LeftyBassist.com

UPDATE: Looks like there's a bug in the forum software, so I've removed the poll options. Please discuss your thoughts below

Question: What's your favorite 5-string bridge spacing?

- under 17.5mm
- 17.5mm
- 18mm
- 19mm
- 20mm
- more than 20mm
- I'm McGuyver - I can do everything with anything!

Something's wrong with your poll. It tells me the entry is invalid. I tried marking two choices first, then just one, and got the same results.

This is a dear subject to me. I like either 18 or 17.5 mm, 34" scale, 1.75" width at the nut and narrower than 3" at the heel. It's hard to find those specs in factory basses, let alone lefty. Smith, EB/MM and Zon come to mind, but both Smith and Zon are over $4K, and EB/MM offers no customization whatsoever. I do have a Sadowsky that has full 19 mm spacing, 3" at the heel, and 1-7/8" width at the nut, and although it plays effortlessly, my hands get tired after a long set. People say it's all about technique and I've seen girls with small hands play upright basses with high action without a problem. . . In my case, I hate fighting a neck, and I think I have pretty clean technique. At the same time, I hate super narrow spacing, like on Warwick or most Ibanez (16.5 mm). It feels great for a little bit because it allows you to play fast, but I want to smack it against the drummer's head after a song or two (killing two birds with one stone. . . ).

I think that makers like Pedulla have it figured out. They offer all their 5-strings in either 19 mm (3" at the heel) or 17.5 mm (2.75" at the heel) string spacing. And the nut should always be 1.75", which most likely will please 99% of the players out there. Those option should cover a pretty wide market preference.

IMHO.

thanks for letting me know the poll is kaput - I'll see if I can get it working this evening

thanks also for your thoughts on bridge spacing. we're reviewing what additional configuration options to add for 2014, and whether there's market demand for it. bridge spacing and nut width are on the table, so your thoughts are timely

R

couldn't get the poll option working - so morphed this to a discussion thread

R

Hi Rod:

+1 for doing your market research. I know for me personally I would prefer 19mm on a 5. I played an MTD import 5er and loved the string spacing and neck dimensions on it. I did not care the low output, cruddy sounding pickups on that bass or the aesthetics on it.

I played the 17.5mm basses (mainly EBMM and G&L's) on a couple of trips I had to Houston at Southpaw. I really like the Bongo, and the ONLY reason I did not get it was because I wanted 19mm string spacing (and I was not ready to let go of my Fender American Deluxe Jazz). I think for the left handed market, if you did 17.5mm you would be up against EBMM and G&L closer to your price range, and Schecter, Ibanez, and Ken Smith Designs in the much lower market. Right now the only competition even close to your price point would be Carvin, as Lakland and Sadowsky are way more expensive.

I don't think I said anything you don't already know, but might be worth sharing. I too would want a 34 inch scale, 3 in at the heel, 1. 75 at the nut too. Hope this helps.

This brings up a question for me that I'd sure appreciate an answer on. How does one go about accurately measuring string spacing? Is there an industry standard method?

bridge string spacing is measured centerline to centerline

nut spacing is an entirely different beast - equal spacing, equal centers, and graduated spacing (greater spacing on the larger strings to lesser spacing on the smaller strings)