In search of a 6 string with tight string spacing!

[Charlicinco]

I’m in search of a bass like this, with tight string spacing, anybody selling one?

 

[ahbass2500]

Ibanez Gerald Veasley basses are 14mm string spacing. Available as Indonesian (GVB36) and Japanese (GVB1006) made models. Should be easy enough to find on Reverb and major music retailers.

 

[Les Fret]

Ibanez Gerald Veasley basses are 14mm string spacing. Available as Indonesian (GVB36) and Japanese (GVB1006) made models. Should be easy enough to find on Reverb and major music retailers.

Yes that’s the only production model 6 string with 14mm string spacing. The MM John Myung also has 14mm but is much more expensive and harder to find.

The GVB1006 is way overpriced but the GVB36 is also good and not too expensive.

 

[ahbass2500]

Yes that’s the only production model 6 string with 14mm string spacing. The MM John Myung also has 14mm but is much more expensive and harder to find.

Myung is quite a bit cheaper than the GVB1006. Granted the price on the GVB1006 is why you never see them. Hard to justify 7k for a bass when the same company makes a very similar model for 1.5k.

I considered the Myung before I bought my GVB36. Never been a fan of the Bongo body shape, so I settled for modding a GVB36 (US Bartolinis and Underhill Dual Filter Preamp). I expect I would have preferred the Myung neck profile as the Ibanez Soundgear profiles are a touch shallow for my preference. Still plenty playable, just not my preferred shape.

 

[EBlovesCharvel]

You may also want to consider a Bass VI style instrument tuned to BEADGC if scale length isn't a big issue

Edit: typo

 

[winegamd]

The John Myung Bongo 6 sig is 15mm.

 

[31HZ]

The John Myung Bongo 6 sig is 15mm.

14mm by every report I can find.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

LTD B206

 

[Bob_Ross]

Any bass with a Kahler 2450 or 2440 series fixed bridge can get center-to-center string spacing just under 14mm.

 

[crazycloud]

Any bass with a Kahler 2450 or 2440 series fixed bridge can get center-to-center string spacing just under 14mm.

But that doesn't help with actual neck width.

 

[Riff Ranger]

You may also want to consider a Bass VI style instrument tuned to BEADGC if scale length isn't a big issue

Edit: typo

Strings will likely be a limiting factor, though it can be done. I had to cobble together a set of D’Addario singles (.130/.100—both medium scale—/.075/.055/.042/.032—standard long scale) for mine, tuned BEADF#B. I will be trying a more typical Dunlop 6-string set on this one soon now that my band has a guitarist and I don’t have to play this one for the whole set, but it’s possible that the full diameter of the B0 and E1 strings on the tuning posts may lead to issues. I have heard it definitely leads to problems with flatwound strings, but I only use flats on my fretless instrument.

 

[crazycloud]

so I settled for modding a GVB36 (US Bartolinis and Underhill Dual Filter Preamp)

I recall reading before that you'd done this, but I'd never looked into the Underhills. But for the reasonable cost, I'm gonna get one of these (BA/FV) to go with the E5W in the GVB.

 

[Les Fret]

You may also want to consider a Bass VI style instrument tuned to BEADGC if scale length isn't a big issue

Edit: typo

The scale length will be too short for B-C tuning to give the same impact as a normal scale 6 string bass.

 

[Bob_Ross]

But that doesn't help with actual neck width.

Well, yeah, it seemed axiomatic that any bass with a center-to-center string spacing of >15mm would require a correspondingly narrow neck.

 

[ColinR]

You might look for old 90's Carvin LB6's on Reverb. I have one and I can't remember what the exact spacing in, but it's narrower than most. I don't play mine anymore for this reason, but it's fretless and been with me a long time, I won't sell it.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I have an early 80s Modulus neck through 6 with very tight spacing (6 string on a 4 string neck). It sounds great, but it's pretty much pick only for me. Trying to play it with my fingers is an exercise in frustration.

Is there particular reason that you would want such narrow spacing?

 

[Charlicinco]

I have an early 80s Modulus neck through 6 with very tight spacing (6 string on a 4 string neck). It sounds great, but it's pretty much pick only for me. Trying to play it with my fingers is an exercise in frustration.

Is there particular reason that you would want such narrow spacing?

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Dude that’s exactly what I’m looking for lol… I play with a pick alot and I hate the massive necks on 6 strings, I’m a big phil lesh fan

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Dude that’s exactly what I’m looking for lol… I play with a pick alot and I hate the massive necks on 6 strings, I’m a big phil lesh fan

Yeah, it’s fun, although I think my Starfire sounds better!

 

[Charlicinco]

Yeah, it’s fun, although I think my Starfire sounds better!

I got a 4 string alembic that I love, but I really want a 6 string. Where did you find this thing?

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I got a 4 string alembic that I love, but I really want a 6 string. Where did you find this thing?

I got it from a friend after he had issues with its weight. It took a lot of work to get it going, including a complete refret.