Different tunings, do I need several basses?

[oldcatfish]

Hey! So I might be joining a coverband playing events soon, and after going through the setlist, I've already found several things that concern me abit.
Like, some songs go in standard tuning, some a half step down, some require a 5'er, just to play a total of 10 notes on the B string through the entire song, and other stuff like drop D.
I asked the singer, which you know, is a singer... So the response was "we play them like their recorded".

Whats my best option here? Should I just bite it and bring 3 differently tuned basses to each show? Transpose the songs meant for 5? Get a drop tuner?

How do u guys deal with playing several songs with different tunings in the same set?

I’m not really fond of 5 string basses even though I have a decent one, so I personally would just make the songs work on a 4 string in one tuning…..but that’s me.

If YOU are comfortable on a five string, just make everything work on that. That’s what would be the most practical option.

 

[ravlin]

5 string, Capo.

 

[micguy]

Let me be the dozenth person to tell you you just need a 5. It will, once you’re past the learning curve, not only solve your “what bass do I play” problem, it’ll change the way you play.

 

[monsterthompson]

The material might matter. If the songs do a lot of open string riffs and/or chugs, then I’d opt for basses tuned to facilitate that. I’d think the biggest issue would be half step tuning changes, which you wouldn’t want to tune for live. Drop D on a 4 you could easily tune to for a song, and then tune back. Sure you could use a 5 and play the D on the B string for the same pitch, but IME some riffs play better with an open low string and not having to jump back to a fretted low note for a pedal tone. Of course, if you have the dexterity and quickness it’s a non issue.

Digitech also has pedals to facilitate this kind of thing, if that’s an avenue you’d consider.

I think in many/most cases, a BEAD 4 or a 5 could cover most material. If it’s metal riffing with open string pedaling then alt tuning bass(es) might be worth considering. Definitely check with the guitar players to see if they change instruments for certain songs or just adjust the position/fingering.

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

I string my four strings BEAD now and haven't looked back.

This.

I’ve done the same. So far I’ve found one or two songs out of over 100 where I needed the G string for one or two notes. I’ve managed to survive and no one even knew….

 

[grimjim]

Probably an unpopular opinion having read some of the posts above.

Practice the Eb songs at home and tune up to standard to rehearse them with the band. It's only a 1/2 step. Drop D is easily done from there. If you're insistent on detuning for a couple of songs a pedal would work.

I recently got up on stage with the VP of our company and did a song in E that was originally in G. Was told of the key change when I got there. No one noticed.

 

[klattman]

Lots of options. I used to play a 5 exclusively but a 4 is more comfortable so, I either use a drop D tuner, step on a tuner pedal and tune quickly to drop D, or use an octave pedal, or just play the root note along with a fifth plucked together. The last trick I can even fool my pederson tuner into thinking the root note is an octave lower. In the context of a mix, you can get away with several options.

As said earlier, some riffs are much nicer on open down tuned strings than a 5, but I think I would use one bass at a time and learn the tricks to compensate (learn open string riffs in closed form on a 5 or play tricks with HW or harmonic content in a 4).

At least for a live show… for recording you can use whatever is optimal.

 

[TOOL460002]

Hey! So I might be joining a coverband playing events soon, and after going through the setlist, I've already found several things that concern me abit.
Like, some songs go in standard tuning, some a half step down, some require a 5'er, just to play a total of 10 notes on the B string through the entire song, and other stuff like drop D.
I asked the singer, which you know, is a singer... So the response was "we play them like their recorded".

Whats my best option here? Should I just bite it and bring 3 differently tuned basses to each show? Transpose the songs meant for 5? Get a drop tuner?

How do u guys deal with playing several songs with different tunings in the same set?

Only if you want the same string tension.

 

[monsterthompson]

If it isn’t confusing, the capo suggestion from earlier might work. You could do a BEAD 4 or a 5 and:
A - Capo the 3rd fret for drop D (though sometimes a dropped string riff is different).
B - Capo the 4th fret for 1/2 step down tunings.
C - No capo for standard tunings.

It might twist your head a little if you are accustomed to playing down-tuned material on certain frets. I think in the heat of battle I’d struggle with a capo on the 4th without a decent amount of practice.

 

[InhumanResource]

Hey! So I might be joining a coverband playing events soon, and after going through the setlist, I've already found several things that concern me abit.
Like, some songs go in standard tuning, some a half step down, some require a 5'er, just to play a total of 10 notes on the B string through the entire song, and other stuff like drop D.
I asked the singer, which you know, is a singer... So the response was "we play them like their recorded".

Whats my best option here? Should I just bite it and bring 3 differently tuned basses to each show? Transpose the songs meant for 5? Get a drop tuner?

How do u guys deal with playing several songs with different tunings in the same set?

I had to use a 5 when I was in this situation. Everything could then be played in the right key and range without messing with tunings or swapping bases around.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Depending on which band I'm out with, I either bring a 4 and a 5, or two 4's. The pairings look like this:

- One has both 4's tuned EADG
- Another has a 5 and a 4, both in standard tuning
- Another has two 4's, one standard, the other DGCF

All of my fours have Hipshot detuners, so I can usually pull out a low D instantly.

You really have to look at your specific song list to see where you need what, and which songs really require things like open strings or where a detuner might not work as well as an alternate tuning. It's possible to install a detuner on a 5 string, and two-step detuners are available. It all depends on your specific needs.

I always carry two instruments for redundancy anyway, and can fake my way through most of the stuff I play on the alternate (4 string songs on the 5, or EADG on the DGCF, or retuned to EADG, low B,C,C# refingered an octave higher on a 4) in case of emergency.

 

[mambo4]

Repeating myself but
before reaching for my wallet I'm gonna just play in the correct key using my standard tuned 4 string and see if anyone cares.
I'm surprised that this is not the most common response, given the lack of context in the op.

Is there an unspoken assumption operating, or has the OP stated clearly, that a low Eb is required?

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Repeating myself but
before reaching for my wallet I'm gonna just play in the correct key using my standard tuned 4 string and see if anyone cares.
I'm surprised that this is not the most common response, given the lack of context in the op.

Is there an unspoken assumption operating, or has the OP stated clearly, that a low Eb is required?

I think it matters if changing the root motion of the song changes the feel to any extent.

Walk down Gb-F-Eb, then play the same Gb-F and go up an octave to Eb.

 

[W_R]

Did the OP solve this? Despite having multiple bass and 5-string options now, in a previous era I was DGCF all the way. As a product of the 80's I do enjoy E-flat, and lately have revisiting this kind of, with E-flat tuning and a Hipshot detuner. I imagined a capo as an option but never really used one.

Transposing higher key (e.g. E) songs on a lower tuned instrument (like E-flat, or DGCF) can mean more anchoring of notes with the index finger and more use of the pinky--some re-tooling of technique, but direct access to those other notes without switching insutrments. From a size perspective, I felt DGCF resembled the shorter/slightly easier reach of a ~30" short scale, i.e. playing up the neck, but E-flat does not seem "shorter" to me, just smoother to cover both E and E-flat.

Or, there is always this...

 

[Jaya W]

So many people saying "just play a 5-string bass," "just transpose"

Hey! So I might be joining a coverband playing events soon, and after going through the setlist, I've already found several things that concern me abit.
Like, some songs go in standard tuning, some a half step down, some require a 5'er, just to play a total of 10 notes on the B string through the entire song, and other stuff like drop D.
I asked the singer, which you know, is a singer... So the response was "we play them like their recorded".

Whats my best option here? Should I just bite it and bring 3 differently tuned basses to each show? Transpose the songs meant for 5? Get a drop tuner?

How do u guys deal with playing several songs with different tunings in the same set?

I feel for you. First of all, because I'm going through the same thing right now (which is why I'm looking at forums, lol), but more than that because you've gotten so many self-centered and useless responses. Someone is going to flame me now; go ahead... I know it's coming... But really, so few people are offering any practical advice or taking into consideration your situation. "Just play a 5-string bass," "just transpose everything," and other such dismissive responses aren't all that helpful and aren't as simple a solution as some of you seem to think.

The OP is considering joining a cover band, which probably means learning some (possibly a LOT) of new material in a fairly short amount of time, which probably means watching videos and/or reading tabs. Those tabs and videos are going to be in Eb standard (or whatever tuning) because those riffs were written/played/recorded in that tuning and the fingerings work best in that tuning.

Asking the guitarist for additional input is a pretty good idea, and yes... I admit that learning to transpose is a good skill, but that's not the kind of information or advice the OP needs (unless I'm the dummy and am making assumptions; if so, I apologize). I honestly don't have the answer, but a Drop or Pitchfork pedal would be one possible solution...

 

[RavenousPoe]

If you want to do everything all on one bass (that's definitely what I would want), I would get a 5 string and a detune pedal like the Digitech or Pitchfork and have your tuner pedal at the ready. 5 string tuned standard since it sounds like you need E Standard and Drop D, which would require just kicking the tuner pedal and dropping the E 1 whole step. Then you have the low B for the songs that require it, and the detune pedal to turn BEADG into half step down.

 

[H K]

So many people saying "just play a 5-string bass," "just transpose"

I feel for you. First of all, because I'm going through the same thing right now (which is why I'm looking at forums, lol), but more than that because you've gotten so many self-centered and useless responses. Someone is going to flame me now; go ahead... I know it's coming... But really, so few people are offering any practical advice or taking into consideration your situation. "Just play a 5-string bass," "just transpose everything," and other such dismissive responses aren't all that helpful and aren't as simple a solution as some of you seem to think.

The OP is considering joining a cover band, which probably means learning some (possibly a LOT) of new material in a fairly short amount of time, which probably means watching videos and/or reading tabs. Those tabs and videos are going to be in Eb standard (or whatever tuning) because those riffs were written/played/recorded in that tuning and the fingerings work best in that tuning.

Asking the guitarist for additional input is a pretty good idea, and yes... I admit that learning to transpose is a good skill, but that's not the kind of information or advice the OP needs (unless I'm the dummy and am making assumptions; if so, I apologize). I honestly don't have the answer, but a Drop or Pitchfork pedal would be one possible solution...

Hehe. All replies have been useful in one way or another, even if just to provide someones perspective. I've been on here long enough to know what I'm getting into whenever I make a post
Thanks alot for your (and everyone elses) input tho, I ended up getting some clarity after the first rehearsal and decided to join em. I've tuned a bass to Eb, and one to drop D. it just feels easier, for the exact reason you said; I gotta look at tabs etc. to get this down as fast as I can. There are about 60 songs and I've only really got a month before the "season" starts. Bringing a few basses to a gig is no problem, infact I kinda welcome it. I have a big collection and I rarely get to use several at a time. I have no problem transposing, or even retuning on the fly between songs, but as its so many this just seems like the best way to go.
It's abit of a hassle when it comes to logistics, but nothing I cant handle. It's still less than a full drumkit, hehehe.

Overall I'm super happy with this band so far, nice people and vibe, and pretty much everyones a somewhat accomplished musician. We're playing typical "sing along when drunk" tunes from my generation, which is stuff I'd never really play on my own, so it's "challenging" in its own way. At home I'd never sit down and just steadily thump away for 4 minutes, as I'm more of a fusion guy. Plus it's the different tunings and all that, so even if it's "below" my skill level (if I can say that without sounding arrogant), it's still a learning experience.

So yeah anyway, thanks for all the input and that's the update

 

[KaizerRainMan]

Either get a five string or different tuning. The last gig I did, I really regret selling my five string bass. Too much different keys and I like to have one bass to play through a gig. I have one bass in C# standard. That one is a lifesafer.

 

[DCErik]

I'm going to dig this one up and see if it still wants brains.

Just joined a cover band with a bunch of guys a good tier above the guys I usually get to play with and really digging the silent rehearsals and rehearsal board recordings for immediate feedback. So far everything is playable in standard tuning except for Livin' on a Prayer, which the singer needs dropped 2 full steps to C due to the key change at the end. We tried it in D without the key change, but c'mon... So I ended up just detuning everything by 2 steps, and while my .45-1.05 set of NYXLs were flopping around like crazy it actually sounded pretty good. But I don't know if that's something I want to do regularly though.

I've had a couple of 30-minute sessions with a 5-string, and just don't care for 'em. Definitely a 'me' problem, but it exists nonetheless.

Our guitarist uses the pitch shift on his Cortex to good effect there. Haven't tried the one on my HX Stomp, but have found that I can't get the octaver to track on Uprising so not very confident in that as a solution, but maybe it's me and not the gear. That would be the easiest solution if it works, especially as it's just the one song for now that needs anything below E.

I guess my other option would be to drop $350 getting a new nut cut for my Ray34 and setting it up for BEAD, then tuning up a step? Is that perhaps a Very Bad Idea?

 

[tshapiro]

For what it’s worth, I’m much more comfortable on a 4 string. And, my primary band does dance covers and I regularly sit in with rock/metal bands. My go-to is a combination of using a Digitech Drop pedal and sometimes figuring out ways to ‘invert’ a couple riffs here and there. The bands I play with roll from song to song without stopping and there’s no time for swapping out basses or retuning. Not saying it’s ideal, but works great for me.