4003S-5 String Question

[86kubicki]

Yes, many thanks John B. I couldn't find this either.

[cassius987]

When you consider that RIC has made 4003s with nut widths ranging from 1.63 to 1.75 inches (most often striking in the middle of that range), I'd be willing to bet the 4003S/5 follows a similar pattern of variation. In the case of my custom 4003/5, the nut is right to spec (1.69) and this gives a final allowable string spacing of just under 15 mm to keep everything well on the fingerboard. For a lot of people this sucks, but I've come to find I actually prefer this spacing over the 19 mm spacing of my other 5-string.

[aceonbass]

Joshua, are you sure your string pitch at the bridge is just under 15mm? My 4004 5-string conversions are 15mm, and that's with a much wider neck at the body end with the B and G strings running parallel to the edge of the fretboard about 1/8" from the edge.

[cassius987]

I just checked again and it looks like it's almost exactly 14.5 mm. So "just under" is a bit generous on my part.

[aceonbass]

Yep...and I just checked mine, and it's 15.5mm. The limit seems to be about 16mm before volume drop off with the HB1 pickups, and that's on the bridge pickup when placed where a stock 4003's bridge pickup would go.

[86kubicki]

1 3/4" at the nut of my 4003s-5.