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Which makers have 5 strings with 34" scale and 19mm spacing?

Sparkdog

Sparkdog

Sep 18, 2006
1,572
970
Burbank, CA
#1
I tried ye olde search for this but didn't get back much info (which surprised me).

The need for a good working 5 string has reared it's ugly head in my world again, and despite owning 2 of them I am not real comfortable with either. Those basses are a G&L MJ-5 (can't get used to the narrow string spacing) and a Lakland 55-01 (great bass, but the 35" scale makes me work a bit harder than I would like)

I've played enough models now to know that I prefer a standard 34" scale and 19mm spacing at the bridge. 18mm like on Fenders and Yamahas seems like it would not be hard to adapt to however.

The other issues I seem to run into constantly are excessive weight (for me that's over 9 pounds) and/or poor balance (meaning the bass will not stay where I put it, wants to hang level or even dive for the floor. Those two factors seems to be in conflict...basses that weigh 10 pounds or more rarely have neck dive but are simply unplayable for me.

Help me Talkbass gurus! I'm very willing to spend the time and money to get this right, but don't have unlimited resources for either. Where do I start?
 
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#6
Sparkdog said:
Thanks nostatic. Is it still not possible to get a Sadowsky with a mid control on the preamp? That has always baffled me, i.e. leaving off the most important frequency control.
Click to expand...

The Will Lee model is the only one with mids. I like having a mid control on-board, and have stuck with Foderas but their base 5-string is a lot more money.
 
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#10
Yea my old Carvin SB5000s were 19mm spacing, 34" scale, with no neck dive. I had 3. One weighted 9.5 lbs, another was 10+ lbs, the third I don't recall but I think it was a bit over 9 lbs. All were nicer to play than the Lakland 55-01 they replaced.

I think Fender is also 19mm spacing?
 
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#14
This is from the Warwick website. Remember most Warwicks have adjustable bridges, meaning the strings can be adjusted slightly closer to or further from each other.

The settings for string levels is an individual preference and the adjustment will vary from musician to musician. However, the basic "factory settings" are intended to be comfortable for most musicians.

The string spacing at the bridge is as follows:

4-string: 19,00 mm
5-string: 16,50 mm Standard Spacing
6-string: 16,50 mm Standard Spacing
5-string : 20,00 mm Broad Neck
6-string : 20,00 mm Broad Neck

The distance between the top of the last fret and the bottom of the thickest string is 2.5 mm. The distance between the top of the last fret and the bottom of the thinnest string is 2 mm.
 
#16
Sparkdog said:
I tried ye olde search for this but didn't get back much info (which surprised me).

The need for a good working 5 string has reared it's ugly head in my world again, and despite owning 2 of them I am not real comfortable with either. Those basses are a G&L MJ-5 (can't get used to the narrow string spacing) and a Lakland 55-01 (great bass, but the 35" scale makes me work a bit harder than I would like)

I've played enough models now to know that I prefer a standard 34" scale and 19mm spacing at the bridge. 18mm like on Fenders and Yamahas seems like it would not be hard to adapt to however.

The other issues I seem to run into constantly are excessive weight (for me that's over 9 pounds) and/or poor balance (meaning the bass will not stay where I put it, wants to hang level or even dive for the floor. Those two factors seems to be in conflict...basses that weigh 10 pounds or more rarely have neck dive but are simply unplayable for me.

Help me Talkbass gurus! I'm very willing to spend the time and money to get this right, but don't have unlimited resources for either. Where do I start?
Click to expand...

I was in the same place as you. I don’t like too narrow a string spacing at the bridge (19mm is my ideal), and I prefer 34” to 35”. The two options I found (and I bought both) were a Gibson EB5 (new, 2017 model) and a Sandberg California VM5 (secondhand find, and my absolute favourite bass). Both are 19mm and 34”. The Gibson was an absolute bargain, particularly for a US-made bass. It is also (somehow) one of my lightest basses, and it’s passive with the ability to switch between series and parallel for the two pickups (so lots of tonal options). The Sandberg is a joy to play, built like a tank and beautifully finished. Doesn’t feel too heavy to me but I’ve not weighed it (and I use a thick leather strap with neoprene inner, made by Gibson, which really helps carry any weight... I can do 2-3 hours straight without feeling it).

From memory, the Fender five-string high-end models (whatever they call them this month LOL) are also 19mm and 34” but in the end I found I preferred the Gibson (at just over half the price of the Fender equivalent), then my Sandberg joined the herd and that was that.

Lots of options out there I’d say. And BTW I suggest you’re sceptical of the argument that says you need a 35” or longer to get the B to speak right.... you don’t, IME. It all depends on the quality of the bass design and set up... a 34” bass can give you as solid a B as a longer neck.
 
#17
Some lower cost options:
ESP / LTD Surveyor 405 / 415 fits the bill. I've never played one but they seem to be generally liked.
Squier Standard series Precision Special V also has 19mm spacing. I have one of these and while it's fairly well built, the electronics are a bit sub par. Consider it a good mod platform
I believe the later Squier Deluxe Active Jazz V is basically the same bass with a jazz body and a 3 band pre so it should work for you as well.
Both of the Squiers are out of production so you'd have to hunt one down used.
 

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