Audition Next Week

[mapleglo]

So it appears I've managed to secure an audition for a band next week. Guitar, bass, and drums, and a female lead singer, doing what appears to be 80's rock and some country. Some of the songs are transposed to a lower key, as the singer (along with myself) are old, and ones singing range deteriorates with age. They forwarded their set list, and I picked 9 songs to work on, hoping to get 5 down by Thursday.

Back on the Chain Gang - The Pretenders
Manic Monday - The Bangles
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Karna Chameleon - Culture Club
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - Culture Club
The One I Love - REM
(If You’re Not in it for Love) I’m Outta Here - Shania Twain
You’re No Good - Linda Ronstadt
We Got the Beat - The Go-Go’s

My experience is mostly with classic rock (read 70's), so while I've heard these songs on the radio back in the day, I've never played them, so I've been listening to them non stop, and playing along when I can.

I'm thinking of using a 5 string because of the transposed songs, though I may bring along a 4 string as a backup.

Snowglo 4004 Copy

• mapleglo
• Sep 5, 2017
• 1
• 4004 rickenbacker

Snowglo 4004 Copy

This is a Ric clone that sounds halfway between a Ric and a Precision.

The backup 4 string:

4004ci Chrome

• mapleglo
• Jan 15, 2018
• 2
• 4004ci chrome hardware rickenbacker

Rickenbacker 4004i with chrome hardware

Alternative is a 5 string Precision knockoff:

The amp is a question. We spoke about volume, and how I insist that we play at a reasonable level. I was firm in that it's a deal breaker for me, and one of the main reasons I left my last band. We seemed to align on this issue. Here's my amps to choose from:

Amp wall

• mapleglo
• Sep 8, 2017
• 2
• ampeg

Wall of Ampegs

The SVT is out of consideration. In fact, I'm thinking of selling it. While it sounds great, it's just too darn big and I'm too old.

The Ampeg Micro VR stack is one option. It's light and easy to move, but it lacks a big bottom end. I had trouble keeping up with it in my last (very loud) band, but even though they insist they don't play loud, that still concerns me. And the lack of a nice bottom end is also a concern.

The stacks on either end of that "wall" are 2x10s, with speakers I took out of an 8x10 SVT810e. Two of these, along with my PF-800 amp is my first choice. 2 of them are essentially half an SVT, so it can get pretty loud if necessary, and has that classic SVT bottom end. They are a bit heavy as they're made from 3/4" baltic birch. I like the 4x10 vertical stack as it brings the speakers to ear level. I'm fearful that it may be too much though, especially after I made a big stink about volume.

An alternative is to bring one or two of the 15's and the PF-800. To me, one 15 is never enough, and two is heavy rock material.

Obsessing about gear? You bet.

I'll leave my pedal boards at home

Both boards

• mapleglo
• Feb 11, 2018
• pedal board

pedal boards

and just bring my Turbo tuner.

Think I should bring my iPad with the audition song lyrics/arrangements/key loaded in, or will that appear like cheating?

Am I being overly cautious bring 2 basses? Obsessing over the amps? Nervous? Absolutely, it's what I do

Any comments and/or suggestions are welcome.

 

[Joebarnes]

Volume is controlled by a knob. I use my SVT for rehearsals, and our band is not loud (guitarist uses a 20 watt Peavey Micro Valveking) and he's not even half way up on the volume. I'm very low on the gain/volume knobs. It works fine. I would think the PF800 with 1 of the 2x10's would be sufficient. I've never used the Micro VR stack, but if the low end is lacking, I'd pass.

For a tryout? 1 bass and pack a set of strings stuffed in the bass case only to come out if necessary. You don't want a whole lot to carry in/out if the whole opportunity is a flop. You can mix and match later to find the right sound once you're offered the job and decide to accept.

 

[DirtDog]

5'er and the PF800 with 1x15 cab. Tuner. Don't spend more than 5 minutes setting up.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Bring one bass (keep on in the car as a backup if it makes you happy). Whichever you feel most comfortable playing. If can tie, bring the Ric. Sometimes people are more comfortable seeing a "name" bass, and a Ric is very 80s. No pedal board. Relax, don't obsess about gear unless they ask - lock in with the drummer and have fun.

 

[oldrocker]

Good luck. Hopefully they've told you what key they've transposed the songs to. For me it would enough to learn the songs for the audition, having to transpose on the fly would be too much for me.

Do you know if the guitars players tune down for any of the songs they transpose?

What else is on their song list?

IMO its not cheating to using an iPad or anything else to help you play through the songs. I typically will bring charts while learning songs. After a couple of run throughs I can usually memorize most songs, but I still put a couple of notes the set list to remind me of some tricky part or something I have trouble memorizing.

 

[mapleglo]

Yes, they forwarded a list of the songs with the keys they play them in. It's in PDF format, on 5 different pages (set lists), so it's difficult to copy and paste. There was some mention of tuning down. I told him that's why I play 5 strings. I don't like tuning down - it makes the strings floppy and messes with tone.

I was playing the PF-800 through one of the 2x10's this afternoon. I think that's what I'll use.

Regarding the bass, it occurs to me that I only have one "name brand" 5 string. A Ric. The string spacing is a little tight - too tight to feel comfortable to play my best. All my other 5 strings are customs. You're No Good is in Ab, not optimal for a 4 string. Unless I bring two 4 string Rics and tune one down.

*Edited to add, I can always screw on a Ric truss rod cover to my 5 string Ric clone, which is the bass I play the most.

 

[saabfender]

Shame you don’t have a P-Bass. The clear majority of those are native P-Bass. The Go-go’s song especially. I’d second the vote to only bring one bass.

Good luck. You’ll crush it. Those are blessedly easy songs that you already have in your ear.

 

[mapleglo]

I actually do have a P bass, a 4 string MIM.

 

[mapleglo]

Ricsandps

• mapleglo
• Mar 4, 2018
• precision bass rickenbacker

Rics and Precisions

 

[saabfender]

Highly recommend. A pick for “We Got THe Beat” if I may be so bold.

 

[saabfender]

There she is! For this gig, no contest.

 

[oldrocker]

Yes, they forwarded a list of the songs with the keys they play them in. It's in PDF format, on 5 different pages (set lists), so it's difficult to copy and paste. There was some mention of tuning down. I told him that's why I play 5 strings. I don't like tuning down - it makes the strings floppy and messes with tone....

For me, if the songs are only tuned down a half step I would probably just tune down as well. I've found most strings can handle a half step. I'd probably bring 1 bass standard tuning and 1 tuned down. This would work better if the guitar players tune down for these songs and have to switch guitars as well.

But that's just me as I don't play a 5er.

Good luck.

 

[mapleglo]

Well I just ran through the list with my 5 string Ric, and now I'm thinking I'm comfortable enough on it, despite the tight string spacing, that I'll bring that one. Sheesh, I paid enough for it, I might as well play the darn thing.

4003S/5

• mapleglo
• Jan 15, 2018
• rickenbacker

Rickenbacker 4003S/5

I get the whole Precision thing, but I really dislike downtuning. I'm really primarily a Ric player, and perhaps it's best if I start off on the right foot. I play mostly with a pick, though a few of these songs I'm doing finger style I think.

By the way, thanks to everyone for all your input and suggestions. Definitely very helpful to hear other view points. It helps me run through all the options with a clear and unbiased perspective.

 

[pudgychef]

You have ample.excellent choices! You will do great and sound great as well I reckon.

 

[Wisebass]

Any comments and/or suggestions are welcome.

Hi mapleglo

Take the bass you' re comfortable with, no matter which brand (I would take a 5er because I hate tuning all the time)
Your PF800 will do the job, even with the "small" 210 cab (it's Pop Rock not Death Metal )

The songlist is very interesting, for a band without a keyboarder!!!
You might be asked to play more than just the orginal lines (that 's cool!!!!)

Be prepared for that. (when you find the time, learn more than just the bass part)

Make sure to bring something to write. (Asking for a ballpen and a piece of paper looks not very pro...)

It's in PDF format

Maybe print them to add your own notes?

Don' t forget your at home! Enjoy the audition.

greetings


Wise(b)ass

 

[charlie monroe]

I paid enough for it, I might as well play the darn thing.

4003S/5

• mapleglo
• Jan 15, 2018
• rickenbacker

Rickenbacker 4003S/5

This right here

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Yes, you are obsessing about gear. Never mind the instruments, nail the nine songs. Best of luck!

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Is there a question or a point to made in this topic?

 

[filmtex]

I actually do have a P bass, a 4 string MIM.

I played almost all of these songs five nights a week in my Top 40 band in the 80’s. I’m still using the P bass that I used then. If it were me, I’d take that AND my iPad and blow the doors off those songs. Have fun.

 

[40Hz]

You’ve got it nailed so don’t worry about it. I know…easier said than done. I think in your case it’s a reflection of that same level of attention to detail you bring to those amazing builds you do. But an audition doesn’t (or shouldn’t) be cause for more than your usual level of professionalism.

So yeah, a fiver plus your PF-800 (Ampeg goes with everything!) and a matching cab will do just fine for every kind of music. I always pack a second bass, but that’s mostly a habit I acquired back in my heavy gigging days. (Never once needed my backup bass in 20 years of moderate to heavy gigging, so go figure.) Since you do your own basses, that alone should make for an interesting and rather unique icebreaker when you first meet up with these people.

You already have this one nailed. But good luck anyway. Let’s hope they’re up to your level of expectations as well.

P.S. Older girls are tres cool. That’s how you get to be an “old girl” as my own tres cool older girl will tell you. She once showed me a t-shirt she got a kick out of that read: “Hot as ever. (Now comes in flashes.)”