Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
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What 5 string bass has the tightest string spacing?
- Thread starter Marc61
- Start date
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
many of the Frankenstein 5 string basses that I build have a 2 1/2" spacing at the bridge and a 1 1/2" spacing at the nut ... They seem a little tight at first but then they play really fast
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,620
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- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
Take one of the strings off of this: Invalid Link Removed I calculate 8.56 mm string spacing, with a 42.8 mm nut.
Yes I saw. They're not that expensive new and they even make a set specific fir the high c bass
1984 Aria SB-1000. 15.3 at the bridge, 13.2 at the nut. The strings are almost parallel.
Ah, the XL25 - the XL25W is the unicorn with the wider neck. As near as I can tell, they are almost all in the hands of Japanese collectors at this point. It is literally a museum piece:
[This invalid link has been removed]
My first 5-string was a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 (they no longer make the Elite, but it was a ~$700 through-neck, 2-band active EQ version). Beautiful bass, played and sounded wonderfully. Mopped the floor with Yammies and Ibbies going for twice the price. It has a 16.5mm spacing. If that's what you want, it's a really nice and relatively inexpensive bass that has it. It took me a few months, but in the end I concluded that while my big fretting hand loved the 35" scale and the narrow spacing, my big right hand never got comfortable with fingerstyle plucking with that tight an arrangement.
I could be mistaken then; did they actually have a wider neck? I looked at one of these on fleabay some time ago and briefly considered it. Maybe I should have bought it as an investment.
I had an Epiphone EBM-5 that had super tight string spacing. The nut width was 1.73" I can't find the spec on string spacing, but it was substantially less than 18mm on my current basses.
I have my Ibanez RB885 strung E-C. As others have said, the early Ibanez 5's have pretty tight spacing. I don't play it much anymore, but do like to noodle on it every once and a while.
YMMV
YMMV
My Mark King Deluxe Alembic 5er, Ive had it since mid 90's , always played with a pick ala Lesh, never knew from string spacing back them. At the bridge its 15mm, and the nut 10.5. I dont like thin necks, but its such a comfortable feel up the entire neck. Can fly around with a pick just fine. Im also fine with wide 19mms like Sadowskys. A bit surprised after measuring the Alembic for sure.
I played an Epiphone non reverse Thunderbird bass and it was 16mm I believe.
Gerald Veasley Signature bass. "
The string spacing is 14 mm at the neck , narrower than the 16.5 mm spacing found on other Ibanez basses. As a lover of thinner necks and narrower string spacing, I was pleased how my fingers felt right at home on the GVB36. The rosewood fretboard is silky smooth and blazing fast, and the strings are wonderfully tight and responsive— not only necessities in contemporary jazz, but for other genres as well. The lowprofile neck isn't cumbersome or too thick either, which are two arguments I usually have against 6-string basses. Ibanez could be making a believer out of me."
Ibanez Gerald Veasley GVB36 Signature Bass Review
The string spacing is 14 mm at the neck , narrower than the 16.5 mm spacing found on other Ibanez basses. As a lover of thinner necks and narrower string spacing, I was pleased how my fingers felt right at home on the GVB36. The rosewood fretboard is silky smooth and blazing fast, and the strings are wonderfully tight and responsive— not only necessities in contemporary jazz, but for other genres as well. The lowprofile neck isn't cumbersome or too thick either, which are two arguments I usually have against 6-string basses. Ibanez could be making a believer out of me."
Ibanez Gerald Veasley GVB36 Signature Bass Review
I think Ibanez have some narrow spaced 5's in their catalog. I use a Tune Bass Maniac 5 when I want that tight spacing, the neck is pencil thin and it is light with good balance. It's my go to for those gigs where sets run into 2+ hours.
