In search of a 6 string with tight string spacing!

[Charlicinco]

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.

Nice! Well let me know if you’re ever wanting to move on from it! lol

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Nice! Well let me know if you’re ever wanting to move on from it! lol

OK, will do, although it’s kind of a once in a lifetime bass, so until arthritis gets the better of me, I’m going to keep it in action!

 

[Charlicinco]

OK, will do, although it’s kind of a once in a lifetime bass, so until arthritis gets the better of me, I’m going to keep it in action!

I don’t blame ya! I’m 19 so I got time hahaha

 

[Les Fret]

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?

View attachment 7476601

What string spacing does that Modulus have in millimeters? Is it a 34” scale? Looks great.

 

[Chuck M]

I have an Ibanez GVB36. It is one of the later production basses and had an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. The preamp had much less output than any other basses in my collection. I replaced it with a USA Bartolini preamp and that solved the low output and improved the tone but I was not really happy until I installed USA Bartolini pickups. Now the bass sounds wonderful.

The woods used and the bass build are very high quality. It sets up with very low buzz free action and is a joy to play. My bass has no dead spots and I suspect that the dual truss rods may contribute to the even response.

My bass is a wonderful instrument but I did put a lot of work and money into upgrading the electronics. That neck is a joy to play. My Modulus Q6 has 17mm string spacing and is also wonderful to play. I think 17mm is probably an excellent choice for most players wanting closer string spacing.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

What string spacing does that Modulus have in millimeters? Is it a 34” scale? Looks great.

It’s a 35. Not sure of the spacing, but it’s tight. I need to find my micrometer and measure it. The graphite bridge is pretty unique. And kind of a pain to adjust.

 

[Les Fret]

I have an Ibanez GVB36. It is one of the later production basses and had an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. The preamp had much less output than any other basses in my collection. I replaced it with a USA Bartolini preamp and that solved the low output and improved the tone but I was not really happy until I installed USA Bartolini pickups. Now the bass sounds wonderful.

The woods used and the bass build are very high quality. It sets up with very low buzz free action and is a joy to play. My bass has no dead spots and I suspect that the dual truss rods may contribute to the even response.

My bass is a wonderful instrument but I did put a lot of work and money into upgrading the electronics. That neck is a joy to play. My Modulus Q6 has 17mm string spacing and is also wonderful to play. I think 17mm is probably an excellent choice for most players wanting closer string spacing.

Ok strange that the Aguilar has such low output. They also use that preamp in the GVB1006 so should be good you would think.

 

[Chuck M]

Ok strange that the Aguilar has such low output. They also use that preamp in the GVB1006 so should be good you would think.

Perhaps Aguilar preamps are not consistent in output level. I have a friend who recently bought a Modulus Q5 with the Aguilar preamp and output is lower than a Q6 he owned with the same pickups and preamp.

 

[Stinkoman20xx]

Samick made a 6 string bass with 14mm in the 90s and I think can still be found between $250-$400

 

[Growling Woods]

Here’s an option with 15 mm spacing if the price doesn’t turn you away. Always fun to check out a cool bass, in any case.

Marleaux Tiuz 2025 | Reverb

The Tiuz is my favorite solid body Marleaux bass. The pickups are custom by Harry Haussel. The preamp is Marleaux's BC4 , a 4 band that really can get the mids just right.This Tiuz is a custom piece. The idea was to make a 6 string bass with a 32" scale neck and 15mm string spacing.The Tiuz has o...

reverb.com

 

[Charlicinco]

Here’s an option with 15 mm spacing if the price doesn’t turn you away. Always fun to check out a cool bass, in any case.

Marleaux Tiuz 2025 | Reverb

The Tiuz is my favorite solid body Marleaux bass. The pickups are custom by Harry Haussel. The preamp is Marleaux's BC4 , a 4 band that really can get the mids just right.This Tiuz is a custom piece. The idea was to make a 6 string bass with a 32" scale neck and 15mm string spacing.The Tiuz has o...

reverb.com

That is awesome, but I’m looking more in the $3k range

 

[CryingBass]

Not this. But if Yammie ever made another one, I would clamp on it. Wide spacing is not an issue to upright players.

And JP could play a toaster and make it sound perfect

 

[Les Fret]

Here’s an option with 15 mm spacing if the price doesn’t turn you away. Always fun to check out a cool bass, in any case.

Marleaux Tiuz 2025 | Reverb

The Tiuz is my favorite solid body Marleaux bass. The pickups are custom by Harry Haussel. The preamp is Marleaux's BC4 , a 4 band that really can get the mids just right.This Tiuz is a custom piece. The idea was to make a 6 string bass with a 32" scale neck and 15mm string spacing.The Tiuz has o...

reverb.com

Nice one! Although a bit pricey .I am a bit hesistant about 32" 6-string basses though. They probably will play great but I have my my doubts about the low B string. There is reason why they makes fanned fret basses or 35" and 36" 6-strings.

 

[Gopherbassist]

if the price doesn’t turn you away.