Ibanez Bass Help

gatsby_jld · #1 11-30-2008, 02:16 PM

I am new to the bass guitar after playing sax all my life.
I have very small hands and bought an Ibanez GSRM20 MICRO, and I love it...but...it has a bad machine head.

I usually consider upgrades as a waste of money (can't polish a turd), but I haven't found any short scale I feel as comfortable with.

Would upgraded tuners such as GOTOH make much of a difference or should I just replace the OEM tuning machines?
How about pick-ups?

thanks,
...jld

JustDavid · #2 11-30-2008, 02:35 PM

Upgrade is one thing, repair another.

On the Repair topic, I'd be cranky at a mismatched looking or feeling tuner, so the repair could easily be all 4. YMMV.

On the Upgrade topic, are you dissatisfied with the other 3 tuners? Or are you getting a better tuning ratio (turns of key to turns of string's shaft; higher ratios give more precise tuning)?

Or a local repair shop or music store might have a used tuner salvaged; less $.

62bass · #3 11-30-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatsby_jld

I am new to the bass guitar after playing sax all my life.
I have very small hands and bought an Ibanez GSRM20 MICRO, and I love it...but...it has a bad machine head.

I usually consider upgrades as a waste of money (can't polish a turd), but I haven't found any short scale I feel as comfortable with.

Would upgraded tuners such as GOTOH make much of a difference or should I just replace the OEM tuning machines?
How about pick-ups?

thanks,
...jld

The stock Ibanez tuners are pretty good. I wouldn't replace all of them with anything else. It'd be a waste of money. An Ibanez dealer can order you a replacement.

gatsby_jld · #4 11-30-2008, 03:42 PM

Thanks for the reply David.

To clarify, I am deciding between getting 4 stock replacement machines and buying 4 aftermarket machines.

This is my first bass and I am not knowledgeable enough to really know if the tuners are OK or not. The only other bass I am familiar with is my brother's old Gibson SG. It is smoother than the Ibanez. I have read that other Micro owners have had Tuners fail.

I don't mind putting a little money into it, but not if it's a waste of money.

thanks,
jld

JustDavid · #5 11-30-2008, 03:42 PM

Missed the "pickups" part.

Lots of loving tales on pickup upgrades in the Pickups & Electronics forums.

My opinion is that it is too early for you to upgrade pickups. Work with the stock ones for awhile, learn what you like & dislike about those, then read & ask questions, then derive which are the right ones. My view is that pickups are the 'microphone' & the string is the 'voice'. There ain't a mic made that will turn Celine Dion into Barry White, nor one that will have my singing voice sound good.

MY OPINION is that you have a pretty decent starter bass. I presume it's used since you aren't taking the bad tuner issue back to the store. With that, the strings are gosh knows what & in gosh knows what condition.

I think your best upgrade is a new set of strings. Not knowing your tonal preference I'd suggest nickel roundwounds in medium weight & get the right set for your bass' scale.

JustDavid · #6 11-30-2008, 03:50 PM

You have to keep in mind that there's a fair step between Gibson & entry-level Ibanez.

If you like the bass, get another tuner or set of 4. If you are ho hum, trade it for one you like.

Plan C; if you sell the bass restore the original tuners & sell the upgrades.

Plan D; include the upgrade cost in the reselling price of the bass.

If the tuners keep the bass in tune when the bass is in a stable environment or if they keep it in tune after an hour of playing I'd call the tuners good. If they readily let you tune accurately I'd say they have a decent ratio.