Ministar Travel Bass Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

I got the Squier Mini P-bass in Dakota Red, it looks great, no finish issues. I'm a guitar player and I love the size, it's a blast to play, the scale length isn't too far from a guitar, it sounds pretty good and is comfortable to sit with. The pickup is fair, it would definitely make a great bass for a younger player or a small adult that is uncomfortable with a full size bass… and for someone like me that just wants to play around on it for fun and do some some basslines on home demo recordings it is sweet. With a couple of upgrades it could be a mini monster.Mark

I’d read reviews of how good this bass is and had to check it out for myself! I’m starting uni soon so wanted a cheap small bass to take with me. Fit and finish is very good as was the setup. Just had to slightly tweak the intonation. It’s really quick and easy to play and actually sounds very precision like 👍🏼 The G string can have a slight ‘sizzle’ to it but nothing too untoward. The tuners aren’t the best but seem to hold tune ok. I did replace the strap buttons as they are minuscule and my strap came off them too easily. Overall a fun and great sounding addition to anyone’s collection.Nic S.

I love this little guitar. I bought mine from the GC store. I have Taylor GS mini for my RV, but it's still too big and too loud in a small rv with others. I saw the Traveller guitars and thought I'd go to a GC and try it out. I'm too new at this so got the GC sales person to play so I could hear the difference using a big amp. The ones with the pickups were hot and a little bitey for me as I only really play acoustic. The Piezo pickup acoustic sounded mellow and it was on the guitarathon sale for 100 dollars off. That tipped it for me. It's small, extremely light and when unplugged, extremely quite quiet. It's so small, I'm finding that I pick up this one more than the regular guitars. Bear in mind, it's not acoustic or electric, so it's not going to sound like anything else. I bought a headphone amp and also use a regular amp when I can be loud. When practicing unplugged at night, it's loud enough for me, but nobody else can hear it. Also, I've found that if I press it tightly to my side, the lower notes reverberate in my chest. With the acoustic pickup there is no tone or volume controls, so everything has to be done through the amp. I'm getting used to that. With no body and only the wire bottom, it takes a little time before it begins to feel normal. The only negative is if I don't hit the notes perfect, I can get some fret buzz. All in all, it's so different from any other guitar, I would suggest trying it in person first. You will either love it or hate it. And remember it's a small travel guitar you can also use regularly. Play it both amplified and unplugged and see if you think it will work for you.Mike

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

Just took delivery of a used Hofner shorty bass in black. Lovely instrument. Fit and finish was fine. I had to do a little bit of intonation setting which took no time. The neck is better than expected. Frets are finished properly and the neck has a nice satin finish. Its not to wide, not too thick and feels great. The pickup delivers and even sound across the strings. There are no dead spots. Volume and tone controls work great and the knurled knobs feel very good. I was able to dial in some of my preferred sounds using the VPF control on my Markbass Blackline 250 going through a Markbass NY604 cabinet. I was also liking the sounds going through an Eden World Tour preamp. Im looking forward to rehearsal tomorrow using the Eden directly into an EV ZLX 12 powered cabinet. The bass came professionally packed and really appeared to be new. Love the padded Hofner gig bad with the logo on it. All in all a great small, inexpensive (but not cheap) bass for practice, performance and especially travel.Miguel404

First of all, this bass is just what I wanted for practicing when traveling. Compact, 24 frets, decent electronics and comes with a gig bag. Intonation was pretty good too. I did adjust the intonation, but that's really only because I'm kind of fussy about intonation. One thing I will say is I had never experienced "neck dive" until I owned this bass like. in the resting position, the bass headstock will point right down to 5 o'clock. Since this is a practice instrument, I made some modifications. I put weight in the body cavity, but the body cavity is not huge, so with extra weight, I could get the neck to hang in the resting position at about 3 o'clock. I next removed the front strap pin and drilled a 3/8" in diameter hole 2" into the body at the same angle as the strap pin screw. I purchased 3/8" aluminum round stock and cut it to 7.5". 2" would insert into the body and 5.5" would remain outside to mount the strap button while extending out to nearly the 12th fret. I painted the round stock black (primer and paint). I mounted (drilled and epoxied) the strap button on the end of the round stock. I think epoxied the extender into the body. It looks pretty darned good and now the bass balances perfectly.Kevin1014

This is a "better than nothing" guitar that will help maintain your callouses but not do much to help your playing beyond that. It's weighted incorrectly, it doesn't stay in tune, it has an awkward playing position etc. etc. It's a great concept, but poorly executed. It's easier to play with a strap. Size-wize, it does not fit inside a carry-on luggage bag, so you'd still have to carry it on your back like a backpack. I haven't attempted to bring it on a flight yet, so we shall see. I got it on-sale for just under two hundred, and I have brought it on short weekend getaway trips several times. I probably spent more time tuning it and re-tuning it than enjoying playing it. Still, like I mentioned, it's better than nothing. And, I am still happy to have bought it- though I wish it were better. I would recommend it only marginally. Pickier players will NOT like it.Detrich

I bought this not so much as a traveler , but as a guitar that was easy to always be within reach. Take to the park, beach and backyard. Maybe muted sports on tv and Traveler Guitar in hand. And B-stock? Really? I looked and looked, found one small spot that may be reason for B stock designation. I have seen new top name guitars with more “issues”. Your quality inspections must be really tough, good for you and me! Thanks.Ted I.

While you wont get a full blown acoustic experience, the build and playable quality is pretty solid enough to warrant not being bored or frustrated with, no sharp edges, no horrible not staying in tune, or sticky frets and excessive buzz. The portability of this is astounding, and works great as a practice guitar for when you cant play a full one is a real plus. You have a full scale neck, and when you plug in, you can really put the guitar to recording or amplification use via modeling or effects. It's shipped with extra light 10s and I think heavier gauges would not be ideal for this. But in contrast the light strings make for a bit of a fast play, electric like in feel and will definitely keep you engaged. The cons are just what you sacrifice to have easy access to a guitar to play on and transport. Not comfortable back bracing, a diving neck (but then it's not heavy really), a metal attachment that digs in a bit. Get a simple strap hook up and your problems are solved. Also as a tip, it's a simple guitar, if you find a blemished one or a sale at a good price it's a stupid good deal, and are you going to really care if something like this is banged up to begin with? Makes for a lot of fun, and a chance to play/practice anywhere.GuitarJunkie

Okay this product is good. The pickup is fine and it's a great amount of fun. BUT: The fret work is terrible. Really. They stick out of the neck, and it feels like playing with sandpaper on your fingers. Terrible rash after half an hour of playing, still has not worn off. Also the action is really bad and the second fret is buzzing like crazy on mine. I need to get that fixed, but I hoped to get it working right off the box as I am travelling a lot and don't have time to take care of my guitars (which is why I took this one). Overall if the item and the object is really fun and smart and cool (you really get that "cool" factor when playing live and people notice and start laughing at your baby-sized guitar. Also includes a "cute" factor for those who are into that.) But the quality is really poor and needs quite a bit of work to be really useful without cutting your hand. Also a mild annoyance, but the headstock is not blue. I selected this one because the picture showed a blue headstock and it looked cooler than the black one. I got the black one. Minor annoyance, still an annoyance. I would not make this choice again I think, or be prepared to go to the guitar store and invest an additional 100 dollars in fret work and proper setting.pauwohre_0

I purchased this guitar a few years ago and it is my go-to ever since whether I am at home or while traveling. I have rather small hands and not very good stretch so it makes playing my other guitars rather painful after an extended period of time. I like playing this guitar because even though it has a full scale fretboard, everything just feels smaller in my hands when I play it. The width of the neck is smaller than my other guitars makes it easier for me to reach and my hands don't get as fatigued as easily. The sound is great! I only play for fun and have a small 100W amp but it sounds excellent no matter whether I'm playing metal or jazz. The only problem I have with it is there is a little bit of fret buzz when I am playing certain notes. It is not really a problem with the instrument itself. I ordered this by mail and never had it set up after it arrived. I am not comfortable doing it myself so I will have to take it into the store whenever I get the chance. I am sure that once I get it adjusted properly, I will have no problems with it. I love this little beast.Sordesco

A solid four stars. Travel guitars all have their limitations and this one is certainly no exception. But despite those limitations this instrument fulfilled its needs on a recent trip. Which is why I waited to write this review until after it was used for its intended function. It's size and weight were convenient for traveling through airports and overhead bins. It was durable despite being mashed by other carry on luggage. It was fun to play through Vox classic rock plug in amp with ear buds but difficult to stay in tune. Also used a basic leather strap with rough suede to compensate for awkward weight distribution. This kept the strap from sliding in that the guitar is neck heavy. All travel guitars like the Traveler series suffer the same malady. The Neck is straight as an arrow and the action is very good. Haven't changed the strings yet but the stop tailpiece is adjacent to the pickup which may make string changes difficult. All in all, I would not gig with this guitar but for the money it served its purpose preparing for a gig upon my return. A good value overall with some limitations.Rockinvet

I bought this guitar after a long time away from playing. I was looking for a reasonably-priced, full-featured instrument that would serve as a good re-entry to my music practice, and this fits the bill. It's compact, has an onboard tuner, sounds great acoustically with the option to plug in an amp whenever I decide to go that route. I'm going to enjoy getting back up to speed with this mini bass.Stephen

Long-time guitar player, first-time buying a bass. I purchased the Cordoba after contemplating another brand with rubber strings. I never could get my hands on one to try. Guitarcenter in my area stocks the Cordoba. I like the more traditional wound strings on the Cordoba, the scale length and the overall construction. This Cordoba stays in tune really well. It sounds good acoustic but sounds great amplified. I love this little bass – a blast to play. The onboard tuner is a big plus. Cons – action was a big high, but no string buzz, a fair trade off – and I would expect the higher action with a bass with a short scale. I will adjust the truss rod with the included tool. Bridge saddles feel plastic, but at this price it isn't an issue.Matt J

I’ve been playing a Taylor 310 for 25 years and was looking for something smaller and lighter to transport. Having read a lot of reviews and listened to the videos I thought I would try the GS Mini Koa and see what all the fuzz was about. This guitar sounds amazing! The Koa gives it a depth AND sparkle that you don’t expect from a small guitar. I keep asking myself does it lack depth compared to my dreadnought, technically it does but actually I don’t miss it because the sound is so full. The volume too is quite exceptional, I tend to strum a lot with a pick and don’t mind digging in hard….. this guitar just sings under those circumstances. It get’s louder and louder without noticeably going out of tune. At the other end there is such clarity and sustain that quiet finger picking also sounds great. You can easily hear a single note melody within a chord. Are there any downsides? Well if you have big hands then the reduced neck length may feel too cramped…. For me this is actually more comfortable than a full size neck but you wouldn’t want it any smaller. In summary I’m blown away, just amazing.David

Wow… what a stunner! Opening the case for the first time was quite an experience. This is a seriously beautiful guitar with beautiful craftsmanship. As a beginner with small hands (even for a lady) I have found acoustic guitars in the past to be very uncomfortable to play, the size of the body, the width of the neck, the high action, and after struggling with a Lorenzo Flame Series for the past year I decided enough was enough, electrics aren't almost impossible to play so why should I have to struggle with acoustic? I did some research and everything was pointing me towards the Taylor GS Mini-E series. Holding this guitar in my hands for the first time felt like a revelation. It felt like Taylor had made a guitar specifically for me – wearing a strap the body fits easily under my arm and my fingers just know exactly where they're meant to go. The sound of the guitar is rich and vibrant with a bright top tone – quite a feat in a parlour size guitar. After watching reviews it seems that this is due to the Koa body. The guitar also comes with soft, well-padded case that feels like it'll protect well from bumps and bruises whilst travelling. It has some nice shoulder straps so it feels like you're wearing a large (but light!) backpack. The best thing about this guitar though is that it's such a joy to hold and play that I can't put it down; my playing ability has increased so much in the past few weeks since buying it. As a beginner I absolutely recommend this guitar as an introduction to acoustic guitars. If you're a beginner and you've been playing an electric for while but want to get into playing acoustic, try out a Taylor GS Mini-e – it might be the one for you.Laura K.

Bought this one for the kids, but it's so much fun I'll probably play it more. This has to be one of, if not the best short scales in this price range. Mine came with a great neck, good frets and no sharp ends. Weight wise, its a little heavier than I expected- maybe 7.5 lbs? Fingers, pick, slap, all sound good with no rattles. No neck dive. The only weak point I think is the cheapo bridge. Its really unstable and the E saddle could be bumped and moved too easily. I ordered a Hipshot when I ordered the bass because I hate these style bridges anyway. I'd have had to shorten the screw or maybe just cut off some spring length on the stock saddle for the E (and possibly the A) to get them to intonate. Get the bass on sale, a Hipshot for another fifty and it's a performer on par with basses that cost a grand or more, and still less than competing Squiers or Epiphones that also probably need upgraded bridges. I mainly just use the P in a PJ setup, but installed a Fender J anyway because this one was noisy at home (but not at rehearsal for some reason). I had to carve away about a millimeter of wood on top and bottom of the bridge cavity to fit the Fender, so be aware that aftermarket pups may not be a straight drop in. Upgrading the pups is not really needed though IMO. The tuners have the large posts so breaking strings is less likely. They seem to be holding pretty well. I can get through a few songs without having to re-tune, then it's only a minor tweak to the E and A.Lothar

I wanted a no-nonsence, light weight, easy to play and transport, bass for gigs and rehearsal. All these “bases” are covered and some. I can’t say or explain enough, how great this short scale guitar is to hold and play, especially for a “senior” musician looking for comfort on stage! Smooth neck, warm tone, no set-up needed, right out of the box! The price is right too! Try one for yourself!Jimbo

I got this bass for my son as he’s wanting to learn bass and music theory from myself . I’d been teaching him on one of my fleet of basses but he was complaining that it was too big for him so I decided to look into the small scale range at a reasonable cost. I seen this bass which, to me, looked perfect for an 11 year old to learn on . After receiving this bass I gave it an inspection and I was very impressed with its factory set up and the general build of this bass. I plugged it in and gave it a blast through one of my smaller rigs and I was literally left flabbergasted at the sound of this thing. It’s a little ripper! It particularly sounds best when using a pick with it but it can hold its own finger style too. I’d be quite happy using this bass on stage and I have many basses by distinguished brands ans custom built basses by luthiers . It goes to show that what’s perceived as a lower end instrument can actually prove to be a hidden gem. It’s loud, it cuts the mix and it plays like butter. What a great bit of kit.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I bought this bass because a friend had one that worked great and played great and I loved it. When I purchased mine I had it sent to my house. 5 days later and it comes in with busted knobs and I had to take it in for a refund. They had another in stock and I took it home. Well the second is busted too. Huge disappointment considering how much I enjoy playing this bass. Absolutely unreliable and I won't be getting a third one.James

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

I really wanted this bass for a long time it just looked so cool in the sea foam green roasted maple neck. I just couldn't get out of my bubble on a p bass. I finally said screw it and give it a try and I'm glad I did. First off i opened this it came perfectly setup and ready to go no fret buzz or anything this is my first multi scale bass and it wasn't hard to get used to once in awhile I'll mess up but I've gotten used to this bass now and it's easy. The sound. While as the pickups are very dark the pre amp cleans it up nicely I choose not to use it tho because I'm more of a passive player it's nice to add for a boost in a song tho so it's cool to have. With a lot of eq and the right cab this comes together really nice I would recommend using stainless steel strings to help give more brightness to this. The body is really nice I can play for hours standing up without problems in the shoulders. I recently bought a new fender p bass for a lot more than this bass and from putting them off together I would say this bass is different and has more benefits than a classic p bass you get a lot more sounds stainless steel frets and the roasted maple neck which I wish was a thing years ago. Which bass would I prefer we'll it be the Ibanez at this point because of all the great features it's priced well plays and sounds great for the money my number one thing about any music I've done for the last twenty years is something that cuts through the mix easily the p bass has always been my go to it's easy and you get to work right away this bass is on that level just add more mids and high end and your set I've been recording music for clients with this bass for about a month now and they are very happy with there recordings I will continue to use this bass for now on no more tuning to e eb d c since I got this I've relearn to play everything in one tuning and it's awesome it saves so much time I couldn't be happier with this bass and would recommend it to anyone out there.Anthony

I had been looking at the EHBs for some time now and finally pulled the trigger. Needless to say, I have not been disappointed. Having severely injured my left shoulder in highschool, the weight of basses caused problems over the years and was only getting worse as time went on; especially 5 and 6-string basses. Problem solved. The weight of the EHB is perfect and I no longer suffer those issues. It's ergonomic design is supremely comfortable both standing and sitting. The variety of tones from the electronics is superb. The instrument arrived in a timely fashion and the setup was spot on. The only "issue" is a slightly cosmetic one involving the top layer of the body not being perfectly aligned with the controls (less than a centimeter gap). It doesn't affect the sound nor playability so it wasn't worth a change in the rating.G. Brown

Overall: This is the nicest bass guitar I have ever owned. It is super light weight, has so many different tones that you can't possible not find what you're looking for. The back of the neck is so soft to the touch is makes for fast playing and very easy slides. The tone this guitar puts out is unbelievable. It is so clean and crisp and clear I don't think any other bass out there sounds this good. The guitar stays in TUNE!!! I use a strobe tuner and on occasion I might have to turn these monster tuners maybe 1/20th of a turn. The intonation was perfect right out of the box. The bridge is so beefy. I think this is Ibanez's best bridge they have ever made. The strap locks are sturdy and beautiful as all of the hardware is. This neck is awesome and beautiful craftsmanship. The wood used for the body is gorgeous and the dragon's eye finish is spectacular. My wife is very jealous of this instrument or should I say work of art. BUY IT!! You will not regret it.Robert

I've bought three of these so far. The first one I gave to my bass player. When I decided I wanted one for myself, I ordered another one. Like the first one, it was attractive, with no obvious manufacturing defects. However, the D string had a bad buzz. It wasn't fret buzz or sympathetic vibration, because it happened wherever I fretted the D string, but would not buzz when I played D on the A string. I determined it must be a problem in or under the bridges. I loosened and reset the bridge pin for the D string and it didn't help. I called Ibanez, and they told me to try the things I'd already tried, then told me to send it back. The MF customer service fellow was EXTREMELY helpful, so no complaints there. But the one I ordered in it's place had the EXACT same problem. Since nobody else makes a bass in this class, I'll keep this one and troubleshoot it myself. Just saying, if you buy one of these be sure and check it out immediately.Paul

Instrument was ordered and delivered very quickly. Only took about 4 or 5 days to arrive. Pros: The bass feels pretty good right out of the box. Only thing is that the washers on the tuning machines were loose which just needed to be tightened. The smaller size makes for more of a guitar feel to the frets which is great for jamming out. The intonation of the instrument seems good. All notes across seem well in tune and ring well. The harmonic at the 12th fret is in tune to the open string. The frets don't protrude off the neck and seem to be sanded down well. The pickups sound fine. All the frequencies come through the amp very well. The built in tuner works well. Sometimes it has to think about the low E but that's understandable. Cons: The strings are extremely flexible and slinky which causes the string to go under the frets. If you strike very heavily and are digging into the strings when playing on the first three strings then some buzz occurs. My guess is that the harsh vibration of the strings touches the other frets which might occur because they are long scale bass strings. A friend mentioned that the GS Mini strings from taylor might fix that up which makes sense though I am doubtful. Good luck finding a bag for this instrument. The size is close to a guitar in length, however, the body is just a bit thicker than an acoustic guitar. I think a dreadnought body is similar though might not be thick enough. Maybe the acoustic guitar roadrunner bags might work but I haven't had a chance to try it. TL,DR: it's aight.Vic the Butcher

this bass requires batteries even if you only want to use the 1/4 out to an external amp. tech support confirmed that it does have passive pickups, but active electronics. messing with 3 AAA batteries is a pain. i would prefer that it have a bypass switch to route the pickups straight to the 1/4 output. just a caveat if you’re thinking of buying this. it was a deal breaker for me. cheers!inland b.

My TB-4P is better than 7 years old when writing this review in 2022. Mine is black with a white pick guard, which they do not offer anymore. I have better than 50k miles traveling with my TB-4P bass in the small trailer I tow behind my Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and equally as many traveling by car. This bass has also been on close to 20 flights with no issues by TSA or the airlines. There are several positive features about the TB-4P bass. First and most importantly is its' small size and light weight making it easy when on the road. Next is the full size scale and neck. The TB-4P bass plays just like any regular size bass. So practicing in this Traveler Bass is just like practicing on a full size P, J or other bass. I didn't realize until I started traveling with this TB-4P how important the built in headphone output, 1/8 inch or 3.5 mm plug input and internal amplifier are. All I need to practice with the TB-4P is headphones and my music player with a cable to connect to the bass and I'm ready to play along with my practice audio materials. I play silently using headphones or plug into a small powered speaker (a bluetooth speaker with a 3.5mm input is my go to amp on the road) or any regular amp input and I can play along with others hearing both my bass and music player audio. As an example how many trips my TB-4P has been on, I wore out the original travel case ordering a replacement earlier this year. Because this bass is so easy to carry, and plays and sounds like a regular bass, I usually bring the TB-4P to setups prior to a gig for basic rig and sound check purposes, as well as many rehearsals or practice sessions. The craftsmanship and workmanship of the TB-4P is outstanding. The setup is spot on and the frets are smooth. The TB-4P is ready to be played and enjoyed right out of the box! I recently purchased a Redlands Acoustic Bass for acoustic sessions with equal level of satisfaction!zutltd

I was a little unsure and thought this purchase over for a while. There was none available at the nearest big name Guitar shop (over 90 miles away) to try out so I made a leap of faith. I already own a Traveler Electruc (old style with piezio pickup in the bridge) and it has by now accumulated enough airline miles and hotel points to take an extended vacation in Fiji! I am glad I did. A fullsize bass takes up a fair amount of room and since i travel a lot, a small footprint fullscale instrument is preferable – I've had too many bad exeriences with airlines and instruments. The playability is great – action feels good, and even for a bass is light. The only weak points I have found so far is the pickups sound a little thready and the built in headphone amp is weak. If only I could find a portable bass amp comparable to my Honeytone…..Mad Uncle Dave

It arrived like new. Needed some soldering, once done it worked fine. Action was nice. Feels really light compared to other basses I own. The tone is fairly good. The pick ups are a little noises, but fine through my effects board. Tuners seem quite good. I watched other videos on YouTube before buying this and thought it was good for the price.proctor3284

For $219 you can't go wrong Has great response from strings to pickups to amp The volume and tone are also responsive The black pickups are an excellent touch which adds to the all black theme The only criticism I have is the finger board has sharp edges designers should have rounded them off However for the $ it's an outstanding bass which I find hard to distinguish from my more expensive basses Bravo to staggjjblockport

Packaging was secure. Peanuts, wrapping, double boxed. Looks greater than image portrays. Very lightweight bass. Reviews on YouTube are helpful. I have yet to plug it in but apparently you may want to add a little gate but honestly you could just raise the action. I love it as is. It came with tools and a cable. There is some black "polish" that may rub off as you play.John

I bought this bass awhile ago. After reading several negative reviews I think the issues they have is this bass is shipped with no tension on the truss rod/neck. Out of the box it is not playable, sounds horrible and you need to adjust the truss rod to add relief to the neck. After making that adjustment this bass is a great beginners bass and sounds good. You will not be disappointed. Just watch a YouTube vid on how to add relief to a guitar neck / adjust truss rod.Gerald

I got this just to use for home recordings after YEARS away from bass playing. I've owned better in the past, but this is not bad! It has a good tone and the neck is easily playable. Sounds good playing through a Fender Rumble 25 watt amp. If there is one thing I don't like, it's the round-wound strings. I first started with flat wounds, playing funk and R & B, so the strings aren't as "warm" as I'd like. Still good for slap styles or for rock.Lee

I bought this bass back in 2003, and wanted to start playing again. I played bass in the early 1980's till 90's. I grew up with Rock to Metal days and had a Fender bass. I got caught up in marriage and working 12 hr days , so I sold my equipment. This bass plays well once you get it set up. Sounds great for a budget bass. I still have it among other upgrades bass guitars I now have. I still like playing it. And it still looks like new . Great bass for the money.Jbrocky0

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

This fretless bass is a great value! This bass is about 1/3 the price of the next cheapest fretless. The sound is very good with a wide range of tonal possibilities. Exactly what I was hoping for. The flat wound strings have amazing treble, similar to round wounds. I was able to lower the action quite a bit by adjusting the bridge with the provided Allen wrench. On the downside, while the A, D, and G strings were flawless, the E string was dead. It was totally mismatched to the sound of the other strings; thumpy without any treble. I guessed that the outer wrapping around the core had unwound at the factory and was not tight. Removing the E from the tuning peg and twisting it to tighten the wrap around the core improved the sound dramatically. Endemic to this model is a design flaw (I tried 3 of these basses previous) wherein the two tone controls are wired in series rather than in parallel. Either tone control can control the tone of either the bridge or neck pick-up, so that it is impossible to control the tone of the two pickups independent of the other. Consequently, you can roll off the treble fully with one tone control and then roll it off again with the other for an insanely deep bass sound. You can easily re-wire this unforgivable defect in a few minutes, if you own a soldering iron. You can Google this slip-up and get a correct wiring diagram online. I may leave it for now, as I am getting into the tonal possibilities of the "extended bassy" sound. Finally, the fret board is unmarked. Being a visual player, I found it helpful to pencil in fret lines. The side markers provided on the neck are not so helpful, as they are in the traditional fretted positions, one half fret back from the place where you need to finger. These drawbacks are not a deal breaker in my opinion. The bass is a blast to play and the tone is completely different than my fretted basses. GET THIS BASS! I STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT!Lenny

To be honest, I bought this bass mostly because of a great discount offered by Musician's Friend. I didn't want to spend a lot on the bass since I only wanted to experiment with fretless playing. However, this bass was a pleasant surprise. It looks great, plays great and has provided me with a bass sound I always wanted but could never get with my fretted basses. I was concerned that I would play out of tune without the frets, but it was easy to get used to finding the correct notes. The pickups are excellent! I've recorded several tunes with it now and honestly love the results. I'm impressed by Rogue basses, which many of my bass-playing friends shrug off as being "cheap" and not a brand name. They don't know what they are missing! I intend to buy a fretted version ASAP. It is lighter than my Fender Jazz basses and the smaller neck is easier to play. In conclusion, I'll never be a bass 'snob' again. Rogue products are an excellent bargain and not just for "beginner" bass players.lcad1953

I am mainly a guitarist but have always had an interest in a fretless bass. It sounds surprisingly good. To get intonation right I had to replace the bridge adjustment screws with longer 3X50 mm screws. Without that fix it is unplayable. Another fix would be to move the bridge plate 1/2" towards neck.Tom

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