Anyone else immediately disregard basses with a wide string spacing?

[Davbassdude]

Never thought about it too much, but I believe most 4 string Rics (and maybe the Fender Jazz?) are 19mm, so I guess that's my preference.

 

[somebrains]

I liked 5s and 6s that felt like a 2x8.

21mm spacing for the win.

That experimental era with custom cut 5s that were essentially 6s is long dead.
Haslip and Claypool packing those plank neck 6 strings made an impression on me.

I liked screwing together those old Warmoth super wide 5 neck builds.

I even liked Broadneck Warwick's tho they were pushing the envelope with how chunky they were.

 

[Ric5]

Anyone else immediately disregard basses with a wide string spacing?

yes that is me

 

[Stranger Danger]

18mm FTW!

 

[singlemalt]

I only look at four strings with 19mm string spacing.

And they better be light weight, 8.5 lb is the cut off. Under 8 is even better.

I don’t care what the headstock looks like, or how the tuners are arraigned.

 

[Samus C]

I prefer 19mm but 18 is OK. It sucks, cause barely anyone makes 18-19mm 6 strings.

 

[Lesfunk]

No, because the neck profile itself has a lot to do with how the bass feels, as well as string spacing.
For me It’s a balance of the elements
I need to play any bass first before making a judgement

 

[/\/\3phist0]

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

^^ what he says. It depends on many factors.
I just converted a 4 string to a 5 1.5" nut 15.5mm at the bridge
I have 2 5's with a 2" nut and 19mm at the bridge.

 

[GreyBeard]

It depends. 4 String, 19mm (3/4") is fine. But on 5 string I'm much more comfortable with 17.5 which is StingRay 5 or G&L JB5.

 

[Dark Horse]

I’m the opposite. I disregard basses with a narrow spacing, with short scales (Like my Dano and Allan Woody) being the only exception.

 

[comatosedragon]

Yeah, for m it has to be 19mm. 4's,5's, 6's (okay - I've never actually played a 6, but I am certain I would need 19mm).

Never tried a 20mm bass.

 

[smperry]

I disregard basses with narrow spacing (unless it's a six string bass).

 

[Mustang Surly]

I prefer short scale length and narrow string spacing even on a 4-string: 1.50" nut, 17mm @ the bridge. Guild Starfire is my ideal.

I have arthritis which is aggravated by long scale, wider nuts and 19mm string spacing @ the bridge.

 

[mickebas]

I prefer 19-20mm on any bass (4,5-or 6 string). I think it depends a lot on how you’ve practiced and set up your technique. As some have mentioned I feel it’s also a matter of the total neck design, width at nut, neck profile, frets etc. So it’s best not to be to stuck in preconceptions and give it a little time.

 

[Manticore]

I seek basses with wider spacing, including wider spacing at the nut. In a six-string player, so the neck is quite wide with plenty of room for comfort. The typical J spacing at the nut feels quite cramped to me.

 

[mickebas]

... also I have changed preference as I got older and added years to my playing experience. As a younger player I preferred more narrow spacing but as my conception about what I want to sound like and what’s important to me when playing has changed I’ve realized the benefits of a wider spacing when it comes to note fundamental projection.

 

[retslock]

Prefer narrow.

 

[chris_b]

My 5 string basses have the same string spacing at the bridge that my 4 string basses used to have, 18 or 19mm. Makes sense to me to maintain that difference.

 

[TrevorG]

I can cope with acoustic and four strings fairly wide but five strings wide apart are too much for me.

 

[bgartist]

Gotta have wide spacing... at bridge and the nut.