five string basses with tight string spacing

[superbassman2000]

I don't really play fives, but I really think I'd like to give it another try. Most basses I have tried seem like they have huge necks to accommodate a wide spacing, which is fine, but to feels weird in my hands (maybe it's the radius?). The weird thing is that 6'ers work just fine for me.

Anyways, I am thinking maybe a tighter string spacing is what I need to try, but I don't really know which brands put out the tighter string spacings. Any thoughts or other comments?

 

[mmbongo]

Ibanez.

 

[Bobster]

My Warwick Rockbass Corvette (2010 model) is 16.5mm. That's pretty tight. My Ray35 is 17.5mm, and my Squire is 18mm.

Bob

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Ibanez.

+1, Ibanez makes some great basses, but most have 16.5mm spacing at the bridge which is playable for me but sometimes I will skip a string.

 

[tink9975]

Carvin LB and Icon series are around 17mm if I remember correctly. The nut on my LB75 is the same width as the nut on my Warmoth P Bass neck

 

[TolerancEJ]

+1 Ibanez. At least SR506 or higher. Excellent quality for price.

 

[brndn123]

+2 Ibanez SR series

 

[serein2j]

Ibanez or Modulus

 

[chadhargis]

I think G&L is 17mm too, but they do have a big chunky neck (which I love), so that might not work for you.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Note: It is easier to learn on a tight string-spacing and move to wider spacing, than to learn on wide string-spacing and move to tight-spacing.

 

[Arnold]

80's peaveys. Tight spacing, cheap and high quality.

 

[Selta]

EBMM, all the way.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

EBMM, all the way.

To me, EBMM don't feel that tight, but YMMV.

 

[kesslari]

Ibanez, Zon, older Peaveys - all good.

 

[Rockin Mike]

EBMM, all the way.

Aren't the music man basses all 19mm string spacing?
That's the opposite of tight.

 

[Oopsdabassist]

Indeed my Peavey Cirrus feels tight as hell compared to the 4 bangers, means I have to play much more precisely. On the flip side, rocking out the Jazz after playing the Cirrus is great!

 

[Selta]

Aren't the music man basses all 19mm string spacing?
That's the opposite of tight.

17.5mm across the board on the 5s. Might not be the "tightest" for a 5er, but it's still an option that isn't "wide" IMO.

 

[Selta]

By the way OP... you need to bring back the Hobbes avatar!

 

[fretlessfivefun]

Bolt on German Warwicks - enough said

 

[Din Of Win]

The string spacing on my Ibanez CT 5'er is super tight.

I haven't played an SR in a looooong time, but it's tighter than an ATK305.