Anyone else immediately disregard basses with a wide string spacing?

[Nedmundo]

I'm fine with the standard 19mm spacing on fours, but prefer narrower on fives. My G&L M-2500 and JB-5 are 17.5mm, and I love it. I think I'd be fine with a little movement from there in either direction, like 16.5mm or 18mm.

Due to a finger joint problem, I play almost exclusively with a pick, and narrower spacing works better for me. If I could play fingerstyle most of the time, like I used to, I might not mind 19mm spacing on a five.

 

[cnltb]

Anyone else immediately disregard basses with a wide string spacing?
I am sure of it.

I personally don't like narrow spacing and like 19-20mm at the bridge, paired with a wide nut.

 

[nilorius]

I don't know how wide is Your Jacksons string spacing, but i like better the strings more close to each other.

 

[skyline_01]

I'm kinda the opposite. I have long fingers and find that 19-20 is perfect for 4 string, and 18mm is the sweet spot for 5 string (which I play 90% of the time). My L2500 Tribby is 17.5 but I find that very comfy as it's close to 18.

I have a hard time getting adjusted to anything less than that. The Ibanez Portamento fretless 5, for example, is a nice versatile instrument that gets an array of different tones but anytime I've picked one up at the music store I feel like a novice trying to get around on it. IIRC the spacing is 16.5mm?

 

[TheLowDown33]

17.5-18.5mm is my 5 string sweet spot. U also tend to like flatter radii and thinner necks with narrower nut widths. String spacing is something I am picky about, just because it makes it easier to transition complicated techniques/passages across multiple instruments. The rest is all just preference, but I get on fine with most standard ranges.

 

[mattj1stc]

For me, it's the other way around. I like the way an old school 4 string P is in terms of spacing at the bridge and nut (1.75"). For 5 strings, I prefer Lakland's design because they are probably the one of the wider options out there. I don't like for the strings to be too close.

 

[JRA]

Anyone else immediately disregard basses with a wide string spacing?

Nope. I literally do not care. I play them as they lay.

I'm able to adapt to whatever's in my hands with time.

i could care less what the spacing measurement is. that said: i buy bridges that allow me to adjust the spacing on instruments (fretless). i don't measure the spacing but i make sure they are relatively, evenly spaced --- just to run their path on the fingerboard, appropriately...so each mine are a little different, from one to another.

 

[Bassamatic]

The wider the worser IMHO. But then I imprinted on a Hagstrom Hag II with 16mm spacing and a 1-3/8" nut playing it non-stop for 10 years through the 60's and 70's. Just can't tolerate anything wider than a J, have sold some nice Yamahas and a P bass that were to wide and changed the neck on my P to a J neck. Presently I have a very nice Ibby TMB-30 that I am afraid I'll have to let go due to 1-5/8" nut.

 

[mcnach]

I just can't play Jackson basses because of how far apart the strings are, anyone else?

I disregard anything with narrow spacing, so I guess between the two of us there will be harmony in the universe

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, I definitely prefer a tighter string spacing, that works with my average sized hands, and since I play mostly with a pick these days, makes string switching a fraction faster. I currently own a P-Bass, a Ric Clone, and a G&L L2k, all around the same string spacing with a 1-5/8" nut width, anything wider gets uncomfortable. That's mainly what's put me off 5 strings. The only 5 I like is the Ibanez models, with tighter than usual spacing. My Steinberger is more like a Jazz, 1-1/2" nut width, but very little taper towards the bridge, almost like a Hofner violin bass. Playing that one is just effortless. If I was playing only fingerstyle, I suppose I'd be OK with P-Bass spacing or a hair wider.

 

[Meaculpa]

I'm a 6 strings guy.
My previous 6er was a 19mm and I loved it.
My current Smith is 18mm and I sometimes wish it was 19.

For what it's worth, I don't slap - so that's not a factor for me considering string spacing

Same here… I'm a 6 strings guy.
I was afraid when I got my first 6 string...it was narrower than the 4...but now I get used to it...even to slap! I guess now I can't stand a wide string spacing...I'm fine!

 

[somebrains]

I prefer 19mm vs 16mm in 5s

 

[Hounddog409]

I just can't play Jackson basses because of how far apart the strings are, anyone else?

Nope. I couldn't tell you string spacing or nutwidth on amy of my basses.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Yes. I prefer a narrow neck and 4 strings. This is a matter of taste I think.

 

[Gsnorgathon]

If I ever have the discipline (hah!), I need to sit down with my 16.5mm and learn to get comfy with it. But in the meantime, give me 19mm or give me death! oh, I dunno, 18mm works OK.

 

[Ostie]

I couldn’t even tell you the spacing on any of my basses, so I guess that’s a no.

 

[fretlessbass]

I found out the hard way (via pointless purchases): I need 19 to feel comfortable.

 

[skwee]

also the opposite. I tried out what would have been a ridiculous deal on a six-stringer for a weekend that I just couldn't get the hang of and had to pass it up. The strings felt so close!

 

[rtav]

A few years back I decided to get a Bongo 6, because Myung uses them (I know his gets some special modifications to get a narrower-than-stock spacing), and they sound great.

Besides, how big a difference could the string spacing be?

So I go to my local GC (I know I know) and just picked up a beautiful triple black bongo 6. The neck was fine, but as I played stuff, I noticed that I was missing a lot of notes - all because the strings were too wide. It quickly became obvious that I was used to a 16.5 at the bridge spacing - this was a huge issue.

I tried an Ibanez 6 and, with tighter spacing, that note missing issue disappeared. Went back to the bongo - same thing.

Now I know why johns are modified bongos. Next I checked out and bought one, then 2 Yamaha RBXJM2 basses - Johns last signature bass. Feels and sounds great.

So no bongo for me at this time, unless John wants to give one of his away, jes sayin....

 

[saltydude]

Not really. Once I get the feel for it, it will take me in a different direction. Trigger a different attack. I’ll end up discovering things and Having fun with it.
Can’t do too narrow though. Simply cannot play a Hoffner for instance.