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Can I get flat strings for an Ibanez GSRM25 28.6" Short scale 5-string?

LeighOnSea

LeighOnSea

Aug 2, 2024
694
797
Lisbon
leighsutherland.com
#1
Hi

Can I get flat strings that will fit an Ibanez GSRM25 28.6" Short scale 5-string?

www.thomann.pt

Ibanez GSRM25-BK

Electric Bass Poplar body, Maple neck, Jatoba fretboard, 22 Medium frets, Nut width: 45 mm, Scale: 726 mm (28.6"- Short scale), Pickups: 2 Dynamix J/J Style single coils, B15 bridge with 16.5 mm string spacing, Chrome hardware, Colour: Black
www.thomann.pt www.thomann.pt

LaBella 1954 short scales would be my preferred option
But it seems only the 'normal' Deep Talkin' onese are available
www.labella.com

Deep Talkin’ Bass® Flats

Since the 50s and 60s, La Bella Deep Talkin’ Bass Stainless Steel Flat Wounds have been the choice of professional bass players and remain the standard
www.labella.com www.labella.com
Would these fit?

and any other similar alternatives?
EDIT: Could someone with one perhaps kindly measure the “string wound lengths” for me?

Thanks
 
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#4
Well, La Bella just replied to my question, "Do your Deep Talkin’ Bass® Flats short scale 5 strings fit the Ibanez GSRM25 miKro 5 string bass?" with a resounding 'Yes they will!"

And Ibanez just directed me to their short scale strings IEBS5CMK (Coated) | STRINGS | ACCESSORIES-STRINGS | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars
I didnt realise they were coated.
Anyone know what with? do these 'feel' and 'sound' somewhat like flats anyway? (i.e. I might be happy with the strings that come on it)

EDIT: It appears not - Sweetwater say,
"Put a pack of these Ibanez Nickel-wound Bass Strings on your miKro 5-string, and it will be ready for serious use in the studio or on the road. Experienced bass players here at Sweetwater love the bright, sharp attack of these strings, and they’re great for beginners as well. Coated to prevent corrosion from sweat and oils, these strings produce clear fundamentals and are built to last."
"The Ibanez IEBS5CMK strings are nickel-wound with a steel core, providing a bright, punchy tone with excellent clarity and sustain. Their roundwound construction delivers a classic, articulate sound suitable for various genres. The nickel winding also offers a smooth, comfortable feel under your fingers, enhancing playability."
"Coated nickel-wound strings produce a bright, clean attack and fantastic mid-range notes"
 
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#5
LeighOnSea said:
I haven't got one yet, I'm first checking what strings are actually available for it.
Sorry, should have said
Click to expand...
Ok...

LaBella "short scale" is 32.25" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk). If the actual measurement on the bass from the ball end to the tuner post is less than 32.25", that would mean the fully wound part of the string would end up wrapping around the post, which is something La Bella explicitly warns against. That's why I asked the question.

EDIT: If La Bella say it's good, then it's good.
 
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#6
Stuey3D

Post in thread '"Official" Mikro Bass Club Part 3'

SamBassPlayer said:
I purchased the Ibanez Mikro strings for my 4-string Mikro and after a few weeks the nickel finish wore off just from playing. They still play and sound good but are a copper color on the frequently used notes.
Click to expand...
Dunlop do 2 sets of short scale 5 string flats a 125-45 and a 120-40. I have the 125-65 on a 4 string Mikro tuned to BEAD and they work exceptionally well, but I would recommend replacing the bridge for something more substantial.

I am eyeing up a 5 string Mikro for my birthday if they ever come into stock in the UK/EU and that will be my BEADG bass, my current 4 string that...
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Prodigus Filius

Post in thread '"Official" Mikro Bass Club Part 3'

Splendonia said:
Guys, how do you feel about the B string tension on the 5 string mikro?

I tried one once, and granted, I had no experience with 5 strings but the B was a bit more loose than I'd like.

I have flats (labella) on my 4 string so there's certain tension I'm used to.

If I'd like more tension on that B string, what would you recommend? Since short scale 5 strings aren't that common (I think, not sure). I'm partial to flats .
Click to expand...

You'll have to live with squishy B. It's unavoidable on a scale length of 28.6". There aren't many short scale 5 string sets, let alone short singles out there for...
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www.labella.com

Deep Talkin’ Bass® Flats

Since the 50s and 60s, La Bella Deep Talkin’ Bass Stainless Steel Flat Wounds have been the choice of professional bass players and remain the standard
www.labella.com www.labella.com

www.jimdunlop.com

STAINLESS STEEL FLATWOUND SHORT SCALE BASS STRINGS 45-125 | 5-STRING

From picks to pedals and every accessory in between, Dunlop Manufacturing has been creating world-class gear for musicians for over 50 years. We consistently create the best selling picks and analog electronics, and carry a large line of accessories that set industry standards in their...
www.jimdunlop.com www.jimdunlop.com
 
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#9
michael_t said:
77 cm = 30.315". Are you talking about the measurement I asked for, ie from ball end to B tuner post? Or, is it the length from the ball end to the nut?
Click to expand...
Oooops, sorry for that Mars Climate Orbiter typo :D

The question I made to Thomann was, 'Could you tell me the string wound length of the Ibanez GSRM25-BK, please'

Their answer, I quoted directly, so I don't know what they mean by 'total length'

But, I would guess that they mean to the nut, since La Bella said their strings fit and the wound length of those strings is 32.35", which is > 30.315" .

I will confirm.

EDIT: I will now also estimate it myself from pixel distances of the scale length and the wound length on a picture of the bass
 
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#10
mmm... I think I have got it right, but it doesn't make sense.
Using the known scale length of 28.6" (which I took as nut to A saddle) and using Paint to find pixels lengh of this and then of nut to post of E and using simple ratio(any parellax photo errors are likely to be the same in both, so ratio unaffected):
I get a wound E length of 31.7" which is less than La Bella length of 32.25" which means fat part wound onto post = bad

I must have done something wrong, I'll ask on the MiKro thread for someone with one to measure it.

3960.jpg


This is the photo I used from Thomann

Screenshot 2026-04-24 153305.png
 
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#13
LeighOnSea said:
Well, I have a correct measurement from @mapleglo in a post on the MiKro thread
32 3/4 " for the B string (the critical one, despite my confusing it with the E-string - its a 5 string Leigh, you dope)

So, I am good to go
I am going to save up for this one instead of just waking it on the old plastic, again.
again
again
again
etc
Click to expand...
The measurement I provided may be about 1/4" longer than stock because when I replaced the bridge, I set it back on the body a tad to repair a factory defect that did not allow for proper intonation to be set for the "B" string. Even in its most rearward position, the bridge saddle was still not far back enough. I just remembered that tidbit of information.
 
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#15
You want a B string where the taper begins no less than 30.27"/769mm (distance from end of bridge plate to headstock side of nut) and no greater than 32.5"/825mm (distance from end of bridge plate to centre of B string tuning post)
 
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#17
Prodigus Filius said:
You want a B string where the taper begins no less than 30.27"/769mm (distance from end of bridge plate to headstock side of nut) and no greater than 32.5"/825mm (distance from end of bridge plate to centre of B string tuning post)
Click to expand...
The winding length on the La Bella "short scale" is 32.25". So the taper on the B would sit just short of the tuner post, hopefully not too close...
 
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