Good luck with the mini P! It’s a fun bass. The problem with all the lower priced instruments is variability in quality. Some can be great and some can be less so. But it is all way better than when I first started playing basses in the early 90s! Overseas basses have come so far in terms of playability and tone. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your story. I know what it’s like adapting physical limitations and illness to playing.

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

Oh I’m not that lucky! Some of these I have ordered in purely to shoot videos. Then they get sold off. Some are rentals. I am lucky in that I have friends who own a variety of basses I can then borrow! Thanks for watching!

Thanks so much for watching!

Thank you for such kind words! Thanks for watching! I had a G&L L2500 back in the early 2000s when I was still gigging a lot. It had such a beastly tone! And louder than anything else. When I get a fallout I will absolutely shoot a video! With that pickup, I bet it would sound good tuned down!

I wish they didn’t discontinue the Squire Jaguar vintage modified short scale bass. They were 200 new but now sell used for like 400.

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

Nice!! Having both string options is so awesome. Thanks for watching!

What flats are you using?

Thanks for the kind words, and for watching!!

Thanks so much for watching from so far away and for the encouragement!

Thanks so much for watching!

Prices of everything’s going up, unfortunately. But rosewood boards would be great! I have not yet found a pau ferro board I liked more than rosewood…. Thanks for watching!!

I played my first Squier (non-MIJ) in the late 90s and I agree that the quality then was not very good - more importantly, quality was very unpredictable as there was the odd good one. But now, the quality out of the box is much more consistent, more reliable hardware and the necks generally feel better. With a good setup, Squiers are totally giggable for most - maybe not for those who play rapid 32nd notes all night long:) Big improvement. Thanks for watching!

Right on! It’s a fun bass! Cool bridge mod. Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences!

Right on! That would be an awesome gift! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!

Awesome. Hope you enjoy the bass! I don’t currently have any intro to bass videos. Scott’s bass lessons has lots of that sort of stuff. I wear a glove to protect my fingers- autoimmune disease (dermatomyositis) almost totally destroyed my life in music….the glove keeps the strings from completely shredding my fingers apart, and keeps the pain better controlled. Thanks for watching!

For sure!! The stock J on its own is thin on the Ibanez, but you’re right, more tonal variety is available with pickup blends. Thanks for watching!!

Both are solid choices! Thanks for watching!

I’ve played the Jackson minion, it was super fun to play. I’ll try to get one in! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!

@@jonathanwong458music I actually designed a pickguard for my Jackson Minion and sent my design to a guy in North Carolina who made it for me. I'll send you a picture if you want and you can use it in your video.

That’s awesome! Have to source a minion bass, but that’s a great idea! You can email me: jdubsbass (at) hotmail (dot) com

I like this Squire but would prefer the Squire Vintage Jaguar SC bass. They discontinued them about five years ago when they were 200 bucks but now they sell for 400 used.

Thanks for watching and commenting!

Squire impresses me. They are decent quality for a low price. I got a Bronco a few years back, and I still play it.

I really hope you enjoy the purchase! It’s a fun compact bass. Thanks so much for watching!

Thanks so much for watching! Yeah, a maple board would be great, similar to how the sonic Bronco has a maple board option (which I liked better than the laurel).

@jonathanwong458music Yes sir. I have made a ton of Tele-basses using the Bronco necks. Then build a Telecaster body and you have something unique. My bass player played one forever. Now he plays the short scale Sterling Stingray. It is a fantastic bass. I would like to get a hold of a sub 30" neck to see how far I could push it. In my experience putting heavier strings gets the sound back up on par with 32 and 34 inch. We are currently running 105's. I think at this 28" I would run 110's. Probably have to drill the body and double the string back to use long scale strings but, that would be easy enough.

Sounds like a really cool project! 110s in such a short string wound length is a rare bird if not custom only, so increasing the string length at the body is a great work-around.

@@jonathanwong458music 👍

Thanks so much for watching and for your encouragement! Re: higher quality mini basses. There are several boutique-type builders who make short scales now (30"). But the 28.6" is more rare in the high quality tier. Although I have never played one, Form Factor makes a few 30" and a mini 27" basses. They are on the expensive side, however. In the lower tiers, CNZ and Flight both make mini jazz basses. You may have seen from my videos that it was medical issues and autoimmune arthritis and muscle problems that led to my journey with short scale basses. This is after owning probably 30+ 34" and 35" 4-5-6 string basses! Knowing what I know now, I think the G string sounds so much rounder and less pingy on a 30" compared to a 34". And they are so much easier for me to reach and play. With that in mind, in terms of a 'giggable' bass. Here are my perspectives - knowing that I am quite biased! a) A giggable bass is the one that allows you to play your best. The one that allows you to focus on the music instead of the instrument. It matters less if it's neon green, a 28" or a 35" scale, active or passive, made from a 'real' tonewood or chipboard etc. It is also the instrument that doesn't cause you physical pain, which in certain circumstances may not be reversible. *Most people in the audience do not care what instrument you play*. Except for maybe fellow guitar and bass players! The audience only cares about how convincingly you play and whether you are vibing the appropriate way, in the context of your particular gig. I play short scale basses 90% of the time these days and no one seems to mind (or notice). I play better on them, I can play longer on them and it doesn't hurt nearly as much. b) What you hear on my videos is the same Line6 patch I use in a live application. Direct to FOH. Same settings. So you're hearing the same thing the mix engineers get (and what I hear from my powered speaker). The Mini can be a giggable bass! The voicing/tone from the stock pickup is a bit aggressive and harsh sounding (for me), but EQ can tame that down. The right replacement pickup may help you achieve 'your sound' and may be a little more reliable. Similarly, a better bridge, pots and jack might help with reliability and adjustability, but there's nothing wrong per se with the stock setup. Hope this is helpful. Thanks for watching and reading!

@@jonathanwong458music Hey mate, thank you really for that answer! Actually didn't know about your state, that encourages me even more to keep playing :) ANd I guess you're right, as long as I can play, thats the best Instrument you can get. No matter the size,form or color! I appreciate that!

@derpderpson8796 My pleasure! I have a form of dermatomyositis. I've talked a bit about it in a few of my earliest videos. Life changing, for sure. Can't walk or breathe properly, so it puts things in perspective and has made me prioritize certain things differently. It's also the reason why I play with a glove on my fretting hand. I hope your joints calm down a bit and allows you to play more music!

Thanks for watching and commenting! Agree, the Mikro was more comfortable for me too. Not sure why as body measurements were similar. Re CV mustang. Missed out on getting a used one. Still looking! I’m still a tiny tiny channel so I’m limited to instrumentals I can buy, rent or borrow!! Always looking for instruments!

Thanks for watching! For a guitarist used to a 24 to 25.5” scale, I think it’ll be an easier transition to go with the super short 28.6” than a full scale 34”. Either of these would be a good choice. A lot of bass in that Squier.

With a normal scale I will properly hit my equipment when sitting and recording :-) I guess I won't regret the Squier, It's A Good Price in my Country.

Tight/cramped spaces is a good reason to want a super short scale! Good luck with the bass!

Right on! Thanks for watching!

Cool! Thanks for watching, sharing and commenting!

I want to check out the CNZ instruments! The sonic differences between similar instruments are sometimes pretty subtle……and it still sounds like me in the end! Haha. Thanks so much for watching. I’ll keep an eye out for the models you’ve mentioned!

@@jonathanwong458music "...it still sounds like me in the end..." - a ton of truth in that statement

$200 squier ……several thousand $ custom F bass…..still me, same bad habits, still ‘my’ sound as much as I hate admitting that!

@jonathanwong458music Seems to me that in my little practice room, I sound about as good on the Mini P as any - EXCEPT the Jack Casady. That stands out from them all, even the Hofner Club Contemporary. It's long-scale but is easier for me to play than other 34-inchers, ii waonde why

Vibe and how inspiring an instrument is is hard to explain and quantify. It’s like my 1st Gen PJ mustang. There’s just ‘something’ about it and it wasn’t expensive. But comfort is paramount. Can’t play well if it’s not comfortable.

Right on! Thanks, as always, for watching and commenting! I really appreciate the engagement and support

@@jonathanwong458music Anytime!

Getting kids involved in music is awesome! I no longer have either of these in my possession - The mikro now belongs to a friend and the mini was a rental. If memory serves me correctly, both of these were very light in weight and both were under 8 lbs. That being said, with entry level basses, I have found quite a lot of variability in weight (within the same model) as lumber is inconsistent in this price range. I have dedicated reviews on each of these basses on my channel, if you want to check them out. Hear more sound samples before you decide to purchase. Thanks for watching!

Yes, the reverse P does sound different! There are a few P style short scales on the market now. Thanks for watching!

Right on! Thanks for watching and sharing!

Thanks for watching! Unless cited otherwise, most of the playing examples are either originals or derivatives or variations on lines. Between, the mikro, mini P and the Jackson, I actually preferred the neck profile of the Jackson the best. It was the most comfy for my hand. The mikro came second. The pointy headstock may not necessarily blend with some gigs, but if you love it, then who cares what others think! The pick up in the Jackson was a little weak in comparison to the others but it sounds just fine/good enough for the price point. My best buying advice is always this: when you wake up in the morning, which do you want to play? Which makes you WANT to pick it up? Shape, colour, what other people think etc is far secondary. It has to inspire YOU. Good luck finding an instrument!

@@jonathanwong458music - Thank you so much for this insightful response. Much appreciated!

No prob. My pleasure!

Great mods! Yes, the P shape is pretty versatile. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Nice choice. Can’t go wrong with a P! Thanks for watching!

Right on! It was arthritis and joint issues that got me into playing short scales, myself. Has to be comfortable to play. Playing in pain sucks and only leads to more problems. Thanks for watching!

Right on! Thanks for watching and commenting!

@@jonathanwong458music cheers man

Good choice and reasoning! Thanks for watching!

Right on! Thanks for watching and commenting!

This was a tough one! No clear winner. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Thanks for the feedback. I’m sorry you didn’t like it.

Right on! Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences!

Yes, the reverse P is supposed to give a tighter sounding E and A string while a warmer sounding D and G. Like Spectors and the more modern reverse P sound.

That series is in the works! Modding the squier mini!

Hi! Thanks for watching! I play short scale basses most of the time now. (my full scale P being the exception) Short scales are so much easier for me to play, given underlying medical illness. If an instrument is uncomfortable to play or gives you physical pain, look elsewhere for something that is more comfortable in shape or scale and ultimately more inspiring for YOU to play. With that out of the way, a 28.6" scale 'may' be easier to adapt to coming at it as a guitar player. But for me, I do find them a bit on the cramped and tight side. My preference is for 30 or 30.5" scales. They are the happy medium for me and it's now what my hands are used to. Both the Mikro and the Mini are solid at that price point. Maybe the Mikro is a bit more versatile tonally with the bridge pickup. So it might come down to which one fits your hands better or which body shape fits your physique better. I, personally, have a liking to mustang-style and shaped basses. For some reason, they just fit me. They're not perfect, but they work! If you're looking for something in the Mikro/Mini price point, might want to check out the Bronco bass too (same body shape). If clarity is what you're after, then the SG style and the Hofners are not going to fulfill that need. They both do woofy and tubby, but clear, articulate and defined, they are not! If you have a few more dollars to spend, the short scale Stingray is cool. And it lends itself well to the rock genre. Harley Bentons are a bit hit and miss. I've seen some surprisingly good examples and some less so. But their PB shorty is pretty affordable. Put a good P pickup in there and you're good to go. The stock p/u is weak and is the limiting factor. As for selling your full scale.....I would be afraid of seller's remorse if you're not sure which scale length and direction you're headed in yet. But if it's really not getting along with you, there's always a market for used squires and fenders. I've featured lots of different short scales on this channel so far - poke around and maybe you'll find something that appeals to you!

@@jonathanwong458music Thank you so much for your fast and thorough response! I will surf and listen some more and then maybe order one or two from Thomann and test them. It's always a big difference, when testing at home via Headset vs with the band.

Best of luck in your hunt!

@@jonathanwong458music Thank you!

I didn't think the stock strings on the Mini P felt significantly looser in perceived tension compared to what I usually play on a 30", but I did find the overall scale length to be a bit on the tight side, for me. My happy, most comfortable scale length is 30". The Labella flatwounds I had on the Mini P certainly increased the perceived string tension and weren't floppy at all. You might be able to get a sense of what it could feel like by putting a capo on the 1st fret on your 30". It won't be perfect, of course, but it might give you a sense. Thanks for watching!

@@jonathanwong458music Thanks for the reply (in triplicate😅). I did what you suggested with a capo. It was helpful. Your reply also inspired me to try switching out the usual stainless steel flats for nylon tapewound on a 30-inch scale bass. The slight increase in thickness, from 95 to 105 on the E string, seems to make a difference, i.e., now it feels less floppy. Cheers.

Right on! Hope you like the tapes!

Of the ones I had and after optimizing the setup, the Ibanez Mikro had a higher output. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching and commenting! Which country are you watching from? Mikro is a cool compact bass

@@jonathanwong458music I'm from Indonesia, in here the stock of red colour is sold out, what's left is the black, dark brown & sunburst one.. while for Squier the red & black colour are still available

Greetings from across the ocean!

The Mikro kills the Squier in terms of versatility and not needing mods to gig with.

Thanks for watching and commenting!

The tone and playability of entry level instruments now are waaay better than when I first started playing as a young teenager, that’s for sure!! Thanks for watching and commenting!

Interesting how different basses fit different tracks! At least that’s how I justify buying more stuff! Thanks for watching!

You said the same observations in the later part, which confirms my reaction. lol which is good indication my ears are still okay. @@jonathanwong458music

I’m glad the differences are coming across KZfaq audio!

Thanks for watching! These are essentially the same price, but look quite different, which may play a role if you wish to keep your 9yo inspired! In terms of string noise, the Mini P is a rental so the strings may be older. Likely stock fender strings. I’m not sure what brand of factory strings are on the Ibanez, so that may play a role on string noise. I wasn’t a fan of the bridge p/u on the Mikro. I think both would be just fine to learn on, construction and workmanship is pretty similar. In the context of a young student, it may come down to which one is more visually appealing to them. I remember learning violin as a young kid and even my orchestra friend’s cases influenced me, let alone instrument stain colour and fittings! Good luck and thx for commenting!!

There is going to be some weight variation among examples, but in this video, both of these basses were under 7 lbs! Very similar in weight. Thanks for watching!

That’s a good question! I haven’t had the chance to try the CNZs yet. I’ve heard pretty good things about them. Thx for watching!

Thx for watching!