. You can change the strings for the best performance. Overall, the hardware is just perfect for withstanding regular use. You may also experiment with different setups and gauges.
Pickups and Controls
This electronic bass features a precision neck pickup that is boosted by an extra single-coil at the bridge position. With 19mm string spacing, it features active J Bridge and passive P at pickup.
On top of that, it comes with separate volume control knobs for both Bridge and neck pickups. You can fine-tune the audio. It means you get full control over tone and volume control.
Sound
The sound quality of the Ibanez Mikro GSRM20 is what sets it apart. The setup, control knobs, and pickups make it capable of responding on both muddy and bright tone.
Also, the small scale makes the bass sound even. The lower string tension due to the scale works excellent for steady lower notes. This also allows playing smooth over the fretboard.
The Wow Factors
Despite the best hardware and settings, it comes at a lower price. Also, one of the fast and great sounding bass compared to other solid basses. The easy setup and control make it a perfect beginner bass. All these are available under 500.
Pros
- Excellent ergonomics
- Smooth and superb sound
- Full control over the tone
- Great as the first bass
- Versatile
- Affordable
Cons
- Some user claims control knobs to be faulty
Final Words
With all things in mind, Ibanez GSRM20 is genuinely a tremendous entry-level bass for your rock stars. Also, due to the shorter neck, it is perfect for taking outside on tour. At the end of Ibanez Mikro bass review, we must say, Ibanez GSRM20 is what you should check once.