Tight Fivers (5 String Bass Spacing)

[Low End Theorem]

Ive been searching for ways to achieve tight string spacing on a 5 string bass guitar.
It seems converting a 4 string into a 5 string is too time consuming from what I've read. I've heard that 5 string Ricks have 14 or 15mm at the bridge, but I ain't got Rickenbacker money.
Can anyone tell me other 5 strings basses that go that tight?

 

[Gorn]

Most Ibanez.

 

[rojo412]

Ibanez Roadstar RB885 from 1986. Super tight action, great sound, fantastic construction, reasonable prices.
Peavey's too, from that era.
In fact, consider the early production 5 strings from the 80s as a general category, as that was the norm back then.

 

[BassmanM]

Most Ibanez.

Only the Gerald Veasley sig afaik and that's a 6-string. Soundgears are 16.5 mm and BTBs even more.

 

[Low End Theorem]

Ibanez Roadstar RB885 from 1986. Super tight action, great sound, fantastic construction, reasonable prices.
Peavey's too, from that era.
In fact, consider the early production 5 strings from the 80s as a general category, as that was the norm back then.

That is a profound breadcrumb my friend. I'm already searching

 

[FC Bass]

Older Alembics (1976 'till early 90's, or newer ones with the "Classic fingerboard taper" )

 

[hypercarrots]

aren't alembics more expensive than rickenbackers?
early yamaha bb5000 had tight spacing but those are rare and getting expensive too.

 

[Bob_Ross]

And adding to the list of older narrow-spaced 5-string basses that still cost more than a Ric: Modulus Graphite Quantum-5 (through-body, but before they started being called TBX) or Quantum-5 SP (before the introduction of the SPi or SPX).

But an older Ibanez was definitely my first thought.

 

[Low End Theorem]

Older Alembics (1976 'till early 90's, or newer ones with the "Classic fingerboard taper" )

View attachment 2847123

As beautifully tight as that string spacing looks, Alembics are hella expensive lol

 

[FC Bass]

aren't alembics more expensive than rickenbackers?

I almost got this one: Link Removed for 1600 Euro, it sold for 1700 one day before my planned pickup... :-(
So I guess that would be about the same as a Rickenbacker? ...indeed maybe a little high for the op

But I've also seen them sell around $1000 (even way south of $1000) With some luck you can get a great deal on one of those

 

[joeeg33]

I have 2 Yamaha RBX5’s, they measure 14mm at the Bridge. Absolutely love them. Funny thing, I use to play wide 5’s, high end stuff. I have to say, for me, the narrow spacing is so comfortable. And even though I don’t slap that much anymore, I have no problem at all with it. Look at my avatar.

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I'm not sure what spacing the Schecters have but they have a very narrow spacing at the bridge and are a very good quality 5 string . I had an Elite 5 with EMG hz pickups and thought is sounded great and I'm not an EMG fan .

 

[tlc1976]

My Ibanez is 16mm.

IIRC there was a Modulus I think that was very narrow spacing.

 

[lowendrachel]

Jackson

 

[rojo412]

Ibanez RB 885 1980-1990 Black | Mike's Music Center
Not the greatest deal I've seen, but it's WAY cheaper than a Ric 5.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
If this is MIJ, this would be the next evolution of that design, with a sweet preamp. Possibly wider spacing, but still very narrow.

 

[DWBass]

Ibanez SR5's. Stingray 5's.

 

[wishforbass]

Ive been searching for ways to achieve tight string spacing on a 5 string bass guitar.
It seems converting a 4 string into a 5 string is too time consuming from what I've read. I've heard that 5 string Ricks have 14 or 15mm at the bridge, but I ain't got Rickenbacker money.
Can anyone tell me other 5 strings basses that go that tight?

Yamaha bb 415 . Has super tight string spacing.think neck and suepr fast with modern style neck .even smaller than Ibanez 5 string (remember this not true for 4 string )

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Tobias Toby Pro V & Gibson Thunder Series V both have 16mm spacing.

Either one can be had for < $1000...

 

[Steven Ayres]

My '90 Guild Pilot Pro V is adjustable in the 14-17mm range. I keep it at about 15.

 

[Herrick]

How about the 5-string version of the G&L P Bass? I don't know what the model is called and they're kind of rare but I remember looking into them a couple years ago and they had very tight string spacing.