Reverse 2/3 gears

[Desmund Nichols]

Just curious, is there a reason for the reverse 2/3 gears on the 5 string?

[Ken Smith]

Just curious, is there a reason for the reverse 2/3 gears on the 5 string?

Desmund, in my opinion and experience, lengthening the lower strings after-lengths slightly changes the tension of the strings. This will also change how it feels in your hands and affect the sound as well. The differences might be slight but I do feel it makes a difference. If you like, reverse your E and B strings and see what happens.

When I first started working on basses before I had my company I was putting 'Badass' bridges on old Fenders. Those bridges are longer than the Fender bridges so tp utilize that extra length, I would re-drill the bridge screw anchor holes back about 3/8" across, the maximum, before the back of the bridge would hang over the round-over of the body. By doing this (and I did try that bridge in the original holes before), the bass felt smoother and better.

In the 19th century, many French double bass makers would reverse the tuners putting the E and A higher than the G and D. Usually the E was lowest and then the G alternating side to side. Some German makers in Saxony followed this as well to lengthen the E from a sharper bend than necessary.

It is believed by some (not all), that the after lengths have something to do with the tension, feel and sound. Look at the Cabling of a Suspension Bridge (the ones you drive over), note how the cables are anchored and bent downwards at the end. I can guarantee you that they just didn't do those angles and lengths by chance. There is engineering behind it. The same should apply to making basses, to get the optimum support and function out of everything that thought goes into when designing a product.

OR, I just felt like doing it because it looks cool or different! :D

It's your choice to decide if there is anything behind it or the theory to do so. ;)

[Joshua Phelps]

They Look Nice too! Cant Wait to get My New 5er with 2 over 3

[Desmund Nichols]

My 5er has 2 on top of 3.

[Ken Smith]

My 5er has 2 on top of 3.

After nearly 30 years, the 2/3 gear layout works just as well. It does to some however make a difference with 3/2. We can make them either way but most these days want the 3/2.

[Scott Pope]

Another reason I like the 2(B&E) + 3(ADG) arrangement is that because this usually puts the B tuner farther from the nut than any other arrangement, whether 3+2, 4+1, or even 5+0, there is more room for the B string leader, which for me allows the B string to be tuned more smoothly and precisely, and does not bind the string onto the tuner post getting into the taper of the leader into the speaking length of the string, or worse yet, onto the speaking length itself.

Ken, thanks for adopting the 2+3 as your standard tuner arrangement.

[Joshua Phelps]

So more people request the 3 over 2 these days? I love the reverse 2 over 3

[Ken Smith]

So more people request the 3 over 2 these days? I love the reverse 2 over 3

We make the basses 2/3, 2 on the bass side. Maybe once every few years, we get a request for the old way, 3/2.

[Joshua Phelps]

they are better the new way. Good Change Ken