I want to set up a 5 string bass from E to C. Trying to find one with tight string spacing. Just my preference. Any suggestions?
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What 5 string bass has the tightest string spacing?
- Thread starter Marc61
- Start date
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
Ibanez. Some of them are ridiculously tight. I think I had one that was 16.5 mm.
Definitely not my preference tho'. Give me 19mm all day long.
Definitely not my preference tho'. Give me 19mm all day long.
I had a vintage Ibanez RB885 that had the narrowest string spacing I've ever played. Noticeably narrower than even an Ibanez SR bass. It had to be 15.5mm or so. They aren't too expensive when you can find one, and they're very cool instruments.
Steinberger made an L2 with one extra string shoehorned into their standard neck. That would be tight spacing. Steinies have gotten spendy; what's your budget?
Funny, I had that bass as well and yeah, it's VERY tight spacing. Going from that to a MM SR5 felt liberating.
Supadope
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- Nov 30, 2015
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Rickenbackers are pretty tight, too. I don't know their spacing, though.
Warwicks with the 3d bridge have adjustable string spacing that goes as tight as I image anyone would want to go. If you want to go even tighter maybe a bass 6 style 6er
I've got a Ibanez SR805 and yea, it's narrow. It's great for practice because when I pick up my G&L L2500 Tribute, with it's fat, wide neck, it's like playing in the wide open spaces and gives me some breathin room!
Ibanez SR & Mikro series is 16.5mm. Original Yamaha 5 string fit on a 4 string neck or close to it like many '80s 5 strings. Steinberger and their clones can be under 16mm. Converting a 19mm 4 string to 5 with the same width gives you 14.25mm.
Yeah, Ibanez SDGR @ 16.5 is about the tightest I can play comfortably. Any narrower and things start getting stupid.
Riis
16.5 is my preference, too but I get along fine with 19mm as well.
Many brands seem to be 16.5mm so there's plenty of choice. I wouldn't go any more narrow.
Many brands seem to be 16.5mm so there's plenty of choice. I wouldn't go any more narrow.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Out of all of my 5's... the Ibanez ATK has the tightest string spacing.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
All Dean Edge, Rhapsody and Hillsboro 5 string basses have probably the tightest string spacing.
Working now. I'll post a pic at my lunch break. At bridge and at nut.
Late 80s era Peavey Dyna Bass. 16.5mm. That's what mine is after spreading the saddles out as far as possible. It has a Schaller roller bridge, so it could be tightened up a touch more...
