Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) i'm hoping to tap into the collective knowledge of basschat here, my main bass is my Letts 5 string which has 17.5mm spacing at the bridge and a lovely d-profile chunky neck, i'm looking for a second bass for backup at gigs and probably to have strung up with rounds as an alternative to the chromes that i have on the Letts (although i won't rule out chromes on the new bass) the string spacing is the main thing that is important to me, i have tried many basses with tighter spacing and they all feel wrong (and I found myself clipping the wrong strings with my right hand while playing) I guess that 18mm spacing might be ok but not any more than that. so far i have tried Ibanez SR's, Warwick Corvette, Yamaha RBX, Cort A5 and a number of budget Stingray copies that all had very tight spacing (16.5mm and less) the RBX was 19mm and felt far too wide. A nice chunky neck would be a bonus, i'm not too bothered about active or passive but the simpler the controls the more comfortable i am. What basses would people suggest i try? my budget is about 4-500 pounds and i'm happy to buy secondhand or new. so far the only bass that seems to fit the bill is the USA Musicman sub 5, and while there is one in the classifieds the seller hasn't been on for months. Thanks in Advance Matt Edited November 5, 2015 by Matt P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSCOWBASS Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I have Yamaha NE BB2 that has about 17.mm string spacing, more that your budget, but there is an older version here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/272405-yamaha-bbn5a-90s-discont-model/page__p__2900894__hl__yamaha__fromsearch__1#entry2900894 May be worth asking what the string spacing is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Look for a bass with a [url="http://guitar-parts.biz/hp135111/Bassbridge-3D-5.htm?ITServ=C2d6a8bf3X150d73b891eXY2b13"]Schaller bridge[/url], the string spacing can be adjusted. Or fit a Schaller bridge to a bass you like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) USA MM Sub5 would fit the bill from memory... Edit: and now I've read the rest of the thread it would seem you already know that! Edited November 5, 2015 by Bigwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='MOSCOWBASS' timestamp='1446719349' post='2901660'] I have Yamaha NE BB2 that has about 17.mm string spacing, more that your budget, but there is an older version here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/272405-yamaha-bbn5a-90s-discont-model/page__p__2900894__hl__yamaha__fromsearch__1#entry2900894 May be worth asking what the string spacing is? [/quote] I've asked the question, but I have a feeling that it's 19mm spaced as it seems to have the same pickups as the rbx765 I used to own. The bb ne2 has the right spacing but as you noted it's far outside my price bracket! Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1446720228' post='2901668'] Look for a bass with a [url="http://guitar-parts.biz/hp135111/Bassbridge-3D-5.htm?ITServ=C2d6a8bf3X150d73b891eXY2b13"]Schaller bridge[/url], the string spacing can be adjusted. Or fit a Schaller bridge to a bass you like... [/quote] This is my back up plan. I'd just need to make sure that the strings don't get too close to the edge of the fretboard at the highest fret. I have seen a couple of possible basses locally as well. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 by my calculations going from 16.5 to 17.5 spacing adds a total of 2mm at the 12th fret and 3mm at the 24th fret, I'm not sure how many basses would have this extra width in the neck, I'm going to have to take a tape measure with me next time I go out bass hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I think you'll be OK so long as you're reducing the string spacing rather than increasing it. I prefer 15-16mm at the bridge but can play up to 17.5mm. I'm surprised that you found so many basses with such narrow string spacing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1446726199' post='2901752'] I think you'll be OK so long as you're reducing the string spacing rather than increasing it. I prefer 15-16mm at the bridge but can play up to 17.5mm. I'm surprised that you found so many basses with such narrow string spacing! [/quote] It seemed to be cheap musicman copies that had the tightest spacing, that was the style I was looking at mostly because I was hoping to find one that copied the spacing of the USA ones, they all seem to be copies of the olp ones. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) G&L M2500 tribute - 17.5mm spacing chunky neck simple controls within budget https://m.thomann.de/gb/gl_tribute_m_2500_hb.htm https://m.thomann.de/gb/gl_tribute_m_2500_black.htm A review of the USA M2500. The Tribute has the same made in USA pickups and electronics as this American model: http://youtu.be/Rpde-ZSNeW4 Boom. Edited November 5, 2015 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 The BBNE2 is at least 18mm, maybe slightly more. You should look at the Sterling By Musicman Ray 35, the string spacing is 17.5mm and you should be able to pick up a second-hand one in your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) [quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1446726641' post='2901763'] G&L M2500 tribute - 17.5mm spacing chunky neck simple controls within budget [url="https://m.thomann.de/gb/gl_tribute_m_2500_hb.htm"]https://m.thomann.de...e_m_2500_hb.htm[/url] [url="https://m.thomann.de/gb/gl_tribute_m_2500_black.htm"]https://m.thomann.de..._2500_black.htm[/url] A review of the USA M2500. The Tribute has the same made in USA pickups and electronics as this American model: [media]http://youtu.be/Rpde-ZSNeW4[/media] Boom. [/quote] Why didn't I think of this! I think there might be a shop near me that stocks these as well, thanks what's the difference between the M-2500 and the L-2500, it seems to be just the preamp, are there any other differences? I think the simpler controls of the L might suit me better. i'll keep my eye out for a sterling ray35 as well Matt Edited November 5, 2015 by Matt P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1446727265' post='2901773'] Why didn't I think of this! I think there might be a shop near me that stocks these as well, thanks what's the difference between the M-2500 and the L-2500, it seems to be just the preamp, are there any other differences? I think the simpler controls of the L might suit me better. i'll keep my eye out for a sterling ray35 as well Matt [/quote] Check out the vid - all is explained there 👍 I suggested the M rather than L because it is the simpler one by all accounts. I think the L has too many tone options for some folks. Edited November 5, 2015 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) ahh, I've just seen the little row of switches, the video will have to wait till I get home from work as I don't have any speakers or headphones with me. maybe the M is the better option, do they tend to be heavy? My back would prefer something under 9.5lbs if possible but this isn't a total deal breaker as I have gigged my 77 P-bass which is closer to 11lbs! Matt Edited November 5, 2015 by Matt P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSCOWBASS Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1446727046' post='2901770'] The BBNE2 is at least 18mm, maybe slightly more. You should look at the Sterling By Musicman Ray 35, the string spacing is 17.5mm and you should be able to pick up a second-hand one in your budget. [/quote] The BB NE2 has a 17.5 mm string spacing, i've measured mine. I knew it was noticeably less then my 19mm Xotics, it takes a bit to get used to the gap difference Edited November 5, 2015 by MOSCOWBASS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 The G&L2500 would be a great choice and there's no need to be intimidated by the switches. The first one is a 3-way pickup selector, the second is a series/parallel switch and the third one is an active/passive switch with a weird treble boost. I used to leave mine on parallel and active, and vary the tone with the pickup selector and tone controls. Full details on the controls are http://www.glguitars.com/schematics/ASATbass_L2000_L2500_controls_diagram.pdf I think mine weighed around 10.5-11 lbs. Not too bad for a 5-string. [quote name='MOSCOWBASS' timestamp='1446734759' post='2901864'] The BB NE2 has a 17.5 mm string spacing, i've measured mine. I knew it was noticeably less then my 19mm Xotics, it takes a bit to get used to the gap difference [/quote] I've just measured my BBNE2 with a calibrated vernier gauge, and the average across all 4 strings is 17.96mm at the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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