Ibanez Mikro Bass Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

I am a full grown guitar/bass player over 25 years. I bought this in hopes of an affordable little Bass to have for studio use and was pleasantly surprised. While this would be a great starter guitar for smaller hands, I have a blast playing it. This is not a toy by any means, it is very well constructed, frets are nice and level, neck is smooth and very easy to play, tuners stay in tune and the volume and tone pots are just fine. With a new set of GHS short scale flat wound strings and a quick truss rod and saddle adjustment this is my go to Bass. Fits in a standard size guitar case and is light weight and easy on the shoulder when strapped on. Beginner to experienced player, this is a real instrument at a great price.jamsstudio

Overall: I bought this without playing it, but was very pleased right out of the box. My fingers were black after a few minutes of playing due to the dirty strings, but that didn't dampen my opinion by any means (but good idea to purchase a new set of strings along with the bass). Bought the Walnut Finish (looks more expensive) for use with my SC-300 Boss Looper (also purchased from zZounds). It sounds great! I'm not onstage playing head banger metal, so don't need that rumbling low end anyway. But the pickup configuration def gives you a lot of low end. Even though I've been playing guitar and bass for over 30 years, I would use this bass onstage, AND more importantly, if you are introducing anyone to playing bass – this will be a much easier learning bass due to the size. It still feels like a 'bass' and it's not tiny or anything, but it doesn't feel clunky like a bigger bass does. I'm looking forward to using this for a long while, and assuming it holds up over the next few months I'll likely grab another one just to have a backup. Don't hesitate if you need for a recording bass, or onstage. And def great for a beginner to keep them from losing interest due to most basses being too large for them.Jason

Overall: I bought this bass for my little sister for her golden birthday. She's always wanted to play a bass guitar, though there aren't many short scale models that suited her, especially considering she is a beginner. I was torn between a Squier and this Ibanez, but given I've had great experience with Ibanez (I personally own a modified RG8), I decided to get this little guy and man I don't regret it. Right out of the box I tuned it, and it honestly felt great. She can't tell because she's new to stringed instruments, but when I felt this thing, it felt really well crafted, and the intonation/action on this thing was well done. I played it a bit and I kind of want one now. I didn't think bass could be so fun. But the main point was that she loves it, and to anyone out there that's on the fence, I say go for it. It plays great, sounds great, and it made by sister happy, so it's definitely worth it.Anthony

Sound: I was impressed by the sounds I could get from this little beast. I'm a pretty heavy handed finger style player (I've always had a heavy attack), but I could hear the differences every time I alternated pickups, adjusted the EQ, and flipped the "Power Tap" switch. This thing offers a lot of sound for very little money! Features: As stated, the thin fast neck of this bass is amazing. I have smaller than average sized hands, so the slimmer design is really comfortable for me. The PowerSpan dual coil pickups are really decent sounding for what they are. The "Power Tap" switch is what sold me on it. After some knob twiddling, trial and error, I found a really nice warm, but heavy sound that I enjoy. Also, the ease of access to the battery compartment is a nice feature as well – no screwdriver needed! Ease of Use: Ease of use is great! Plug it in and play 😉 Seriously though, my stepfather is a guitarist by nature, and even he's remarked at how nice it plays and how nicely the knobs freely turn to dial in the sound you are looking for. Quality: I was impressed by the overall quality of this instrument for the price. I own and play "higher end" basses (Warwick's, Ibanez SR Premium's, etc.), and the quality of this is bass is almost as nice as my SR Premium at a fraction of the cost. Of course it had a few things that needed some tweaking out of the box, but overall I am very pleased with the product. You could spend a lot more and get a lot less (I have anyways…). I guess there's a reason I keep coming back to Ibanez basses. Value: The Ibanez SR300E is considered by most to be a beginner bass. I get that. Yet, for the price, you will be hard pressed to find something with better quality and features. If you are new to bass, or need a backup for your regular player, I would highly recommend the SR300E. I see it becoming my regular player because of it's features and sound. And hey… If something were to ever happen to it at a gig in one of those "seedy" venues, I could easily replace it and not be too upset about the price. Manufacturer Support: I've never had to deal with Ibanez directly, but I have dealt with zZounds a few times and their customer service is wonderful! Friendly, knowledgeable, and courteous. Those are the things that make me a repeat offender to this site! The Wow Factor: This bass is a lot of bang for the buck! I love the look of the black hardware on the weathered black finish. When my girlfriend gave me the "Oh no. Did you buy another bass?" look – even she had to admit the weathered black finish was sexy looking. Ha! Overall: I originally bought an Ibanez SR300E Iron Pewter as a gift for a member of my family who took an interest in playing the bass. When it arrived I took it out of the box to tune it and give the action a little tweaking. Of course, being a bass player myself, I had to give it a try to see how well it played. I was in shock and awe by how well it played and sounded. The neck was extremely comfortable; very thin and fast! It felt like this thing could play itself. After playing it for a few days, (and a few times since), I was so amazed by it that I had to come back to order one for myself (Weathered black – that black hardware on black bass just looks so good).Jason

The description for this bass says "Great beginners instrument". I feel it is a quality instrument and sounds great recorded. If you're looking at a great sounding affordable instrument, I highly suggest Ibanez Sound Gear. I personally prefer a passive instrument but the active pickups on this bass sound awesome. A Fender J-bass or P-bass is just a luxury. A Spector, Warwick or Gibson are pure luxury instruments. You need a workhorse like a Ibanez.Drumming Guitarist

Sound: This thing sounds amazing! It can also sound like crap and everything in between. If you can't find several tones you like with this bass your just not trying. Love the way I can go from growly deep tone to super bright without switching guitars, or having to change my amp settings. Features: My only complaint as far as features is not having an active bypass switch (took away a half star for that) The active eq, the pickups, the hardware, the way the frets are… this bass has a features that most in this price range don't, it's well thought out and well executed. To say I was surprised to see a counter sunk hi mass bridge in $350 bass is an understatement, but it's details like this that make it such a treat. Ease of Use: Super playable, super adjustable, great sounding bass. However you will quickly learn to make small adjustments when your messing with the eq trying to find your sound. A little movement on the knob makes a big difference… Quality: My only issue, is the small gap between the neck and body. Took off a half star for that, and again it is small and doesn't seem to be an issue. I do have another concern with how the neck itself appears to be rotated slightly back, however everything lines up so it could just be how they are made. I'll be comparing it to others soon enough. Value: This is an amazing value at this price point, I was originally shopping for a much more expensive bass, however this one had everything I was looking for except it had it at 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost. Manufacturer Support: No experience with them. The Wow Factor: Ibanez really knocked it out of the park with this one, proving that a great instrument doesn't have to be expensive. Yes, there is the minor gap at the neck pocket, but they got so much right with this bass, I can overlook it. If your in the market for a new bass give these a look, you'll end up buying one too… Overall: So far I'm thoroughly impressed… love the wide range of tones I can get out this bass. The neck feels amazing, so easy to get around, makes my Fender Jazz neck feel bulky. I have noticed a minor gap on the treble side of the neck pocket, but doesn't seem to causing any issues with the sustain or neck movement. I will recommend going to a local guitar shop to see the different colors on person. Once I saw the Charred Champagne burst in person I was sold, the pictures make the colors clash which the don't do in person.Scott

Took this out of the box last week and immediately started practicing for a gig the same week. I have a Hofner , but wanted a solid body for some of the heavier tunes but still a small scale neck. Action and set-up were fine out of the box with no fret buzz. I may put flat-wounds on, but not sure yet. Tone and pick up were good. Mine was a blemish-so I got a discount. Anyway, I used it at the gig with no problems and never switched to the Hofner. Nice bass for the price. Whether it becomes my go to remains to be seen.Mike V

After playing this bass guitar I don't want to play my 30" scale Beatle bass anymore much less a 34" scale bass! Lol. It is so easy to play that it makes me wonder why Fender introduced their first bass guitar with a 34" scale. This bass runs circles around any long scale bass guitar. Add to that the super fast neck, low action, P/J pickups, great tone and Ibanez quality construction is just amazing. This is now my main bass guitar after 40 years of longnecks. Ibanez hit it out of the ball park on this one. No doubt other brands will follow. This bass has no flaws of any kind. I tried to find one but couldn't. Great job, great bass!CodSackJackson

I've been hacking around with guitars for over 40 years and never had any inclination to get a bass guitar until recently. Partly because of the size and weight, I think. I never saw myself standing up with a concrete block hanging from my neck, trying to pick out a bass line. Not my idea of fun at all. I always play sitting down, especially since I have grown old, and I do mean OLD. And then I discovered the short scale bass. Wow. Never even knew such a critter existed until a couple months ago. That opened up a whole new way of looking at the bass. A guitar-size instrument that will rattle my toes when I play. Now we're talking. Long story short – I got me an Ibanez GSRM20 in black. I absolutely love it. It has everything I need in a guitar – value, looks, playability, the whole nine yards. Can't say it would suit everyone the same way, but for me it is perfect. If you are a guitar geek and never really have been inclined toward a bass, this might do it for you. I love it.king_arthur0_1

The stock pickups and tuners are not so hot, but were easy enough to upgrade. It still has a lot going for it: mahogany body, comfortable maple neck-not too thick, and the fret work was impressive. Also the newer models like I received are using a lighter colored jatoba fret board instead of the darker rosewood. I don't notice much difference in tone between the two woods, more of a visual. I think the lighter colored jatoba looks good in contrast with the black of the this instrument. To me the string tension was a little too loose. Came with 45-130 strings. I put on D'addario 50-135 and now it handle the low B string much better. Is a standard 34 inch scale. As far as the pickups I went with Duncan SSB5 passives-were direct fit, did not have to modify. The stock p/u's are passive as well, just has an active bass boost. They sound better than stock, but I'm still not a fan of the bass boost. Also for some reason 500k pots are used on this, not 250k like most bass's use. I will likely end up wiring up with 250k pots and bypass the bass boost, making a truly passive bass. Tuners would slip and were not smooth. Replaced with Gotoh GB707-5 L3xR2 tuners. They dropped right in and used old screw holes as well. I could have spent seven hundred plus on the nicer Ibanez with name brand tuners and pickups, but saved a few hundred putting together myself. I really dig it. I've tried a few 5's before (mainly a 4 string player), but this one is a keeper. Very comfortable, and now stays in tune and sounds good.mv

The gsrm20 is more than I seriously expected. It's short scale is so convenient for me since I'm a short person so it definitely makes my playing experience more comfortable. The sound that comes from the guitar is definitely amazing, and a guitar like this would very much work for people who are looking for a bass to transport when having gigs or rehearsals. The guitar is really beautiful and is definitely a steal for the price it is at. It doesn't matter if you're a child teen or adult, the guitar can be for everyone and does more than you would expect.leo c.

Ordered one of these (In Pearl White) because of a good experience with another one. Of course I had to do some set up to alleviate fret buzz, adjust neck, string height etc. Once it was set up to my liking and a fresh set of my gauge strings, this bass was ready for just about anything! I have used it for a couple of outdoor shows with medium and very large P.A support and the sound was very good overall. Through my stage amp, I was able to dial in a very usable sound quickly. The bass is very light weight .(Which helps those of us with back issues.) Yet is still able to get a decent tone. The bass I received was a newer model with a poplar body and a Jatoba fret board which still has the characteristics of rosewood (slightly lighter in color) with a hint of a maple type bite. Personally, I liked the overall sound with this particular fret board. Speaking of which, the fret board is very easy to play (when properly set up) with a smooth, fast neck. The electronics are decent enough although the "bass boost" knob should be used sparingly and judiciously just to add some deep flavor on occasion for certain styles. All in all, a pretty decent machine that can easily be used by beginners and seasoned pro's (ok, it won't match up with a "boutique bass" by any means but still a very usable product!) Very good value for the price!Heard the Bass

This bass is really amazing for the price of it. The neck is so smooth and a bit thinner than other regular bass, perfect for my small hands and the weight wow it is really light. the built quality is top notch. The sound is really good and you've got plenty of sound you can experiment with it. Overall it's an all rounder bass from beginners to pronelson c.

The Ibanez GSR 200 is one of the best "bang for your buck" basses on the market. They are made with excellent quality, lightweight wood, agathis, maple, rosewood. The onboard P/J pickups and electronics sound good. They play good out of the box but they play excellently if set up by a guitar tech. These were choice basses for many of the bass players supporting MWR tours. Musicians would take Ibanez GRS 200 basses on tour and raffle them off to service members on the last gig.matt4717

Overall: I bought this without playing it, but was very pleased right out of the box. My fingers were black after a few minutes of playing due to the dirty strings, but that didn't dampen my opinion by any means (but good idea to purchase a new set of strings along with the bass). Bought the Walnut Finish (looks more expensive) for use with my SC-300 Boss Looper (also purchased from zZounds). It sounds great! I'm not onstage playing head banger metal, so don't need that rumbling low end anyway. But the pickup configuration def gives you a lot of low end. Even though I've been playing guitar and bass for over 30 years, I would use this bass onstage, AND more importantly, if you are introducing anyone to playing bass – this will be a much easier learning bass due to the size. It still feels like a 'bass' and it's not tiny or anything, but it doesn't feel clunky like a bigger bass does. I'm looking forward to using this for a long while, and assuming it holds up over the next few months I'll likely grab another one just to have a backup. Don't hesitate if you need for a recording bass, or onstage. And def great for a beginner to keep them from losing interest due to most basses being too large for them.Jason

This is my second Mikro. I gave my first to my nephew, and moved onto full scale bass guitars, some fairly expensive. However, I missed that Mikro. Even though it?s the cheapest bass I own, it is by far the most fun to play and sits next to my desk as the ?go-to? guitar to pick up and play when the mood hits. Love this thing.RICHARD

I'm recently retired and a beginner with the base. The Ibanez miKro Series GSRM20 was just what I needed to get started. The short scale is better for stiff fingers, and I found it quite easy to play. The quality is very good for this lower priced guitar, and it came mostly set up, needing only a few tweeks. I recommend this product to others, especially older folks with arthritis.MARK

Sound: I was impressed by the sounds I could get from this little beast. I'm a pretty heavy handed finger style player (I've always had a heavy attack), but I could hear the differences every time I alternated pickups, adjusted the EQ, and flipped the "Power Tap" switch. This thing offers a lot of sound for very little money! Features: As stated, the thin fast neck of this bass is amazing. I have smaller than average sized hands, so the slimmer design is really comfortable for me. The PowerSpan dual coil pickups are really decent sounding for what they are. The "Power Tap" switch is what sold me on it. After some knob twiddling, trial and error, I found a really nice warm, but heavy sound that I enjoy. Also, the ease of access to the battery compartment is a nice feature as well – no screwdriver needed! Ease of Use: Ease of use is great! Plug it in and play 😉 Seriously though, my stepfather is a guitarist by nature, and even he's remarked at how nice it plays and how nicely the knobs freely turn to dial in the sound you are looking for. Quality: I was impressed by the overall quality of this instrument for the price. I own and play "higher end" basses (Warwick's, Ibanez SR Premium's, etc.), and the quality of this is bass is almost as nice as my SR Premium at a fraction of the cost. Of course it had a few things that needed some tweaking out of the box, but overall I am very pleased with the product. You could spend a lot more and get a lot less (I have anyways…). I guess there's a reason I keep coming back to Ibanez basses. Value: The Ibanez SR300E is considered by most to be a beginner bass. I get that. Yet, for the price, you will be hard pressed to find something with better quality and features. If you are new to bass, or need a backup for your regular player, I would highly recommend the SR300E. I see it becoming my regular player because of it's features and sound. And hey… If something were to ever happen to it at a gig in one of those "seedy" venues, I could easily replace it and not be too upset about the price. Manufacturer Support: I've never had to deal with Ibanez directly, but I have dealt with zZounds a few times and their customer service is wonderful! Friendly, knowledgeable, and courteous. Those are the things that make me a repeat offender to this site! The Wow Factor: This bass is a lot of bang for the buck! I love the look of the black hardware on the weathered black finish. When my girlfriend gave me the "Oh no. Did you buy another bass?" look – even she had to admit the weathered black finish was sexy looking. Ha! Overall: I originally bought an Ibanez SR300E Iron Pewter as a gift for a member of my family who took an interest in playing the bass. When it arrived I took it out of the box to tune it and give the action a little tweaking. Of course, being a bass player myself, I had to give it a try to see how well it played. I was in shock and awe by how well it played and sounded. The neck was extremely comfortable; very thin and fast! It felt like this thing could play itself. After playing it for a few days, (and a few times since), I was so amazed by it that I had to come back to order one for myself (Weathered black – that black hardware on black bass just looks so good).Jason

The description for this bass says "Great beginners instrument". I feel it is a quality instrument and sounds great recorded. If you're looking at a great sounding affordable instrument, I highly suggest Ibanez Sound Gear. I personally prefer a passive instrument but the active pickups on this bass sound awesome. A Fender J-bass or P-bass is just a luxury. A Spector, Warwick or Gibson are pure luxury instruments. You need a workhorse like a Ibanez.Drumming Guitarist

Sound: This thing sounds amazing! It can also sound like crap and everything in between. If you can't find several tones you like with this bass your just not trying. Love the way I can go from growly deep tone to super bright without switching guitars, or having to change my amp settings. Features: My only complaint as far as features is not having an active bypass switch (took away a half star for that) The active eq, the pickups, the hardware, the way the frets are… this bass has a features that most in this price range don't, it's well thought out and well executed. To say I was surprised to see a counter sunk hi mass bridge in $350 bass is an understatement, but it's details like this that make it such a treat. Ease of Use: Super playable, super adjustable, great sounding bass. However you will quickly learn to make small adjustments when your messing with the eq trying to find your sound. A little movement on the knob makes a big difference… Quality: My only issue, is the small gap between the neck and body. Took off a half star for that, and again it is small and doesn't seem to be an issue. I do have another concern with how the neck itself appears to be rotated slightly back, however everything lines up so it could just be how they are made. I'll be comparing it to others soon enough. Value: This is an amazing value at this price point, I was originally shopping for a much more expensive bass, however this one had everything I was looking for except it had it at 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost. Manufacturer Support: No experience with them. The Wow Factor: Ibanez really knocked it out of the park with this one, proving that a great instrument doesn't have to be expensive. Yes, there is the minor gap at the neck pocket, but they got so much right with this bass, I can overlook it. If your in the market for a new bass give these a look, you'll end up buying one too… Overall: So far I'm thoroughly impressed… love the wide range of tones I can get out this bass. The neck feels amazing, so easy to get around, makes my Fender Jazz neck feel bulky. I have noticed a minor gap on the treble side of the neck pocket, but doesn't seem to causing any issues with the sustain or neck movement. I will recommend going to a local guitar shop to see the different colors on person. Once I saw the Charred Champagne burst in person I was sold, the pictures make the colors clash which the don't do in person.Scott

Classic Ibanez body shape, neck, tuners and lightweight, like a scaled down Soundgear (SGR) series only sans the unnecessary active bass junk. Knobs are solid metal, not cheap plastic ones found on other low end Ibanez basses. Only thing bass needed out of box was intonation set. No neck adjustments needed and no significant buzz. Strings are round wound (my pref). Would not recommend this bass if you think you need (tone killing) flat wound. I'm not aware of anyone making flatwound strings for a 28.6" scale bass. Note: scale length of this bass (28.6") is shorter than typical short scale (30"). The strings on it are proprietary (Ibanez). You might be able to make some cut down long scale strings work (pain, wouldn't recommend) but the proprietary Ibanez strings are the way to go. MF doesn't sell them for some reason. You can find them online for a very reasonable price online. Buy a couple of extra sets. Pickups are jazz bass style and config (two volumes + one tone) which is my pref. I had zero issues with tone or volume controls. Pickups are all passive. Yah! And tone sounds great, classic jazz bass tones available including a nice Jaco-ish tone with 100% bridge pickup and tone rolled way down. Be wary of review comments from guitar players that don't play bass and buy this bass and suddenly have a lot of opinions about what this bass should and shouldn't be. This bass does not need the bridge, pickups, tuners or electronics replaced to make it a "pro" instrument. All this bass needs to be a "pro" instrument, is a "pro" player playing it. Tone is in your fingers. I highly recommend for beginners and I think experienced players will dig it as well, especially those that appreciate shorter scale instruments.mark5211

My 75 year-old fingers are becoming very arthritic and my two Fender Jazz basses were causing too much pain so I tried the Mikro bass. Its short scale makes playing much easier and less string tension has provided painless fretting. The sound is amazing – from really punchy vintage bass sound to jazz bass to great slapping and with changing pluck position, it mimics a fretless bass beautifully. I am now playing daily and am very happy with this bass. The low cost belies the great sound and quality of the instrument.Paul J

I play short scale & wanted a 5-string but didn't want to spend too much. Having played Ibanez full scale basses I know their quality so figured I'd risk the $200. No risk at all. Greatly exceeded expectations. Solid, a flawless finish & smooth neck. First thing I checked were the frets, as I've seen some inexpensive basses with fret issues. The frets were level with not a sharp edge to be found. This bass is a joy to play. Has good tone & is fast due to the 28.6" scale. Two minor quibbles: 1) wish it had color options like the 4-string Mikro (the transparent red is killer); 2) I'm not a big fan of round wounds & these may be the 'clangiest' I've heard. However, this little bass is so good I see a set of La Bella SS flat wounds in the very near future.John

Overall: I bought this without playing it, but was very pleased right out of the box. My fingers were black after a few minutes of playing due to the dirty strings, but that didn't dampen my opinion by any means (but good idea to purchase a new set of strings along with the bass). Bought the Walnut Finish (looks more expensive) for use with my SC-300 Boss Looper (also purchased from zZounds). It sounds great! I'm not onstage playing head banger metal, so don't need that rumbling low end anyway. But the pickup configuration def gives you a lot of low end. Even though I've been playing guitar and bass for over 30 years, I would use this bass onstage, AND more importantly, if you are introducing anyone to playing bass – this will be a much easier learning bass due to the size. It still feels like a 'bass' and it's not tiny or anything, but it doesn't feel clunky like a bigger bass does. I'm looking forward to using this for a long while, and assuming it holds up over the next few months I'll likely grab another one just to have a backup. Don't hesitate if you need for a recording bass, or onstage. And def great for a beginner to keep them from losing interest due to most basses being too large for them.Jason

Overall: I bought this bass for my little sister for her golden birthday. She's always wanted to play a bass guitar, though there aren't many short scale models that suited her, especially considering she is a beginner. I was torn between a Squier and this Ibanez, but given I've had great experience with Ibanez (I personally own a modified RG8), I decided to get this little guy and man I don't regret it. Right out of the box I tuned it, and it honestly felt great. She can't tell because she's new to stringed instruments, but when I felt this thing, it felt really well crafted, and the intonation/action on this thing was well done. I played it a bit and I kind of want one now. I didn't think bass could be so fun. But the main point was that she loves it, and to anyone out there that's on the fence, I say go for it. It plays great, sounds great, and it made by sister happy, so it's definitely worth it.Anthony

I have been a bass player for 30 years. I was happy that my 13 year old daughter wanted to take up the instrument. She learned Ukelele well enough that I was willing to listen but no way was she using my basses because I see how she takes care of her room. Her arms were too small anyway so I researched this Ibanez mikrobass. What a delight! The walnut finish is fantastic and the tone when unplugged is tremendous. Plugged in, it was a little clackety-clack and the tone knob is almost literally nothing so I put daddario XL Flatwounds 50-100 (a recent discovery from which I will never return) and took care of that problem. The tuners seem a little slack when Im tuning it up. If I were to make a change, it would be the tuners. But theyre fine enough. It is exactly the size of my six string guitars so I was able to devote a quality gig bag that I dont use much for the cause. My daughter is encouraged by it although she hasnt quite dug in yet. However if she decides not to play after all, this will remain in my collection. Its just SO FUNboredofthisalready

I play in my home studio and record my bass along with mp3's of my favoritie songs, I make videos for self critique and to share with other bass players in my FaceBook bassists group. I recently sold my Ibanez SR755 5 string because I was not thrilled with the B string sound. Now I find the B sounds better to my ear with this bass that costs one third of the SR755…Amazing. I prefer passive electronics and the GSR205SM with it's Phat EQ give me the best of both worlds or active or passive. With the EQ turned counter clockwise the bass sounds like a passive and as you turn up the EQ the bass responds well and gives me an edge on the sound. Best of all there is no Floppy B string farty tone. the B sounds more musical. I want to address the weight of this bass. It is light as a feather especially after playing my Warwick. I can play for extended periods of time without having back pain issues. As to the statement of other reviewers about this being a great beginner's bass, let me add that in the hands of a seasoned player it sounds and feels as good as you'd want it to sound as well. This bass sounds totally different than my Fenders and Warwick and I find that to be advantageous.Preston

Overall: I bought this without playing it, but was very pleased right out of the box. My fingers were black after a few minutes of playing due to the dirty strings, but that didn't dampen my opinion by any means (but good idea to purchase a new set of strings along with the bass). Bought the Walnut Finish (looks more expensive) for use with my SC-300 Boss Looper (also purchased from zZounds). It sounds great! I'm not onstage playing head banger metal, so don't need that rumbling low end anyway. But the pickup configuration def gives you a lot of low end. Even though I've been playing guitar and bass for over 30 years, I would use this bass onstage, AND more importantly, if you are introducing anyone to playing bass – this will be a much easier learning bass due to the size. It still feels like a 'bass' and it's not tiny or anything, but it doesn't feel clunky like a bigger bass does. I'm looking forward to using this for a long while, and assuming it holds up over the next few months I'll likely grab another one just to have a backup. Don't hesitate if you need for a recording bass, or onstage. And def great for a beginner to keep them from losing interest due to most basses being too large for them.Jason

i bought this as an alternative to my full size basses. sounds just as good played good straight out box.i feel i received a great looking and playable bass for great price.chevyjeffzr2

I've been hacking around with guitars for over 40 years and never had any inclination to get a bass guitar until recently. Partly because of the size and weight, I think. I never saw myself standing up with a concrete block hanging from my neck, trying to pick out a bass line. Not my idea of fun at all. I always play sitting down, especially since I have grown old, and I do mean OLD. And then I discovered the short scale bass. Wow. Never even knew such a critter existed until a couple months ago. That opened up a whole new way of looking at the bass. A guitar-size instrument that will rattle my toes when I play. Now we're talking. Long story short – I got me an Ibanez GSRM20 in black. I absolutely love it. It has everything I need in a guitar – value, looks, playability, the whole nine yards. Can't say it would suit everyone the same way, but for me it is perfect. If you are a guitar geek and never really have been inclined toward a bass, this might do it for you. I love it.king_arthur0_1

The looks I get are worth it. Playing a short scale bass is a hoot. I didn't expect such great sound that this bass has. The quality of construction is good, finish is great! Light and well balanced, easy to play. All the good stuff you'd expect from a more expensive bass.phei2735

I have been a bass guitarist since 1965, and have owned many Basses. This is a great bass ! Quality, easy to play, good tone, and for that price, $179.00….just get one ! The only fault is that the Walnut finish model, the finish wears off fast, above the right neck pickup due to excessive slapping and plucking. This does not happen on my other Mikro, which is a gloss painted white. I love them !deb20438080

The Mikro bass plays, looks and sounds great. The extra-short scale length does not compromise the traditional bass tone it produces. I have played 6-string guitar for over 40 years, including many professional gigs and teaching. I own over a dozen topnotch guitars. But this is my first bass, and I chose Mikro on the recommendation of a trustworthy friend. I have been doing my own repair work on guitars for decades, and can say the Mikro bass is impressively well made, and arrived decently set up with new, good strings. Fret work, neck, nut, tuning machines, bridge, fingerboard, finish, electronics are all virtually flawless; and the tobacco sunburst color I chose looks really nice, with a "vintage" vibe. I replaced the stock chrome dome knobs (which are nice ones) with Gibson-style knobs so I can see numbers for volume and tone settings. I really like the tone of the Mikro, especially the "Precision" style pickup–the one closer to the neck, from which it's easy to get a classic P-bass tone in conjunction with the tone control, which also works great. Ibanez chose a great capacitor value for the tone knob. The bridge position ("Jazz" style) pickup is just OK–usable, and not bad, but nothing remarkable, and it's especially lackluster when used solo, without any of the P-style pickup dialed in. That is the only part of this bass, other than the knobs, I would consider upgrading in the near future (maybe also the potentiometers, but even those feel smooth and responsive out of the box). The satin-finish neck feels great, and is a breeze to play, even for someone like me, who is coming to the bass from years on guitar. The tuning stability of the Mikro is remarkably great. So the latest versions of the Mikro basses are a phenomenal bargain! I would not hesitate to recommend a Mikro to anyone considering moving from guitar to bass, or to someone with smaller hands. From what my bassist friends tell me, the Mikro is great for any bassist PERIOD.NYC Slide Guitarist trying bass

Overall: I've been playing for years, mostly Fenders, Tobias and a heavily modified Decca short scale from the 60s. This is my first Ibanez bass and I am blown away! I chose the brown burst finish, and took a chance on the "blemished" version. Been looking at it all day and I can't find any imperfection anywhere. Definitely wanted short scale, light weight and a fast neck, this one has all 3 and then some. Set up out of the box was close, very close, with only a slight fret buzz on the E string. A very small adjustment at the saddle took care of it. The stock pickups sound good, the tone knob has useful range, everything sounds quite good through everything I've played it through so far (Fender, Orange, antique Earth head, etc.). Overall, I couldn't be happier!Bryan

An utterly great bass overall. It's perfect for someone with a low budget, or someone who's new to learning bass. Also good for children or people with small hands since it's a short-scale. This was my first bass and I still play it a lot. Not only is it cheap, but it has a really good tone, a nice feel to it, and a beautiful orange finish (if that is the finish you chose). The only bad thing I have to say about this is that it got some fret buzz to it but in all honesty, it's not that bad. I love Ibanez basses, I own several and this one is absolutly great.Logan

As a learner who has been playing a cheap 4 string the move to this 5 string was an excellent experience due to the slender neck. The paint job is out of this world and the hardware oozes quality. I've always wanted an Ibanez and it has not disappointed. A thing of beauty and tones to match any players style.COLIN S.

I spent a few weeks trying out basses at my local music stores before settling on this bass. What set this bass apart from the others was the tone and the various tones I could get out of it, as well as it's playability. The active EQ is far better than the passive EQ's that I find on other basses. For example, the EQ on Jackson basses are all but useless. There was very little tone difference when varying the EQ controls on Jackson basses. But on this Ibanez, you really hear the difference in the tone settings. The Ibanez has a bass, mid, and treble tone control. So you can really dial in the tone you're looking for. Also, the individual string height adjustment on the Ibanez lets me tailor the action to exactly how I like it. The guitar is well balanced weight wise and so hangs naturally when I play it. I have a BC Rich mockingbird bass which is terribly weighted ad the headstock drops to the floor if I don't have my fret hand supporting the neck. The string spacing on the Ibanez 5 string is good, and I can still play slap bass on it. All the knobs on the bass (except the volume knob) have a mid point that you can feel as your adjusting the tone controls, so you know exactly where "flat" is. I really like that feature.beaglebuddy

Unexpectedly nice looking bass. 2 piece fllamed maple body with a darker burst than the website photos suggested. Not bookmatched, but a nicely figured body. Super versatile preamp and nice sounding, powerful and noise free pickups. Fast, slim neck and good quality hardware. I've tweaked the set up over a couple of weeks and it's playing really well. A far nicer bass than I expected for the price, after some playing in I think it will be better than my mid 90s SR. Very easy bass to set up, and the action can be brought down ridiculously low.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Very lightweight, no strain on my back. Has that perfect Ibanez action I've come to prefer over other makes. Pickups work in tandem, not separately, so that took some getting used to. Color is hot and sexy.John

The Ibanez GSR 200 is one of the best "bang for your buck" basses on the market. They are made with excellent quality, lightweight wood, agathis, maple, rosewood. The onboard P/J pickups and electronics sound good. They play good out of the box but they play excellently if set up by a guitar tech. These were choice basses for many of the bass players supporting MWR tours. Musicians would take Ibanez GRS 200 basses on tour and raffle them off to service members on the last gig.matt4717

I bought the jewel blue one and named it "Jewel". No, not like the singer. I thought it was totally beyond all expectations. I played it for a couple of years before I lost it when my marriage fizzled. Now I want another one. I'm no novice. I've been playing guitar for over 35 years, and Jewel was my third bass. I liked her better than a Fender Jazz. I want another one. To nitpick, I didn't like the square corners on the top of the neck (past all the frets), so I took the neck off and rounded them. Problem solved. I also didn't like that the threads stripped out on the E string bridge piece when I tried to back it up far enough to get the intonation right. But I think the real problem is solved with an Earvana nut. Anyway, if you can't afford to buy the bass everyone is telling you to buy – or even if you can – buy this one. If you don't sound good on it, you don't need a Fender or a Rick, you need lessons.Gravity Zen

Very lightweight, no strain on my back. Has that perfect Ibanez action I've come to prefer over other makes. Pickups work in tandem, not separately, so that took some getting used to. Color is hot and sexy.John

First my jewel blue bass does not look like the one in the picture. It is the correct model but has a different neck. The knobs are cheap plastic and they were not sanded correctly so the first time I turned one the plastic bumps on the bottom scratched the paint. The bass sounds good and is easy to play. I'm torn with the craftsmanship because on some levels it's near perfect for the price, where other areas felt skimped.Norvak

I bought the jewel blue one and named it "Jewel". No, not like the singer. I thought it was totally beyond all expectations. I played it for a couple of years before I lost it when my marriage fizzled. Now I want another one. I'm no novice. I've been playing guitar for over 35 years, and Jewel was my third bass. I liked her better than a Fender Jazz. I want another one. To nitpick, I didn't like the square corners on the top of the neck (past all the frets), so I took the neck off and rounded them. Problem solved. I also didn't like that the threads stripped out on the E string bridge piece when I tried to back it up far enough to get the intonation right. But I think the real problem is solved with an Earvana nut. Anyway, if you can't afford to buy the bass everyone is telling you to buy – or even if you can – buy this one. If you don't sound good on it, you don't need a Fender or a Rick, you need lessons.Gravity Zen

I'd been looking for an affordable but quality 4 string for a long time. I originally bought a Hofner but it was not up to par so my advisor suggested this Ibanez AFB200. I love the size and weight. The hollow body is great because you can jam unplugged if you want and it still projects. Plugged in sounds great too. Not for Metal or Heavy Rock but perfect for acoustic, funk, blues, country and just jamming. Pretty enough to have it sitting in the living room. Perfect purchase for me.TI Singer Dude

Great bass. Love everything about it so far. Very modern design being headless and fan fret. Superb and very happy that I bought it.Paul C.