Thank you, because thanks to this, I am getting a mikro without a doubt.

Nice playing of "Round About" by Yes! Just bought the mikro...after not playing bass since Highschool figured this old man would pick it up again now the family is grown and I have time :)

The Mikro sounds better than that Fender. Thanks for helping me make the decision to by the mikro

Yep... Ibanez makes great basses, even the cheap one.

The Micro sounded really good. I could hear a little bit of fret rattle, which makes sense given the super short scale. As a guitar player, the short scale of the Micro really appeals to me.

Thanks for playing rush. Oh and the bass was cool too! I’m looking at the mikro 5

The Fender sounds great with more funky snap and better intonation, but the Mikro does a respectable job of getting the P-J sound down. Impressive.

I like what you did here and I like that you left it up to us to make up our minds. I heard more fret rattle on the Ibanez, but I'd be more surprised if I didn't hear that given the shorter scale. I'm 62 and the Aria Pro II that I've had since 1985 never really made me feel as comfortable as I'd hoped. I really want to get back into playing and everything I've seen and heard about these little Ibanez numbers makes me very enthusiastic to try one. In the UK, we pay almost exactly £ for $ so financially it's the same deal. Also, appreciate the Chris Squire 'homage'. Nice job.

The Fender sounds soo much clearer! I love it! and I love the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy stickers!!

I honestly think the Mikro sounds better.

Yeah Im getting one. Thank you for this video!

Hi Pete, I've been a bass player since the 70's. At first I thought this was a joke video but was pleasantly surprised with your test. I had a Mikro bass and sent it back due to the poor sounding E string. It was dead. Found out that I needed to get a set of D'Addario's. Also, I was worried about it being a passive, as I'm an active bass pickup player. Your video affirmed to me that my 30 years of playing Ibanez was the right decision for me. The Mikro sounds incredibly punchy for the price and it's a cool little bass. Thanks again for the video, I'm going to go out and get me another Mikro! :=)

I am looking at my first bass. Guitar player for decades. Shopped for the Mikro and found this review. For a first time player the price and sound is more than sufficient for the Mikro. The only con I noticed was a little fret buzz, but you can't complain for $200. Thanks!

The Mikro makes me smile every time I play it. I have much more expensive basses, but the sound and playability of that cheap Mikro is awesome. I highly recommend flat wound on the short scales. They sound much better to me.

Sorry, but that little Ibanez Mikro just totally put your Fender to shame. So I went out and bought 2 of those little Mikros, a white one and a black one. Hottest and quickest bass I've ever played, and the same size as my other regular guitars.

The Mikro is an incredible value. I have a 4 and 5 string and both are great. For $179 and $199, you can't beat it. The 4 string has a nicer neck finish than most basses costing 2-3 times the price. I wish I could get a guitar under $200 with a neck that nice. Also, many dont understand that a shorter scale bass will give you more thump. They are excellent for old school motown and reggae, especially with flats. Not to mention the Mikro is light as a feather to wear and carry around. One of my all time favorite basses.

I bought a Mikro Bass last year, it is lightweight, comfortable and plays and sounds great.... recommended.

I am a returning bass player. I went into the army in 1966. My bass stayed home. In 1969, when I came home, my bass playing skill had died for some reason. Like so many of my buddies did. So, now I bought a micro bass. The strings did rattle. They were round wound that came with it. I got it from a reseller of used equipment. Lucky for me, this was a Xmas present and the kid decided it wasn’t for him. It was virtually brand new. I did replace the strings with Ernie ball light gauge from GUITAR IGNORANT CENTER. They know nothing. So, I needed to try something. They still rattle. I did do a little string height tweaking. About 90 percent went away. The annotation is acceptable. However, I ran out of screw height adjustment so I am placing a shim from stainless steel sheet metal 14 gauge, which is about 0.074” inches thick. Now, I did order some D’Addario flat wound short scale bass strings. I don’t like the sound of the round wire wound. My original bass was a KAPA.......1964. It was totally awesome. If I could find another, in any condition I would buy it. So, I am hoping with some good strings and a little more tweaking, I made a great buy. I am a short guy and almost 60 years older, and don’t want to spend a lot of cash. But I really have to say, this bass really fits me well, and I think it will play well.......until. Thanks

The Mikro punches way above its weight (measured both physically and financially). However, I find that it benefits from different strings than the ones that come on it. I have two Mikros purchased at different stores (not the same chain, either) and both of them came with a .095" E string, which felt a little too loose to me. I put D'Addario EXL-170S strings on (.045"-.100") and they were quite an improvement. (Oddly, the official Mikro strings that Ibanez sells have a .105" E string according to their web site, but I measured mine and they were both .095" -- and a .105" string won't even fit in the nut the way the factory cut the slot.)

Have had a Mikro for years, suits the purpose great for banging around to practice sessions, especially when having to travel on on public transit - and best of all, it fits in a regular guitar gig bag!

Thank you for this video!

That little Mikro seems to have much more output while the fender is more warm and round sounding..I'm not a bass player but would prefer the Mikro for hard rock and metal while the fender would be a better choice for country, blues, jazz, R&B and soft rock or anything with a lot of space..The Mikro might need a little of the bottom end brought up with eq but a very good bass for attacking root notes at faster tempos.

The mikro sounds awesome!

I like the sound of the Mikro. Thanks for the comparison.

I love playing Roundabout, too. Great bass lines from the late great, Chris Squire.

Sounds like a snare drum is close by.

This must really depend on what you're listening through. I'm on reference monitors and I liked the sound of the Fender a lot more... but I want a Mikro since I'm more of a guitarist. But all these comments loving the Mikro more really surprised me. I think some people are reacting to the output difference - Mikro being a bit louder. In a mix would tell a lot more.

Thanks so much, after seeing your video I bought a Mikro in rootbeer metallic color.

Well the Fender sounds way better and it does not buzz, but I imagine you could take the buzz off the mikro with a neck adjustment. But would that make the action too high?

They both sound pretty good, just different. The only thing I did notice is the Ibanez had fret buzz that I didn't hear from the Fender. If that could be sorted out I'd get the Ibanez over the Fender, not because it's better, but because I'm a guitarist and like the smaller form factor.

I was surprised how good the Ibanez short-scale sounded. One possibly drawback I've read about is that it might not work well on low tunings - Eb and below.

i like the sound of the ibanez

Wow thanks for great comparison. And especially comparing same riffs. The bigger bass is in tune a little lower but I am def. getting a micro bass.

I have been playing a 71 jazz bass since 1975. I switched to a mikro because of shoulder and back pain. The Mikro has a much more bottom then the fender. It takes a light touch on the left hand or it will play sharp.

I'm thinking your pickup change in the P bass brought the two closer together. My MIM P Bass had a rounder tone than this.

Mikro sounds Epic!!

Thanks for the comparison!. I bought a Mikro for a bassist friend of mine who's played his thin-neck P-bass for 25+ years.. just thought he's enjoy having a new toy to mess with (and I've seen him play his Hofner beetle bass for the short neck comfort). I'm a keyboard player... is that fret buzz I hear on the Mikro? My friend plays hard with a pick at times, and if I understand correctly, a shorter string means a looser string for a given note? Any Mikro-tips on the best compromise? Thanks!

I just bought an identical mikro. For what it is I really love it. Being a guitar player primarily it feels more at home due to the shorter scale. On a different note-why are people complaining about a little fret buzz? I actually like it on a bass and is kind of a trade off for lower action. I hear some buzz with many pro players due to a fast action.

I liked the Fender's sound better. More defined and less muddled. Can you eliminate the fret buzz on the mikro with some adjustments to the neck and bridge?

Mikro sounds more oldschool to me because of the low mid it produces... most probably because it's a short scale. I'm looking for that kind of tone right now. Not saying it's better or worst then the fender. Just depends what you are looking for. Thanks for this review.

Personally, I was hoping you would tell me what YOU thought. I'm searching for technically speaking, 1st bass and not getting any help!

Ever try re-stringing and using as a "baritone" guitar - I'll bet it would sound great.

I just bought the Ibanez Mikro. It sounds pretty good, but not nearly as good as my brother's full size Fender. I notice that the low E rattles (hits the frets) quite a bit more than a full size bass, which might be due to the strings being looser, but the looser strings also make it easy to bend notes. I am not a bassist and wanted something easier to play when I switch from guitar. This is it. Other positives are: very thin neck, body design makes it easy to reach the high frets, very light and fits in a regular guitar case. I paid $180 USA.

Wow! pretty even up I'd say? Gettin a Micro for sure!

Wow, the Mikro sounds a lot better to me. And a fraction of the cost of the Fender.

i mean, i dont know how all this works. but the ibanez sounds pretty decent compared to the fender (is it?) i'd get the ibanez to learn, if i had the money of course

I forget the exact model but it is a Gio Mikro bass.

From what I understand as a guitar player is that the short scaled basses are more trebly. But then wouldn't you want the bass to have a more BASSY sound, like the one that the Mikro has?

As a guitar player I was looking for a bass to record with and while I was tempted by the playability of the Mikro, it just doesn't sound good enough.

Nice presentation. Getting the Micro Ibanez to practise with and learn new riffs. Use a Fender Jazz for performance.

Yup... Ibanez knows their shit. 150 vs 1500 ... no brainer!

Having messed around with various basses over the years I firmly believe it's better to spend more and get a quality bass amp. I've had some pretty cheap basses that sounded good when pushed through a 150 watt or bigger amp. But a high end bass sounds like poop when run through a cheap cheesy tiny piece of garbage. Go big or go home. Just my humble opinion.

Short scale sounds way better. Deeper.

Is the Ibanez good for an adult to learn on?

I like the tone in the Fender more but the Ibane sounded decent. I jst bought the Mikro and im waiting to get it. It looks small on you but im a smaller person so maybe itll work

wow I can't believe it but I like the Ibanez Mikro the best

Love my micros

Both instruments sound great however a fender mustang may have been an interesting bass to use in in this comparison.

I bought the mikro. Use a Fender Rumble "studio" combo amp and play the bass with a slightly softer attack than the std. 34" scale bass......had it set up correctly, and the Mikro sounds every bit as good as anything else. There's no fret buzz and it's a real thumper with deep rich tone. My P bass is not any better. Just like someone who plays electric guitar the same as acoustic guitar, without some technique change, it's not going to work out so well......and the Mikro just reqd. a subtle not so hard follow thru, that's all.....I mute with following thumb, and with one of the two plucking fingers muting the string just played....

Real question: Can you get the sound of the Ibanez out of your American bass? Oh, and how's that dead spot around the 5th fret of your G string on the American? Mikro's don't have that problem, by the way. And is your American twice the weight of the Mikro or a mere 80% heavier. I can buy a Mikro in every color offered + the 5 string version for the price one of those new Americans. LOL!

You got a like for playing Limelight!!

With headphones the 1st part with effects, the fender sounded better. 2nd part with no effects, Ibanez sounded better. I had one (Ibanez) good quality, sold it, missed it and just got a brand new one for $119. This time going to put heavier strings and load it up with emg actives, that'll turn this mikro into a traveling beast of a bass.

Is the Ibanez Mikro Bass recommended for a serious playing? I'm starting a band with my good buddies, and we agreed to take things seriously. The bassist is a guitarist-turn-to-bassist who struggled to reach the frets of a bass.. Will it be good & okay for gigging (or even professional use) after component upgrades?

Definite difference in tone compared to full size Fender but sounded really though.

I think the Ibanez really held its own but man, that Fender sounds great!

It seems obvious that the Ibanez has more punch, especially with the sans amp. I hope that eventually Ibanez will start to show it more respect and outfit it with Phat II and flat wounds and tape wounds By the way, this is the best comparison video yet. Prof Bruze

I think the little mikro sounds good but the not transition are smooth with the more expensive bass but I feel for the money the mikro would do just fine if you don’t have the budget

BAD ASS BRIDGE!

Definitely not a 2K difference in sound quality. Back in the day I used to buy only Fender bass’s, nowadays all I buy and use is Ibanez bass’s, mostly the less expensive SR series. Last week I just purchased a new Ibanez Mezzo medium scale bass, $300 and it kills !!!!!,,, (I think my full scale Ibanez SR bass’s are going to collect some dust)

Love me some Yes.

The sound difference is not that much, and has more to do with the shorter scale than the cost. I would tell a beginner to buy what they are comfortable with for a bass and save the real bucks for an amplifier.

The sound of Ibanez GRS200 Micro 👍👍👍🌹🍋☘️

The Micro fits the bill in many ways . While it isn't a Fender American Standard it doesn't sound bad. It's perfect for smaller people kids or adults and great for travel. It's a cheap bass anyone can enjoy !

At 54 a friend has talked me into trying to play again. I failed for several reasons back in the mid 80s. After bouncing around a couple sales sites and checking a couple company sites I decided to get a Mikro in Walnut flat. I wanted a short scale for my small hands. I was a little worried about the sound of a cheaper bass, $180 on both company sites, but now I am looking forward to buying it. Thanks!

For more brightness and detailed sound: Fender, for a more bassy sound: Ibanez Mikro.

neither of them sounds right to me. setups?

Does the low E string hold up in Drop D tuning?

Ibanez makes quality gear. Even their budget friendly equipment is pretty damn good

Would have been even closer if you had put a high mass bridge on the Mikro.

I like the sound of the Ibanez and it's in my budget. Do you guys think its wise for a beginner to use the smaller bass as opposed to a full size bass? The smaller ones seems to cost less but if I learn on a smaller will it be difficult to change to a full size later?

Hello, for a beginner, what is the best option short or long scale? Thanks!

Nice. However, this is a bit of an apple-to-oranges comparison as one is standard scale (34") and one is super short scale (28.6"). They would inherently sound different, even if both cost $2000. This would be nice to see a comparison of your expensive bass to a standard scale cheapo version.

If you are a pro bass player, the Fender of course. If you are an ham and egger like me, why fight with your instrument? I have the Ibanez. light and fun. Plays like a guitar. Big basses are awesome sounding but I love this little bass.

I think there was another famous bass player who liked a short scale bass. . . McCarty? MacArthur? Macartly? Something like that.

great song/riff selection lol Ibanez not bad, but it's not close to Fender... what are yall hearing?!

Rush riffs! FTW. The Mikro sounds better to me. :)

They do sound some different but I can't honestly say one sounds particularly superior to the other...just a little different.

This is actually a good advert for the Sansamp, which helps the cheap short scale bass close the gap with a Fender bass that probably costs at least 10x more (with the aftermarket parts). The Mikro is a great value instrument.

If I just play the video without watching it, I don't know which is being played at any given time. I'm sure there are some with well developed ears that can, but to me they both sound the same, and with that it's a lot easier on the wallet to buy the Mikro.

Ibanez all the way 😎 awesome bass 👍

Mikro here sounds better uuu very niice

Ibanez mikro tem um ótimo som. Nada mal.

I just bought a Walnut Mikro! Somebody here likes Rush!! LOL You need to do a setup on the Mikro cause I hear a little Buzz.

ibanez sounds better for me🤘

That Ibanez sounds woeful, like someone throwing a drawerful of cutlery down an escalator. 🤢 Thanks for the upload 😎

Ibanez Mikro Bass WARNING: My pal just bought one and although it plays great and good tone, but the intonation isn't right because the bridge pieces sit at least a quarter inch too far forward and the adjustment screws/springs are too long to allow it to be adjusted back far enough to bring it into proper intonation. So just confirm the intonation with a tuner before you lay your cash/card down on one.

Apples & oranges. Ford & Chevy, but, given the quality of the video... I've been playing Bass for over 40 years and I'd take that Mikro on stage faster.

Prefer the Mikro. That said , any Jazz bass would sound better.

The p bass is in eflat tuning and the micro i regular e tuning

the Mikro seemed a little off key compared to the full size fender