Yup. had one. 2" nut width.....excellent construction.
I think the pickups are the weakest point of these basses.....which is a minor weakness....if you convert the controls to a standard Vol/Vol/Tone.
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Going back to a 5er but need wide string spacing.
- Thread starter martyonbass
- Start date
Yup. had one. 2" nut width.....excellent construction.
I think the pickups are the weakest point of these basses.....which is a minor weakness....if you convert the controls to a standard Vol/Vol/Tone.
For me, 18 is the new 19. 
But for a long time, I was a stickler for the full 3/4". They're not as common but they're out there.
+1 on Yamaha BB5000 or early TRB. (Check before buying - the earliest BB5000s were super narrow. The early '90s stuff I've had was all 19mm but spec's may have changed later on.)
Also a +1 to JoshuaTSP's old Warmoth "Wide" 5. (Currently in the TB classyfieds.) It was my main 5'er for 8 years and I can tell you that's about as wide as it gets.
But for a long time, I was a stickler for the full 3/4". They're not as common but they're out there.
+1 on Yamaha BB5000 or early TRB. (Check before buying - the earliest BB5000s were super narrow. The early '90s stuff I've had was all 19mm but spec's may have changed later on.)
Also a +1 to JoshuaTSP's old Warmoth "Wide" 5. (Currently in the TB classyfieds.) It was my main 5'er for 8 years and I can tell you that's about as wide as it gets.
Nobody's mentioned the new Squier Jazz 5. Don't like that there's no ability for passive only, AND the active frequency points seem like a shortcut ( 100k, 1k, and 10k). But it seems to be a good (and inexpensive) start.
Well I found a 2003 Indonesian Squier Precision 5 string. Wide spacing, Precision body and pick guard, and with two jazz pickups. The neck pickup is a little closer to the bridge than the standard jazz position. I like how it sounds. All passive. Very good start. seems I can mod as needed without too much hassle. Great deal IMO
Definitely... Those basses are IMO fantastic bang for the buck.. They aren't cheap.. but they aren't outrageoulsy pried either and if you can grab on used do it. I have a KZ5 and I love it.. I have an Heir on the way.. I got a JV24 from here on TB two years ago and that was how I discovered that I prefer the wider string spacing.. but the MTDs are great basses.
Really? I am surprised at that.. Do you have small hands because I find the neck on my KZ to be smaller than the one on my JV24..
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I'm going for a BTB as well. I know it doesn't fit your P/J pup requirements, but the new BTB675 is one if the best looking basses I've seen. Plays good and sound good too.
Brubaker Brute if you want bang for your buck. There's a sweeet one in the classifieds right now, even has Lakland pickups! You won't find anything close in that price range.
Next step up would be Lakland.
Top of the heap? USA Spector!
Next step up would be Lakland.
Top of the heap? USA Spector!
I probably already said this.... but carvin bunny brunel bb75. 19mm 5 string 24 fret neck through active jazz bass.... win!
A little bit unusual, but a Reverend Mercalli 5 might do the trick. it's basically a p/mm and has some great old school tones. Really well made, and turns heads with it's looks, and is 3/4" spaced at the bridge.
The MTD/Kingston Heir is one of the nicest playing five strings I have used. I would have a hard time choosing between it and the Fender American Deluxe Active Jazz. Both of those (and all the other Kingston fives) have asymmetric necks and I think that if I keep a fiver for the long run then asymmetric is the way to go. The new Fender American Dimension fivers also have asymmetric necks. There may even be some hope that the not even announced yet Fender MIM Reggie Hamilton V will have an asymmetric neck. There are probably other brands that have them, someone else will have to comment on those. In my opinion the best wide spaced five string necks are asymmetric, for me nothing else is worth considering when the spacing gets to 18mm or above.
The Yamaha BB415 or the newer BB425 have 18mm spacing which is very close to standard spacing. Schecter also makes the Diamond P5 which is very close to 19mm spacing. Both the Yamaha and Schecter are pretty inexpensive as in right around $500.
It took three years? 
FWIW, there's a Schecter Diamond P5 with mods in the classifieds right now. Great basses. 18.5 spacing on the one I had.
FWIW, there's a Schecter Diamond P5 with mods in the classifieds right now. Great basses. 18.5 spacing on the one I had.
I'll echo what others have said....Lakland.
If you check out my signature, you'll see I put my money where my suggestions are. I also own a Fender P5, and recently traded a Fender American Deluxe Jazz 5 for my Lakland DJ5.
I've owned a lot of basses including a BTB Prestige, G&L L-2500 (US & Tribute), Squier CV Jazz, Warmoth Frankenbass, Peavey Cirrus, etc. Of all of them, my Lakland 55-02 has remained in the stable. It just works. I can't fault it. Nothing I don't like about it.
I finally gave in and got another Lakland...it's excellent as well. Both are Skyline models, and they don't feel like "bargain" models. There are VERY well made and sound great.
I've also heard lots of positive feedback on Lakland customer support. I've never needed to contact them, but it's nice knowing they are so customer focused. I have met some of the Lakland gang at NAMM shows over the years and they have always been very nice.
If you check out my signature, you'll see I put my money where my suggestions are. I also own a Fender P5, and recently traded a Fender American Deluxe Jazz 5 for my Lakland DJ5.
I've owned a lot of basses including a BTB Prestige, G&L L-2500 (US & Tribute), Squier CV Jazz, Warmoth Frankenbass, Peavey Cirrus, etc. Of all of them, my Lakland 55-02 has remained in the stable. It just works. I can't fault it. Nothing I don't like about it.
I finally gave in and got another Lakland...it's excellent as well. Both are Skyline models, and they don't feel like "bargain" models. There are VERY well made and sound great.
I've also heard lots of positive feedback on Lakland customer support. I've never needed to contact them, but it's nice knowing they are so customer focused. I have met some of the Lakland gang at NAMM shows over the years and they have always been very nice.
It took three years?
FWIW, there's a Schecter Diamond P5 with mods in the classifieds right now. Great basses. 18.5 spacing on the one I had.
I agree , nice wide spacing w/like 35" scale to boot. I like this bass more than any other I have owned . Only gripe is being a big ole bass makes it kinda heavy , but I just eats me spinach and call it good.
I have to say I've never understood the need for wider spacing for 5 string. The 5 string I bought after much testing and research was a Stingray 5. Some time after, I bought a Stingray 4HH and was in the habit of using both in the same gig.
I have relatively small hands and find the SR4 perfect for me. But the SR5 is also perfect as a fiver for me. In fact some basses are not because the necks are too wide - especially higher up - I can't reach the B and the E is uncomfortable.
If you have large hands or fingers then I could see the point ............. but then on reflection and having seen his hands from close quarters in video Jaco had huge fingers - about twice the length of his Jazz's fretboard width - the Jazz having narrow neck and string spacing.
So I'm confused - why would people have to have wider string spacing on a five - surely playability and technique would be affected?
I have relatively small hands and find the SR4 perfect for me. But the SR5 is also perfect as a fiver for me. In fact some basses are not because the necks are too wide - especially higher up - I can't reach the B and the E is uncomfortable.
If you have large hands or fingers then I could see the point ............. but then on reflection and having seen his hands from close quarters in video Jaco had huge fingers - about twice the length of his Jazz's fretboard width - the Jazz having narrow neck and string spacing.
So I'm confused - why would people have to have wider string spacing on a five - surely playability and technique would be affected?
I see Carvin basses on Craigs list occasionally fairly affordably priced.They're good instruments and I think have 19MM spacing for 5's
