What are the narrowest neck 5 and 6 string basses?

[fretmeister]

What are the narrowest neck 5 and 6 string basses?

I've had a few 5s and a few 6s in my time and although I've loved having the range my fretting hand always cramps up quickly on wide necks (A warwick purchase was particularly stupid) - so what are the options?

I'm not that bothered about the depth of the neck - just that the nut string spacing is nice and narrow.

ta

[lateralus462]

[quote name='fretmeister' post='784433' date='Mar 24 2010, 10:21 AM']What are the narrowest neck 5 and 6 string basses?

I've had a few 5s and a few 6s in my time and although I've loved having the range my fretting hand always cramps up quickly on wide necks (A warwick purchase was particularly stupid) - so what are the options?

I'm not that bothered about the depth of the neck - just that the nut string spacing is nice and narrow.

ta[/quote]

Necks on Ibanez sr series basses are pretty skinny.

[fretmeister]

They any good?

I've only played Status for donkeys! Wood necks scare me now!!

[basshead56]

The neck on my Gibson Thunderbird Studio V is quite slim, though I cant compare it to many, as its the only one I´ve owned
But, I have played a few and it has by far the thinnest neck of all I have tried.
Lovely bass

[Bloodaxe]

Some data I prepared earlier:

Aria Pro II RSB Deluxe-5 (1984)

Width at Nut: 45.8mm
Width at 1st Fret: 47.2mm
Width at 12th Fret: 59.3mm

Depth at 1st Fret: 23.4mm
Depth at 12th Fret: 24.8mm

String Spacing 1st Fret: 40.2mm (avg = 8.04mm)
String Spacing 12th Fret: 50mm (avg = 10.0mm)
String Spacing Bridge: 60.8mm (avg = 12.2mm)

[Bigwan]

Status have been known to produce tight spaced fives in the past. 15mm spacing I believe. Don't know if they still do.

As well as the Ibanez SR series the Yamaha John Myung 6 signature was tight spaced too.

[Delberthot]

Yamaha B5000. Weren't they just 4 string necks with 5 strings on them?

You could also mod an existing bass to 5 strings. i did it with a Rick copy by buying a Kahler fully adjustable bridge, GB7 tuners and making sure that the pickup was a soapbar.

Alternatively if you could find a 5 string Rick, I think that they used 4 string necks for their 5 stringers

[fretmeister]

[quote name='Bigwan' post='784514' date='Mar 24 2010, 11:18 AM']Status have been known to produce tight spaced fives in the past. 15mm spacing I believe. Don't know if they still do.

As well as the Ibanez SR series the Yamaha John Myung 6 signature was tight spaced too.[/quote]


The Mark King spacing is available on headless Statii - but I can't afford a new bass at the mo!

I had not considered the Myung yammie - thanks!

[Doctor J]

I used to have an Ibanez SR3006, ended up selling it cos it was too narrow for me. Very nice bass, however. Don't let the Ibanez name put you off, the high end SRs are very well put together.

[geoffbyrne]

I have a few - the Hohner B Bass V is my narrowest neck, and my Peavey Cirrus BXP & my OLP Stingray come close after, although the OLP neck is clubby (deep back to front).

My B Bass is great (probably because of the Joe Barden pups & the John East U-Retro in it).

G.

[cgordonfreeman]

www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/Series-gvb

Spacing on this looks tight. Probably very expensive and hard to find though.

[Dood]

For 6 string basses, look for ones with a 16mm or 16.5mm string spacing. That will give you a skinny neck feel. Status *will* do that spacing - as I'd asked Rob about an S2 headless, before I'd gotten my Shuker, which incidently is also 16mm. A nice skinny neck, that is ULTRA fast. It's like playing an shred guitar - but.. better!

Some Spector basses and Tobias basses have a 16mm spacing which makes them feel skinny too. I was gonna say Ibanez SR/ Soundgear basses too, but I see that has been covered!

Ah! Just thought of another! My Bill Dickens Signature Conklin 7 string was a 16mm too! - So no doubt other models will be available in that spacing as well.

ok, that's about it for now.

[Dood]

[quote name='fretmeister' post='784519' date='Mar 24 2010, 11:20 AM']The Mark King spacing is available on headless Statii - but I can't afford a new bass at the mo!

I had not considered the Myung yammie - thanks![/quote]

The Myung is a 17mm as far as I know.. I hadn't spotted your post about the Headless Statii.. Could have saved me typing! he he!