5 String Spacing Poll

[Curtinsmith]

I am deciding on what string spacing to do for my 5 string bass builds. I have narrowed it down to either 16.5mm or 18mm, but am curious to know what other bassists prefer.

 

[el murdoque]

18mm is my preferred spacing on 6 strings, on a 5 I like 19 or even 20, depending on the chunky-ness of the neck.

 

[ShadowGroover]

18mm allows for a narrower nut and neck taper to the bridge. The result is that most bassists can use the same technique in right and left hands that is used on 4-string, the typical migratory platform.

 

[DrBnz]

I've tossed that question around for years. But to be honest, it only matters when I'm thinking about it. In reality after the first few minutes of playing my mind/fingers adapt and it doesn't matter anymore. Now neck thickness does matter. TO ME.

 

[PrairieThunder13]

I like ~14mm spacing ("5 in the space of 4") and minimal neck taper on a 5 but i feel like thats anomolous. I would go with "as wide as possible while still having the B string within reach of average sized hands" to satisfy the masses.

 

[pepj]

19mm

 

[two fingers]

I like mine wide (19mm). I can make an 18mm work, but that's as small as I can easily navigate.

My hands are large and my technique can get a little aggressive. (I do play with dynamics. But when things get pumping I lean a little harder on bass strings than some.)

 

[chris_b]

My preference is that my 5 string basses have the same string spacing as my 4 string basses did. So that's 19mm. I can deal with 18mm but don't want to be bothered by the technique changes any smaller spacing would involve.

 

[G On Bass]

I can do 18 or 19. Can't do anything less. It's all a preference, no science to it IMHO. Put an adjustable bridge in it!

 

[NKBassman]

I am deciding on what string spacing to do for my 5 string bass builds. I have narrowed it down to either 16.5mm or 18mm, but am curious to know what other bassists prefer.

I have tried narrower spacing on some 5s and it just messes me up after 20 years of playing Fender 4s. When I tried my first Lakland 5 at 19mm spacing it felt right.

 

[Jason Bonilla]

I love 17 or 17.5 mm spacing like on Spectors and Music Man basses, i feel feel that for all around, 18mm is the best spacing. narrow enough for comfortable and fast playing, and wide enough for cleaner slapping and taps.

 

[Ggaa]

My Wicks are 16.5, but I could do 17. Couldn't do closer, probably no wider.

 

[darren1970]

I've got relatively small hands but can't get away with anything less than 18mm, which I feel comfortable with.

 

[Jefenator]

Something about 20mm... the phrase: "appropriately beefy" comes to mind. (Thank you Warwick for supporting that standard, almost single-handedly!)
I can also work with 19 or 18 - somewhat preferring the former.
Curiously, it's one of my 4-strings (Kay 162) that is 17mm. (Some old-school hollowbody 4-bangers scrunch it in like that - also Steinberger IIRC.)

 

[Stevorebob]

17.5mm

 

[mikezimmerman]

20mm for me, along with an appropriately wide nut (2-3/16", or 55.6mm). I am ok with 19mm, but strongly prefer no narrower than that.

 

[Geri O]

I do fine with 18mm, but I have no problems with my Stingray SR5’s 17.5mm.

I played a fellow’s Sadowsky NYC 5-string Jazz and its 19mm spacing. It didn’t bother me at the time, but I wonder if I could manage a 90-minute set on that bass.

 

[MCS4]

I prefer 19mm. I'm primarily a four-string player, and I find that keeping the string spacing consistent makes the switch easier.

 

[Jefenator]

For the OP's purposes (deciding on a spec for upcoming builds), if there were a "one size fits most" spec for a 5-string, l think 18mm would be it. (The poll appears to be supporting this assertion.)
Not everyone will be willing to stretch out or scrunch in to 18mm, but quite a few players would be - myself included. (16.5mm, a few will love it but many more may be turned away.)
I say this having actually voted for 20mm.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

While my main player is 19mm spacing at the bridge, there are certain songs in the setlist that I know 18mm would be much easier for. It's the quick octave and disco stuff. Think "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy". I think that 18mm is a good middle-of-the-road size between the wider and narrower options. Better yet, adjustable would be a good option to get more players' preferences.