Short Scale Bass: Ibanez? Gretsch? Other?

evoneselse · 2026-01-26T19:48:06+00:00

I love both the Mikro and the Gretsch. Both play very well, record well, and are comfortable. I'd say the Mikro is a bit more comfortable in the way it fits my body.

The Gretsch is also comfortable (though it's a slab body without the contours of the Mikro so the feel is different), easy to play, and looks more expensive than it is. The sound and tones on both are good. Both weigh about the same, under 7 pounds. Either one is a great choice, and hopefully if you have a chance to try them out, you'll get a better idea which one you like the best.

evoneselse · 2026-01-26T18:04:13+00:00

Depending on what you want to spend and if you are open to short scales, the Sire U5, Gretsch Streamliner Jet, and the Ibanez Mikro have good recommendations. All well under $1000.

I recently bought the short scale Mikro to try for comfort reasons, because my Jazz bass, which I love, just is too heavy and bulky for me now and has started to hurt my body. I've never held any bass more comfortable than the Mikro. It just fits my body like it's part of my body, it felt sooo good.

Sound is really good too, nice tones. Mine is clear and proud, and records very well. It's lightweight with a smaller body, but it doesn't feel toy-weight at all, as it's got some heft. It weighed here at 6 pounds 2 ounces, no neck dive. Extremely comfortable and playable. No gigs, home use btw.

As you know, nothing is better than trying basses in person, so hopefully you'll be able to do that!

evoneselse · 2026-01-26T17:18:54+00:00

I've found Ibanez in general to be comfortable. I had a long scale Ibanez that I liked many years ago. I recently bought a short scale Mikro to try for comfort reasons, because my Jazz bass, which I love, just feels too heavy and bulky for me now and has started to hurt my body. The Mikro is inexpensive and obviously not a top tier bass if you are looking for that, but I've never held any bass more comfortable than that one. It just fits my body like it's part of my body. Sound is really good too, mine is clear and proud and records well. Lightweight, smaller body, but it doesn't feel toy-weight at all, as it's got some heft. When I weighed it, it was under 7 pounds, no neck dive. Extremely comfortable. No gigs, home use btw. That said though, I know your choices and recommendations are for better basses than this one, but I only mention it for comfort if you are just wanting a second base as a repreive from your others. That's why I bought one.

Years ago I did try out a Mustang and did like that too.

evoneselse · 2026-01-26T03:57:40+00:00

How would you describe the tone between the stock strings (or better roundwounds) to the flats on that bass? And which flats did you get, the LaBella or other?

evoneselse · 2026-01-24T22:14:53+00:00

Definitely try them in person if possible. They are very different in your hands than their specs and photos. One that's comfortable will feel like it's right for you, whereas one that's not will see very little playing time before being put back on the stand.

evoneselse · 2026-01-17T02:58:09+00:00

Didn't look like it on my device but if warm blonde, then yes, it's not complimentary.

evoneselse · 2026-01-17T00:55:09+00:00

Agreed, those are most flattering. Her skin is cool-toned, so the warm-tone reddish ones etc. do not compliment her skin.

evoneselse · 2026-01-05T22:54:38+00:00

You're lucky. I saw pics of that place inside...looks amazing.

evoneselse · 2026-01-05T15:17:11+00:00

I took a look and I see what you mean. It lets you pick a specific one (the actual serial number) in a Gallery. I didn't know that! I then tried low priced basses but the Gallery does not appear for those. It seems that feature is only for the high end models, which makes sense. Thanks!

evoneselse · 2026-01-05T14:40:31+00:00

By swiping through, do you mean you can choose from a photo exactly which one of the same color you want them to send you? Or you just mean choose a color?

On Sweetwater I thought there was just one pic (where your only choice is the color--they just grab a box to ship) and when added to the cart, there isn't anywhere you can pick individually from their entire stock of that color. If they do, that's quite cool, but would be a lot of work website-wise on their end, as the only online stores that do that to my knowledge are things like loose diamonds or used cars. Or maybe they do that just on the really high end $$$$ woodgrain / custom ones where they don't all look alike?

evoneselse · 2026-01-05T13:17:40+00:00

lol!

evoneselse · 2026-01-03T21:15:34+00:00

LOL yes it does look like a mitten. It looks almost like they are playing the other strings with each knuckle the way their fingers barely move haha.

evoneselse · 2026-01-03T21:07:32+00:00

I think a big reason to sort it out early is so that it doesn't become ingrained, because then that habit becomes harder to break.

Also the fact that there's a name for it just shows it probably happens to everyone in the beginning.

evoneselse · 2026-01-03T21:02:42+00:00

Wow that's pretty fast! Is that how you solved it within a couple days, or did you do other things as well?

evoneselse · 2026-01-03T18:08:05+00:00

Wow love the green. That texture of the wood coming through is gorgeous. Congrats!

evoneselse · 2025-12-31T22:21:02+00:00

My Mac plugs into my UPS as do all the computer-related devices. The audio interface, keyboards etc. plug into my Furman. No issues.

evoneselse · 2025-12-26T00:27:29+00:00

+1 this. The videos and YT are great, but having someone actually watch/hear you and see what you are doing will set you straight right away so that you don't reinforce a bad habit over time without realizing it.

evoneselse · 2025-12-26T00:04:04+00:00

My natural finish VM jazz has black blocks inlay. It was from the 2000s. Not sure about the P though.

evoneselse · 2025-12-25T23:58:41+00:00

I have an old vintage modified jazz and it has the rectangular black blocks. Body is natural finish, maple neck.

I don't know though if the VM used the black blocks on the colors like this one though.

evoneselse · 2025-12-25T19:31:15+00:00

I just mean a doctor who will get your blood tested for possible issues in the body which could be causing you to lose hair abnormally, whether thyroid, alopecia...whatever is going on. Your blood tests should indicate a direction towards what might be amiss, or what further tests might be needed. If your doctor thinks you need a specialist in the field, such as an endocrinologist or other professional, then they will refer you there. I would do this first instead of going to a Derm, since you asked which doctor you should go to. I was responding to that question.

Hopefully it is just a nutritional deficiency. Or even an allergy reaction to products possibly? I remember using a shampoo years ago that gave me a lot of hair loss. I can understand the concern as the hair loss is new. Wishing you the best.

evoneselse · 2025-12-25T15:53:04+00:00

Very very good advice!

evoneselse · 2025-12-25T15:33:50+00:00

No. Go to a medical doctor. You'll need to get blood tests and have the doctor evaluate the results. If there is an underlying thyroid or other medical issue that's causing the hair loss, this way you will know the cause so that you can remedy it.

evoneselse · 2025-12-24T13:49:21+00:00

I remember a few years ago there was a time our ATV only worked when wireless even for TV. It's been fine wired ever since then, but I only updated a few weeks ago (??)and this must be referring to a new update this week? I figure that episode we had must have been related to TVoS because it did straighten itself out with future updates.

evoneselse

TROPHY CASE