5 String Purchase Dilemma-What would you do?

[Clark Westfield]

So I have been on the five string fence for awhile and finally pulled the trigger on a Yamaha 435 in tobacco burst from Sweetwater.

The bass is a built really well, sounds great and looks fantastic.

Now being a 4 string player for over 10 years I’m not having trouble with the extra string, it’s the tighter string spacing that’s causing some issues.

Now my 4 strings include a Sadowsky NYC, Fender Jazz American Special and a Shecter Signature.

When playing the new 5ver, my hand has been cramping and I fumble with my fret hand overlapping strings and missing notes. Not so on my 4 strings.

Now I never really concentrated on playing five strings in stores, as they usually never have a decent assortment, but playing this 435 for about 10 days, I now notice these issues.

I bought the Yammi on a whim based on great reviews from here and magazines.

Sweetwater will accept returns up to 30days.

Do all 5 string bass guitars have this tight spacing?

Does anybody make a 5 string with the exact spacing as say a Fender Jazz or Precision?

Or is this just how it is with the 5 string bass?

 

[SgtHulka]

My LTD is a *&$^%& awesome instrument and has 19MM spacing (what you are looking for).

 

[Clark Westfield]

My LTD is a *&$^%& awesome instrument and has 19MM spacing (what you are looking for).

View attachment 4267357

Never thought 1mm would make all the difference.

 

[SgtHulka]

Never thought 1mm would make all the difference.

The Yammie is 18MM?

 

[Wasnex]

So I have been on the five string fence for awhile and finally pulled the trigger on a Yamaha 435 in tobacco burst from Sweetwater.

The bass is a built really well, sounds great and looks fantastic.

Now being a 4 string player for over 10 years I’m not having trouble with the extra string, it’s the tighter string spacing that’s causing some issues.

Now my 4 strings include a Sadowsky NYC, Fender Jazz American Special and a Shecter Signature.

When playing the new 5ver, my hand has been cramping and I fumble with my fret hand overlapping strings and missing notes. Not so on my 4 strings.

Now I never really concentrated on playing five strings in stores, as they usually never have a decent assortment, but playing this 435 for about 10 days, I now notice these issues.

I bought the Yammi on a whim based on great reviews from here and magazines.

Sweetwater will accept returns up to 30days.

Do all 5 string bass guitars have this tight spacing?

Does anybody make a 5 string with the exact spacing as say a Fender Jazz or Precision?

Or is this just how it is with the 5 string bass?

View attachment 4267342

The specs I found say the BB435 has 18mm string spacing at the bridge. In contrast, I believe 4-string P-Bass has 19mm string spacing at the bridge.

It's normal to get confused by the extra string. I moved from 4-string to 5-string, and then later moved from 5-string to 6-string. Both transitions degraded my ability to play.

Essentially you have a mental map of the fretboard in your head that helps you automatically know where the notes are. When you add an extra string it screws up your spatial references so you subconscious thinks you are on the E-string, when you are really on the B-string. When you realize this consciously it can lead to panic and confusion.

It's going to take you time to build and automate a new mental map, so you can play without thinking about where you are on the neck. My advice is play the 5-string exclusively until you get really comfortable. If you go back and fourth between 4-string and 5-string it tends to reinforce your 4-string map instead of allowing you to build the new 5-string map.

So IMHO you really need to make sure the string spacing is the source of your problem, rather than the confusion from dealing with the extra string.

My Yamaha TRB-6P (6-string) has 19mm string spacing, so it should be no problem finding a 5-string with 19mm spacing.

 

[SunByrne]

The Yammie is 18MM?

Correct. 4-string BBs are 19mm, and 5-string BBs are 18mm.

 

[SgtHulka]

Never thought 1mm would make all the difference.

I wish you were clearer, but yeah, I don't get it either. I thought it was 16 v 19mm or something. If you can't adjust to 18 from 19 something is wrong with your technique.

 

[SJan3]

Agree that you should play the 5 string exclusively. And practice, practice, practice.
Wasnex made some great points and the problem is likely NOT the string spacing.
In fact, you may eventually find the tighter spacing a benefit. I play 4 string Fenders and also have a Yamaha 5 string so I know what you're going through. It's just a matter of putting the time into the instrument, my friend. In time you'll be able to take the "training wheels" off and ride the 5.

 

[JW56789]

Before your return window runs out, ya gotta decide IF it's the string spacing OR it's just that different from your fours and you're in that clumsy stage on your first five till your hands 'get it'.

As you can see, five-strings are different, requiring different muting strategies, the general mindset shift, and breaking the mold of your four-string-ed-ness. I've never sweated string spacing: If I liked the bass, my hands made peace with it. The original BB5000's were a BB3000 neck subdivided for five strings on a four string width, and it was TIGHT down at the nut, but I loved the axe and my hands adapted. But for some it can be a deal-breaker, and I appreciate that.

I transitioned to fives in the mid 80's and never looked back, and never owned another four until a few years ago, also 'on a whim'. The real key is to play it as a five-string bass as opposed to a four-string bass with an extra string. I consider them two different instruments. In keyboards, we often see 60 key, 76 key, and full 88 key instruments, and while it's still all the same black and white keys, you approach those three sizes differently. THAT's how I look at fours and fives.

 

[Bassaga]

And here's me always wanting to get a BB?35 but worrying because the strings are so far apart when I'm used to 16.5mm.

So I guess I vote that you to keep on until you succeed and share your story here, that I may be encouraged thereby.

 

[Nephilymbass]

So I have been on the five string fence for awhile and finally pulled the trigger on a Yamaha 435 in tobacco burst from Sweetwater.

The bass is a built really well, sounds great and looks fantastic.

Now being a 4 string player for over 10 years I’m not having trouble with the extra string, it’s the tighter string spacing that’s causing some issues.

Now my 4 strings include a Sadowsky NYC, Fender Jazz American Special and a Shecter Signature.

When playing the new 5ver, my hand has been cramping and I fumble with my fret hand overlapping strings and missing notes. Not so on my 4 strings.

Now I never really concentrated on playing five strings in stores, as they usually never have a decent assortment, but playing this 435 for about 10 days, I now notice these issues.

I bought the Yammi on a whim based on great reviews from here and magazines.

Sweetwater will accept returns up to 30days.

Do all 5 string bass guitars have this tight spacing?

Does anybody make a 5 string with the exact spacing as say a Fender Jazz or Precision?

Or is this just how it is with the 5 string bass?

View attachment 4267342

5ers come in a few different string spacings. Generally between 16mm and 18mm but I’ve tried up to 20mm before. I typically prefer the 16.5-18mm range. There’s generally some pros and cons when you’re talking the extremes. 20mm spacing 5ers basically feel like you’re playing a 6 string neck with 5 string spread out on it. An example would be the Warwick broad neck basses. 16.5 is as tight as I can deal with before I start having issues like not being able to get my chunky fingers between the strings. 18 is definitely my preference for slapping for example because it’s easier for me to pop the d string for example without accidentally getting hung up on the g string.

 

[OregonJim]

It's going to take you time to build and automate a new mental map, so you can play without thinking about where you are on the neck. My advice is play the 5-string exclusively until you get really comfortable. If you go back and fourth between 4-string and 5-string it tends to reinforce your 4-string map instead of allowing you to build the new 5-string map.

^^^^ THIS.

 

[svlilioukalani]

That other 1mm makes a major difference if you use more advanced right hand techniques. I have basses with both string spacings and absolutely prefer 19mm. Scale lengths on the fretboard has no effect on my playing, but string spacing does to me. Sure in time you can get using anything. But, as a person who primarily uses a 4 string bass, having the same string spacing on my 5 string is a big deal to me.

 

[fretlessbass]

1 mm makes a difference to me; in fact, that’s why I ultimately decided against buying a bb435a for myself.
Took me a long time to figure out what I like; consequently, I don’t second-guess myself about even a millimeter anymore.
If you decide you want 19 mm at the bridge, you shouldn’t have much problem finding one that suits you: FWIW, my 5ers are a Mercalli (passive) and a Lakland 55-02 (active/passive).

 

[OregonJim]

Here's a thought: wedge a credit card between each of the saddles and see if that makes the problem go away. If not, then string spacing isn't the issue.

 

[TomB]

I agree that you need a different “mental map” for a five, and that, like with any new instrument, it takes time and practice to master.

I disagree though that you need to put the 4-string aside. I have too many specialized and wonderful 4’s to want to put them or those skills aside, so when I learned the 5, I consciously went back and forth until I could switch effortlessly. And, once you got it, you got it - a new skill, similar to singing and playing bass. For me it took quite a while. Good luck!

I, too, prefer 19 mm spacing, but I find 18 playable enough.

 

[A9X]

Put the 4s in the cupboard for 6mo and use nothing but the 5. You'll get used to the difference fast. OP is just used to what he had and not putting in the woodshedding to adjust.

Honestly don't understand tiny spacing differences being important. I have 4s at 19, 5&6s at 16.5 and the SRC6s are 10.8mm. Scale lengths vary from 34, 33 and 30 inches and I have no difficulty playing any of them. Or any of my guitars which have 3 different scales lengths.

 

[klyph]

Nut spacing, neck taper, and radius play a huge part in the feel. Unless you’re always playing at the bridge a la Jaco, that spec doesn’t tell the whole story for the plucking hand.

 

[spatters]

Here's a thought: wedge a credit card between each of the saddles and see if that makes the problem go away. If not, then string spacing isn't the issue.

^ This. If you don't have four credit cards, fold a business card in half and use that, or fold a piece of paper over a few times and use that.

 

[el murdoque]

So IMHO you really need to make sure the string spacing is the source of your problem, rather than the confusion from dealing with the extra string.

This is solid advice.
It might be that your hand is crampy because it plays 'one string further down than usually' all the time and that needs concentration.

Try and learn a few new songs - ideally ones that heavily rely on the B string.
See if the problem persists.