• 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.

Opinion on string spacing?

#21
I keep it in the same bucket as weight and phone numbers for people I don’t know. It makes no difference to me.
So maybe you’re one of us, the vast majority of musicians who have never given a thought to spacing. You never know until you try.
 
#27
I have long digits and strong hands from career choices, working out, generally active daily life and playing bass. I don't have fat sausage fingers but I wear a XX-XXL glove. I can handle a 6 string bass just fine with my thumb anchored to the back of the neck. I let two of my favorite 5 strings go due to 16.5mm spacing being too tight. I had to change the ergonomics of my fingers in a cumbersome and uncomfortable way in order to hit notes. 18-19mm on a 5 for me is perfect and very comfortable and effortless to fly around the fretboard accurately.

My most comfortable are my AP-5 19mm 34" five string and my EHB1005MS spaced a hair over 18mm but the multi-scale makes all the difference for me with the tighter spacing. I can and do play either one for hours having no issue with my fretting hand cramping or having to contort into uncomfortable positions while playing.
 
#29
Yes and no. My only BG for over a decade was a 5er, and I certainly got used to it and played in fine, but I can't say I ever fully took to it. My DB was my main back then, and I probably just didn't commit to spending enough time practicing it properly to make it second nature. You should definitely get a 5, but if you are like me, you may have to set everything else down for at least a little while to fully get the feel of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mike Ikona
#31
Although you probably can get used to a fair range of things, there are a couple of competing issues at play here:

1) Playability - if the strings are too close together, your fingers can have a tough time being precise enough to play well. This is not a single dimension issue - string spacing is at work both for your plucking and fretting hands. I have huge hands, and this is an issue for me - more in my fretting hand than in my plucking hand, though it was a bit of an issue both places.

2) Overall width and reach. Again, this is a factor for both hands. If you play a wide spaced 5 (or 6), the neck can get really wide, and the reach for the highest string can be an issue with your plucking hand. A lot of folks have to develop a floating thumb to play a 5 or 6 well. In my case, I didn't go that route - my hands are fine (they're huge) with a 5'er at 17.5 mm spacing. I'm also fine with a 1 7/8 nut width, though both of those are probably pushing things - I'm not sure that I'd be OK with a 19mm spaced 5'er at the bridge end of things, because of overall reach.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta and Nuage420
#32
I think spacing matters. My preference is 19mm, can do +/- 1mm… 17.5mm and bellow and I get increasingly uncomfortable. I never bought a bass with tighter spacing, so I don’t know if I’d get used to it eventually, but I find plenty to choose from in my preferred range, so…
 
#33
I thought it would be better to have the same spacing on a 5 as the 4 strings that I play, 19mm (or close to it). But I found with wider spacing it was like my fingers were tripping over each other trying to play. I thought it was just because I was playing a 5 vs a 4 until I tried a 5 with narrow spacing, much more comfortable for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA
#35
chris_b said:
First question, why buy something you don't like? Buy the bass that ticks all the boxes.

I'd suggest buying a 5 string bass with the same string spacing as you had on your 4 string bass.
Click to expand...
This worked for me. I went from full spacing at both bridge and nut, similar to a '60s P to the same on a six string. I love it, but the fingerboard on the six looks like the flight deck on a Nimitz aircraft carrier.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chris_b
#36
I can generally adapt to a change in string spacing. My P-bass with its 19mm has generally always felt most comfortable to me. But I've played 5 strings with 18mm spacing and made due other than developing slap techniques I wasn't yet and still am not yet proficient with. It felt easier to get my footing playins alp with 19mm spacing. So I ordered a 55-02 which comes with 19mm spacing. While it's become my #1, by the time I got it I'd put quite a bit of practice slapping into my 18mm 5 strings. It's still a little more comfortable with 19mm, but I could play either with pretty much the same efficiency.

I think if you don't immediately put it down because it feels different.. you can adapt to it. String spacing isn't the only thing you'll have to get used to with your first 5 string and I recommend playing it and only it for a few months until you get your muting under control.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta
#39
I have a 1990's Hamer Cruise with the 2-tek with 16.5mm spacing. I like it for finger-style. It's great bass. I tried some slap/pop on it and found it more difficult than my J or P. I got a Yamaha trbx305 with the 18mm spacing and it feels a lot better for that style. I use it more for funk and R&B. Finger-style is fine on it too. To me at least, having the wider spacing makes it more versatile. Like someone said, you can get used to anything (within reason).
 
#40
I just tried a Yamaha BB435 out and couldn’t get used to the tighter spacing and narrow nut.

I believe the nut width on that guitar was the deal breaker.

1.69” for a five string, while one of my 4 strings is over 1.7”.

Loved that bass, just couldn’t keep crashing other strings.

It drove me nuts. Really wanted to love that bass.

Going to stay with something Fender-esk on my next go-around with a 5ver.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back