Just got done doing the setup on my Ibanez miKro GSRM-20 Short Scale.
I love this little beauty. As with any new instrument, I did a full setup, cleaning after a quick bit of playing.
There were some issues with this one.
- Cheap plastic “chrome” knobs
- Pots were not tightened
- The relief was epically off
- Major chatter on the E string
- String height was about 1/2 what it needed to be
- Intonation was nowhere close
- The pickups were ridiculously high
I considered taking it back to the shop and getting an exchange or a refund. But then figured what the heck, I’m only into it for $150. So, I did a full setup, tightened things down, and changed those cheapo knobs. So, an hours worth of work and $10 for the knobs, plus a wait for the truss adjustment to settle a touch…
I love this little beast. Good grief Ibanez! The tones I can get are excellent!
So, tell me your short scale experiences and any setup tricks you have discovered!
6 Likes
Congratulations on your short scale, I truly hope you love it.
My experience with a short scale was that it threw my muscle memory way off. For example, when I see a Bb on the page I’m instinctively reaching for the 1st fret of the A string, which is almost the full extent of my arm. When I played the short scale, my hand hit the head stock 
. I guess a short scale would be okay for me if that was all I played, but I’d have to retrain my muscle memory.
7 Likes
Oh.
Ignore my post… seems this topic is different enough since it’s more about short scale than setup per sé.
3 Likes
@PamPurrs It is definitely different. I really like though. However, it won’t replace long scale for the majority of my playing.
5 Likes
How are you finding the string tension? Does it bug you?
Those things are adorable and super short. There’s normal short scale (30"), and then there’s the Mikro (28.5").
5 Likes
@howard
The string tension is a bit different. A little more “slack”, especially on the E-string.
I took this into consideration during my setup and raised the bridge height just a tiny bit more than normal. No problems so far.
3 Likes
Wow pictures please
I have the same bass in the Matt walnut
E string is a major buzz
Unfortunately there are no music shops in the area, I got it mail order
I’d be terrified I’d damage it fiddling and I’m basically broke thanks to COVID
Don’t suppose you live in Wales lol
Belle
1 Like