Fanned fret string spacing measurement question

[daerek]

Where exactly is the bridge and nut string spacing measured on a fanned fret bass?

 

[Ruckus_Instrmts]

Link Removed

 

[OHSPyro89]

You could do some trig if you wanted, that'd be the best bet.

Or you could cheat, and go perpendicular to the strings closest to the nut and bridge, and go from there. There wouldn't be a ton of difference in spacing over an inch or so.

 

[daerek]

I think I should ask this question somewhat differently. In the attachment, which colored line is the correct measurement for string spacing? The black lines are strings, the gray lines are either theoretical extensions of strings or perpendicular to the center line.

 

[pilotjones]

I think I should ask this question somewhat differently. In the attachment, which colored line is the correct measurement for string spacing? The black lines are strings, the gray lines are either theoretical extensions of strings or perpendicular to the center line.

Aha - you've run into a question I imagine is encountered by all fanned fretters who don't simply use a canned software tool. The measurements between those various real or projected string points could all be called the string spacing. None of those is a right answer (IMO, I guess), and I'm not aware that any is a customary, widely accepted answer.
If Fretfind were used by a majority of fanned fretters, then the definition used there could become a de facto standard.

One variation that you're missing is spacing along a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline, through a point formed by the intersection of the bridge (or nut) line and the centerline.

 

[daerek]

So, there is no widely accepted de facto standard? Then, again, which one would you use?

One variation that you're missing is spacing along a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline, through a point formed by the intersection of the bridge (or nut) line and the centerline.

Yeah, I thought about that one after I posted. It certainly seems like a good option.

 

[SDB Guitars]

I just use fretfind when laying out the basics of the fingerboard, then compensate the spacing at both the nut and the bridge. Stew-Mac sells a string spacing rule that you just line up your two outer strings (on center) and it compensates or balances the spacing or you. Haven't had any issues with it so far.

 

[erikbojerik]

Like PJ said, all those could be considered "string spacings" - but surely the red one will NOT give you a string spacing measurement that is close to what you're used to.

I lay all my string paths out in CAD and measure string spacing on a line perpendicular to the centerline, where the centerline intersects the nut.