Opinion on string spacing?

[dbsfgyd1]

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?

You get used to it. I was a long time (40 years) 4 string player. It took a while, a couple of weeks to get fluid. Until you get a comfort zone, avoid playing the same songs you play on a 4 string on the 5 string and vice versa. That really helped me acclimate to the 5er. Best wishes.

 

[Ggaa]

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.

Yep My German Wick and Rockbass have a width adjustable bridge, and so did my Ibby SR 5er.

 

[CoffeeLove]

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?

O man, this is a tough one. I'm fairly picky with nut width and string spacing on 5's, but some people aren't. Have actually found "nut width" on 5's to be of even greater importance than string spacing, but both matter. I actually prefer a slightly tighter nut width and string spacing while others can't stand it. The 1.75" nut and 17mm spacing of my Stingrays is absolutely perfect, IMHO. And on the opposite side I find most Fender 5 string Jazz and P basses terribly uncomfortable because of the 1.825 nut width and 18mm spacing (mainly due to nut width), but others love it.

It might be worth your efforts to find a local guitar shop where you can sit down and try different 5's with various spacing, nut widths, and overall neck profiles. Would need to call ahead to know what they have in stock.

 

[JW56789]

I've played five-strings exclusively since the 80's, and since you asked . . . . .

An object of many bouts of GAS pain was an original Yamaha BB5000. I finally found a keeper in the early 2000's, and Yamaha (using a method a lot of early fives followed) basically took a 4 string BB3000 neckthrough blank and subdivided it for five instead of four strings. Believe me, a really tight spacing at the nut and the first several frets to be sure. But the neck profile suited me, my hands adjusted to this long sought-after axe, and it was fine. I've had them with string spacing(s) all over the map, and I just played 'em.

You'll find lots of guys who far prefer a certain string spacing, or it's a non-starter, and I can understand that. Anthony Jackson was always insistent that his customs maintained a stock Fender Precision spacing (somebody puh-leeze correct me if I'm wrong here . . . . .).

However for me, it's always been the go / no-go question in terms of the neck profile, if it suits me. IF that's good, then spacing really doesn't bother me after that early Yamaha, very tight spacing, but a great neck for me.

I once had the delusion I wanted to play a six-string, and tried a first generation Yamah TRB6P. Stunningly beautiful bass, but on first look the fingerboard (which I'd bet money was influenced by the 'too-tight-spacing' complaints they got) was so wide it looked like a diving board, and I almost had enough room to park a cup of coffee between the strings. But when I picked it up, the neck profile was like a classical guitar, almost flat across the bulk of the width, and stupid easy to play. Ultimately too much bass for me, but that was a revelation . . . that for me the neck was way more important than the string spacing.

Your results . . . . . may vary.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

My main bass' string spacing is 19mm (5-string) and my preference is 18mm. I am used to it, but know I would have an easier time if it was a little narrower, especially when it comes to string crossing and quick octave parts.

 

[rufus.K]

I haven't been able to learn with the narrow nut width of my SR5 for 12 years

 

[Aidil]

@Beff Juckley,
If this is going to be your very first venture to the 5 string world, don't worry so much about the string spacing. You're required to adapt anyway. You'll need to get used to the additional low-B string and the fact that the low-E isn't the closest string you see anymore. And more importantly, you'll need to relearn string muting techniques.

Unless you are a crazy slapper, tight spacing like 16.5mm will actually brings more benefits: the neck wouldn't be so wide, you can still practice string muting for the low-B with your fretting hand thumb, the closer strings will alow faster playing, narrow-neck allows somewhat lighter and less prone to neck dive instrument, and with times, you can even play slap lines on a tight spacing with no problem.

I didn't notice the string spacing on my 1st 5er bought in 1992, which had 18mm spacing, or my 2nd 5er, an ABG bought in 2014, which has 16mm spacing, until I got some 6ers which had 16mm string spacing. Mainly, because it became harder to play slap lines cleanly. At first, I blamed the tight string spacing. But then as I got more 5ers, 6ers and 7ers, which string spacing varies among 10.8, 16, 16.5, 17, 18, and 19mm, I began to realize that it's the muting techniques that I need to really pay attention to in order to play cleanly on multi string instruments. No matter I play them finger style or slap and pop (I don't have any desire to play bass with a pick, despite owning so many, as I was a guitar player in my high school class band).

 

[corganmurray]

Here's my experience with this. When I play my Stingray, it feels amazing and I don't ever think about the spacing. Then when I switch to my Geddy Lee jazz bass, the extra tight string spacing feels like a guitar or something, and I can't stand it. 5 minutes of playing later, that jazz bass feels like butter in my hands and I'm not even thinking about the spacing, but when I switch back to my Stingray, that thing feels absurdly wide and uncomfortable... for about 5 minutes.

 

[FritzM]

I have recently switched over to a pick (think Steve Swallow). And, it has opened up a whole new world for me. So, I'm liking a tighter string spacing. I would love to find a narrow neck 5 string with a 15mm string spacing.

 

[40Hz]

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...".

So you object to people who don’t think just like you, and share the same preferences?

 

[franklindayala]

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?

Ir the bass sounds incredible. I can find a way with the string spacing that it has.

 

[40Hz]

I just play whatever bass I’m holding. But I do have a mild preference for slightly (since we’re only talking millimeters here) wider, as opposed to narrower, string spacing because I use fingerstyle around 80% of the time.

I can deal with narrower string spacings because I also have a very light touch when I play most times and just let the amp do the heavy lifting. So it’s not a big issue for me. Just a personal preference.

A lot will depend on your style and technique. If you like to dig in a lot then a wider spacing may be preferable for you.

 

[HardNHeavy]

huh?....grow bigger hands?
you only got so much neck to work with..eventually your gonna get use to it. Some bridges have adjustments from side-to-side, i'm sure you know this tho. I've seen 5 string basses built on a 4 string type neck to bring it all closer. Try a bunch out and see what works for ya

 

[chris_b]

I don't, unless you like wide spacing on a 5.

Wide or narrow, my suggestion to maintain the ratio relates to all string spacings.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

I get used to a bass pretty quickly. Either I'm very adaptable or I'm not good enough for string spacing to matter!

 

[A9X]

So you object to people who don’t think just like you, and share the same preferences?

No, and I never said that, that's your projection.

 

[40Hz]

No, and I never said that, that's your projection.

LOL. Guess I can also get job in the cinema if that’s the case. Projectionists are paid quite well.

I really must update my CV.

 

[Standalone]

My Tune six string sounded amazing. I loved how it responded. The wide 18 or 19mm spacing at the bridge was just too much for me to play long sets. I have huge hands, so it’s not just about hand size IME.

I like a tighter spacing on a 5 or 6 for my style of play, but not on a 4.

 

[A9X]

Can't justify what you claimed, hence smarmy response. Unsurprised.

 

[jerry]

When I was younger I really didn’t care, as I aged I seem to just prefer the 18-19mm spacing and 35” scale. Because of that my Stingrays 5s don’t get the love the deserve.