Bridge for 6 string bass with extra narrow spacing

[billardbass]

I am designing a custom 6 string bass in the vein of the 80's alembics and Les Claypool's 6 string fretted Carl Thompson bass. They have very tight spacing and slim taper necks which is the main idea with the bass I am designing. My biggest snag thus far, has been finding a suitable bridge. I am thinking I will need a string spread of about 60mm for a 12mm spacing. The spacing on these basses appears narrower than the ibanez Gerald Veasley bass (14mm) but wider than a guitar (vintage start is 56mm E to E). I contacted ABM about a custom TOM bridge and they quoted me about 600 euros. The Carl Thompson uses a one piece non-adjustable wooden bridge which would be an easy option but the idea of no adjustments is scary. Does anyone know of a more affordable option?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Individual, single string bridges? I don't have any experience with these specific ones, they're an example. There's lots of options.

Chrome ABM Single String Bass Bridge | Allparts.com

 

[billardbass]

The tightest I've found with single bass bridges is 15mm which is quite a bit wider than what I'm going for. I've considered using single guitar bridges and machining the necessary components to fit bass strings but I'm worried the saddle adjustment throw would be insufficient

 

[testing1two]

The Kahler bridge will go down to 14mm. https://www.kahlerusa.com/guitar-tremolo-and-bridge/2450-n6-cx-6-string-bass-fixed-bridge

To get any narrower you'd be looking at customizing a guitar bridge/tailpiece like on the Fender Bass VI.

 

[billardbass]

Yeah I think custom might be my only option. Even a wide bass vi bridge would be unsuitable because of the radius difference.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I never thought of the minimum distance on single string bridges.

My next thought was some angle steel or aluminum and a drill press.

 

[skippy_ca]

I am curious what you came up with for this. Did you find a machinist to make a custom bridge?