Warmoth Gecko 5 Wide… Too Wide?

[MclochNess]

I'm inching closer to a long-time ambition.

I've been eyeing a Gecko 5 for years.

I was always under the impression that it would be the "wide" model.

As I get much closer to pulling the trigger, I've gotten out the caliper and really examined my current stock.

I've got a pair of Laklands (55-94 and Skyline 55-60). I'm comfortable with them.

Narrow at the nut, wide at the bridge.

The "wide" spacing at the nut would be the same as my Stingray 4H, but with an added string.
I'm beginning to feel that that only works on a four string.

My dilemma is as follows:

Get a spec-ed out bass that feels the same as some of my others, or risk disappointment for a bit of "strange"?

Save me from myself!

Thank you.

 

[ardgedee]

I was considering a Gecko neck a few months ago and was kind of frustrated by how Warmoth had organized the sizing information, so I dug around and made the following table:

size	width at nut	width at 24th fret (heel)	URL	recommended bridge
Small	48mm (1 7/8")	73mm (2 7/8")	Invalid Link Removed	Hipshot A 5-string 5A500-687 17.4mm string spacing, adjustable
Medium	48mm (1 7/8")	76mm (3")	Invalid Link Removed	Hipshot A 5-string wide 5A500-750 19.1mm string spacing, adjustable
Wide	56mm (2 3/16")	79mm (3 1/8")	Invalid Link Removed	Hipshot A 5-string wide 5A500-750 19.1mm string spacing, adjustable

Scale (35") radius (14") and neck thickness (1 3/4") are the same for all three.

 

[MclochNess]

I was considering a Gecko neck a few months ago and was kind of frustrated by how Warmoth had organized the sizing information, so I dug around and made the following table:

size	width at nut	width at 24th fret (heel)	URL	recommended bridge
Small	48mm (1 7/8")	73mm (2 7/8")	Invalid Link Removed	Hipshot A 5-string 5A500-687 17.4mm string spacing, adjustable
Medium	48mm (1 7/8")	76mm (3")	Invalid Link Removed	Hipshot A 5-string wide 5A500-750 19.1mm string spacing, adjustable
Wide	56mm (2 3/16")	79mm (3 1/8")	Invalid Link Removed	Hipshot A 5-string wide 5A500-750 19.1mm string spacing, adjustable

Scale (35") radius (14") and neck thickness (1 3/4") are the same for all three.

Thanks…

Most of my fives fall into the "medium" range…
I even have a Carvin Bunny Brunel that has a wide (19mm) string spacing (3" @ 24th fret), albeit a 34" scale.

It feels a bit like the "wide" might be too much of a good thing!

 

[Docduval]

You'll get used to it after playing it a little. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ardgedee]

Scale (35") radius (14") and neck thickness (1 3/4") are the same for all three.

Whoops. Ignore that "Neck thickness" number, I have no idea where it came from and it's too late to edit.

Warmoth says the neck profile is .875" (22mm) at the 1st fret and .975" (25mm) at the 12th fret for all Gecko models.

 

[ardgedee]

Most of my fives fall into the "medium" range…

My preferences lean towards Soundgear-skinny necks, but I gotta admit the Medium Gecko neck was tempting: combining the moderately narrow nut of the Gecko Small with the wide bridge of the Gecko Large. For me, probably not necessary since I pick lightly so my right hand doesn't need the extra space but I guess I wouldn't mind trying.

Decided not to make anything so who knows. Maybe some time down the road.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I have a Medium 5. It was my #1 for a long time. The neck turned to be surprisingly comfortable despite its size. It's available. PM me if you want details.

BBB

 

[ravlin]

I played a medium for a lot of years, it was great. These days I play 4 strings with 1 11/16 nuts. I would love to get a gecko wide if it wasn't so wide. 2" would have been perfect for me but the current spec is just too much. I think they were just trying to repurpose the gecko 6 neck as a 5 rather than making a proper 5 neck that's wider. Also, for funzees I also have a deluxe 5 and that neck is significantly smaller feeling for the same 1 7/8 nut.

 

[micguy]

A lot of people focus on string spacing as the determining factor of how wide they want a neck. That ignores reach - how far you have to stretch your plucking hand to get to the G string, and how far it is to the B string for your fretting hand up the neck a ways. While it took a while to get used to 17.5 mm spacing when I started playing 5's, I now think that's the right number - for me. I can do all the techniques I want, without a crowding issue from the somewhat tighter spacing, and the G string is reachable without thumb floating - My thumb is either on the side of or on top of a thumb rest, depending on whether I am playing the B string or not, respectively. A 1 7/8 wide neck now feels like home - a 4 string p bass has a "skinny" neck now.

I'm not sure I could ever get comfortable on a 6 - the reach/tightness factor might not have a good solution for me. Fortunately, I have no desire for one or situations that would make a 6 a preferred instrument.

The geometry that works best for you may differ. I have ginormous hands, but with slender enough fingers that they get between strings more easily than some folks' hands.