👕 Get New Ernie Ball Merch Now!
  • Ernie Ball
  • Music Man
  • Sterling by Music Man
Majesty Premium Select

string spacing question

eieiowen

eieiowen

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
22
Location
Wilmington, NC
Hi all. I have searched the threads for an answer to my question and didn't find what I was looking for so I thought I'd ask a quick question.

I have a SR5 and love the string spacing. What MM 4 string has a similar spacing? Does the Sterling 4 have a similar feel? I figured the Stingray 4 would have a more traditional string spacing.

I have played all these basses over the years but only have the SR5 at the moment so I can't compare.

Thanks!
 
AFAIK spacing on all 4 string Musicman basses is 19mm and for 5 string basses it's all 17.5mm (MM's website FAQ confirms this). BUT, if you want the closest feeling neck to your Singray5's then that'd be the Sterling. The 4 string Stingray's neck is thicker front to back.
 
bigoldnoob said:
AFAIK spacing on all 4 string Musicman basses is 19mm and for 5 string basses it's all 17.5mm (MM's website FAQ confirms this). BUT, if you want the closest feeling neck to your Singray5's then that'd be the Sterling. The 4 string Stingray's neck is thicker front to back.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I'm sorry I didn't check the FAQ first. Wish there was a 4 with the 17.5 mm spacing. I do remember the Sterling being quite comfortable. I'll have to give it another try.
 
19mm for 4 strings is pretty standard across the industry. There are even a lot of 5 strings that have that same string spacing at the bridge. There are some "narrow 4" basses out there, but they are not really common.
 
tbonesullivan said:
19mm for 4 strings is pretty standard across the industry. There are even a lot of 5 strings that have that same string spacing at the bridge. There are some "narrow 4" basses out there, but they are not really common.
Click to expand...

The Sterling 4 has a narrower string spacing (11/16” (17.5mm)) than the ray (3/4” (19mm)).
 
Last edited:
Quatschmacher said:
Yes, I’m 100% sure. It was in the specifications on the respective pages and is borne out by having owned both a Sterling and Stingray.
Click to expand...

Per the EBMM FAQ:

What is the string spacing on the Music Man basses?

All distances are measured from string center to the next string center.

Stingray 4, Bongo 4, Sterling 4, Big Al 4, Reflex 4, Classic Sabre - 3/4"

StingRay 5, Sterling 5, Bongo 5, Big Al 5, Reflex 5 - 11/16"
 
tbonesullivan said:
Per the EBMM FAQ:

What is the string spacing on the Music Man basses?

All distances are measured from string center to the next string center.

Stingray 4, Bongo 4, Sterling 4, Big Al 4, Reflex 4, Classic Sabre - 3/4"

StingRay 5, Sterling 5, Bongo 5, Big Al 5, Reflex 5 - 11/16"
Click to expand...

See attached photo from an email/forum post from an EBMM employee confirming 11/16” on the Sterling. (It is entirely possible to have different spacing using the same bridge simply by having the saddle grooves cut closer together.)
54E8464E-0A84-412D-BAF9-7AE0AA5C95F5.jpg
 
Last edited:
tbonesullivan said:
How would the string spacing be different if they use the same bridge? That doesn't make any sense.
Click to expand...

Simple: the slots on the bridge saddles are cut closer together. Same components, different cut position.

By way of comparison - have you seen the bridge saddles on the current Fender basses? They happen to have multiple slots so the same bridge can be used to achieve different string spacing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Flex Capo
Back
Top