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Gigging Professionals Question

superheavyfunk

superheavyfunk

Mar 11, 2013
4,410
6,395
Toronto
#1
Hey y’all. This one is for those who gig for a living:

Do you find that you NEED a 5-string bass in your arsenal? I’ve been doing this a long time and there’s been only three occasions that an act or producer has demanded that I bring a 5 string with me. One of those was just this week and it’s got me thinking that maybe I should buy one just so I have it. But then again, the investment might not generate enough return to make it worth it, given that this has only happened three times so far in almost 20 years.

That said, who’s to say that if I had a 5 banger for those three occasions that it wouldn’t have turned into more paying opportunities? So I ask you again, in your working life, do you find that a 5-string has been an absolute necessity, or have you been able to make do and get your bills paid without one?

(In case you’re curious, I’m considering buying one of the newish Charvel San Dimas JJ V basses)
 
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#4
I have 2 that I bought for the Young Country music direction I sought. I still enjoy both basses as having the low B gives you some extra notes for occasional dramatic Baptist Church on Sunday feel. I now play Irish traditional - punk-ish music but here & there being able to fret the low E on the B string really adds a percussion to it that playing open just doesn't have. Certain basses may vary but even the EBMM I owned 10 yrs ago gave me the same response.

'Currently enjoying a Precision V, Dimension Deluxe 5.

Even though most music I could use a 4-string bass for. I like having the extra notes. More colors on the palate. Use with discretion.
 
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#5
Moving Pictures said:
I have found I needed one when playing country, CCM, some metal and pop. Honestly I like having one when playing with bands that transpose keys. Makes that transition much simpler. I generally play my 4s the most but a 5 is very handy at times. I will always have one in rotation.
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Ditto here. When I first auditioned for the Country band I stayed in for 6 yrs, those guys were capo'ing all over the place, changing keys and all I had was my set-list practice notes but since I studied, I got the job. Eb? Not an issue. Need that low C#? 10-04!
 
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#6
I've been a gigging musician for around 23 years in all kinds of bands. I don't do much studio recording, so I can't really comment on that scene. As far as the need for a five is concerned, I think it really depends on the kind of music you're playing. For the wedding/corporate gigs I do, having a five string has really helped. I know guys who play weddings on fours but at least one of them has relied heavily on an octaver for some of the material. Could I get by on those gigs by down-tuning? Maybe. But I've never been comfortable playing with only my E string detuned. The only times I can remember specifically being asked to play a five is for reggae gigs (even when the majority of the material - and some times all of it - required nothing more than a four). I like having the options that a five string affords, but I could probably get by on most gigs (wedding/corporate bands aside) with just a four string.
 
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#7
bass12 said:
Could I get by on those gigs by down-tuning? Maybe. But I've never been comfortable playing with only my E string detuned.
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This is what I’ve been doing. I have one bass tuned DGCF and another has a d-tuner. My third is just standard w/flats for times when I need that thump. So far, it’s been good enough but like you mentioned, some ppl just seem to want to see that low B, even if it’s not required in the charts. Maybe I should just shell out so I have it for those times. But man, that cash could really be useful in so many other places. :unsure:
 
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#8
superheavyfunk said:
This is what I’ve been doing. I have one bass tuned DGCF and another has a d-tuner. My third is just standard w/flats for times when I need that thump. So far, it’s been good enough but like you mentioned, some ppl just seem to want to see that low B, even if it’s not required in the charts. Maybe I should just shell out so I have it for those times. But man, that cash could really be useful in so many other places. :unsure:
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I guess it depends on your particular situation. I’m not not going to go and shell out a bunch of money for equipment to use in studio sessions that I’m not going to get called for.
 
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#9
bass12 said:
I guess it depends on your particular situation. I’m not not going to go and shell out a bunch of money for equipment to use in studio sessions that I’m not going to get called for.
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Well in my particular situation, I’ve been called to use a 5-string three times. Who knows when or if it’ll happen again… heck, I could be called to use one next week for all I know… or never.

This is why I’m curious as to how often other working professionals get calls specifically for this. If it’s something that I should invest in, then I’ll do it. I mean, I bought a car so I could take advantage of more gigging/recording opportunities, even though at least 75% of my job sites could easily be reached by public transit or with an Uber - including the airport. We do what we must for the work, right?
 
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#12
I currently never use a 5 string, but I earn all my money with the same 2 bands. I use drop D, and anything lower is infrequent enough that nobody notices or cares if I play those notes an octave higher.

When I was freelancing a 5 string became essential. The most fun I ever had playing (and best tours I ever did) required a 5 string. As did a few other bands I played with. But ya know what... I didn't have one when I got offered the above mentioned gig. So I bought one :) . Then another, and another... and yeah...

Why not just go the route I did? If you don't want a 5 string, don't get one. Put money aside and if you land a gig that calls for one, buy one. There are lots of great 5ers dirt cheap that will cover any gig well. Here's one of the many for just $300:

lg_1_1_720425.jpg
 
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#13
You don’t get hired because you have the right bass, you get hired because you play the bass right. I’ve not once had anyone demand I bring a certain bass. For blind sessions or first rehearsals I typically bring 2, but if I’m given recordings, etc beforehand or if I’m tracking remote I’m almost spot on every single time with what the song calls for tone and approach wise, it’s rare that I ever need to redo something and the few times I’ve had to make adjustments it was never the bass that needed to change.

If you play to serve to the song you should know weather or not you truly need a 5. I personally wouldn’t invest in a bass I only “needed” a couple of times, I would likely send the gig to someone else or if I was desperate rent/borrow what I needed.

Ps. I don’t own any 4 strings.
 
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#14
Disclaimer: I do NOT gig for a living. So, feel free to ignore.

One answer is that the tool you need depends on the job you are hired to do.

Over the years, I have found myself with gigs where the 4 string bass was perfectly fine, and I wondered why I would ever need a 5 string. And, adding a Detuner (and learning how to use it) can certainly make the 4 more useful. I will always take a 4, unless I need otherwise.

That said, my two current gigs have pieces which are best covered with the added B string, either due to original composition or transposition of original keys. Now, my 4 string basses are sitting out the gigs.

So, IMO, the immediate answer depends entirely on the current gig. But, gigs come and go. So, if you want to go with the opportunities, then best to have both on tap.
 
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#17
Bill Murray said:
I’ve not once had anyone demand I bring a certain bass.
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Well you’re just lucky, I suppose. There are at least three ppl in this thread alone who have been specifically asked to bring a 5 string to a gig/recording.

Joe Nerve said:
Why not just go the route I did? If you don't want a 5 string, don't get one. Put money aside and if you land a gig that calls for one, buy one. There are lots of great 5ers dirt cheap that will cover any gig well.
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Yeah for sure. That’s basically where I’m at right now… I’ve got the money; I’m just trying to decide if now is the time to spend it or not. But thanks for the story and the advice! Maybe you’re right - just wait until the next time I’m asked and say yes, then run to the store and buy one! :laugh::thumbsup:
 
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#19
Bill Murray said:
I’ve not once had anyone demand I bring a certain bass.
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Me neither, but there were songs in a few bands that would have been impossible (or REALLY difficult) to play properly if I didn't have a 5 string. They didn't have to ask. I knew this, and got me one.
 
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#20
As many have said, it depends on the music. I used to use a 5'er for most things. Lately I've been using a 4 *but* I really needed to have a bass capable of going to D for all of those projects so I'm not shy about putting a detuner on my Jazz, for instance.

Personally, I think having a 5 is really helpful and no reason not to have one if you are a working musician.

BTW, congrats on being a working musician!

Oh, you said something about maybe being presented with more opportunities if you had one... yeah, maybe! I think anything that gives you more opportunities is worth exploring. People like being able to call someone who can cover whatever comes up.
 
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