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5 string string spacing? A thought about Rics...


Benjamin

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Posted

Been contemplating the string spacing of an ideal bass I may have built in the future.

 

I like my thin Epiphone neck, but it forces a different style. It spreads more at the bridge. I like the Ric neck, and the new Cheyenne II 4 and 5, slightly more spacing, less cramped down low.

 

I wonder whether a spacing like a 5 string Ric at the nut end would be a little nicer if spread at the bridge a little more. Would other techniques be a little easier, ie slapping?

 

Still not decided on a body shape. It won't be Ric like though.

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Posted

Go out and try to find a Schecter Stiletto 5 if you want to see a comfy but somewhat narrow spacing, with probably a little more spread than a Ric. They are 16 1/2 mm at the bridge. Narrow without being cramped. My other main five has 19 mm spacing at the bridge, and feels huge in comparison. For me 17 1/2 is just about perfect.

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Posted

The string spacing at the nut on a Ric and a Pbass are about the same. The ric is much narrower at the bridge giving a more "parallel" design to the strings. 19 mm between strings is standard fender 4 string spacing so it will feel huge on a 5 string. Some people like that, some prefer a narrower profile.

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Posted

Originally posted by lug

The string spacing at the nut on a Ric and a Pbass are about the same. The ric is much narrower at the bridge giving a more "parallel" design to the strings. 19 mm between strings is standard fender 4 string spacing so it will feel huge on a 5 string. Some people like that, some prefer a narrower profile.

 

 

And some people don't give a {censored} and suck the same on all 5 string basses regardless the string spacing. :D

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Posted

Originally posted by MageZ




And some people don't give a {censored} and suck the same on all 5 string basses regardless the string spacing.
:D

 

and I have MP3's to prove it. Wanna hear one?

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Posted

Originally posted by lug



and I have MP3's to prove it. Wanna hear one?

 

 

I think I would rather put rusty nails thru my eardrumms. :eek:

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Posted

Originally posted by MageZ




I think I would rather put rusty nails thru my eardrumms.
:eek:

 

Forrest Gump voice on......

 

"You are a smart man"

 

.....Forrest Gump voice off

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Posted

Originally posted by lug



and I have MP3's to prove it. Wanna hear one?

 

I would rather have dental work done, from my back side straight up through my ass, every day for the rest of my life!

 

:D

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Posted

Originally posted by Deville



I would rather have dental work done, from my back side straight up through my ass, every day for the rest of my life!


:D

 

Congratulations

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Posted

I modded my Ric 5 string (4003S5) with new saddles with the slots cut differently to get a little bit wider spacing at the bridge. As an interesting side effect from not cutting the saddles to be smaller than the 4 string version (as Ric did when they made the original saddles), the saddles touch each other, which may cause a little additional crosstalk and therefore maybe a more ringy sound. I like it. It's not that different from stock, but it seemed to help fingerstyle playing a bit. If I did that exclusively I might not be happy with this bass, but I usually play with a pick, or else with my fingernails, which don't require the clearance that using the meat of your fingertips does.

It might not be wide enough for slapping, I dunno. I guess it depends how fat your thumb is and how accurate you are with it, but if you slap and never use a pick I'm thinking you should go with wider spacing at the bridge. It definitely would not be a problem to use the Ric spacing at the nut since it is as least as wide as a J and they are funk certified.

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Posted

 

Originally posted by lug

The string spacing at the nut on a Ric and a Pbass are about the same. The ric is much narrower at the bridge giving a more "parallel" design to the strings. 19 mm between strings is standard fender 4 string spacing so it will feel huge on a 5 string. Some people like that, some prefer a narrower profile.

 

 

So THAT'S why Rics are so comfy!!!

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Posted

I play fingerstyle and pick in roughly equal amounts, with a little bit of slapping when absolutely necessary.

 

Very interesting about Ric, P and Jazz spacing.

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