• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Narrowest string spacing bridge?

#4
There are a few bridges that will go slightly narrower and there are single string saddles that can go as close together as 14mm. However, for anything less than 16.5 or 17mm, the neck needs to be narrower at the heel if you don't want a huge distance between the outside strings and the edges of the fingerboard.

Here's the individual saddle type:

BB-3518-010-2.jpg
 
#6
testing1two said:
There are a few bridges that will go slightly narrower and there are single string saddles that can go as close together as 14mm. However, for anything less than 16.5 or 17mm, the neck needs to be narrower at the heel if you don't want a huge distance between the outside strings and the edges of the fingerboard.
Click to expand...

It's a Ric 5-string and tonight I measured and the center-to-center spacing maxes out around 14.25-14.5 mm. The neck doesn't taper nearly as much as a Fender--that's how I like it.

Unfortunately I think the individual bridges don't get much tighter than 16 mm if you look at their spec sheets. Even the 15 mm bridge might be too wide! Crap!
 
#9
Yes I can positively confirm that the Kahler Fixed bridge will do it. I did a Ric 5 conversion that came out excellently, and the bridge that worked the best was the Schaller Model 2000. The Kahler goes down to 14.5 mm, and the Schaller goes down to 14 (oops no, it's 15--see following post). The Kahler has a tall profile (saddle height relative to neck, at the lowest setting) while the Schaller has a low profile that allows lower action.
 
  • Like
Reactions: son_of_mogh
#12
Turns out I need to correct myself on a couple of things! The minimum spacing on the Schaller is 15mm, as the drawings suggest; I don't know why I thought it was 14mm. The other thing is, I actually have my Ric 5er set up with 16mm spacing right now--so the Hipshot might work after all! Depends on the taper of your specific neck. So, sorry for the misinformation in my previous post.

Regarding the set screws for the Kahler, the problem is a combination of the thickness of the base plate and the height of the saddle structures, not an issue with the adjustment screws bottoming out. For example I ground down a couple of the threaded saddle pieces in order to set them as low as they possibly could go, and the action was still too high. The basses that the Kahler works really well on have a more angled neck/body connection, e.g. with a shim in the neck pocket--which of course a neck-through bass doesn't have that option.

Here's my bass with the Schaller:

Link Removed

Link Removed
 
#15
That's nearly identical to my bass except mine's a hair wider so I'd say we're good to go for a 15 mm spacing for sure. Thanks again Bongo! You've been a big help. It was nice that someone else had this experience with a Ric.

I was going to also compliment you on how clean the bridge area looks, as I assume you had to plug the original mute cavity.
 
#17
cassius987 said:
It was nice that someone else had this experience with a Ric.
Click to expand...
There's also a TB'er with the handle "Ric5" who has done this a dozen or more times, and he is a good resource if you have any other questions, so check him out.
cassius987 said:
I was going to also compliment you on how clean the bridge area looks, as I assume you had to plug the original mute cavity.
Click to expand...
I had that part, and the refinishing, done by Mike Dolan. :)
 
#19
bongomania said:
There's also a TB'er with the handle "Ric5" who has done this a dozen or more times, and he is a good resource if you have any other questions, so check him out.
Click to expand...

I once asked Ric5 what bridges he uses on his Ric 4 to 5 conversions. He said he uses ones that have a 2 1/2" string spread. That works out to 15.875mm or .625". He said he uses whichever brand that meets those specs.
 
#20
cassius987 said:
I see lots of bridges out there that support 17-19 mm spacing but I'm looking for something that could do more like 14-15 mm for a 5 string. Is there anything out there?
Click to expand...

You have been to my house before. Come by my basement workshop and I can show you a few really narrow bridges.

I have found the really narrow bridges are hard to play fingerstyle and they often poor low B performance.

Here's one style

4004ci5-0036.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back