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String Spacing: Where does it really matter?

#81
I like a decent nut width - 1 7/8” on a 5’er gives string spacing equal to a 4 with a Jazz width neck - tighter string spacing than I’d like, but a wider nut would be a bit big overall. Likewise, a 19 mm spaced bridge gives good spacing, but the reach to the G is a bit much - on a 17.5 mm spaced bridge, I can reach all strings easily without floating my thumb.

Both ends are a compromise - string spacing vs overall width. For my fingers, I,ve landed on a good compromise that works for me.
 
#82
For me, at bridge... At the nut, I'm far more concerned about neck wide and profile. I used to love 19mm at bridge, when when I started playing Zon and MM, I found myself quite comfortable with the 17mm and similar... But I have friends who don't play anything below 18.5, and they found that too narrow for some techniques
 
#87
Not that particular on 4s. The standard 19mm bridge and precision 1.625" nut is my standard as well. I feel crowded on a 1.5" nut.
On 5 strings I prefer a tighter spacing. My favorite is the G&L 17mm bridge and 1.75" nut.

I guess my answer to the OP is - at the nut. :D
 
#88
I just don't even know anymore.

I've been trying out different five string basses over the last 6 months or so, trying to find the right one for me. All I can say for certain is that 16.5mm at the bridge is narrower than I like, either for finger or pick playing.

As far as the nut width, I don't like narrower than 1.75", but am surprisingly comfortable with Fender's massive 1.875". In fact, played a Deluxe Active Jazz V I found so comfortable I would have bought it on the spot if I had the spare cash.
 
#89
I have what I'd consider 'short' and inflexible fingers but yet the 50s nut width on my classic P is the most comfortable width/spacing I've played. I haven't messed with bridge spacing too much and really don't want to go down that rabbit hole. I'm afraid if I bought a bridge with adjustable spacing I'd be tinkering more than playing.
 
#92
Depends on why it matters, fretting hand, plucking hand, or both. Spacing at the nut never made much difference for my left/fretting hand, but I pluck mostly fingerstyle and I've found that with my big hands, I have a hard time getting a consistent attack if the bridge spacing is too narrow. I stick to 18-19mm for bass guitars I actually buy.
 
#94
FWIW, the Overwater Scott Devine Signature J Series bass features 16.5 bridge spacing (and a 39mm nut):
"An ‘undersize’ body 20 fret J Series body profile, narrow 16.5mm string spacing and shorter 33″ scale, this bass encompasses the physical attributes associated with Scott’s own style of playing and philosophy of economy of movement."

SD J Series - Overwater Basses
 
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#97
My sweet spot is a 40mm nut and 18mm spacing at the bridge. I prefer a jazz neck (38mm nut) to a precision neck (42+mm nut), and I can deal with 19mm spacing at the bridge better than 17mm spacing, on basses that aren't 40/18.
 
#98
For me string spacing is extremely important now. I have really short fingers and relatively small hands. When I was younger I had a big 7/8 size upright bass that I worked really hard to play. I couldn't even begin to play that sane instrument now. My 60' P bass is a killer but at slightly over 19mm at the first fret, it's a lot of work for me. I only use it if I need it. 18mm works just fine for me, especially on my 5 string. So for me it's a very physically important thing.
 

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