String spacing - where measured?

[Popbumper]

Is string spacing measured at the nut? How does one choose a bridge (I have to assume all bridges are set up equally, space wise) so that the variation in string spacing as they travel towards the bridge stays linear to the neck?

Chris

[OmnitzGarima]

If I was checking, I'd want to know the measurement at the nut, and at the bridge. And, I wouldn't assume that all bridges are equal.

[JTE]

Yeah, there are a lot of differences. Generally string spacing is measured at the bridge, and the total nut width is referenced for the nut. For example, a typical Fender Jazz bass has closer spacing at the nut than a Precision, but they use the same bridge. The common Jazz bass nut is 1.5" wide while a Precision is most often 1.625 (though original ones are 1.75") yet they always used the exact same bridge.

String spacing at the bridge varies a lot now too. I like five-strings with wide spacing, like a Precision. So my Lakland Sklyline 55-01 is 24/64" exactly like my Precision.

John

[knuckle_head]

Nut spacing is equal gaps - bridge is usually measured on centers. Either can vary - no real rules. Rarely parallel - tighter at the nut than bridge so they splay.

[FunkMetalBass]

It seems like we've been measuring string spacing backwards. I would think that, ideally, between-string spacing at the bridge should be the norm (since your fingers/picks actually go there), whereas the string centers at the nut make more sense since you play, for the most part, right on top of the string center.

[enricogaletta]

Well usually they take the measure on the nuts and on the bridge, but sometimes also on the end of the fingerboard or 21-22-24th fret.
There are differents bridges with already different strings spacing, it's just depend from the company design, if they want to have a 17-18-19-20 mm spacing they just pick the right one. There are few case where you can set a strings spacing from 19 to 18 or from 20 to 19 or viceversa.
Cheers. Enrico
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