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P/J Basses with narrow string spacing at the bridge?

A

Alfisti

Sep 28, 2016
110
68
#1
Hi folks. I have a few basses I like, and they all have narrow bridge spacing (I am talking 4 string basses).

I also have a Fender Modern Player Jazz bass that is GREAT but it has wider spacing than my other basses (at the bridge) and therefore I rarely play it.

I have determined over the past few years the following:
1. I like the thin and narrow Jazz bass neck profile. The neck on my Modern Player Jazz bass is PERFECT
2. I like the narrow string spacing of my G&L Kiloton, Jack Cadasdy, and Rick 4003.
3. I like the sound of both Jazz and P basses and would consider adding either to my collection
4. I have basses that have the narrower nut width and some have the wider P bass but width, and I seem to be OK with either (but prefer narrower)

So... how can I find basses that are Fender style, but have narrowing string spacing at the bridge, and have the neck profile I like? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
 
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#2
Alfisti said:
Hi folks. I have a few basses I like, and they all have narrow bridge spacing (I am talking 4 string basses).

I also have a Fender Modern Player Jazz bass that is GREAT but it has wider spacing than my other basses (at the bridge) and therefore I rarely play it.

I have determined over the past few years the following:
1. I like the thin and narrow Jazz bass neck profile. The neck on my Modern Player Jazz bass is PERFECT
2. I like the narrow string spacing of my G&L Kiloton, Jack Cadasdy, and Rick 4003.
3. I like the sound of both Jazz and P basses and would consider adding either to my collection
4. I have basses that have the narrower nut width and some have the wider P bass but width, and I seem to be OK with either (but prefer narrower)

So... how can I find basses that are Fender style, but have narrowing string spacing at the bridge, and have the neck profile I like? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don’t know if you’re trying to stay as strict to fender looking but if you haven’t picked up a Ibanez sound gear it should be on your radar. They have necks that are slim and fast and most jazz bass fans have no problem getting around on these. Sadowsky is another one to look at. The basses I see look pretty great. I’m not a fender fan but even I would have a Sadowsky. There’s also options for adjustable bridges that you could use on a bass you have already. I think the new Sadowsky bridge is string spacing adjustable and would work on the modern player jazz if you want to go that route.
 
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#3
HAS to be "Fender-style"?

What you're describing can be had all over the place by Ibanez and Yamaha at numerous price points. An early 2000s Ibanez SR400 would fit exactly that (reverse P orientation though, but some find that an improvement) and be around $300-400 or less in good shape. Yamaha made/makes some killer P/Js as well, I'd give the BB (Broad Bass) series a look.
 
#4
KevInDaBassment said:
HAS to be "Fender-style"?

What you're describing can be had all over the place by Ibanez and Yamaha at numerous price points. An early 2000s Ibanez SR400 would fit exactly that (reverse P orientation though, but some find that an improvement) and be around $300-400 or less in good shape. Yamaha made/makes some killer P/Js as well, I'd give the BB (Broad Bass) series a look.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I knew Ibanez makes narrower NUTS but did not realize they have narrower spacing at the bridge. That helps. I will look into Yamaha as well.

I had posted previously about the possibility of installing a bridge with adjustable spacing, but many advised that it might leave me with a situation that just does not work well. So I'm looking for something out there that gets me close without modification.

Thanks
 
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#5
Alfisti said:
Thanks. I knew Ibanez makes narrower NUTS but did not realize they have narrower spacing at the bridge. That helps. I will look into Yamaha as well.

I had posted previously about the possibility of installing a bridge with adjustable spacing, but many advised that it might leave me with a situation that just does not work well. So I'm looking for something out there that gets me close without modification.

Thanks
Click to expand...
No prob, but pay attention to what sizing your pickups are before attempting to replace. The older SR P/Js have smaller pickup cavities, one of the ways I know the string spacing is tighter as well. Just a heads up as both of mine needed pickup cavity modification to fit regular size P/J sets.
 
#6
Alfisti said:
Hi folks. I have a few basses I like, and they all have narrow bridge spacing (I am talking 4 string basses).

I also have a Fender Modern Player Jazz bass that is GREAT but it has wider spacing than my other basses (at the bridge) and therefore I rarely play it.

I have determined over the past few years the following:
1. I like the thin and narrow Jazz bass neck profile. The neck on my Modern Player Jazz bass is PERFECT
2. I like the narrow string spacing of my G&L Kiloton, Jack Cadasdy, and Rick 4003.
3. I like the sound of both Jazz and P basses and would consider adding either to my collection
4. I have basses that have the narrower nut width and some have the wider P bass but width, and I seem to be OK with either (but prefer narrower)

So... how can I find basses that are Fender style, but have narrowing string spacing at the bridge, and have the neck profile I like? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Fender has bridge saddles that have multiple grooves for adjusting width at the bridge.

However, on most Fender basses, most want the strings to centered between the two posts, not that it matters much if at all from a performance standpoint, but visually not being centered could drive some to distraction.
 
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#9
Hipshot Kickass Bridges can go from 17.5 to 20mm as per there website, So you need it tighter than that? The Hipshot have a Fender Compatible 5 screw so it is an easy upgrade, There are many 5 string basses that go down to 16mm or even lower, I bought a used Epiphone solid body bass for really cheap and it was not bad sounding. The spacing was tight

EDIT: The Babicz FCH-AJ can go down to 15mm and max at 19mm. If you already have a Fender bass you like I'll just go with the Babicz, They also have Fender Compatible screw hole position
 
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#12
#14
I prefer a Jazz, but a P with a J neck might be a thing. I have a Squier CV that has a pretty nice neck. As far as the string spacing, that can be solved with a replacement bridge, or even just the saddles.
 
#15
Ostie said:
I prefer a Jazz, but a P with a J neck might be a thing. I have a Squier CV that has a pretty nice neck. As far as the string spacing, that can be solved with a replacement bridge, or even just the saddles.
Click to expand...
Here's my old P with a J neck.

Jeff-1200_3387.jpg
 
#17
Ostie said:
I prefer a Jazz, but a P with a J neck might be a thing. I have a Squier CV that has a pretty nice neck. As far as the string spacing, that can be solved with a replacement bridge, or even just the saddles.
Click to expand...
I didn't realize that the P bass has wider strings at the bridge? I always thought they had the same bridge as the J's.....
I have bought replacement bridges (both Fender and aftermarket) for P's and J's and had no issues. I have my guy set them up and he's never mentioned this to me.

I have a Squier that I rebuilt into a 1966 P bass tribute. It was a Chinese one from 1999 with the narrow tuners. I wanted Fender vintage tuners and had to drill bigger holes in the neck and let's just say, I messed up drilling the holes out and broke the G hole on the neck! So I needed a neck. I ended up finding an aged J neck here with "pearl" inlays, and rosewood top. I put that on the bass and it is my current #1 (it's hot-rodded with USA '63 original PU's, CTS harness, new wiring and all chrome was aged and body relic-ed by me). I feel like I am cheating by not playing a P neck, but it works pretty good. Main thing is it feels, looks and sounds amazing. Nut is 1.5". It doesn't feel any different than it did with the P bass neck. I mostly use P's though so maybe if I did an A-B with a J, it would be more noticeable at the bridge......hmmm......
 
#18
crazycloud said:
I'd read the recent thread on this brand.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think I've read the thread you're referring to - about using Warmoth parts. I would definitely talk to him about that prior to ordering. The skinny neck basses look to have different dimensions and headstocks than Warmoths, so maybe that's no an issue in this case. I know a couple of famous pros who bring their basses to Mas Hino and swear he's the best.
 

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