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Pros:
- Great price
- Beginner-friendly
- Nuanced, rich sound
Cons:
- Not the best strings
- Fret buzz
The day you get your first instrument is probably one of the most exciting and memorable things in any person’s life (at least, for those people who are still interested in music). So many opportunities, ambitions and, of course, songs to learn and techniques to master. But what is less exciting, for the most part, is the process of deciding which model to get. It is especially aggravating if you are on a tight budget and cannot afford your “dream model” (yes, we all have one). But don’t despair, there are a plethora of models that you can get, practice, and still dream about that $2000 model that you will get in 3-4 years. In the meantime, let’s talk about Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro 3/4 Size Electric Bass.
Build
If you have not guessed from the name of this beginner bass guitar, this is a ¾ size model. While a lot of people might assume that the smaller-length guitars are just for kids, they are actually very popular and useful for beginners or travelers. With Agathis body and maple neck, this Ibanez model seems to have pretty much everything a full-sized GSR bass guitar would. While Agathis might not be the high-end tonewood, in beginner bass guitars it does a pretty good job.
What really matters is that the smaller size of the body and slimmer neck allow for more comfortable playing. The rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays is a little bit shorter. It adds to the overall playability, and what you get in the end is a well-constructed guitar with comfort held as the primary goal. This model comes in various finishes, so you also get the choice of aesthetics which is a nice thing, especially if it is your first instrument and you are hyped about it.
Hardware
In terms of hardware, GSRM20 does not offer anything out of the ordinary. You get a B10 bridge with an adjustable saddle and die-cast tuning machines. While this might be pretty basic, they are decent quality and won’t give you any trouble. The same cannot be said about the strings, which just do not go with this bass guitar. So if there is one thing I would recommend to do right away is change the damn strings. And yes, maybe this is not hardware with high-tech, newest tech, and innovations but if you were to get that you would be paying twice, even three times more.
Ibanez Mikro Bass Sound
With Jazz and Precision pickup in neck and bridge positions, this ¾ model offers a lot of versatility in terms of tone. The jazz pickup is mellow while the precision pickup adds a bit more clarity. Overall, the pickups might not be top notch but they are pretty responsive and produce decent-quality sound. Unfortunately, like with a lot of less expensive models, there will be inconsistencies. For instance, some people have complained that there is a buzz on frets.
Electronics
Ibanez knows its electric guitars and it knows a thing or two about pickups. That’s why Ibanez equipped this bass with Precision neck pickup and PSND Jazz bridge pickup. You also have tone and volume control for both. This setup gives you full control of the tone while also not begin overly complicated. Again, nothing extraordinary but sometimes the ordinary is all you really need.
Conclusion
As a beginner, you cannot really go wrong with Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro 3/4 Size Electric Bass. This is a solid bass guitar in its price range and probably one of the best beginner guitars I’ve ever seen in a while. And, YES, of course, we should not forget one of its biggest selling points – short scale. ¾ size bass is a lot more accessible to beginners and, fortunately, you do not really lose the sound or any benefits that come with full-sized models.
