Do you prefer wider or narrower spaced strings, and why?

[rtav]

6 string basses with 16 - 17mm spacing.

Any wider and I start missing strings in places where I’m moving across strings quickly.

A few years ago I went to try a Bongo 6 and as much as I liked them and after playing a few realized that the string spacing (I think it’s 17.5mm) was a deal breaker.

I went instead with Yamaha RBXJM2 basses with a comfortable 16.5mm spacing and it’s been great.

 

[bassbenj]

4 string basses don't matter. 20mm is OK narrorwer too. Though wider is better for slapping.

All my 6 string basses are in the 16mm range. except for my Modlus TBX which is 12mm and it's impossible to slap. All my 5 strings are 16mm too. I try to allmy basses in the same range to just sort of have a standard feel to them all.

To me, 20mm makes a 6 string neck just too wide. And 16mm isn't so narrow that you couldn't slap a 6 string (though I usually don't). I've tried wide space (20mm or so) in stores and it always seemed a deal breaker for me. But there are lots of people here who are just the opposite of me finding wide space their comfort zone and narrow spacing a deal breaker.

 

[NOVAX]

Narrow -Due to tendinitis,
rheumatoid arthritis and
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Everyday is a good day!

 

[Cerio]

The poll just don't make sense to me.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I like a variety of basses and have owned 4,5,6, and 7 strings. I currently own 4 and 5 strings from Dingwall and Fender. My dingwall 5 string spacing is 18mm at the bridge and the nut width is 1.8”. For 4 string a very much prefer wider spacing p necks where the neck itself feels more similar to a 5 string neck. For 6 and 7 string 16 mm is fine because I never used them for slapping anyways and wider spacing on a 6 or 7 string can get to be pretty rediculous

 

[Yahboy]

I prefer standard 19mm on 4 string bass.
18mm on 5 string bass.
16.5mm on fretless 5 string bass.

 

[retslock]

I wasn’t very aware of the differences until I bought an American made 5 string Deluxe Precision. I found the neck was quite wide (19mm spacing at bridge) compared to the Cort I had been playing which was 16.5mm. The Precision was definitely harder for me to play accurately and eventually I sold it. I have a custom made bass with an Allparts neck now with 16.5mm spacing which I love - it suits me much better. I also bought an SR655 specifically because it had narrower spacing than the Fender. It’s a beautiful neck and is very easy to play. I don’t slap these days, I gave it up long ago so the narrower spacing is what I prefer now on all my basses.

 

[FingerDub]

19mm for 4s 18mm for 5s.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I love a 19MM spacing on a 5 string. Anything narrower is too tight for me.

 

[Element Zero]

057912

037699

 

[Nashrakh]

After my recent acquisition of a six string, I must say that the 16.5mm string spacing is super comfortable for me. It also keeps the neck to a size my small hands can handle... 19mm is okay on a four string, that's what I learned to play on.

So I'm with those that say 19 on a 4, 16.5 on a 6.

 

[two fingers]

19mm

Big hands.

 

[pellomoco14]

The pole choices .
Hmm...Yes to both?
Provides no info, nearly everyone falls into both catagories.
Wider than 16 (16.1mm.-20mm)
Narrower than 19 (18.9mm-16.1mm)

I like 16.5-17 even for slap.
Soo double yes wider than 16 and also narrower than 19.

 

[cnltb]

I am at 20mm at the bridge.
Feels comfortable to me.

 

[arder]

I prefer it at 20mm just because I got stubby hands making it more comfortable.

 

[gt96g]

You sort of hit it on the head. I like different spacing for different purposes. For a good old 4 string, I like 19mm spacing. Good for slap, pick, fingers etc. 5 strings I generally prefer 18mm, provides good string access without the board getting too wide, and I prefer tighter spacing for basses I use for chords and more lead style playing.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I prefer 18mm-19mm .. 20 is too wide and 16 is too narrow.. for me ..

 

[Les Fret]

I don't understand the options in the poll? First of all you don't mention the number of strings in the poll. For 6 or 4 strings? Or 5? Makes a lot of difference.

And you have two options in the poll: wider than 16 or narrower than 19mm at the bridge. Isn't that exactly the same? 17 or 18mm for example fits both descriptions. You 'have' to make it more clear...

 

[JRA]

if I really like the bass, it doesn't matter

 

[mustBmtd]

With wide hands, super long fingers, I had to step away from my at one time favorite basses. Ibanez and switch to the land of 19mm and 20. And now I'm free lol.