How do you adjust your string spacing on a vintage Fender bridge?

I would just use my eyes, fingers (busy, or otherwise), fingerboard edges, and pickup poles as guides to string spacing.

 

What do you mean "adjust the string spacing?" If you have the threaded style saddles just move the strings around on the the threads until you get what you like. Otherwise with other types of Fender saddles you really have no way to adjust the string spacing unless you make a new nut and adjust the spacing there, but that will offer minimal difference.

 

I've found that with a correctly aligned neck, the string spacing always felt best pretty much smack in the middle of the saddles. They aren't really there for precision (measured) string spacing adjustments anyway, but more as a rough guide.

 

Are you talking about the saddles with the grooves ground into them?

 

Yes, you can do that. Are you talking about the vintage saddles that are basically threaded rod, or the modern type with just a few grooves around the saddle. Not that it makes any difference, just curious which you have.

 

Just put it where you like it. or just line the strings up as best you can between the pole pieces. You're overthinking it. Just put on the bridge and play the bass!

 

Just adjust with the spacing which you feel comfort to pluck, pick or slap.
I prefer standart 19mm on my both Squier CV p (fender vintage threatsaddle bridge )and Cort Arona ( Sandberg bridge with adjustable saddle slot ).

 

There's no YouTube video on it because you're overthinking it. You're wasting a ton of time worrying about it when you could be playing.

 

Well, if you spent less time asking the same question over and over and actually put that bridge on the bass and experimented with the spacing for yourself instead of repeatedly asking us what's "optimal" you might actually answer your own question! You mention that you get "a bit more particular" to "see if I prefer it a certain way or not". Well, the only way to determine if it's for you or not is to actually try it out. Asking what our opinion is on the subject won't give you the answer to what YOU like. Plus, it literally take a couple seconds to move those strings around on a bridge with threaded saddles.

 

The beauty of those saddles is that they have literally dozens of notches pre-cut, so you can put the strings wherever you like.
On a bridge without notches cut, you need to determine where you're going to notch them & then once you do you're stuck with that string spacing.
and even worse are the ones pre-notched with a single notch that allows for no adjustment.