5 String Purchase Dilemma-What would you do?

[micguy]

When starting out on a 5, you have to get used to...something. Either tighter string spacing at both ends, or much more reach and a wider neck, or some compromise of the above. There really is no way around the need to adjust - the only question is what to adjust to.

I have ginormous hands, and my 5’s have 17.5 mm spacing at the bridge, and a wider neck (1 7/8ths), but closer string spacing at the nut due to the extra string. I was clumsy for a while - that’s completely normal. A couple years in (I play 5’s about 80% of the time now), I’m at home with the compromise.

If you expect you can pick up a 5 and be at home on it in a couple weeks, I’d say that’s unrealistic. It takes far longer than that to develop enough muscle memory to play as well on a 5 as you could on a 4.

 

[chris_b]

My Mike Lull PJ5 is listed with a 1.75" nut width on the website, but mine measures closer to 2". I don't find that to be a problem for my middle sized fingers.

If a new bass sounds good enough I'll make any changes to my technique that are required.

 

[retslock]

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

I sold my American Deluxe 5 string Precision because the spacing was too wide for me at 19mm. I prefer narrower spacing. All my basses are now 16.5mm and feel just right. All my basses are now 16.5mm and feel just right.

 

[TomB]

I sold my American Deluxe 5 string Precision because the spacing was too wide for me at 19mm. I prefer narrower spacing. All my basses are now 16.5mm and feel just right. All my basses are now 16.5mm and feel just right.

Huh... I thought Fender’s stock 5-string bridge is 18mm. ...not an expert though.

 

[ElectricBass72]

My Ibanez ATK 5-string has tight string spacing. It's great for fingerstyle or pick... not so good for slap.

 

[retslock]

Huh... I thought Fender’s stock 5-string bridge is 18mm. ...not an expert though.

Me neither. You could be right. It felt very wide though.

 

[Clark Westfield]

OP UPDATE:

So after borrowing my buddies American Professional 5 string Jazz for 2 days, I can come to a conclusion to my bass dilemma.

The Yamaha BB435 is an outstanding instrument. Pretty, perfectly built and sounds amazing.

However it is definitely not for me.

The neck taper is just too tight. The strings from frets 7 to 1 are just too close for my big mitts.

Playing the Fender, I felt very comfortable and at home. My guitarist absolutely loves the spacing, however he doesn’t want it.

I have no issues at all with crowding and mis-fretting down low on the neck.

I will contact Sweetwater tomorrow and start working on an exchange and start possibly upgrading to the Fender, which is a bunch more cash.

Thank you all for the advice on this thread, as it helped me focus on some noted issues.