5-string bass with wider string spacing

[RGerhart]

I used to have the same problems with any Ibanez 5- or 6-string bass, too, with the narrow spacing. Then I tried a BTB, and loved it. I believe most, if not all, BTBs are 18mm or wider for spacing.

I also had a Lakland 55-02 that was 19mm, I believe, and it was great.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

Modern Yamaha are 18mm, some classic models are 19mm ( such as BB405/605/BB5 and others )

Sadowsky AFAIK are all 19mm, despite some having 18mm ( custom, probably ), BTB, Lakland, MTD, and so it goes...

There's plenty of options, just find the brand/style/design that fits you better and go for it.

I can't stand anything with less than 18mm, and I absolutely dislike narrow string spacing basses, no matter how good they are.

 

[Jason Bonilla]

Ibanez BTB 5s are 19mm
old Yamaha TRB 5s are 19mm newer ones are 18mm I believe
MTD USA and Kingston series 5s are 19mm
Sire 5s are between 18 and 19mm I believe
Lakland USA and Skyline series 5s are 19mm
Fender 5s are between 18 and 19mm I believe
G&L recently released a 19mm spaced version of the L-2500 called the "L-2500 Series 750"
Warwick Broadnecks are between 19 and 20 but of course unless you order one you'd have to find a used one.
most Jazz Bass derivatives are 19mm spacing, like Sadowsky, Brubaker, Valenti, Etc.

That's not all but all i can think of right now

 

[Jay2U]

One of the reasons I play a BEAD tuned bass.

 

[Bassplayer1586]

I’m seeing a couple people talking about having an ATK 810, but I’m not seeing any pictures of them. We need pics! Here’s mine!

 

[Avezzano]

I used to have the same problems with any Ibanez 5- or 6-string bass, too, with the narrow spacing. Then I tried a BTB, and loved it. I believe most, if not all, BTBs are 18mm or wider for spacing.

I also had a Lakland 55-02 that was 19mm, I believe, and it was great.

BTB: 19 mm. Skyline: 5502 19 mm. I had the first, still have the second.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

If you don't want to spend the time working on adjusting your style, just get a bass with the same spacing as your 4 string basses.

That's what I did.

I won't play anything that isn't 18-19 mm.

Don’t blame you, my LTD has 17mm spacing

 

[DaveB in VA]

Kiesel (Carvin) 5 string basses have 19 mm string spacing at the bridge.

 

[fretlessbass]

Hi all,

I currently play an Ibanez ATK810 and love it. It has 19mm string spacing. Before that I played an Ibanez SR500 and loved it, that also had 19mm string spacing.

My band has started playing a lot of stuff in drop D, drop C, drop C# etc, so figured it was time to get a 5-string. I bought an Ibanez SR1205 but cannot get on with the 16.5mm string spacing. It's too tight.

It seems most of the Ibanez 5-string basses are 16.5mm with the exception of the ATK series which are very hard to find (I would love an ATK815). Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Hi ReeVO,
I just bought a new bass, so I have to sell a few to pay for it; among them are two fivers with 19mm spacing:a Lakland 55-02 and a Reverend Mercalli 5.
Both are great basses; if you’re interested, PM me; thanks!

 

[Glazenn]

I’m seeing a couple people talking about having an ATK 810, but I’m not seeing any pictures of them. We need pics! Here’s mine!View attachment 4903272

This thread is about 5-strings with a wider spacing.

There are 2 models of 19mm (.750) 5-stringers at G&L: the CLF Research 750 Series L2500 and L1000, each in 4 different combinations of fingerboard woods and body colors.

 

[Thumper]

IIRC, Roscoe is 18.7

 

[And I]

Harley Benton MP5-EB and MJ5-EB.

 

[logdrum]

One can adjust or at least I can. I prefer wide spacing but rock the bass strings on my hybrid which are like guitar spacing but I mostly thumb those and have become quite good at thumb (not slap) technique.. I have also upgraded 2 of my basses to the Hipshot kickass bridge and discovered that the string spacing can be adjusted. I think the Sandberg California (on the verge of pulling the trigger ) are also adjustable from 18 to 19.5

 

[jam.majors]

I don't know about 19mm, but I have a Yamaha BB735a that has 18mm. And the other BBX35 models have the same spacing. Really fantastic value out of these basses.

 

[perfektspace6]

First thing that came to mind is old Yamaha TRB's.

I would have thought 19mm string spacing was pretty common on 5s but I guess not.

 

[bigthemat]

You just need to look outside of ibanez.

My ibanez talman is 18mm

 

[Sid the Kid]

I love me some 5 strings but I’ve spent the past 20+ years only playing a 5. 4 strings aren’t as comfortable to me.

However, if I were only used to 4 strings I would highly consider acquiring a 4 string to dedicate to the band’s tuning. The inherent comfort of the instrument in your hands will allow you to focus on the music.

 

[Jefenator]

IME wider spacing seems almost as common as narrow. (Some makers like Pedulla & Warwick kind of offered both at the same time.)
If not quite a majority, 19mm is certainly common enough that it would be hard to name every 5-string that ever had it without some significant omissions.

 

[Marhmol]

Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass V Active
Did the trick for me.

 

[JDLowEnd]

Be a hero buy a warwick broadneck