It's a good idea to be prepared, and bring a rig big enough that they can hear you if they play at a reasonable volume. On the other hand, given some of my audition experiences, you want to travel light enough that you can make a fairly quick exit if need be.
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Thanks again for all the input and comments, everyone! I guess I have some more practicing to do over the next couple of days.
Please don't take two basses to an audition. That makes it look like you'll be a pain in the butt. Save that for after you have the job. As a mostly guitar player, I could see some "complaint" over using a 5er if you have folks that get lost and need look to the bass player to get back on pitch. But I'm guessing the band will be better than that. 
(I just went on an audition....not a single word was asked or offered about my equipment.)
(I just went on an audition....not a single word was asked or offered about my equipment.)
I will take a 5 Strings bass if you are comfortable with it. I have a Mesa Boogie Subway 800+ head, really light, it has a switch at the back for 4/8 ohms or 2 ohms, so you can run 1 or 2 cabinets or even 4. I run it thru a Subway 1x12 Subway cabinet really light too.
Bring the p and the ric, if they ask why you brought both, just say "whatever nails the tune for us"
My strong preference for playing in a cover band is to play a versatile 5. Transposing to different keys is much easier and I believe that most band mates would be irritated by a bass player bringing multiple basses. As far as set up, IMHO, the simpler the better at least until you get to know everyone, or have a better idea of what will be required for the songs you are playing. At an audition they want to see you play, not watch you set up for a half hour. Them providing the practice amp is a huge bonus in my opinion.
BTW, Good Luck. The fact that you are putting this much thought and prep into an audition is already an indication that you would be a good guy/gal to have in any band.
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Good luck!
I play in a 60’s through 90’s cover band, and we play everything a half step down. I also hate downtuning. I only play 5 strings, yet I chose to tune down for this band. A lot of rock tunes are in E, and I think the feel changes if I play them in Eb (although I still think about transposing instead).
I would at least consider tuning down, in the context of the band the flabbiness in the sound probably won’t be an issue.
I play in a 60’s through 90’s cover band, and we play everything a half step down. I also hate downtuning. I only play 5 strings, yet I chose to tune down for this band. A lot of rock tunes are in E, and I think the feel changes if I play them in Eb (although I still think about transposing instead).
I would at least consider tuning down, in the context of the band the flabbiness in the sound probably won’t be an issue.
I've been asked about amps on auditions, especially if we're at a studio or somewhere a bass rig is provided for the audition. I think they're just checking that I'll have adequate reliable gear for gigging. They tend not to know much about bass gear so unless they ask for more specifics I just tell then that I have several rigs to cover from from small quiet shows to bigger clubs.
Play the music, not the gear. 
Since there's an amp there I'd just bring along a small head for emergency backup purposes.
Be glad to be there and pitch in on bg vox if you can. A good, singing bass player will always get the call over a good bass player.
Since there's an amp there I'd just bring along a small head for emergency backup purposes.
Be glad to be there and pitch in on bg vox if you can. A good, singing bass player will always get the call over a good bass player.
There you go! The B2re is fine - not sure why people have such a hate-on for them. Good luck!
I would ditch the Culture Club tunes and move in some more straight forward tunes that would be easier to learn and rock out a bit.
I like 80s music but there is a reason there are a lot of classic rock bands (70s) when you have the guitar, bass and drums lineup.
Keyboards, keyboard bass, electric drums and singing that has a different timing than the straight forward songs of the 70s are some of the reasons you have to pick choose the right tunes for your instrumental lineup if you are doing the 80s.
I like 80s music but there is a reason there are a lot of classic rock bands (70s) when you have the guitar, bass and drums lineup.
Keyboards, keyboard bass, electric drums and singing that has a different timing than the straight forward songs of the 70s are some of the reasons you have to pick choose the right tunes for your instrumental lineup if you are doing the 80s.
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Actually, what I said wasn't entirely correct. We met at a rehearsal hall, and I said I would bring my little 15w combo amp, because they have half stacks there that I can't get to sounding right, especially for an audition. So I brought my little amp and just did what I do....I wouldn't say the audition went well, but that's documented in another thread.
The other audition, which was also documented, I brought the same rig and it was too much: there was no drummer and the bass player didn't have his bass. Grrrr.
Well, these are the songs that they have already learned and play. I'm auditioning for a spot in an existing band. At this point, I don't have any say over the set list. Of course, I'm auditioning them at the same time. If these songs don't sound good without a keyboard player, then I'll have to make a decision from there. We did speak about the lack of keys, they are wanting to keep the band as a three piece plus lead singer. I guess I'll know more on Thursday.
I would take a 5 string, preferably one you have made, and an amp that will cover the volume you are prepared to play at.
If they don't like the 5 string then I would walk (I have not had to do this).
If you are lost in the mix I would run (I have done this).
(IMO, YMMV of course).
Good luck.
If they don't like the 5 string then I would walk (I have not had to do this).
If you are lost in the mix I would run (I have done this).
(IMO, YMMV of course).
Good luck.
You know, now that I know they have an amp there that I can use, I may just bring two basses, the 5 string Ric, and the 5 string Ric clone.
