5 string spacing - why 17.5mm ?

[kenito]

Hi, question for Dargin & the guys

Why did you choose 17.5mm as bridge string spacing on the SR5 (plus later on Bongo & Sterling 5) rather than 19mm.

Most other manufacturers of 5 strings seem to use 19mm (i.e. same spacing as a 4 string). Some that started on narrower spacing have even moved to 19mm.

Musicman is one of the few exceptions at 17.5mm

I prefer narrower spacing. Yet another improvement from Musicman over everyone else.


Thanks

 

[strummer]

Erm, I don't know where ypu pick up information, but 19 mm string spacing is very uncommon among production basses.

I don't know why 17,5 mm was chosen, except that it probably felt "right", ie a manageable spread without being cluttered.
And nowadays 17 to 17,5 mm is pretty much the standard.

 

[mathewsanchez]

EBMMs to me make some of the only fivers with a comfortable neck width. Tighter string spacing would probably take me a while to get used to for slap but i'd be willing to compensate for the slimmer neck.

 

[kenito]

Erm, I don't know where ypu pick up information, but 19 mm string spacing is very uncommon among production basses.

I don't know why 17,5 mm was chosen, except that it probably felt "right", ie a manageable spread without being cluttered.
And nowadays 17 to 17,5 mm is pretty much the standard.

19mm spacing on 5 strings is used by most production bass manufacturers (i.e. Fender, Warwick, Spector, Gibson, MTD, F bass, etc). Check their websites

 

[Big Poppa]

I picked the spacing out initially as it felt the most natural. We must be on to som ething as we have probably sold more USA made 5 string basses than anyone else.

 

[tkarter]

I think you are for sure BP. Can probably do the same thing with the 6 string too. Those Bongo 6's really shine.

tk

 

[Oldtoe]

Personally, I think 0.688976378 inch spacing is much better.

 

[strummer]

19mm spacing on 5 strings is used by most production bass manufacturers (i.e. Fender, Warwick, Spector, Gibson, MTD, F bass, etc). Check their websites

Ok, not to get into any pissing contest here, but the basses I have owned form those manufacturers has not been 19 mm. And anyway, apart from Fender, those mentioned don't really fit the group "most production bass manufacturers".
But hey, it's all good, and the MM spacing is really comfortable.

 

[xring]

19mm spacing on 5 strings is used by most production bass manufacturers (i.e. Fender, Warwick, Spector, Gibson, MTD, F bass, etc). Check their websites

Sorry, but if you're going to quote manufactures, get the facts straight. Warwick: (tighter than MM @16.5) and Fender: (wider than MM) but not 19. I also know that my Spector wasn't 19 either.
I thought I read that the 17.5 was after the Rickenbackers?
Perfect spacing.

 

[syciprider]

Gibson makes basses?

 

[bovinehost]

Gibson makes basses?

You're kidding me.

 

[tkarter]

I think I heard one before the neck broke.

tk

 

[INMT]

I had a gibson ripper bass a long ass time ago.
Turns out they make great boar oars, but not musicial instruments.

 

[Aussie Mark]

they make great boar oars

Look over there, a pig in a rowboat!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

17.5mm, 19mm, 18mm...
As long as it's a good sounding and playing bass I can adapt.

My first 5-string was a StingRay5 and I remember the neck feeling like it was quite wide although it did not take long to get used to. I don't necessarily find that just transferring all 4-string specs to a 5 works, including string spacing.

 

[INMT]

Look over there, a pig in a rowboat!

Ouch, you must have seen my portrait

 

[backagain1]

I picked the spacing out initially as it felt the most natural. We must be on to som ething as we have probably sold more USA made 5 string basses than anyone else.

I think the spacing is perfect on my SR5. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Best wishes,

backagain1

 

[r goldsmith]

My first ever 5'er (and most recent too) was an EB - before that I just couldn't warm to the things, but the string spacing is what really got me in. One play of a Stingray 5 and the feel and the tone were just perfect.

 

[Big Poppa]

I think the point is that every company creates what they think something should be....through that they get identity and brand. If the public accepts it then that is what it is. It isnt fair to criticize or argue which spacing we should have done.....The beauty of everybody doing something different is that you have other choices.

 

[Rano Bass]

All i can say is i'm way more comfortable with the neck on my SR5 than with the neck on my previous fiver wich was a fender Roscoe Beck.

Much better neck and no dead spots