String Spacing Question

Tallboy · #1 11-25-2008, 07:44 AM

I would be most grateful if someone knowledgeble could inform on the following.

When people refer to a string spacing measurement - is that the measurement of the void between the strings or the distance from the centre of one string to the next?

I am on the verge of taking my bass to a luthier and would like to be clear on the detail which I have read in this very informing article from (All Hail) Bob's website.
http://www.urbbob.com/monroney.html

Many thanks.

Eric Hochberg · #2 11-25-2008, 08:06 AM

Center to center.

**Damon Rondeau** · #3 11-25-2008, 09:11 AM

I thought we might be discussing the dangers of too much of the Tantric thing...

sjd007 · #4 07-21-2009, 06:35 PM

Hi

I'm a newbie to this forum. I have a 5 string which I have just done a few things to to get playable - solid carved chinese bass 4/4 size (44" scale). The body is lovely, but the neck and fingerborad required a bit of work. I guess you get what you pay for.

I play orcehstral and was wondering if anyone knew if there was a "standard" string spacing (at the bridge) for a 5 string? I feel that moving my strings a little further apart will help with bowing by providing more curve, and therefore clearnace. With 5 of them they are currently around 7/8" apart, but I could stretch that a little without losing them of the edge of the fingerboard!

As background to this bass I have done most of the usual setup - nut adjustment, fingerboard dressing, bridge (action) modification and (drilled) bridge adjusters, "Clef Hi Tec tailgut" to replace wire. I also sanded and reworked the neck as it wasn't the best finish. It is settling in nicely but I feel a little more clearance between strings for arco would be helpful. Pizz is just lovely, and the low C is something that your guts appreciate more than your ears...

Any info welcomed. Cheers

Jake deVilliers · #5 07-21-2009, 11:07 PM

7/8" is pretty tight MR. BOND.
'Standard' spacing is something like 26 - 27mm. Some arco players need a little more separation ( ~28mm)and some pizz only players squeeze it down to ~25mm.

Gary Lynch · #6 07-22-2009, 12:55 PM

Also, my guy goes for 3/8" string spacing at the nut (center to center) . I was amazed at the difference from the stock spacing up there. It made my life easier. It often means a new nut. This is for pizz. I have no idea what arco players like.

Ken McKay · #7 07-22-2009, 01:07 PM

sed007 the answer is yes.
Further apart gives better clearance. More curvature on the bridge the better, but it must be similar to the fingerboard curvature.

sjd007 · #8 07-22-2009, 08:21 PM

Thanks guys - twas what I was thinkng. With the adjustable bridge I can afford to shave off a few mm and re-space the strings further apart. I have them about as far as they can go at the nut but that was good suggestion too...

I am happy with the action - so have the curvature ok (matches the fingerboard except for slight lift towards the bigger strings) but do get the odd double stop esp at the lower strings as they need more pressure to drive with the bow. I think a large part of it is learning to play the 5 string after years with a four... you know, go for the C (A string) and get the G (E string). Got to accept finer tolerances between strings with the extra one on there. Getting there though!

Cheers! Many thanks.

Eric Hochberg · #9 07-22-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjd007

I am happy with the action - so have the curvature ok (matches the fingerboard except for slight lift towards the bigger strings) but do get the odd double stop esp at the lower strings as they need more pressure to drive with the bow. I think a large part of it is learning to play the 5 string after years with a four... you know, go for the C (A string) and get the G (E string). Got to accept finer tolerances between strings with the extra one on there. Getting there though!

Cheers! Many thanks.

I just spoke with a 5 string player with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He described the 5 stringers in German orchestras as having relatively flatter fingerboards. The bassists use less bow pressure and a faster bow arm to get the volume and accuracy they need with this setup.

Don Higdon · #10 07-25-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallboy

When people refer to a string spacing measurement - is that the measurement of the void between the strings or the distance from the centre of one string to the next?

My walnut bass made made in NY by AES; my Jacquet was restored in LA by a respected luthier. On both basses, the distance between the strings is 25mm; i.e., the center to center distance is not the same. Makes sense to me for consistent arco string crossings.

**Matthew Tucker** · #11 07-25-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

the center to center distance is not the same. Makes sense to me for consistent arco string crossings.

Don, why does this make sense to you? I'm not an experienced arco player but I would have thought that since the bow hair touches the top centre of each string, equal spacing centre to centre would achieve consistent arco crossings?

Don Higdon · #12 07-25-2009, 05:51 PM

I've never discussed it with luthiers, and I don't claim absolute knowledge. I do know that I like having the same distance between strings.

arnoldschnitzer · #13 07-25-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

My walnut bass made made in NY by AES; my Jacquet was restored in LA by a respected luthier. On both basses, the distance between the strings is 25mm; i.e., the center to center distance is not the same. Makes sense to me for consistent arco string crossings.

Don, sorry to do this to you old friend, but methinks your measuring chops may be a bit atrophied. I always set string distances center-to-center. Generally 27mm, occasionally 26 or 28.

Don Higdon · #14 07-25-2009, 08:59 PM

I measured both basses weeks ago and again today when I saw this thread. To be continued...

sjd007 · #15 07-26-2009, 08:49 PM

He he. Didn't mean to start sparks flying! I'll see what I can get my strings to (dist apart) and report back.

Great piece of advice regarding faster bow with less pressure on the 5 string bass to get same volume. Orchestra tonight so will concentrate on that and see how it goes.

All the best.

sjd007 · #16 07-28-2009, 05:26 PM

Right-o

Well, I have spaced the strings at the bridge 25mm on my 5 string, and I must say that the first playing session was sooo much better (clearance, accuracy, tone). I feel I can bow it almost like I did with the 4 string. Wonderful.

Thanks guys for the advice.

Dr Rod · #17 07-28-2009, 07:58 PM

I have always hated center to center spacing, especially having played 5 string basses for most of my career. Sure it looks nice, but the higher strings that don't need extra spacing are further apart than the lower ones where you actually do need it.

I have played countless 5 string basses with equal spacing from center to center where the 5th string and 4th would hit each other in orchestral situations.

There is also the issue of the occasional double stop in our solo literature. With wide spacing in the higher strings you are not helping the situation.

my 2 cents

sjd007 · #18 07-29-2009, 05:40 PM

Good point.

I have not filed down my bridge yet, as am still trying the wider spacing. It has a plethora of grooves in it now (ten) so I may try the closer spacing on the higher register strings for a couple of weeks also. Once I find my happy place, I'll remove the strings, file down the bridge and keep the spacing that works best for me. Hooray for bridge adjusters. Still don't want to do it more than once.

I guess at this level it is a feel thing / personal preference and the more ideas I can try at this plastic stage is good.

Cheers again.

sjd007 · #19 07-29-2009, 05:50 PM

Ah, Dr Rod, forgot to ask - would you be so kind as to measure your 5-string spacing and let me know, if it is not too much trouble??

O for orsome

Dr Rod · #20 07-29-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjd007

Ah, Dr Rod, forgot to ask - would you be so kind as to measure your 5-string spacing and let me know, if it is not too much trouble??

O for orsome

....it's not too much trouble, but I don't have access to the bass at this point. In about 4 weeks, I am afraid.

Sorry about that.