String spacing

[Matoto951]

Hi!
I would like to buy a 6 string bass and I hesitate between two because of the string spacing. The Musicman Bongo 6 has 17.5 mm of space while the Yamaha TRB 1006 is 18 mm. I don't think I'll slap on it so do you think the Bongo might be better because of this aspect?
I mainly play progressive metal, hardcore.

If you also have some other bass for advice, your free to tell me!
Thanks!

Sorry for the bad English :G

 

[BassMan7530]

I have played my Ibanez SR506 6-string for a bit over 3 years now, and I love the string spacing (I believe it is 16.5mm, but I'm not positive). I play progressive metal as well, and I really enjoy tighter string spacing, but maybe that's just a preference that I've developed. To get a feel for which you would like more though, think about your current basses' string spacings, and think about if they work well for you, or if you would like something a bit tighter or a bit bigger, etc.

Also, a .5 mm difference shouldn't be too big of a factor if there are other things you like about a bass. String spacing is definitly important for comfortable playing, but if you really like the sound and overall feel of one bass, but the string spacing of the other, I wouldn't worry about the string spacing too much. String spacing, to me, seems as if it is just another one of the many variables that makes a bass just right, but not essential. I've always found it fairly easy to adapt to a different feeling bass. Your best bet would be to play both of these basses if you can, and see what you like more overall.

Brian

 

[Vakmere]

String spacing, to me, means nothing. I guess my hands fit them all. I have three 6'ers all from different manufacturers and they all feel about the same. Besides, to play one efficiently you would need to wear it higher than a 4 or 5 to manage the neck width and you may look out of place, for metal. For the music you want to use it for, try a Spector Euro LX6. If you really want to get one. Heres mine....

 

[Matoto951]

I thank you very much for your answers, it will help me in my choice

 

[bassteban]

1. String spacing is HUGELY important- to me; perhaps to you, perhaps not. We're all different.
2. Who cares how you look? I mean, if that's important, OK; it's just not to me(although admittedly I know little about your genre).

That all said, I was alway impressed at how playable Ibanez Soundgear sixers are for me, which moreless contradicts my preferred wide spacing BS statement.

 

[Dellers]

IMO tighter string spacing = easier to play. Yes, that includes slapping (if you can slap, and don't have enormous fingers, string spacing is a non-issue), but it matters the most for finger style. Don't need to stretch half a mile to play octaves for example. If I could choose I'd want my Marcus Miller 4 string to have 17.5 mm, but only my 5 string has that spacing.