5 strings tabs to a 4 string bass

[MetalHead84]

Sorry if it's a "newb" questions, but I didn't touch my bass for almost 3 years, and I have forgot almost every lesson I have learn.

So anyway, I got a friend who just buy a guitar and we we're talking about song he was playing, so I decide to un-dust my bass and start playing a little.
I was trying to stick to the song he was playing, so I try to find some tabs on the net, and one of the song is for a 5 strings bass, but I only have a 4 strings.

So I have 2 questions
1. If the tabs is in standard tuning (BEADG), how should I translate the B string into my 4 string
2. If the tuning of a tabs is G C F A# D#what should be the tuning on my bass, and will it be the same thing as in 1 to play the additionnal string on my 4 string ?

[MetalHead84]

I just find that with the question 2, the additionnal string will be the D#
Since in the tabs there's no note on that string, should I just tune my bass on GCFA# and play the song normally ?

[rockstarbassist]

That looks like it's in C standard tuning, meaning all strings 2 steps down.

If you only have a 4, and you have notes on the lowest (B string, detuned down 2 steps to G) string, then yeah GCFA# is possible, but if you just have a regular-tuned EADG bass and medium-light strings, that's going to be a nightmare to setup and won't sound good at all.
How serious are you about playing with this guy b/c you'd probably need a setup if that's the case, and this is some metal/rock tune where you need to have unison lines/riffs w/ the guitar.
What band/song is it? Not a ton of people play in C std. so I may know the tune already if you can share that.

[MetalHead84]

That's for In Flames - Trigger on the Reroute to remain album

I have found 2 differents tabs on the net, one for a 4 string and another one for a 5 strings, and it's seems more accurate on the 5 strings

[Boyakasha]

If you have Guitar Pro you can open the tabs with it and transpose them to 4 strings, you won't learn how to do it by yourself but it's the easiest way.

[MetalHead84]

Yeah I know I can do that with guitar pro, but I'd prefer to know how to do it, cause sometimes in GP it screw up the tabs (well on the version I have)

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by MetalHead84

That's for In Flames - Trigger on the Reroute to remain album

I have found 2 differents tabs on the net, one for a 4 string and another one for a 5 strings, and it's seems more accurate on the 5 strings

I was going to mention if it was In Flames.

And the 5-string version is going to be more true to the recording, considering Peter plays his signature Ibanez 5'ers.

But like I said that's going to be tough just dropping those strings down and it sounding good. What gear are you using/trying for this?

[TomA1234]

I would personally tune to C standard and play any notes on the G string an octave up (7 frets higher on the string above on 2 frets higher on two strings above).

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by TomA1234

I would personally tune to C standard and play any notes on the G string an octave up (7 frets higher on the string above on 2 frets higher on two strings above).

Probably the simplest option, especially if you're just "jamming".

[MetalHead84]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

I was going to mention if it was In Flames.

And the 5-string version is going to be more true to the recording, considering Peter plays his signature Ibanez 5'ers.

But like I said that's going to be tough just dropping those strings down and it sounding good. What gear are you using/trying for this?

You mean my bass and amps ? If so, I play on an Ibanez SRX300 and my amps is a Fender Rumble 100

Originally Posted by TomA1234

I would personally tune to C standard and play any notes on the G string an octave up (7 frets higher on the string above on 2 frets higher on two strings above).

There's not really anything on the G string, so that won't really be a problem, but you remind me of the octave theory, so thank you :P