No worries - it is the idea that counts! I'll have a tootle with different spacings. I don't profess to have the skill to be playing solo pieces that ask double stops etc, but no harm in having the bass set up so that it is possible.
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Double Bass String Spacing Question
- Thread starter Tallboy
- Start date
Hey buddy,
26 mm from G to D, and 36 mm from E to B
so roughly 3mm increments regardless of what you start with between G to D
Awesome - thanks for that. You must have a wider fingerboard than me. I can get about 25mm for each before running out of room. Still, a LOT better than the roughly 22mm between strings it came shipped with... that was hard work!
Cheers
Cheers
Unequal sounds like a great idea... give the space to the strings that need it, and make your job easier on the high side.
Matthew Tucker
Commercial User
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
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- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
I still don't get this logic. The bow only touches the top of the strings. So how does unequal string spacing help? It's not as if they're going to knock into each other ...
That is precisely what happens on many 5 string basses in the lower strings, especially between B and E. This may not happen in practicing situations where all is controlled. But in loud orchestral situations it is quite a nuisance.
I do have to admit that to start with 26 mm is a bit much, I was a bit surprised myself. It defeats the purpose as far as double stop playing is concerned. I doubt that there would be mutual knocking with 26mm on equal spacing.
Matthew Tucker
Commercial User
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
OK ... a fiver yes the strings are gonna be closer ... but I'm still astonished that the strings hit each other before they hit the fingerboard!
in these cases usually both strings are vibrating at the same time, sympathetically or otherwise
I like wide spacing.after reading this thread I realize my spacing is a bit wider than most basses. I guess I just like lots of room to dig in.
for digging in, the curve of your bridge has more of an impact, you can have very wide spacing but if your bridge is flat-ish you will have problems
well, I don't know about that, because I've never had a flat-ish bridge, but lately I've been surprised how most basses have a sort of narrow string spacing. well, for my taste anyway. I don't have particularly long fingers. I think I didn't know any better and just got used to it.
Low strings vibrate in a wider arc, and in the orchestra need a lot of power put in to them, whereas you never have to use so much weight or bow speed up high. So you've got to think about the amount of deflection in the bow hair, and the bridge has to give enough room for that on the A and E of a 5-string; the B is on the outside and will take care of itself.
For bow clearance, I mean... it's still going to need room to vibrate in. A LOT of room.
Anyway, what do I know, I don't own a 5 and have only played one briefly. It was fun though.
Anyway, what do I know, I don't own a 5 and have only played one briefly. It was fun though.
sorry pal, I just hadn't understood what you had meant
you are absolutely right about what you stated
1" apart maximum, but i play pizz. i think the closer the strings are to the center of the bridge, the more pressure is pushed straight down. the bridge is supposed to transfer force straight down, but if you can start in the middle, less force is exerted outward.
bluegrass player disclaimer
bluegrass player disclaimer
Um, no, that's not what the bridge does... instead, it rocks around the left foot of the bridge (which can hardly move as it is almost on top of the sound post). So, the distance across the top of the bridge from the left side foot is what matters, and by spreading the strings wider you are actually increasing that. However, that's a small effect, and what matters most is the relation between strings, fingerboard, bow, and the player's hands.
