String spacing: center-center or edge-edge?

[bongomania]

I was talking string spacing with somebody here yesterday, and I just realized that I was talking about measurements from center to center of each string, and I think they were talking about measurements of the actual space between strings--from one edge to the next.

So which one is "normal" and "proper", which one is the majority standard?

[Jaco who?]

I would think it would have to be center to center, since edge to edge would vary with the gauge of string being used at the time, plus adding like 1/132" between the A, for example, and then slightly less for D, then G would be confusing as heck.

[bongomania]

Bump for the USA morning crew.

[JTE]

What Jaco who? said... If you measure the spacing using the bass-side edge of the G to the treble-side edge of the D string using a 45/65/85/105 set you'll get a different measurement than if you do the same thing on the same bass with a set with a 50 G and a 70 D and yet another measurement if you use a 35 and 55. So there's nothing standard to tell someone else how far apart the string would be.

Center-to-center is consistent and tells you how close or far apart things are so you can compare between instruments.

John

[Solarmist]

Center to center of course.

I think the easiest way to measure spacing is to measure (mm) the overall distance between the E and G string on the bridge (C to C), then divide by 3.

[darkstorm]

Center to center. Youd have inconsistent differences between diff brands, gauges, roundwound versus flat, wrapped versus cold metal. I'd think.

[Fuzzbass]

IIRC Anthony Jackson said in BP that spacing should be measured center to center because your fingertips feel the tops (centers) of the strings. I'm just a mook with merely 30-odd years of experience, but I agree with him.

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

IIRC Anthony Jackson said in BP that spacing should be measured center to center because your fingertips feel the tops (centers) of the strings. I'm just a mook with merely 30-odd years of experience, but I agree with him.

Um....I read that same interview and he said exactly the opposite.

Check out his bass. It's string to string (edge to edge) as all Foderas seem to be.
Many (if not most) higher end basses seem to have adopted this. Many (like Spector) have done it this way for years. I think my Lakland 5 strings were (not sure about the 4's). My Matt Pulcinella 6 string was.

Keep in mind, unless you start really wide at the nut to begin with, as more and more multi stringers go lower and lower (Low, low G#, or even E an octave down) with thicker and thicker strings (.200) you need to be string to string to have room for the string to vibrate freely and be manipulated at all in first position.

I've had a few basses (not really an issue on a 4 string) that were center to center. I found I really prefered the feel of side to side though. If I liked the (extended range) bass enough I might have a new nut cut.