Ibanez Mikro bass mods Ep.1: Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound PJ pickups review – short scale bass
In this unsponsored video series, we will be modding a Ibanez Mikro GSRM20 short scale bass with a variety of differently voiced pickups. What is the sonic potential of this short scale bass?
Link to my initial Mikro bass review:
In episode 1, we will be installing and listening to the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound PJ pickup set and comparing it to the stock pickups.
Both pickup sets were installed and soldered to the stock volume and tone pots and stock volume jack. Both sets were set to the same pickup height.
Both sets were recorded using the same nickel roundwound strings and the same recording chain and settings.
Level matched, but no EQ or compression was added in post.
00:00 Intro
00:25 Background & installation
02:44 Comparison 1 Both pickups Grunge
05:33 Comparison 2 Bridge pickup 16th note Funk
07:59 Comparison 3 Neck pickup Bluesy
10:32 Assessment
https://jonathanwong.bandcamp.com
#Ibanez #Mikro #bass #mods #Ep.1 #Seymour #Duncan #Quarter #Pound #pickups #review #short #scale #bass
Originally posted by UCesauVJ_xjbj7u539yf-lOw at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0jvWw75Tl0
Nicely done, mate
Very intelligently set up test. Thanks mate
Thank you for a very good playthrough of those two options. It's good timing, as I ordered a Micro a couple of days ago.
I completely agree with you in your thoughts on the difference in these. I was thinking through the 2nd example that I actually preferred the original pickups. In the first set, the difference was a bit more subtle. In the 3rd set, I really liked the sound of the modded set. I wish you would have done a slap example, as I'm trying to guess which I would prefer with slap and not really being able to make up my mind 🙂
I'm not going to buy these pickups, but that's perhaps even more important to know than if I might want them.
Thanks, I'm moving on to number two right away 🙂
I just installed these in my Mikro bass. I purchased & was about to install the EMGs until I saw Jonathan’s video on them & I didn’t like the way the sounded so I sent those back and purchased these QPs and they’re a keeper. The installation was super simple. I used my stock pots. The. J-pickup dropped right in. Just like many others have reported, the J is not as strong as the P but it’s OK. It’s only used to blend in. I had to use extra foam than what was included to make sure the P-pickups were level.
Love these videos please keep it up. Also maybe consider tutorials?
I mod my TRBX 174 with the SD QP3 too, and play this with flats..very nice sounding bass now ????..but perhaps a try the DiMarzio Relentless PJ ????..Great review.. Thank very much!!
Your modding videos are useful and addicting in a way, they are simple, fun, well edited and very well explained, also they are encouraging because these modding videos are usually done on cheap instruments so you motivate me to try some mods on my basses
super infos. danke
I really love that Ibanez Mikro Bass, it's a well balanced instrument and very funny to play. Is Marcus Miller with you in the picture hanged in the wall behind you?
Good comparison, Jonathan. I've tried to like the Mikro. I even bought one at Guitar Center and kept it for most of the 45-day return window, but I didn't like the feel or tone. Better pickups might have made a difference, but there's that pesky cost-benefit ratio. Still like my P Mini.
The best mod is to put guitar strings on it, tune it CGDA like a cello and make a cellotar. I chose a Mikro because of its cost and the fact that the Mikro is closest to the scale of a real cello. You do have to put the guitar strings through bass string ball-ends to keep the strings in the bridge, though. I used .074, .052, .032 and .017 gauge. I don't like .017, but I tried .020 for the A string and it snapped by the time I got to G#.
Holy crap! Huge difference! I was going to buy the Geezer Butler PJ pickups but if you say the pots are good enough, that means I can keep the same volume/tone knobs. Also, I would like to see if a new bridge and nut would help. Jonathan, do the Duncans claim to be noiseless like the EMG pickups?
Thanks for the demo! The stock pickups on my favorite Mikro are absolutely perfect. Perfect synergy with the resonance of this particular instrument (I've owned 4 Mikro basses). I've got quarter pounders on one of my nice partscaster J basses, which are perfect for that instrument.
TBFair, the bridge pickup is further away from the bridge, so will reduce that "quacky" bridge sound. Were the 1/4lb pickups more expensive than the bass?
I put some Alan Entwhistle pickups in mine, great sound and a lot cheaper. The originals aren't too bad.
"Let's find oot" I hear Winterpeg…I mean, Winnipeg in that accent. Love your channel – thorough and comprehensive. You can get adhesive-backed copper foil sheets online to fill the control cavity with, minimizing the poor paint-shielding, plus they looks cool. The Quarter Pounders were a bit meh, lackluster.
I've developed a taste for playing my jazz bass with the bridge pickup at a higher volume than the middle one and this quarter pound bridge pickup sounds really really good to me, maybe I long for a little more bass on my bridge pickup?
Always liked the Seymour Duncan quarter pounders. I Just purchased a Schecter Banshee short scale bass. They say that the pickups are supposed to be close to the quarter pounders and I must say they do sound pretty good. Really don’t know if I want to change them to the quarter pounders or not kind of sitting on the edge right now thanks for the comparison today.
I appreciate and admire your courage to tinker on all these basses, Jonathan! I couldn't do that in my life. The only time I would gtrab a screwdriver is to adjust action and intonation. Replacing any hardware on a bass? Never!
Despite my disappointing experience with the 2023 model of the Mikro (pickups/controls), this baby is still on my bucket list.
Looking forward for your next episode.
Is it worth it for an average beginner bassist to buy such an instrument specifically for modification? I really like the size and shape of this bass, but by default it sounds a bit plastic. Are there similar small basses for a reasonable price?
You said these were Active Pickups? Do you know how they compare to the passive SD Quarter Ponder PJ's. Lots of people just refer to the name and don't differentiate between the Passive and Active. I bought a Passive set for a full new build I am doing and I am still unsure of the sound due to listing to several and not knowing the full set up for comparison. I think I caught you saying Active a couple times.
Talk about timing… I was looking for more info on the Mikro. I'm thinking about getting a 5 string and have it strung with a high C. i still need to to a test drive, though. I'm not 100% sold on the 28.5" scale
The quarter pounders really added depth and dynamic range. I would imagine the p'ups were as much $ as the bass itself. Good stuff Jonathan, cheers from Utah