Headstock fivers: two by three or three by two?

[sotua]

I am quite blessed and fortunate in many ways. I have great family and terrific friends and I love my job. Even my health is pretty good. In spite of all this, I am also cursed. I am cursed because I own one five string bass whose tuner configuration is three by two, and a second five stringer whose configuration is two by three.

Every time I reach for the A string while tuning I'm about 50/50 erroneously either grabbing the E or the D.

Ibanez BTB745: two by three.

Warwick RB Corvette $$: three by two.

Cursed.

The struggle is real. A year ago I bought a SBMM guitar with the 4+2 headstock. I've lost track of how many times I've put my G string woefully out of tune while plucking the B string or viceversa.

 

[SteveCS]

...
even the painted headstock. I'm a sucker for a painted headstock, especially when it doesn't even match the body. They were like "F it, paint it black." That's gangster.

Pretty sure, looking at my Corvette, it is an Ebony veneer - is that still gangster?

 

[Johnny StingRay]

4 by 1………

 

[mrjim123]

I own only 4 string basses, but I think I secretly want a 5 string because after tuning all 4 strings I still feel incomplete. I think I have B string envy.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I am quite blessed and fortunate in many ways. I have great family and terrific friends and I love my job. Even my health is pretty good. In spite of all this, I am also cursed. I am cursed because I own one five string bass whose tuner configuration is three by two, and a second five stringer whose configuration is two by three.

Every time I reach for the A string while tuning I'm about 50/50 erroneously either grabbing the E or the D.

Ibanez BTB745: two by three.

Warwick RB Corvette $$: three by two.

Cursed.

Why such a narrow world view? My fiver was more of a Straight approach to bass:

 

[Lownote38]

I prefer 3 x 2. If the tuners are going to be on both sides of the head stock, it makes more sense to me to have the first 3 on the bass side, and the leftovers on the treble side.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I have two 4+1s and one 3+2. I frequently grab the wrong key, but usually figure it out in 20 minutes or so.

My solution is: DON'T TUNE!!

 

[iiipopes]

I absolutely prefer 2 (BE) X 3 (ADG) because it allows the B string to be farther up the headstock so there is less chance of the leader binding around the tuner post with any speaking length of the string. The G string doesn't matter, and the rest of the strings still have enough leader in any event.

 

[Glennbassmann]

If 6 were 9....

 

[Snert]

2 by 3 just sounds weird to me.

Meatloaf even sang about it:
Now don't be sad
'Cause two over three ain't bad...

 

[rashrader]

5+0 here, because, because, because….

 

[Foxprowl]

I also have 1 of each...if you bump your headstock into something on a small stage, a 3/2 config would be better, as the lower peg would take the hit due to the neck being held at an angle. With 3 on the bottom, they "stick out" more. Only argument I can think of!

 

[Gary Sutter]

Only Guitar we have here that is odd = not 6x or 3x3 or None = Steinberger or 2x2 Bass is the Brian Moore 2x4 i2000 1.13 that has two on the top & four on the bottom
This guitar is in need of a tremolo block or something as the tremolo bar is loose & wiggles around
It has a 13 pin midi out & three EMG active pickups & plays like a dream guitar
Either need to put an insert within it or change it out to something better or possibly a spring from an American stratocaster

 

[MMiller28]

2+3 so the B tuner can be further back

 

[elkkid2]

I am quite blessed and fortunate in many ways. I have great family and terrific friends and I love my job. Even my health is pretty good. In spite of all this, I am also cursed. I am cursed because I own one five string bass whose tuner configuration is three by two, and a second five stringer whose configuration is two by three.

Every time I reach for the A string while tuning I'm about 50/50 erroneously either grabbing the E or the D.

Ibanez BTB745: two by three.

Warwick RB Corvette $$: three by two.

Cursed.

Hilarious! Thanks for posting. As if we bass players don't have enough problems already! Lol!

 

[elkkid2]

3-2 makes the most sense to me but I'll deal with whatever.
2-3 seems a little goofy for some reason - but sometimes goofy is good. The Gibson EB-5 is so odd yet freaking cool looking to me, I just had to get one. (Reversing stuff for no reason - I love it...)

View attachment 4692060

I've been hoping to play one of those...how are those?

 

[fretlessman71]

3-2 makes the most sense to me but I'll deal with whatever.
2-3 seems a little goofy for some reason - but sometimes goofy is good. The Gibson EB-5 is so odd yet freaking cool looking to me, I just had to get one. (Reversing stuff for no reason - I love it...)

View attachment 4692060

Looks like they did this because there was more room left by the logo on the treble side...

 

[superheavyfunk]

Of those two choices, I’ll take 3x2. But as long as it’s not 4x1, I’m a happy camper.

 

[Marko 1]

I have one 5 on top (my favorite), three with 4 over 1, and one with 3 over 2.

 

[funkinbottom]

I have a couple 3x2's, one 2x3 and one 4x1, I've yet to own a 5 inline, so don't know 'bout that. I guess I kinda like a 3x2 better, but it really doesn't matter.