5-string strings suitable for 4-string mikro bass?

[Bassonder]

I have an Ibanez GSRM20B miKro bass which is a 4-string short scale bass which I quite like. However I want to be able to play lower notes, so here's my question:

Can I use the lowest 4 of a set of 5 string for a comparable 5-string short scale bass such as the Ibanez Ibanez miKro GSRM25?

Can I just swap the original strings out for the lowest four of such a 5-string set, or would it be necessary to adjust the instrument somehow because of possibly different tension (if that's even possible)?

If this is not a really, really bad idea for some reason I could really use some recommendations as to what strings to get. So far I've come up with thes:e:

• [This invalid link has been removed]
  € 45
• https://www.bax-shop.nl/elektrische...d-short-scale-40-120-voor-5-snarige-basgitaar
  € 150 (Yikes!)
  

I wonder what factory strings are used on that Ibanez GSRM25.

I don't want to buy an actual 5-string bass (short scale or not). I'm not really a bass player (long time keyboard player), just trying to play some simple bass lines for some songs I'm recording and I'd like to try my hand at playing them an on actual bass guitar instead of using a keyboard. I might end up having some one else play these parts anyway but I'd like to have a go at it myself.

 

[JC BASS 91]

I would say that you could use the Ibanez Mikro Bass 5-string set that they make and sell. Not sure where they might be available where you are, but in the US they are available through Sweetwater (Link).

You would likely have to cut the nut to fit the strings and do a full setup (Adjust truss rod, bridge intonation and saddle height, etc), but it should be possible to do what you are suggesting. There are several players that restring their normal, 34" scale bases to BEAD tuning.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I have an Ibanez GSRM20B miKro bass which is a 4-string short scale bass which I quite like. However I want to be able to play lower notes, so here's my question:

Can I use the lowest 4 of a set of 5 string for a comparable 5-string short scale bass such as the Ibanez Ibanez miKro GSRM25?

Can I just swap the original strings out for the lowest four of such a 5-string set, or would it be necessary to adjust the instrument somehow because of possibly different tension (if that's even possible)?

If this is not a really, really bad idea for some reason I could really use some recommendations as to what strings to get. So far I've come up with thes:e:

• [This invalid link has been removed]
  € 45
• https://www.bax-shop.nl/elektrische...d-short-scale-40-120-voor-5-snarige-basgitaar
  € 150 (Yikes!)

I wonder what factory strings are used on that Ibanez GSRM25.

I don't want to buy an actual 5-string bass (short scale or not). I'm not really a bass player (long time keyboard player), just trying to play some simple bass lines for some songs I'm recording and I'd like to try my hand at playing them an on actual bass guitar instead of using a keyboard. I might end up having some one else play these parts anyway but I'd like to have a go at it myself.

Even with a 135 low B, total tension at BEAD would be *lower* than EADG (the stock set on the miKro 4 is the Ibanez IEBS4CMK, 45-105), so no structural problem in sight.

Of the three sets you're considering, I would get the Ibanez IEBS5CMK:

https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0894YTFKL

[The Pyramid and Dunlop 120 strings would be floppy at B on a 28.6" scale instrument (I would consider them if I had a miKro and wanted to tune them up to EADG for more tension than the stock set).]

In case the Ibanez .135 turns out to be slightly too long, and doesn't taper between nut and tuning post (as it preferably should), thread the string through a short metal tube, so that said tube separates ball-end and back of bridge, using up some length.

 

[Bassonder]

Thank you so much both of you. That Ibanez set is readily available, don't know why I didn't find it before:

Ibanez IEBS5CMK Mikro E-Bass Set 045

Snarenset voor Ibanez 5-snarige Mikro elektrische bas Snaardiktes: .045, .065, .085, .105, .130, Geschikt voor 28,6" scale, Coated Nickel Wound, Light Top Medium Bottom

www.thomann.de

I will just order a set and see how it goes. Thanks again!

 

[nickpc]

There's lots of good info on BEAD tuning here on TB, and we even have a club!

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-modified-bead-4-string-bass-club.1069699/

 

[Lenny JG]

Just adjust the nut and give it a setup after a few days or so. It'll be perfect.

 

[Appogee]

The 5-string Mikros (GSRM25) are inexpensive. Are you sure you wouldn't be better off just getting one?

 

[Bassonder]

The 5-string Mikros (GSRM25) are inexpensive. Are you sure you wouldn't be better off just getting one?

I'm not a bass player, not even a guitar player pretending to be one. I'm a keyboard player who happens to be able to play a bit of guitar and drums. So while they are not that expensive I don't think I would get my money's worth out of it. I also like how narrow the neck is on my 4-string miKro, the 5-string would be a bit wider of course. And I'd have another instrument to store. Had yours been the only reply I probably would have gotten a 5-string but with all the encouragement from previous posters and BEAD apparently being a thing I'm going to give BEAD tuning a try, even if I have a small nagging doubt. Plus, it would be nice to join your club, you seem like a nice bunch .

I must say I'm not too keen on adjusting the nut myself but I have watched some videos from StewMac (Dan) so hopefully I can do it without messing up.

Incidentally, should not all nuts be widened to accommodate the thicker strings, since they are all shifted by one position?

Finally, I do find myself wondering now what it would be like to tune my miKro bass in fifths . With a short scale bass that might not be as problematic as with a normal scale I reckon. And I won't be playing other people's stuff, just my own and even if I did I would be playing be ear, not from tablature or any other written notation.

Of course I wouldn't get to join your club if I tune it in fifths so there's that . I did read something about there being a 'Fifths Tuning Club' here on talkbass, anyone here a member of both clubs?

 

[Appogee]

Fair enough.

Incidentally, the 5-string Mikro has closer string spacing than the 4-string (16.5mm vs 19mm) and for that reason the neck is only 7mm wider.

The approach recommended by others to file the nut will I'm sure suit your purposes, provided that you can wrap your head around the bottom string no longer being E. This took me a month to get used to when I moved from 4-string to 5-string.

(I'm a pianist turned 4-string bass player who now only plays 5-string basses and can play a bit of drums and campfire-level guitar LOL.)

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Having migrated to long scale basse, I no longer frequent the Mikro club on Talkbass. It’s a gold mine of info on all things Mikro, including strings, and the members are very welcoming and helpful https://www.talkbass.com/threads/official-mikro-bass-club-part-3.1070840/page-506



If you get a chance, read some posts by StueyD regarding downtuning on a Mikro in that thread

I did do some DGCF on the Mikro with a 132 Chrome as D. A respectable 38lbf of tension. I did shorten the long scale Chrome though using a variety of methods so as not to wrap non tapered string around E post. DIY string shortening for fat long scale atrings is discussed here https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diy-making-short-scale-strings-out-of-long-scale-strings.1549282/
The last few posts in the thread have the easiest method using small collars as adjustable ball ends I guess

Long scale Chrome 132 shortened by yours truly at peg end on a Mikro tuned D1

its a shame Labella stopped offering the original 54 dtf 52 73 95 110 in short scale. Would have been ideal on a Mikro for D standard at least.
BEAD on a Mikro is the eqivalent of a long scale tuned to Ab and capoed at the 3rd fret. A difficult proposition in any language as far as a good string tension for B goes imho given the paltry options in short scale string availability at the gauge required, partic if flatwounds are desired.
Remarkably fat strings are out there though Round Wound Strings

Bass Guitar Strings – Newtone Strings

newtonestrings.com

You will have to modify the nut for BEAD size gauges on a 4 string Mikro. Or even for CGDA if you opted for 5ths tuning.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

With CGDA only the E slot needs attention as A is just tuned down to G. D stays the same. G is tuned up to A

 

[Bassonder]

Received my set of strings yesterday evening and re-stringed to BEAD about an hour ago. I like what I'm hearing!

I could clearly see a gap between the bottom of the strings and the bottom of the nuts (light was shining through) so I used the bit of string between the nut and tuning pegs to carefully widen the slots a tiny bit. The gaps are gone and and the distance between the strings and frets now looks about right to me. It plays and sounds well.

On the 12th fret the pitch is sharp by 25 cents according to my tuner, I never checked what it was with the original strings. Will have to see if I can reduce that by adjusting the bridge saddles to make the strings a bit longer, but I'll first give everything some time to settle.

 

[elvish_paisley]

Received my set of strings yesterday evening and re-stringed to BEAD about an hour ago. I like what I'm hearing!

I could clearly see a gap between the bottom of the strings and the bottom of the nuts (light was shining through) so I used the bit of string between the nut and tuning pegs to carefully widen the slots a tiny bit. The gaps are gone and and the distance between the strings and frets now looks about right to me. It plays and sounds well.

On the 12th fret the pitch is sharp by 25 cents according to my tuner, I never checked what it was with the original strings. Will have to see if I can reduce that by adjusting the bridge saddles to make the strings a bit longer, but I'll first give everything some time to settle.

Hey, cool. I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing and had the same questions. I’m curious how this works out for you, especially recording. If you can share any follow up I’d appreciate it. What kind of music?

I’m getting back into bass and recording and keep bumping my 5-string headstock on stuff. The purple Mikro is gorgeous too!

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Received my set of strings yesterday evening and re-stringed to BEAD about an hour ago. I like what I'm hearing!

I could clearly see a gap between the bottom of the strings and the bottom of the nuts (light was shining through) so I used the bit of string between the nut and tuning pegs to carefully widen the slots a tiny bit. The gaps are gone and and the distance between the strings and frets now looks about right to me. It plays and sounds well.

On the 12th fret the pitch is sharp by 25 cents according to my tuner, I never checked what it was with the original strings. Will have to see if I can reduce that by adjusting the bridge saddles to make the strings a bit longer, but I'll first give everything some time to settle.

You may run into problems with the saddle not going back far enough to intonate the B due to the B10 bridge design. A work around is replacing the long intonating screw with a shorter one. As mentuoned, Check out the Mikro club if you want answers to stuff. If the answer isn’t there for issues that pop up, there probably is no answer

 

[Bassonder]

Hey, cool. I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing and had the same questions. I’m curious how this works out for you, especially recording. If you can share any follow up I’d appreciate it. What kind of music?

Instrumental prog rock. If I have anything interesting to share I will do so.

At the moment I'm looking into shielding my miKro to reduce the hum and buzzing. That should help making recording easier.

 

[Bassonder]

You may run into problems with the saddle not going back far enough to intonate the B due to the B10 bridge design. A work around is replacing the long intonating screw with a shorter one.

It does look like I need a shorter screw to get it intonated properly so I ordered some today. I could have shortened the current screw but I prefer to keep it intact should I want to go back to regular tuning. Thanks for the tip!