Basses with shortest/closest string spacing?

[Mytt88]

Are there any bases with really tight string spacings? Kind of like a bass Vi but with 4 strings and a slim neck? I'm exclusively a pick player

I currently have an ibanez atk 300 and the neck is chunky but I wanted an alternative to mix things up and just wanted to know what was out there. cheers

 

[RickBlair]

Mosrites have short scale (30"), close string spacing (9/16"), thin necks and low frets. Like they say "If you can find an easier playing bass, buy it".

Rick B.

 

[FloridaSam]

Aria SB-1000. There is practically no taper from the nut to the bridge with lends to a very narrow feel. But, the neck is far from thin. It's quite chunky front to back but narrow side to side. Unlike any other bass I've seen. I like it a lot with a pick.

 

[MEKer]

Any more that meet the requirement, fellow TB'ers? Like to find one as well that is well under 16mm spacing. Like 11-12mm. In the words of Cactus.....Boogie.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Hofner?

 

[AltGrendel]

Check out a Jag SS if you get a chance.

 

[DrDAV14]

My Status Stealth has 16.5mm spacing at the bridge, which is narrow. Standard spacing is 19mm.

 

[Maxdusty]

Don't know the particulars, but Danelectro basses have pretty narrow string spacing. Ah... just looked, it's 17.5
http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/bass/danelectro-hodad-bass-569290

Might be hard to find one super narrow 4 stringer though, as it would compromise the strength of the neck.

 

[tink9975]

Ibanez Veasley Sig bass is 14mm at the bridge, but a 6'er and pretty pricey

 

[Michedelic]

The old Italian-made Vox basses from the '60s, such as the teardrop Bill Wyman model, were the very definition of 'pencil neck'. The solid Phantom bass was more P-bass like, but the BW and the the other hollowbody Vox's were, to me, unplayable, but it might work for you. Unfortunately, even though they weren't the best built, they fetch stupid money as 'collectables'.

 

[khutch]

Eastwood guitars makes some Mosrite and other retro basses. I have no idea what their string spacings are. If no one here knows you could try emailing EastwoodGuitars.com

 

[ggvicviper]

In terms of 5ers, G&L L5000 and the original Yamaha 5ers (BB5000 and RBX5 prior to 1989).

 

[nukes_da_bass]

Early Alembic 6 ers are so narrow they are practically unplayable!

 

[mjmeche]

Ibanez Sr 16.5mm at bridge. SX short scale 16.5 mm at bridge and 3/8" @ nut
The SR's are 34" scale just so you know.
Also the Fender BASS VI is 30" scale and strings close together ~ .312"

 

[KingRazor]

Ibanez SR for sure. Super skinny neck and fairly tight spacing.

 

[wrench45us]

Ken Smith burner models are 16.5 mm, but 35 inch scale

now discontinued Steinberger Spirit and Synapse have narrow spacing in similar dimensions

those are for 5'ers

 

[VegetarianBass]

What about those Fender Pawn Shop VI basses?

 

[RickBlair]

Eastwood guitars makes some Mosrite and other retro basses. I have no idea what their string spacings are. If no one here knows you could try emailing EastwoodGuitars.com

I just looked at the Eastwood website, and the Hi-Flyer has a Fender-style bridge so it will be wide spacing. The bass sounds nice in the demo video. Pretty close to the sound of my 2-pickup Mosrite.

Rick B.

 

[Solarmist]

I'll second the Ibanez SR series; The 4 string necks are only 38mm wide, and 19.5mm thick at the nut, but with 19mm spacing at the bridge - I play with a pick too.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Ibanez Gerald Veasley signature