I think some of the big pickup makers have a stacked humbucker J-bass pickup. I'd be interested in trying that.
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Best Strings for Ibanez Mikro Bass GSRM20?
- Thread starter davegardner0
- Start date
Don't know the "best" strings for a Mikro... I s'pose that's a very subjective matter... My recent experience tho has been that trying to install short scale RS88 Black Nylons in 65-115 gauge strained my Mikro's neck so much it made it damn near impossible for me to get good intonation or low sting height, no matter how much I fussed with truss rod and saddle adjustments! Dumping the RS88's, I switched to GHS short scale Precision Flats 45-95 gauge and these fit like they were custom made for the Mikro. Just one easy relief adjustment of the truss rod gave me perfect intonation and a nice low sting height!
And to my ears the lighter GHS strings sound damn good, plus being flats they're a lot easier both on my hands and the fretboard.
Greywoulf
And to my ears the lighter GHS strings sound damn good, plus being flats they're a lot easier both on my hands and the fretboard.
Greywoulf
I have used the Duncan "Classic Stack" neck pickup in both neck and bridge positions, and currently have one in a project bass. As others have described it, and I concur: it is a "polite" sounding pickup. By contrast, the bridge position version has so much wire on it that it loses top end, the whole reason for having a J-bridge pickup. I have not tried the Duncan "Hot Stack" versions.
Thanks @iiipopes -- now I know to pass on that one. I wonder if Nordstrand makes stacked pickups. I'm buying an Ibanez SR1200L with Nordy's. I love the sound of that combination.
I think the character is inherent in the stacking configuration. AFAIK, Nordstrand does not make a stack, but they do make a "sidewinder" humbucking soapbar: the Zen Blade. Even then, it is a little smoother than their single coil blade pickups.
My Mikro gives hum as well :
J pickup hum.
and the P pickup : sound of something being fried in a pan.
I gues it needs some proper shielding.
Looking for better strings as well
J pickup hum.
and the P pickup : sound of something being fried in a pan.
I gues it needs some proper shielding.
Looking for better strings as well
I bought my Mikro from Sweetwater and they did extensive testing on it. I told them I wanted the lightest one. It came in perfect. Perfect neck, frets, no pickup hum. Oh, and a bag of candy too! Back to the subject at hand, I wonder if a Nordstrand J pickup would fit in the Mikro. I know the P-bass pickup will.
Here's a photo of La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass 760FS-S (.045 .065 .085 .105) flats on my Mikro. They work! There's not a lot of tolerance for the G string, just a couple if millimeters, but it's enough.
As someone looking for a deep vintage tone (classic 50s-60s rock, soul, RnB) I really like the sound of these. Compared to the original strings it feels and sounds like a completely different instrument.
By the way, many thanks to the various posters here who helped me decide that for me as a guitarist who's decided to learn bass, this is a great first bass. I've had it for about a year and a half and have really gotten a lot out of it. I was thinking about upgrading and now with these strings I'm going to wait a bit.
As someone looking for a deep vintage tone (classic 50s-60s rock, soul, RnB) I really like the sound of these. Compared to the original strings it feels and sounds like a completely different instrument.
By the way, many thanks to the various posters here who helped me decide that for me as a guitarist who's decided to learn bass, this is a great first bass. I've had it for about a year and a half and have really gotten a lot out of it. I was thinking about upgrading and now with these strings I'm going to wait a bit.
That's very interesting! I have a set of the white tapewound flats on a few other basses, I really like the feel and sound of them. Never thought they'd work on the mikro bass though.
Regarding that almost too long G string, one option would be to use the trick of sliding an old string ball end onto the string before putting it into the bridge. That would set the string back a bit from the tuner by making the total string run length just a tad bit longer.
I also had good luck with the Deep Talkin's (same set as yours). Same experience with the G string just making it. But they worked. I'm glad the Mikro and the strings are working out for you.
Hmmmm.... Like adding a washer, eh? A good trick! Also one could probably use one of those little throwaway number squares some makers attach to the base of their strings.
Greywoulf
This is what I put on my Mikro. But you must know this is my first bass and the first set of aftermarket strings I've ever bought for a bass. So....
I just couldn't stand the finger noise and the tinny sound of the stock strings. I like the sound of the split coil pick-up, the bridge pick-up sound is not my thing.
I just couldn't stand the finger noise and the tinny sound of the stock strings. I like the sound of the split coil pick-up, the bridge pick-up sound is not my thing.
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Do you have experience with other stringed instruments? Guitar? Or is this your first stringed instrument?
I'm with you on the bridge pickup.
I'm with you on the bridge pickup.
I've made a half a dozen cigar box guitar and tried to learn guitar for sometime. Bass, well I might be able to make some sense of it, eventually. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give myself a solid 1.5 skill level
Sounds like you know enough to install the new strings. Good luck with it, and let us know how you like them.
I should have added that I've had them for about 1 year now. I like them a lot. They're very easy to play, almost no finger noise. The also have a very warm, smoky sound to them. They also seem to be very easy to keep clean. But like I said, I have no real experience with any other kinds of strings.
Well, you're on the right track. These strings sure do have less finger noise than roundwound strings. Trying different strings can be fun, if you don't mind the expense. Those tapewound strings you've got are very popular, here on TB and elsewhere.
How did those tapewounds go onto the tuners? I'm assuming they're long scale, on a long scale bass the nylon tape wouldn't extend to the part on the tuner but that's not saying it can't work like this.
On some other short scale basses in the house here I have Labella White Nylon Tapewound strings which feel and sound great in my opinion. Labella's tapewounds do come in short scale but you have to special order them.
