String Spacing: Where does it really matter?

[NKBassman]

I think my 5 string Sadowsky has the best of both: narrow spacing at the nut and 19mm spacing at thre bridge. It is pretty much perfect for me. I find my Warwick 5 string too crowded at the bridge.

+1. My first 5 was an early EBMM SUB-5, and the string spacing was far too narrow for me. I gave it an honest try and just couldn't get used to it. After that I played a couple of Lakland 5s which felt great due to the 19 mm bridge spacing and wider nut. Now I'm playing a Dingwall Super P5 and it's very comfortable for me, though I don't actually know what the bridge and nut spacings are .

 

[EngrSorenson]

Anyone who says spacing doesn’t matter just hasn’t played the wrong bass yet

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Anyone who says spacing doesn’t matter just hasn’t played the wrong bass yet

If it's a bass, I'll play it! There are no "wrong" basses. That would be an oxymoron!

 

[JRA]

i'm with those for whom it doesn't matter much, and i don't envy those who have to have a dead-certain spacing. i.e., i can get used to anything.

but, TBH: i've been putting J necks on all of my parts axes just so i'd have narrower spacing at the nut (1.5"/38mm) = less work for my old hands/fingers...even though my 'favorite neck of all time' is a hybrid (1.625"/41.275mm).

spacing at the bridge: just has to look right! i don't measure anything: i make sure the E and G strings don't roll off the edge of the fingerboard and then space them all to 'look right'. of course, 20-21 position FSO necks are different than two-octave ibby-style necks, so the bridge spacing can be fairly disparate among my axes at the bridges, whatever they are (if actually measured) --- haven't found that to be an issue.

i feel like i'm making a case for being a "nut man" even though i much prefer being seen as a "rogue" or even a "heretic."

 

[NKBassman]

i'm with those for whom it doesn't matter much, and i don't envy those who have to have a dead-certain spacing. i.e., i can get used to anything.

but, TBH: i've been putting J necks on all of my parts axes just so i'd have narrower spacing at the nut (1.5"/38mm) = less work for old hands/fingers...even though my 'favorite neck of all time' is a hybrid (1.625"/41.275mm).

spacing at the bridge: just has to look right! i don't measure anything: i make sure the E and G strings don't roll off the edge of the fingerboard and then space them all to 'look right'. of course, 20-21 position FSO necks are different than two-octave ibby-style necks, so the bridge spacing can be fairly disparate among my axes at the bridges, whatever they are (if actually measured) --- haven't found that to be an issue.

i feel like i'm making a case for being a "nut man" even though i much prefer being seen as a "rogue" or even a "heretic."

Pretty much the only spec consideration I have these days is bridge spacing. Nothing else seems to bother me much at all (though I do have preferences, trending towards wider/thicker being preferred)... nut width, thin or chunky profile, scale length, even fanned frets... all easily adaptable. I don't even have a problem hot-swapping from my 35" fanned fret Dingwall to my 30" JMJ Mustang. But narrow bridge spacing is a deal breaker. *shrug*

 

[JRA]

But narrow bridge spacing is a deal breaker. *shrug*

ha! between the two of us = we've run the gamut!

 

[bigjames]

Anyone who says spacing doesn’t matter just hasn’t played the wrong bass yet

Ha! +1

 

[groooooove]

on a 6 string the bridge matters a ton to me. over 17mm is a deal breaker.

on a 4, the nut matters most to me. jazz size is my preference.

 

[basseux]

Both.
I want same space on 5 strings than on 4 strings.

 

[pepj]

Bridge but prefer P Bass type config at nut.

 

[NikkiVibes]

For me the Spector legend 5 I had as a log jam. I think it was 16.5 or 17mm

 

[mike buzzetti]

Bridge I slap and have fat little fingers 18mm min spacing

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

I'm gonna say the nut.

I can deal with small, common differences at the bridge more easily than I can the nut.

Massive differences on either side, maybe not so much.

 

[Ostie]

Ah! A muti-dimensional bass player. Wide/narrow, short/long. To cover the third dimension, where do you stand on string height?

Not too high, not too low, just right!

 

[sikamikanico]

I always thought it was the nut, but bridge is more important to me. Less than 18mm and I feel it. I haven't played more than 20mm, but those basses are rare anyway. So 18-20mm for me.

Nut is tricky. I used to think I preferred wider spacing, but I think it has more to do with the profile of the entire neck, rather than string spacing per se. I prefer 42-45 mm (1.65-1.75") width at nut on a four string, but jazz bass (38mm/1.5") I played for years felt fine at the time. However, these days, if I grab a J it feels too narrow. I also have a 2" fiver, and that's way too wide. My assumption was that I'd prefer a wider fiver, and that was incorrect. I want to try a few more, from 1.75-1.85. I suspect 1.75 would be just fine. Again, it's the total neck profile/width, rather than string spacing.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I must be weird, I like 1-1/2” nut width, but wider string spacing at the bridge. If the two, bridge spacing more important.

 

[_B_E_A_D_G_]

BB5000... they are a glorious bass, but probably the only 5string that I've had where I had a problem with the spacing being just a bit too tight. My main is currently a BBP35 at 18mm. I really wanted to go back in time and get a BB5000, but I knew I'd have issues.

BB5000 owner here too. The funny thing is I do love the tight string spacing of that bass (I have not measured it but it's probably less than 16mm?) for playing with a pick. For finger-style, my preference goes to 17.5-18mm.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

A question for those of you that think this is an important decision when buying a new bass: When it comes to string spacing, which is more important - the spacing at the nut, or at the bridge?

I’m trying to decide between a couple of basses right now and on one of them, I only know the spacing at the nut… on the other, I only know the spacing at the bridge. Can’t seem to find any additional specs, or get first hand accounts on the matter from anyone so it got me thinking about all this.

I gotta say, I think the nut spacing is way more important to me than the spacing at the bridge.

Bridge

 

[Maxi Funkl]

4 strings bass at the nut 1.5 please and thank you Although My SRS4HH works for me I just prefer 1.5 at the nut.
5 string the bridge 18mm or less works best for me The nut width of Ibanez 5 string or EBMMSRS 5 thus far works best for me. Bought a Squire contemporary active Jazz HH V the neck is totally to wide and fat for me. 1.875 at the nut no thanks. claims to have a slim c neck but compared to my SRS5 its completely bigger on all levels width and thickness. A good thing I didn't invest to much into the bass unfortunately before I determined it wasn't for me I replaced the preamp with a Audere Classic a great pre-amp. Also if it was a bass i played more the pickups would be replaced they lack articulation and clarity but since I don't play it that often I might just sell it. But since it was a gift I'm conflicted on selling it.

 

[Adhesive_X]

for me, it's at the bridge mostly. I prefer a neck that doesn't taper at the nut but
I'm fine with it if its not too crowded.

5 String - i like 16.5mm-17.5mm
4 string - fine with 19mm of any kind