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Double Bass String Spacing at the Nut and Bridge?

Calvin Marks

Calvin Marks

Supporting Member
Oct 22, 2017
790
620
Toronto
#1
I'm curious what the rough ranges are for string spacing at the bridge and nut? I do mostly solo playing and have found that my set-up is a bit tough for my small hands, especially in the "money positions" like half or first position - it can be a bit tough forming octaves.

My bass is a Martin Solo Model with a 40" mensure. The spacing at the nut (measured from the midpoint of each string) is 11mm, and is 26mm at the bridge.

Any thoughts if I can go tighter at the nut and maybe have the neck trimmed down?

Cheers
 
#3
For a 3/4 bass I use 10mm at the nut and 26.5mm at the bridge. I get the most accurate nut spacing by making pencil marks spacing the G and E at 30mm, making saw cuts and then filing the notches. Then, I use a divider to space the D and A. I prefer spacing center to center. It might vary a mm depending on fingerboard width.
 
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#4
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
For a 3/4 bass I use 10mm at the nut and 26.5mm at the bridge. I get the most accurate nut spacing by making pencil marks spacing the G and E at 30mm, making saw cuts and then filing the notches. Then, I use a divider to space the D and A. I prefer spacing center to center. It might vary a mm depending on fingerboard width.
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thanks! I wonder what the tightest spacing could really be. I know a guy that uses 7cm and he uses Eudoxa so the strings have even more surface area - it must feel very easy to play. Curious how much it impacts sound. I know spacing at the bridge impacts sound quite substantially.
 

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