5-string bass with wider string spacing

[Riff Ranger]

I have also upgraded 2 of my basses to the Hipshot kickass bridge and discovered that the string spacing can be adjusted.

Beat me to it.

 

[bigjames]

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.

This.

The two basses I play most are both 19mm. My Warwick is 16mm and I cannot get used to it. For me, 19mm or nothing. Many 5 strings come with 19mm spacing in my experience.

 

[5aP]

Well, have you thought about BTB MS (605 and 806)?
Plus multiscale will give you more clarity in lower tunings...

 

[badinage]

I compiled this nowhere-near-comprehensive list (over time for my own reference) as I ran across internet sources, usually "factory-specs" listings. I do not claim it to be "guaranteed-accurate". (18mm at the bridge is my personal preference on a five-string.)

5-string spacings at the bridge:

Carvin LB75. 16.5mm string-spacing at bridge.
EBMM Sterling Five 11/16" (17.5mm)ESP AP-5 19mm. The nut is 45m/1.771”.
G&L 17.5mm says me. Some say 17mm. Series 750 is 19mm.
Ibanez SRxx05 16.5mm.
Ibanez EHB1005MS “slightly over 18mm”.
LTD 17mm.
MTD, Lakland, some Pedullas 19mm.
Musicman SR5 17.5mm.
Peavey USA Millennium (not the BXP line) have 17.5mm. Some Peavey bridges allow adjustment for spacing a bit.
Sadowsky 19mm bridge spacing on all 5’s.
Schecter Stiletto: 35” scale, 16.5mm string spacing at bridge.
Spector Legend 5 Classic: 35” scale, 45mm at the nut. 16.75mm string spacing.
Sire 5-strings 18mm.
Warwick usually 16.5mm I think... Warwick offers a broadneck 5 string that is 20mm.
Yamaha TRBX 18mm.

 

[stingray69]

Some of the newer Ibanez 5-string basses (SR1345B for example) come with the MR5S mono rail bridge system. At first glance it looks like a typical, fixed-spacing mono rail bridge. However, the MR5S is meant to offer adjustable string spacing.

Ibanez sets the MR5S at the "traditional" 16.5mm from the factory, but they can be adjust up to +1.5mm, getting you to a true 18mm if so desired.

 

[DaveB in VA]

I compiled this nowhere-near-comprehensive list (over time for my own reference) as I ran across internet sources, usually "factory-specs" listings. I do not claim it to be "guaranteed-accurate". (18mm at the bridge is my personal preference on a five-string.)

5-string spacings at the bridge:

Carvin LB75. 16.5mm string-spacing at bridge.
EBMM Sterling Five 11/16" (17.5mm)ESP AP-5 19mm. The nut is 45m/1.771”.
G&L 17.5mm says me. Some say 17mm. Series 750 is 19mm.
Ibanez SRxx05 16.5mm.
Ibanez EHB1005MS “slightly over 18mm”.
LTD 17mm.
MTD, Lakland, some Pedullas 19mm.
Musicman SR5 17.5mm.
Peavey USA Millennium (not the BXP line) have 17.5mm. Some Peavey bridges allow adjustment for spacing a bit.
Sadowsky 19mm bridge spacing on all 5’s.
Schecter Stiletto: 35” scale, 16.5mm string spacing at bridge.
Spector Legend 5 Classic: 35” scale, 45mm at the nut. 16.75mm string spacing.
Sire 5-strings 18mm.
Warwick usually 16.5mm I think... Warwick offers a broadneck 5 string that is 20mm.
Yamaha TRBX 18mm.

Kiesel/Carvin has discontinued the LB series basses. I'm pretty sure that all of the current 5-string offerings are standard with 19 mm spacing, with the possible exception of the Icon. I know for sure that this is true for the PB5 (P bass) and the B25 (Brian Bromberg Signature) as I own both of these models.

 

[CryingBass]

Almost a joke, but along with what others have said above about ( in my words ) "widths differ", it find it funny that I rarely, if ever?, heard anyone on the DB side of TB talking about string spacing.

I think 'ya just learn to adjust... ( with pain, often )

 

[badinage]

Kiesel/Carvin has discontinued the LB series basses. I'm pretty sure that all of the current 5-string offerings are standard with 19 mm spacing, with the possible exception of the Icon. I know for sure that this is true for the PB5 (P bass) and the B25 (Brian Bromberg Signature) as I own both of these models.

Thank you! Corrections/Updates/Additions are welcomed.

 

[Glazenn]

Some of the newer Ibanez 5-string basses (SR1345B for example) come with the MR5S mono rail bridge system. At first glance it looks like a typical, fixed-spacing mono rail bridge. However, the MR5S is meant to offer adjustable string spacing.

Ibanez sets the MR5S at the "traditional" 16.5mm from the factory, but they can be adjust up to +1.5mm, getting you to a true 18mm if so desired.

Cannot agree on this, when you move E or D saddles by 1.5mm to get 18mm from A, you reduce spacing between E and B or G and D to 15mm.
Then, you cannot move B and G saddles by 3mm.
So, from there, being limited to (moving G or B by) 1.5mm only, you cannot get more than 16.5mm spacing between E and B or G and D.
In other words, from the 16.5mm original factory spacing, you can get only 17.25mm spacing with 1.5mm saddle adjustment.

 

[ReeV0]

Are any of the 5-string basses mentioned with 19mm spacing under 4kg/9lbs?

Any thoughts on the Yamaha TRBX series?

 

[ReeV0]

Does anyone know if any of the budget brands like Harley Benton or Vintage have any 19mm 5-strings?

 

[ReeV0]

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!

What's the weight of the Lakland? I'm looking for basses under 4kg

 

[ReeV0]

Ended up overpaying for a used MTD KZ5

 

[fretlessbass]

What's the weight of the Lakland? I'm looking for basses under 4kg

Hi ReeVO,
I only have an old bathroom scale; the closest reading I can get is between 9-10 lbs; it’s not a light bass!