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

[okcrum]

My Carvin/Kiesel PB5 does.

My Carvin B50 is 19 mm spacing & 34" scale, but they don't make that anymore (except as a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). My 2014 Gibson EB 5 string is also 19mm and 34" scale.

A quick look through the Kiesel catalog shows all the five string models except the LB5, JB5 and PB5 use a 19 mm spacing Hipshot bridge. The LB5 is 17 mm. The other two use a custom Kiesel/Carvin bridge, but they don't show the spacing spec. By @BassAndReeds' measurement, it looks like they're also 19 mm.

All the Kiesels are 34" scale, though you can get the VB series in 30" short scale.

EDIT: Average weight for the ZB5, OB5, VB5, and PB5 is under 9 lb. The others are in the 9.2-9.3 lb range, except for the JB5, but Keisel offers a chambering option to get lighter. The JB5 averages 9.75 lb., so chambering should get that below 9.

 

[Joebone]

I'm just about fully converted to 35"/19mm 5 string, but 34"/19mm was my happy place, for many years. I don't think OP has posted his budget, or his take on buying used axes, so as to get more bang for his buck.

That said, there is no doubt in my mind that Sadowsky consistently makes the best 34" 5-strings w/ 19mm spacing. Particularly if you go with the "Modern 5/24" configuration. Here, you get great build stability plus a great voice on the B string due to pickup placement akin to a G&L L2000 or a Smith.

Any other custom maker is likely to provide good product. For 34"/19mm I have personal experience with Pedulla, Sadowsky, Carvin, old Yamaha TRBP and BB5000, and Fender Heartfield (these are sleepers if you you can find a good one - they only made them for 5-6 years, and they are quite good). The axe in my avatar also is 34"19mm/5-string - a custom from Carl Pedigo, who used to run the Lakland shop, that reflects Lakland principles. I also have a fretless Lakland prototype that is 34"/19mm/5-string, which was my gateway drug into the Lakland thing. That said, exposure to a Lakland 55-94 has changed my view of things, but I'll always keep one 34"/19mm 5-string in the house, likely strung with flats so as to cover that old school thing.

Good luck to OP on his search...

 

[vin*tone]

Roscoe Beck V is 19mm - but you'd be lucky to find one under 9lbs.

 

[nilorius]

Some SUGI guitars have.

 

[Chad Michael]

Not all Pedullas are 19mm. However, there are Thunderbass, Rapture, and MVP with the wide spacing.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

See if you can find a Brubaker Brute.
34", 19mm string spacing.
I've been very happy with mine.

 

[EmuBass]

For example: Maruszczyk

 

[Dan Knowlton]

I can understand sensitivity to width and scale length. I have both 34" and 35" scale instruments and don't have a preference but the change from a 1 7/8" (1.875) to the Lakland width of 1.81" is extremely noticeable. I checked out a really nice bass that was priced at about 1/2 of what you would normally see them for on the used market and I just walked away - 16.5 mm spacing.

I tend to buy used instruments - there are some really good deals out there and it allows you to step up to a nicer bass than buying new.

Dan

 

[stingray78]

Sandberg. String spacing at the bridge is adjustable between 18 and 19.5 mm

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[Hercules]

MTD Kingston Saratoga.

 

[Ric5]

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

When manufacturers don't make the bass that I want …

I build my own …

 

[TomB]

Moolon P & J fives, Valenti (I think he may do other bridge spacing as well). Both 34" scale with superior B-strings..

 

[Dimbass777]

F Bass BN 5 is great

 

[lossfizzle]

Oh yeah, I seem to also recall from some recent research that some of the Cort GB series 5s, present and/or past, are 18 or 19mm spacing. However, anecdotally, Cort bridge spacing seems to be all over the map, so probably wise to presume nothing and bring a caliper. There aren't many Corts popping up in my area of the world, and their website is frequently of little help in this department (I don't understand why so many manufacturers think this spec is unimportant to publish!), but I did play one recent used Cort 5 that clearly had at least 18mm spacing and was certainly a pretty nice bass overall for the cash.

edit: i also note that no one in this thread has mentioned Sire's 5 string lineup, which AFAIK qualifies across the board on these criteria.

 

[two fingers]

FWIW Fenders are 18.3mm and I don't notice the difference switching between my 19mm Callowhill.

Agreed. I have huge hands and prefer wider spacing. My 19mm bass is my go to. But I'm plenty comfy playing my Fender Precision 5 string. Virtually no difference to me.

 

[CapnSev]

Yamaha BB

 

[mmbass21]

I'm fairly certain all Kiesel's have 34" 19mm spacing on 5 strings with the exception of the short scale vader and maybe one of their artist models. My ZB5 is right around 8lbs but headless isn't for everyone but it's the most comfortable bass I've ever played.

 

[Eminor3rd]

There are tons of options at those specs -- it might be helpful if you provide a budget range and maybe even pickup-type preference.

 

[Eminor3rd]

Not all Pedullas are 19mm. However, there are Thunderbass, Rapture, and MVP with the wide spacing.

Confirmed -- I have one that's 17.5mm

 

[bass12]

Valenti, Lull, Sadowsky (Valenti and Lull have preamp options, Sadowsky doesn't). Forget Warwick: most of them are too heavy and the reach on them feels more like 35" than 34" (even though they are technically 34").