Five string spacing 18mm, 19mm, 17mm whats your preference?

[basswave]

Originally Posted by PB+J

I actually think threads like this do more harm than good.

Hi PB+J agree with your last post entirely(long time player as well)...There are a ton of factors that makes up comfort and ease.

However I don't look at this thread as anything more then someone just wanting to get folks preferences...Pierod...In just a fun kind of nerdy way...

Don't read to far into it Man...
Cheers

[PB+J]

!!!

this is a thread in which people discuss a difference of 1 millimeter, that is, 3/64th of an inch, but I'm reading too far into it?

[basswave]

Originally Posted by PB+J

!!!

this is a thread in which people discuss a difference of 1 millimeter, that is, 3/64th of an inch, but I'm reading too far into it?

If the OP didn't make a difference I don't think there would be over 140 replies to the thread...but Hey I could be wrong.

[devilman666]

I played 16.5mm for a long time so moving to 18mm has been a dream. I find 19mm too large for a five for me as I do have smallish hands.

[Doug Parent]

I would like to indicate that there is a protest on this thread.

PB+J . Question for you sir.


Regarding this thread on string spacing,

Was it unnecessary in the first place?

[bgavin]

Doug, one poster above notes the spacing has the most impact on his right hand.
That is my concern also.

My old RB5 had a wide nut, and wide spacing, but which did not work for me. Sold.
My three 4-strings (P,J,L1500) had wide spacing, but conflicted with the SR5HH spacing. All sold.

The SR5HH at 17.5mm is very comfortable for my right hand.
EBMM does not make a fretless 5-string P/J, so I ordered the Warmoth.
I wanted the new fretless to be an exact spacing match with the SR5.
This required a specific bridge, and custom-sized pickups.

Answering your OP, spacing is important so I can switch between basses without hand confusion.

[Doug Parent]

Originally Posted by bgavin

Answering your OP, spacing is important so I can switch between basses without hand confusion.

I came to the same conclusion. I have two Warmoths, one is 17.5mm, the other is 18mm. I can tell and feel the difference between the two. However, 17.5mm is pretty doable for me as long as I have the 1.81 ish nut width. If it was 1.75, the whole sheebang would feel too cramped.

[Mulebagger]

Doug, I'm glad you are asking the question to gather some preferences from potential customers and bass players in general.

Obviously one factor won't be entirely responsible for how an instrument feels or plays, but may have the effect of turning people away. We all come in different shapes and sizes and have varying playing styles that may require certain parameters to work best.

I mentioned before that I've played different basses from 17mm-20 mm and found that 19mm is my preference. It may be a small difference, but it still feels better to me.

The reason I moved from Modulus Q6 @ 17.5mm to my Zon TJ6 @ 19mm was because I played my friend's Ken Lawrence 6 string that was set a hair over 19mm and it felt fantastic. So it does matter.

Another important factor is the taper of the strings from nut to bridge. I borrowed a friend's ken Smith for the summer and felt the right hand too tight at 18mm and the left hand too wide. Even my Fodera at 19mm felt like the nut was more of a Pbass spacing than a Jbass. I really enjoy that bass, but initially, that tiny difference was noticeable and took an adjustment.

The spacing makes a difference. It's not the only factor, but that is the only factor you were asking about so I'm glad to offer my input and I'm glad that others are doing so as well in order to give you some useful information.

Best of luck with your instrument building future.
Derrick

[Doug Parent]

Thanks Derrick, this seems to confirm my own experience. I think it was G&L, years ago, (in the 80's) that was promoting their basses as being easy to play based on the fact that the string spacing between the nut width and bridge wasen't a huge difference. Not sure if that same thinking has been embraced by everyone though.

For example, I bought and sold at least 2 F Basses. Five stringers. 1.75" nut and 19mm bridge. Nut too narrow compared to the bridge. Right and left hand had to deal with significant variation in spacing. Not trying to over think this, just making note of what feels right for me.

[Swipter]

Mine is 17.5. I like it but I am a finger player and not a slapper.

[Mikio]

They are all OK when it comes to 5 strings. It's 6 strings that need to be narrow.

Anyway, I guess anything from 17 through 18 is fine.

[bgavin]

Originally Posted by Doug Parent

However, 17.5mm is pretty doable for me as long as I have the 1.81 ish nut width. If it was 1.75, the whole sheebang would feel too cramped.

My SR5HH is 1.75" at the nut, and 17.5mm at the bridge.
If this is cramped, I'm ok with it. The new Warmoth will be identical.

[widjajar]

I thought i had man's hand with all these years playing 19 mm basses until i played 18 mm bass and realized i do have a girly hand....i don't know if should be happy or sad about it

[Doug Parent]

Originally Posted by bgavin

My SR5HH is 1.75" at the nut, and 17.5mm at the bridge.
If this is cramped, I'm ok with it. The new Warmoth will be identical.

I have a Warmoth Wenge neck that is a fatty, front to back. 1.81 nut but the chubby clubby fatty neck makes for the illusion that the nut width is a narrower 1.75 It's like the previous poster said, (who was objecting to my dangerous little thread here) that there are other factors that are relevant besides bridge spacing, in determining why a neck feels right or not.

He's right too.

[Shinyflavors7]

18mm is okay, but I prefer 17.5mm, and 17mm or less on six strings. I love bass chords, they sound so pretty.

[Shinyflavors7]

Originally Posted by Doug Parent

I came to the same conclusion. I have two Warmoths, one is 17.5mm, the other is 18mm. I can tell and feel the difference between the two. However, 17.5mm is pretty doable for me as long as I have the 1.81 ish nut width. If it was 1.75, the whole sheebang would feel too cramped.

I agree. I like my strings to be wide at the nut and narrow at the bridge. A 2. is doable if the string spacing is at 17mm. I even tried a Ibanez GVB at 14mm and it seemed odd but manageable.

[Doug Parent]

G&L Philosophy. I dig it.

[a2zbassman]

Originally Posted by Doug Parent

. . . Not sure if that same thinking has been embraced by everyone though.

For example, I bought and sold at least 2 F Basses. Five stringers. 1.75" nut and 19mm bridge. Nut too narrow compared to the bridge. Right and left hand had to deal with significant variation in spacing. Not trying to over think this, just making note of what feels right.

Nope, definitely not a view shared by all. You just described the perfect nut and bridge spacing for me. Same as a Brubaker setup. Although I can get by with 18mm, such as on my Dingwall 5, and Roscoe 6 string.

[capnsandwich]

19 mm is perfect. 18, I can deal with but 17 and under won't allow me to slap comfortably. I do own a 6 string Cirrus but I don't use that as much as my 5 string Elrick.

[boyet]

I'm a finger-style player but I still prefer my 5/6 stringer to be around 19mm. Although I do have a Bongo 5 which is an exemption to my preference.