Previous bassist on recording used a 5 string

[martyman5000]

I'm listening to a band I wanted to try out for and I can tell the previous bassist is using a 5 string...should I bother if I only have a 4 string?

[KingRazor]

You can detune, or play an octave up. Or just play something different.

Up to you, really.

[martyman5000]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

You can detune, or play an octave up. Or just play something different.

Up to you, really.

I don't think I can tune down my bass to a B and it sound as good?

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by martyman5000

I don't think I can tune down my bass to a B and it sound as good?

Not likely unless you have an E string with a gauge of around .135

If they use the low B note, then you're probably going to either want to get a new string that's thick enough to handle a B, or play an octave up. Or, play in a different key.

Is this just a cover or is it necessary for you to play this note for note?

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by martyman5000

I'm listening to a band I wanted to try out for and I can tell the previous bassist is using a 5 string...should I bother if I only have a 4 string?

If they expect you to play the lines the previous guy played exactly as he did then you probably don't want to be in that band - I wouldn't anyway! - although you can take the line he's playing that dips below the E up an octave to keep the "shape" the same - I used to do that a lot when presented with a chart that went below my instrument's range.

If they are going to let you play your own stuff that fits the song, then I wouldn't worry about it, give them a call.

[martyman5000]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

If they expect you to play the lines the previous guy played exactly as he did then you probably don't want to be in that band - I wouldn't anyway! - although you can take the line he's playing that dips below the E up an octave to keep the "shape" the same - I used to do that a lot when presented with a chart that went below my instrument's range.

If they are going to let you play your own stuff that fits the song, then I wouldn't worry about it, give them a call.

I just thought it might be odd showing up and not being able to play at such a low register...I've been to a few show's lately and the music was mainly done like a sub bass tone.

[JimmyM]

actually i see nothing wrong with trying to cop what the old bass player did. maybe not note for note, but nothing wrong with tuning down for the low notes.

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by martyman5000

I just thought it might be odd showing up and not being able to play at such a low register...I've been to a few show's lately and the music was mainly done like a sub bass tone.

Hmmm - sub bass tone, have you thought about an Octivider?, does the other guy use one to get those low notes maybe?

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

actually i see nothing wrong with trying to cop what the old bass player did. maybe not note for note,

I agree, I'd be happy playing something similar to the previous guy, but not note for note.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

.... but nothing wrong with tuning down for the low notes.

Personally, I could never get the hang of tuning down - when I hit an open E string, I need to hear an "E"

The courier company tells me that my Stirling Ray35 should arrive tomorrow, so I'll need to get used to hearing that Low "B".

[Fergie Fulton]

First off you are listening to a recording. Very few players really ever play note for note what they recorded. A recording is a moment in time. I never really play exactly what i have recorded, but keep the idea of what i was thinking and work around that.

Next you need to understand if the 5er sound is integral to the line and to the mood and feel of the song. Maybe the band never did like the sound or the feel, maybe that's why the job is up for grabs.
Best thing to do is show them what you can do and offer to their sound..remember its about creating lines not just playing lines.

P.S.
you can always use a second bass tuned B-E-A-D, or a hip shot if the idea of a 5er does not grab you.

[JTE]

I like Fergie's ideas. LISTEN to the recording. Even if it IS a five string, how low does it go? Lots of five string players only use the B string for a place to rest their right-hand thumb. And often you can re-cast the bass line to lay well on a four string. Maybe not play the whole thing up an octave, but re-write the line. Unless those low notes are critical to the song, it's likely that it won't be an issue.

I used to only play 4-strings (started gigging in 1976), and had to cover some 5-string parts where the low D was important ("Forever Man" by Eric Clapton where Nathan slaps the low D as part of the main riff), and some where we changed keys and I had to reinterpret the line so it would work and flow in the new key ("Chain of Fools" was a whole step lower, and I never found anything I really liked for that one, but most other stuff was fine). I used a Hipshot for those things. The Hipshot is only a small mental adjustment and after I used it for a while it was easy to think with the E dropped to D. I've been using Hipshots since they first came out (around 1985 or so?) and that kept me away from 5-strings until about 2003.

John

[Pbassred]

Does the rest of the band even know that he played a 5? Do they know that the bass line goes down that low? Would they notice? I'm a fan of fivers ,but more of a fan of being good. Just be good and be yourself.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by martyman5000

I'm listening to a band I wanted to try out for and I can tell the previous bassist is using a 5 string...should I bother if I only have a 4 string?

I would discuss it with them. You never know, maybe they didn't care for the guy using a 5er, and that's why there's an open spot. Or maybe it's just not a big deal to them as long as you're a good player and you have a good audition.

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by martyman5000

I don't think I can tune down my bass to a B and it sound as good?

yes you can, I dropped my 4 string to A and it sounded great.

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Not likely unless you have an E string with a gauge of around .135

If they use the low B note, then you're probably going to either want to get a new string that's thick enough to handle a B

bull on the first part, second part wouldnt hurt but its not necessary

[sbass traveller]

It depends on what the guitarist(s) use(s), I'd say. I was jamming on a 4 banger in a band for a while, but they both had 7 string guitars, and my lower notes weren't cutting through as much, so I picked up a 5 and cut through much better and it really helped to fill out the sound. If you really want to give it 100% you gotta be flexible. Ask the band if they're cool with you trying it in standard tuning, but an octave up for the lower notes, if it doesn't work, then yeah, maybe going for a heavier gauge and downtuning, or if you're really serious about joining that band, then maybe buying a new bass might be in order. Luckily, there's some pretty OK 5's available in the lower price ranges.

[Double Agent]

Originally Posted by JTE

I like Fergie's ideas. LISTEN to the recording. Even if it IS a five string, how low does it go? Lots of five string players only use the B string for a place to rest their right-hand thumb. And often you can re-cast the bass line to lay well on a four string. Maybe not play the whole thing up an octave, but re-write the line. Unless those low notes are critical to the song, it's likely that it won't be an issue.

If that were the case, if the previous bassist just used the B as a thumbrest, then how would the OP "know" that the previous bassist used a 5er by listening to a recording?

I agree with the previous poster who said that you need to determine if the 5-string is important to the music or not. If he just hit a couple of low notes every once in a while, it probably isn't a big deal. OTOH, if the previous bassist crafted lines around notes on the low B string, then you might need some kind of alternate solution whether it's a 5-string, a downtuned 4-string, or even an octave pedal.

I know I've recorded some basslines on a 5er that would be extremely difficult to pull off on a 4-string, even one tuned to B-E-A-D, with any kind of accuracy. It would require some major adjustment, that's for sure. But, it depends on the style of music and how the bass interacts with the guitars. I would also say that, if you REALLY want the gig, go ahead and stick your neck out...it will be worth it when/if you get it.

[christoph h.]

Well, you can string your 4-string BEAD if you don't mind missing the G string.

Other than that, re-writing the basslines often is no problem at all.
There will even be moments were the higher octave might work better and the other guy just went for the low B because it feels "soooo good" for a bassist. If the low note is musically important you can always try a power-chord or an octaver, too.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by martyman5000

I'm listening to a band I wanted to try out for and I can tell the previous bassist is using a 5 string...should I bother if I only have a 4 string?

Every serious bass player these days should have a 5 string bass. It may not be you main bass but you should own one.

Or have a bass tuned DGCF or BEAD.