tight string spacing 5 string bridge

Gopher Bob · #1 05-16-2009, 07:10 AM

Intro: So I've been working on a little project. Many may think it is a waste of time/money but I've been having good fun with it. I picked up one of my favorite low end ibanez 5 string basses, GSR 205 from ebay and I have been stripping it, refinishing it, scalloping the neck, etc. Everything has been going well except I've run into a problem...

Problem: I knew it had very tight string spacing but I thought the gold hipshot model A bridge I got off ebay would fit. It doesn't seem to adjust to narrow enough spacing. Although it is a beautiful bridge and I scored a killer deal on it I need to find something more narrow (and gold).

So I'm looking for some suggestions for a tight string spacing gold plated bridge. I was trying to go for fairly nice quality but now a decent quality one will suffice. I will post the string spacing when I find a link to its specs... here is a link to the bass the string spacing is probably one of the most narrow 5 string bridges I've seen.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ass?sku=519525

Bass bridge gurus now is the time to impart upon me your knowledge. And thanks for helping!

Gopher Bob · #2 05-16-2009, 07:19 AM

Here are some ruler measurerments I just made and the ibanez site specs. I think I mentioned above but I'm looking for a gold bridge. I stripped the bass and did a natural danish oil dark walnut and it really doesn't look half bad!

Ruler says its about 15mm between the B and the E measured from the center of the string.

http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-GSR205

Also when I find my camera I will post a few pictures of it so you can see that it looks 'a little' cool after the new finish.

ChrisHEB3 · #3 05-16-2009, 07:36 AM

I had the same issue upgrading the bridge on my Yamaha RBX5

from the usual L shaped P style to something more substantial and adjustable. The string spacing is 15mm.

I fitted a Schaller model bought from their website which has 3 way adjustment and 15mm is the minimum you can achieve.

I bought black but they probable do gold......

Gopher Bob · #4 05-16-2009, 07:45 AM

Oh nice I'll have to check those out. thank you. is this the standard schaller roller style bridge?

ChrisHEB3 · #5 05-16-2009, 10:03 AM

Yup see here:
http://humbucker.biz/hp135111/3-D5.h...149b14925X42a9

Gopher Bob · #6 05-17-2009, 02:04 AM

That bridge is very nice. If by chance... I wanted to go a bit cheaper... do you know of any others that meet that criteria? Else I'll probably end up getting that one. I found this one tonight online but unsure about string spacing.

http://www.guitarpartscentral.com/fi...dge-p-387.html

I've used those guys in the past and they have a few other items that I could throw together for this bass... like some cheap 5 string jazz pickups (just to give it slightly different tone since I actually have another that is unmodified of the same model).

I'm guessing their "string spread" measurement is from E to E or in bass case E to G?

bongomania · #7 05-17-2009, 02:06 AM

They give you the spacing too, right there. .67", which is about 17mm.

Gopher Bob · #8 05-17-2009, 10:28 PM

Does anyone know if 17mm string spacing will work out ok? That fancy hipshot bridge I have seems to put the B and the G off the fretboard.... as long as it doesn't interfere with using the low and high strings.

hmmmmmm