Does nut width, string spacing and/or scale length influence your bass purchases?

[khutch]

Until recently I would say that it didn't really matter. Nut width has never mattered in the slightest to me. Bridge spacing matters some if there are more than four strings but not enough to prevent me from playing a bass. Scale length differences do not prevent me from playing a bass but now that I have played a short scale in a rotation for the last three years I have concluded that short scale is the way I want to go.

 

[Jebberz]

I doesn't matter directly. However, how overall the bass feels when I try it, and if I'm comfy with it, will dictate if I want to buy or not. Since scale length and nut width (as well as body sixe, bridge placement, weight, balance etc.) affect the feel and comfort, it matters indirectly.

 

[johnson79]

I used to think I preferred narrower necks, but lately I've found that a wider nut is more comfortable. For me the feel of the bass in my hands is more important than the specs. Until I play it none of that stuff seems all that important.

 

[FatStringer52]

I always wondered what a bass fingerboard modeled after a classical guitar would be like: No radius, flat fingerboard, and no taper in the fingerboard width, the same width at the nut as the last fret.

That would interesting to see just how "playable" the instrument would be. For me, the "no radius" might be an issue . . .

 

[Blackjac97]

I like narrow string spacing, wide nut width, and 33.25" scale.

Hmmm...

 

[40Hz]

I've got: 30, 32, 34, 34.5, and 35" scale necks. Nut widths from standard JB to slightly wider than a PB. So I guess I'm not too fussy…although the 35" neck and fairly close string spacing on my Spector ReBop 5 is about as long and tight as I'm willing to deal with.

I'm told the neck width on the ReBop is 1.84 and the string spacing at the bridge is 0.66 - a little longer and a whole lot tighter overall than I'd normally prefer. It feels a little uncomfortable down in the first position for me. But oh man! That sound!

 

[FatStringer52]

always be very careful when using a chainsaw

Ouch! And a few other choice expletives. But at least you persevered, made the right compensations and continued to play. Kudos!

 

[FatStringer52]

I don't care at all for all those things.

I'm lefty, I'll play whatever as long as the setup is OK. I have to adapt to anything and I think righties can too but they have the luxury to be picky

Yeah, all of you southpaw players do have a somewhat limited selection of instruments to choose from. And while things have gotten better, I do think the manufacturer's could do a much better job in their offerings.

 

[Nedmundo]

Yes, I care about all these factors, and fretboard radius as well, though it varies between four and five strings. On all basses, I prefer narrower nut widths, 34" scale, and flatter fretboards (like 12" radius), though on fours I'm OK with Fender's standard 9.5" radius. On fives, the flatter fretboard is almost essential, and I also prefer narrow string spacing as on my G&L M-2500.

Due to a finger joint problem, I play mostly with a pick, and the narrow string spacing is great for that. In fact, I'd probably like it on fours too, but I'm fine with my J-basses and G&L SB-2.

 

[sikamikanico]

I mainly avoid narrow nuts and string spacings, so I voted I look for wide ones as the closest option. I wouldn't want to go below 40 mm nuts and 19 mm bridge spacing, but I also wouldn't want to go wider than a P bass (44/20mm). I Had a jazz for years and while it was OK, I did not enjoy the nut. And I don't enjoy playing basses with little neck taper (wide nut, narrow bridge spacing) like some Ricks and Alembics I played. I also like my neck without a glossy finish. I just realized how picky I am. Helps curb GAS for sure...

I do enjoy different scale lengths though! But I mainly play 34", because they are ubiquitous and work well, and I don't want to have a large stable of basses.

 

[Gaolee]

Too narrow and I nix it. Like a Beatle bass. Those are a finger stumble looking for a place to happen. Other than that, I'll play pretty much anything. It may take a moment to adapt, but then it's fine.

 

[Alembiccucurbit]

Do the nut width, the string spacing and the scale length of a bass influence my purchase of the bass?
Yes, they do. However rarely they don't.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

Im sure each of these considerations come into play when I want to buy a bass (or a guitar), but in an abstract manner. I will try a selection of basses until I find the one I want to buy.

 

[pomegranesis]

I seek out shorter/narrower/lighter basses mainly for ergonomics. Excessive reaching with my pinky (which is incidentally about 1 cm shorter than it should be) + constant weight on my left shoulder + holding my left arm up for extended periods of time = RSI flareups.

 

[DavC]

sorry , couldn't quite vote ... no option for ; what feels good/tolerable in my 60 yr old arthritic mitts .. !?

my 4 strgs have normal P type necks

my 5vers have Warmoth Deluxe 5 necks , w/the thinner nut option and asymmetrical backside .. !! comfy . !!

 

[AcridSaint]

I typically only play 4 string basses, but I don't care about any of that business anymore.

 

[tlc1976]

3 of my basses have 16mm string spacing which to me is ideal. If I was in the market for another 4 string, I'd prefer that spacing as well. At the nut, with a 4 string it doesn't matter to me, but start stacking more strings and a narrow spacing becomes more important to keep the neck from becoming too wide.

 

[Honch]

As if that would be the only choices?! omg how narrow.

* I vote for multiscale basses.

It all depends, but I do think string spacing both at the nut and bridge and above the pickups makes sense. To me.

 

[mpdd]

Over the last year I've noticed that the custom neck on my LB100 is just more comfortable and easier to play than any of my other basses, maybe due to my age (43) or playing style, if I was going to get another bass it would have to have the same size neck, because smaller or flatter radiuses just don't feel right anymore

 

[Systolic]

17.5mm is the minimum string spacing I'll play, and as I play 5's and 6's pretty much exclusively, I also require a 35" scale because I like higher string tension and the longer scale makes that easier to accomplish, plus I think the longer scale gives a better starting point for a good low B. Nut width doesn't matter terribly to me.