miKro GSRM20
Transparent Red
A real bass at three-quarter size — the answer for small hands and small rooms
Amazon rating
4.6 (1,986)Price band
Under $300
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The short version
The miKro's 28.6-inch scale is the whole proposition. A standard bass is 34 inches, and that reach is genuinely difficult for younger players, for anyone with small hands, and for guitarists who need a bass occasionally but do not want to relearn their left hand. Shortening the scale by more than five inches makes the first-position stretch manageable and drops string tension, so it is easier on the fingers too. Crucially Ibanez did not simplify anything else to get there: it keeps 22 frets, a PJ pickup pair with independent volumes and a tone control, and a proper B10 bridge with 19 mm string spacing — the same spacing as full-size basses, so the right hand feels normal.
Score profile
Six axes, scored 1-10. These are editorial judgements about what this instrument delivers for the money — not measurements, and not anyone else’s ratings.
- Build
- 7.0
- Tone
- 7.0
- Versatility
- 8.0
- Comfort
- 10.0
- Value
- 10.0
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Full specifications
| Brand | Ibanez |
|---|---|
| Model | miKro GSRM20Transparent Red |
| Body | |
| Body | miKro solidbody |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Neck & fingerboard | |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple (GSRM4) |
| Scale length | 28.6" (726 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Bound purpleheart or jatoba, depending on production run, with white dot inlays |
| Frets | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium |
| Nut width | 38 mm |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | B10 with 19 mm string spacing |
| Hardware finish | Chrome |
| Electronics | |
| Neck pickup | Dynamix P split single-coil (passive) |
| Bridge pickup | Dynamix J single-coil (passive) |
| Configuration | PJ |
| Electronics | Passive |
| Controls | Neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, tone |
| General | |
| Type | Short-scale electric bass |
| Strings | Nickel-plated steel (.045-.105) |
| Finish | Transparent Red |
| Orientation | Right-handed |
22 verified fields. Specifications come from the manufacturer first, then the Amazon listing, then authorised dealers — sources are listed at the foot of this page. Fields the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated.
The good and the bad
What we like
- 28.6-inch scale makes bass genuinely accessible to smaller hands and younger players
- PJ pickup pair with two volumes and a tone covers Precision weight and Jazz bite
- 19 mm string spacing at the bridge keeps the right hand feeling like a full-size bass
- One of the most reviewed instruments in its class, with a consistently strong average
What we do not
- Short scale gives a slightly thinner, less authoritative low end than a 34-inch bass
- Can feel cramped for players with large hands
- Basic hardware and passive electronics with no EQ
Who it is for
Skill level
Styles it suits
What owners and reviewers report
Patterns we found across published reviews and owner feedback. These are summaries of recurring themes — we do not reproduce or invent individual testimonials.
What comes up most
- The short scale is overwhelmingly the most praised feature, particularly by parents and smaller players
- Many owners report it arriving well set up and ready to play
- The PJ pickup pairing is frequently described as more versatile than expected at the price
Frequent complaints
- Some owners note the tone is thinner than a full-scale bass, which is inherent to the format
- Occasional reports of fret ends needing dressing
Recognised strengths
- Consistently recommended as the best route into bass for children, small-handed players and guitarists
- Build quality is generally reported as solid for the price
Recognised weaknesses
- Low-end authority is the recognised trade-off of the short scale
The verdict
With nearly two thousand owner reviews and a 4.6 average, this is one of the best-documented instruments in the catalogue, and the consensus is clear: it is a real bass rather than a toy. The PJ layout gives it more tonal range than most basses at this price, and the short scale removes the single biggest barrier for younger and smaller players. The trade-offs are physics: shorter strings mean a slightly thinner, less authoritative low end than a 34-inch bass, and the shorter scale can feel cramped if your hands are large. As a first bass, a travel bass or a guitarist's second instrument, it is very hard to argue with.
Sources
Amazon rating captured 2026-08-26. ASIN B01199PW7Q.
Strings for this guitar
All stringsIt ships with Nickel-plated steel (.045-.105). Staying at that gauge keeps the setup and the neck relief as the factory left them; going a step lighter makes bending easier, a step heavier gives more volume and tension. Anything more than one step either way usually needs the truss rod and the intonation adjusted.
- 7.8/10
D'Addario · Strings
The four-string bass set every other set gets compared to
What else you need
All accessoriesThe highest-scoring option in each category that suits this instrument. If you have never owned a guitar before, the starter guide explains what each of these is for and what you can safely skip.
- 6.6/10
New Bee · Cables
The cable an electric guitar needs on day one, at the price of a coffee
- 7.8/10
Fender · Tuners
FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner
The tuner to buy first, before strings, before a strap, before anything
- 8.2/10
Dunlop · Picks
The Delrin pick that replaced tortoiseshell, in the gauge most people settle on
- 7.4/10
GLEAM · Stands
The accessory that decides whether the guitar gets played at all
Compared with
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