Although measuring the string spacing on your guitar is a quick and simple process, we find that a lot of our customers overlook this when purchasing new bridge parts and/or pickups.
Different manufacturers use different string spacings, for example, most Gibson and PRS guitars use 50 mm, while Fender uses 52 - 55 mm, measured from the low E to the high E string.
Therefore, it's important to measure the exact spacing of your guitar in order to purchase the right part for your upgrade.
What is String Spacing?
String spacing is the distance between the strings of a guitar from low E to high E, usually measured at the bridge or above the pickups, because the spacing usually gets narrower as we get closer to the nut. We also use terms like individual string spacing to describe the distance between the neighbour strings.
How to Measure String Spacing?
To calculate the string spacing of your guitar, measure the distance between the center of the low E string and the center of high E string, as shown in the diagram below.
Or you can measure the distance between two neighboring strings and multiply the number of spaces. You can do the measure on the bridge or pickup, for example, the middle of each center and the magnetic pole. Some luthiers might use proportional string spacing taking into account the different diameter of each string, but most off-the-shelf guitars have an equal string spacing setup purely because it's simple and quick to use.
Why is it Important?
If you're thinking of replacing your guitar bridge, bridge saddles, or pickups, it's essential to know the string spacing before you purchase any parts. Otherwise, they might not fit perfectly and you'll need to order them again in the correct size.
