Fionn Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 A question for the community ... What basses do you know of that have a relatively tight string spacing at the bridge, or are fitted with a bridge which allows you to adjust spacing? I'm just asking because string spacing at the bridge has become critical to my comfort and technique, and I'd like to know which basses are designed as such. I only ever realise quite how much it affects my playing when I pick up something like a Fender. Are those 19mm? The strings feel miles apart. I play an old Aria SB, which has a spacing of 16.5mm, and a Warwick with an adjustable bridge which I have set to 17mm. That's about perfect for me. Nut spacing isn't so critical. the Aria has a 45mm nut so the strings run almost parallel, whereas the Warwick nut is 38mm (or thereabouts). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I recently moved on a Warwick Corvette $$ five string as the strings were way to close together for me to play comfortably... Shame really as it was a cracking bass, with a great tone... I just couldn't play the thing Think I measured it at about 15-16mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatcoupe432 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 i usually use 16.5 mm , once you get used to makes a huge difference..its very hard for me to play a 19 mm now as the gap seems massive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Keep this coming folks, a nice list of basses for me to avoid - I need room for my sausage fingers to blunder their way around the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1395824646' post='2406647'] Keep this coming folks, a nice list of basses for me to avoid - I need room for my sausage fingers to blunder their way around the strings. [/quote] Same here - 19mm all the way! I find Ibanez 5 string spacings unplayably tight (except on the BTB series) so they might be worth a look. Edited March 26, 2014 by Bigwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hohner B Bass V has narrow string spacing - don't know about the IV. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 The closest string spacing I've ever encountered has been on two basses - Alembic Elan 6 and a "vintage" Steinberger XL25A 'narrow' model. The Alembic was about 16mm, the Steinberger is essentially a 4 string factory retrofitted with 5 string pickups and hardware so maybe even closer - 15.5mm...? Both are challenging to play at first but it's possible to get used to them. I still have the Steinberger but it's in storage at the moment. Schaller make a Fender retrofit bridge with variable string spacing by moving the string rollers within each saddle. Hipshot do a similar thing in a heavier bridge and Kahler make a bridge which allows significant string spacing adjustment by moving the saddles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcarp555 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I find Hofners so close I can't use my fingers at all, just a pick. That may be true of most 30" scale basses, tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 You're gonna love this one then: I own a Gerald Veasley Signature 6 string from Ibanez. It has probably the closest string spacing on a production model bass. a sublime 14mm!! - I admit that in a moment of need I was about to sell it, but I have to say, I wanna hang on to it because that string spacing is great fun, very fast and makes chordal and solo work interesting. Yes! play it like an octave-down guitar! I don't care!! ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Rickenbacker basses have narrow string spacing, as do Musicman 5-strings and their relations (OLP etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 DIY! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/230936-when-4-becomes-5/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Early BB5000 is a standard four string with a fifth tuner added and nut, pick-ups and bridge replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) This will be a good thread I like a standard 19mm on 4 strings but a 16.5mm on 5 strings as I tend to play more technically on a 5er (and I'm looking for a 5er as my next purchase!)... Subscribed! Edited March 26, 2014 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) In 5 stringers Ibanez SR series most of which are 16.5, LTD and ESP Surveyors 17.5 and I believe some of the courts like the A5. I know because I search them out as I like them Edited March 26, 2014 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1395822030' post='2406602'] I recently moved on a Warwick Corvette $$ five string as the strings were way to close together for me to play comfortably... Shame really as it was a cracking bass, with a great tone... I just couldn't play the thing Think I measured it at about 15-16mm. [/quote] Said it for me, exactly as above but with Corvette Rockbass fretless 5. Not yet moved it on though... will be a bargain for someone. I was amazed that with 40+ years playing (bass, guitar, double bass) the few mm difference has thrown my playing. I just gave in and got German Corvette 4 string fretless Edited March 26, 2014 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 My Ltd ESP E-205SMFL 5 string has a 15.5mm spacing. The nut is only 43mm too. The neck feels really great too, but it does take some getting used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 [quote name='3below' timestamp='1395868316' post='2407508'] Said it for me, exactly as above but with Corvette Rockbass fretless 5. Not yet moved it on though... will be a bargain for someone. I was amazed that with 40+ years playing (bass, guitar, double bass) the few mm difference has thrown my playing. I just gave in and got German Corvette 4 string fretless [/quote] You do know that you can adjust the string spacing on a Warwick bridge, aye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I had a peavey cirrus 5iver that I had to move on as it was unplayable for the likes of my sausage fingers, 16mm I believe, the Yam TRB5 I replaced it with is MUCH nicer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1395830924' post='2406739'] Same here - 19mm all the way! I find Ibanez 5 string spacings unplayably tight (except on the BTB series) so they might be worth a look. [/quote] I have a K5 and although its a lovely sounding bass, the strings are so close together that it makes me think twice about using it live.I think there is a trade off with Ibanez basses, because they have such fast necks at the expense of string spacing. I guess you just have to get used to it, but I fancy trying a Jazz 5 stringer as they look a lot more comfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMG456 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Rickenbacker Steinberger Alembic Series I/ II Like your SB, they all followed the more parallel neck profile so a bit closer together at the bridge. Quite a lot of early 5 strings had tight spacing also. Probably the tightest will indeed be Kiwi's Steinberger XL2-5 - a five string contained within the dimensions of the already tight 4 string neck - it saved them having to make new moulds!! Cheers Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1395831678' post='2406758'] Rickenbacker basses have narrow string spacing, as do Musicman 5-strings and their relations (OLP etc). [/quote] Yep - my OLP 5 String has a string spacing of 16.25mm IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ba55me15ter Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 My Musicman Bongo V is too tight for comfort! 17.5mm apparently, but when everything else I own is 19mm it does confuse the old digits somewhat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 I have a Cort Action V DLX which is 16.5mm. Same with my ACG Finn fiver and Ibanez GWB. Overwater and Status use the individual bridge pieces so can set string spacing where you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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