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Opinion on string spacing?

Beff Juckley

Beff Juckley

May 20, 2020
59
32
Ireland
#1
I'd like to add a five string to my arsenal, but I don't have many places to go and get a feel for what string spacing I'm most comfortable with.

Everyone has their comfort zone around this, but do you think you can just learn to live with a string spacing you don't initially like?
Do you think it just takes getting used to or would it always be a thorn in your side?
 
#3
Beff Juckley said:
I'd like to add a five string to my arsenal, but I don't have many places to go and get a feel for what string spacing I'm most comfortable with.

Everyone has their comfort zone around this, but do you think you can just learn to live with a string spacing you don't initially like?
Do you think it just takes getting used to or would it always be a thorn in your side?
Click to expand...
You can get used to anything if you want to, but sometimes I just don't want to. So I'd do my best to get what I want in the first place. But if your tastes aren't locked in yet, then you either go play some basses or you buy with a return policy.
 
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#4
String spacing can be an odd thing. I didn’t know that I liked a tighter string spacing on a 5 until I tried one and I felt much more comfortable and in control. Prior to that, I had been playing a wider spacing (probably close to 19 mm or so, although maybe not quite as big). It was fine, and as Jimmy said you can get used to anything if you have to. But then I tried a 5 with narrower spacing and it felt much more natural to me.

What I find odd is this:
I play five string almost exclusively. However, I can pick up any four string with standard spacing and it feels fine and comfortable. If I pick up a 5 with that same spacing it feels incredibly uncomfortable to me. Not even getting into the width of the neck but in terms of finding the right string with my right hand.
 
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#5
Beff Juckley said:
Everyone has their comfort zone around this, but do you think you can just learn to live with a string spacing you don't initially like?
Click to expand...
Yes.

Beff Juckley said:
Do you think it just takes getting used to or would it always be a thorn in your side?
Click to expand...
No.
I've played 19, 16.5 and 10.8 (still a bass) in the same sitting without any issues.
 
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#8
I've played 19mm string spacing on 4's for decades. I recently bought my first 5. It has 18mm spacing. It did take a while to get used to, but I don't notice it any longer. I wouldn't let string spacing hold you back from trying something new.
 
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#11
IMO it’s easier to learn to live with a string spacing smaller than your used to than one that’s wider (wider spacing often means a wider neck and nut spacing as well). String spacing also matters more the more strings you add (also IME). Too wide means extra work and discomfort as opposed to too narrow needing more finesse, so I’d err on that side of narrow if you can’t get what’s ideal and are opposed to shopping online.
 
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#13
Beff Juckley said:
I'd like to add a five string to my arsenal, but I don't have many places to go and get a feel for what string spacing I'm most comfortable with.

Everyone has their comfort zone around this, but do you think you can just learn to live with a string spacing you don't initially like?
Do you think it just takes getting used to or would it always be a thorn in your side?
Click to expand...
I play with a pic and prefer tight string spacing; 15 mm to 15.5 mm, but all of my basses vary from this preference and certainly doesn’t stop me from playing them. Same with scale length. Being a lowly bedroom playing hack I never understood the I can’t play because of this or that. Certainly everyone has a preference, but it’s not impossible to play something that is a tad outside your preference.

Just my lowly opinion.
 
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#14
A9X said:
Or your brain isn't calcified into only being able to play one.
Click to expand...
It's not, thanks for asking, and I've got the 2 month old 6-string banjo to prove it, but having a preference doesn't mean your brain's calcified. Just means you have a preference and feel no need to go out of it because someone on TB said your brain will calcify if you don't.
 
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#15
People's capacities to adapt seem to vary as widely as people's prefs!
I've managed to surprise myself. The first time I tried a mandolin I thought I could never in a million years get used to it. But I eventually got one and I eventually became reasonably comfortable (if not virtuosic).
IMHO each approach to spacing on a 5'er has its merits and drawbacks.
You might want to take a little road trip to a place with a decent store where you can try some stuff out for yourself.
 
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#17
A9X said:
Maybe not for you, but I've read so many posts here over the years where it's not "I prefer to play...", but "I can only play...".
Click to expand...
Some people are like that. And if there's no pressing need for them to change, I'm for it. All it does is make your short list when buying a new bass shorter. Or it enables you to keep playing the same bass :D
 
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#20
Some basses have an adjustible bridge where the string spacing can be reduced or enlarged. All German Warwicks have one, I don't know if the Rockbass has the same bridge. There's bound to be others that have it. Maybe someone will call out those that do. I added 2 cm to the distance between the low B and the E string about 8 years ago and haven't change it back. So all my other strings have the 'normal' spacing but those two have a bit more. Works for me.
 
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