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?
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.
aren't alembics more expensive than rickenbackers? early yamaha bb5000 had tight spacing but those are rare and getting expensive too.
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.
I almost got this one: 5 string '91 Spoiler 91S6512 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
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.
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 .
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. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Ibanez/SR885-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc If this is MIJ, this would be the next evolution of that design, with a sweet preamp. Possibly wider spacing, but still very narrow.
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 )
Tobias Toby Pro V & Gibson Thunder Series V both have 16mm spacing. Either one can be had for < $1000...
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.