I just got my Ibanez micro short scale scaled base and I was tuning it up and the E string is very loose.. It's in tune but it's very loose the other strings like the G-string G-string and the D string are kind of tight I'm not sure how tight strings are strings are on a bass since I've never played one before only played guitar,, am I doing something wrong There's already 2 winds on the peg for the E string, it's kinda floppy too, these are the strings it came with. Any suggestions? BTW don't have a amo yet so this is all unplugged so far.
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Loose strings
- Thread starter Kc9hlr
- Start date
The E string is generally going to have less tension than the others. Are you sure they’re all tuned to the correct pitch?
One thing you can try is a set of light top, bottom heavy strings. Harder to find sometimes for bass, but for e.g. D'Addario XL Balanced Tension Nickel Wound Electric Bass Strings EXL170BT Long Scale 45-107
Or you can get a set and a single string Single Strings For Individual Sale
It is also possible you just have a wonky set of strings there.
I haven't had this exact issue before though, so maybe other have ideas. My issue has been that I actually want my lower strings to be tighter, most of my basses have always seemed to have rather even tension. That's said, never played a short scale.
Or you can get a set and a single string Single Strings For Individual Sale
It is also possible you just have a wonky set of strings there.
I haven't had this exact issue before though, so maybe other have ideas. My issue has been that I actually want my lower strings to be tighter, most of my basses have always seemed to have rather even tension. That's said, never played a short scale.
I think we need to make sure all the strings are tuned to where they’re supposed to be before talking about buying new strings. Are these the sounds they make?
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Welcome to the plight of the Ibanez MiKro bass owners.
Your first bass that you bought is a 28.5" scale instrument, that is going to have less tension overall than anything else, especially since there are only a couple of sets of strings designed specifically for the instrument.
I "think" the strings that came with it are just stock D'Addario XLs that are short scale strings, which are still not made for your instrument.
Strings on a short scale bass are naturally looser in feel due to the reduced tension. When you're playing them unplugged, you tend to play them harder than you really need to (or even should) just to be able to hear what you're doing. That's not a good habit to get into in dealing with the lack of string tension/stiffness.
The best thing to do is to get a cheap practice amp so you can lighten up on your playing and let the bass produce the sound the way it's designed to.
Not sure where you are located, but Sweetwater sells strings of the Ibanez brand that are specifically designed for the Mikro - and they are coated like Elixirs. Might want to try these and see how it goes, assuming you have checked everything else noted above.
Ibanez Light Top/Medium Bottom Nickel-wound Bass Strings - 4-String for miKro .045-.105
Ibanez Light Top/Medium Bottom Nickel-wound Bass Strings - 4-String for miKro .045-.105
No affiliation with Sweetwater BTW...you can get these on Amazon also, as well as other online retailers.
Different gauges could help, but long scale strings won’t work well on a MiKro, if you can even get them on—you can get tuning and intonation issues, and even break strings. In addition to the strings packaged as MiKro strings mentioned above, those with winding lengths under 32” to the taper will work. Short scale strings from Stringjoy, Rotosound, D’Addario, and Dunlop should all work, and those are just the ones I happen to know of. I prefer the Dunlops, but they’re all reputable brands. The E is still lower tension than the other strings—as mentioned above, this is typical—but perfectly playable in standard EADG tuning, comparable to the same gauges at DGCF on a 34” scale bass.
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All that said, I think it comes strung with a .105/.085/.065/.045 set already, so you might not gain much unless you go with a particularly stiff brand. Of the ones I mentioned, Stringjoy is probably stiffest; if the GHS set fits, that might do it, but I haven’t tried them myself. You could also go with flatwound strings, but again, you’ll have to make sure they fit a MiKro (32” or shorter, ball end to taper).
Those MiKro basses are worth the trouble of finding the right strings, though. Solid enough basses compared to anything, but extraordinary for the money.
Here is the name of a thread where this is discussed a whole lot. It is in the strings forum and the thread is titled
Best Strings for Ibanez Mikro Bass GSRM20?
I don't know how to post a link yet. Anyone here help?
Scale was the 1st thought of mine. In this case, maybe 32" (or possibly 34") on a 28.5" scale.
Plus to @michael_t
The short scale is murder for tension of larger strings tuned to lower pitch. It’s not the bass, it’s your set.
The short scale is murder for tension of larger strings tuned to lower pitch. It’s not the bass, it’s your set.
I had an Gibson EB3 back in the 70s, and there are some picks out there of me playing it that looked like I was shooting arrows. The E string (rotosound swing bass) was so floppy I was pulling it beyond not only the pickup beyond the 1/4” plastic surround.
Needless to say, the life expectancy of my strings was about 4 gigs. I agree you may want to get a set of higher tension strings, possibly a thicker gauge which may help. I’m sure you will get more that a few suggestions on this thread for what to try. Until you find something that works for you, my advice is to lighten up on how hard your are plucking your strings. Best wishes.
