Gigging Professionals Question

[Phlipper]

I hope the five string is not a contributing factor to the high percentage of sanitized and lobomotized country music produced that has been manufactured over the last 30 years. That would be unfortunate.

Karma ...

Just got a gig playing BroCo with shows end of the month ... forever. If the bass player shows I'll play lead guitar. If he doesn't I'm on bass. So I have thirty songs to learn, both parts. The money is pretty good, though.

Where did I put my fretted fiver after the metal audition?

 

[thisonegoestoeleven]

Nope

 

[rholler]

This is what I’ve been doing. I have one bass tuned DGCF and another has a d-tuner.

I took a similar route -- instead of going out and buying a 5-string for those *rare* times that I really needed one (playing country music), I took an old Fender Jaguar bass that I wasn't using, bought a set of GHS 5-String PressureWounds, had my local luthier install a new bone nut for the wider strings, and then strung the bass BEAD. I seldom ever use my G-string anyway, so I now have a poor man's 5-string when needed.

 

[rholler]

also…..what about having one of your basses BEAD instead?

That's how I solved the problem -- I took an old Fender Jaguar that I wasn't using, and re-strung it as BEAD. Poof! Instant poor man's 5-string (I rarely ever use the G-String, even on my 4s)

 

[glitchslap]

I see it as non-issue. It's so obvious why would it matter? It's totally about playing the bass competently.

 

[crucislancer]

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)

I've been thinking it might be time to pick up a 5-string as well. I've always kept a bass tuned down a whole step and also with a Hipshot Xtender, so I can go down to C if needed, but I would only use it twice a night. Our set list is changing drastically, and there's more songs in the mix that might justify having a 5 string on deck. The San Dimas JJ V is one consideration, the other is a RSD Metro Express.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I’ll always have a 5-string in my stable. When I made a living playing full time, I regularly put it in use. 5-string was needed more for recording sessions than for live shows.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I don't play for a living these days. But I did for about 15 years. Once I switched to 5 a few years into that run I never looked back. I own a few 4 bangers for the opposite reason you are thinking avout a 5. If someone insists on a P bass, I have a few.

I'm a P-bass guy and a 5-string guy. I own a number of extremely-traditional P-style fivers, including a 1951 style. I've had at least two bassists say "didn't realize it was a five string at first". Perhaps one takeaway is that for traditional/rootsy stuff, I play my fivers like four-bangers.

 

[bassmike2010]

I play out regularly and have for decades. Transitioned into 5's
around 1980 when they and higher end basses became a thing.
Found that for several reasons I've been happy with the decision
and own several. Modulus, Smith, MusicMan, Aro, etc. No cheapies.
My 4's happen to be vintage and are now closet queens.
I play contemporary Pop Top40 & Jazz format and originals.
But even with the occasional '60's '70's format I still prefer the tonal
aspects of a 5 string. If I ever get into a Temps Tops review I'll bring
out the vintage Jazz/ Precision/ Ray. Right tool for the right job.
Couple instances when a producer asked if I had a particular bass
for a particular sound I've got any number of (11) options.

 

[shoot-r]

I'm currently with a working, semi-touring, 5 pcs., country/rock group.
Main bass has been the same old, passive, 4 string Jazz I've been using for many, many years.
At present, it's tuned down a half step from standard.
I've a 4 string Jazz Elite strung BEAD when needed, (it's seldomly needed.)

 

[Snert]

^^ In the same circumstance it would make more sense to me to simply play a 5.

 

[Fuzzbass]

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)

Caveat: I'm another non-pro, but do happen to be an extremely busy semi-pro. For two decades I detuned my fours as needed. Hipshot Xtenders work extremely well, but very long story short: in Y2K I switched to five string exclusively. (I don't recommend exclusivity, but it works for me).


I somewhat agree that "it's better to play the bass right than to play the right bass", but here's a potential problem: I had a talented 4-string bassist sub for me on a few occasions. Dude is definitely better than I, however my bandmates would say "he's a great player, but some of our songs just didn't sound right without the low notes". I don't know why he didn't detune his low E for those songs, but I've known players who believed that EADG should always be good enough.

Obviously EADG is good enough for many pros, but if you're trying to establish yourself as a pro, then I would recommend being able to reach those low notes, whether from detuned low E, or low B string.

P.S. Another option might be to bring an extra four tuned BEAD (or whatever)... but for me, G string is a necessary evil so BEAD would not work.

 

[TomB]

I don't play for a living these days. But I did for about 15 years. Once I switched to 5 a few years into that run I never looked back. I own a few 4 bangers for the opposite reason you are thinking avout a 5. If someone insists on a P bass, I have a few.

That’s me too. …and I have been asked to bring the vintage P-bass, most notably for a high-end Johnny Cash tribute show that was traveling through. I try to keep my “four-string consciousness” current, though they almost never gig - just too many advantages for me to the 5-string I guess.

 

[Bengal1]

Interesting thread. At 68 I’m winding down my music career playing in an all instrumental rock/surf band. Fun gig. But to chime in on the 5 string conversation here with my 2¢ worth.
I’ve never had or heard of a band require you to show up with a 5 string bass. I would think most pros would show up to a gig with appropriate gear. I personally started playing a fiver in the early 90’s. There were a lot of pop tunes recorded with synth bass that went well below a low E. Also that was a period in my life that I stopped touring and stayed close to home (Reno/Tahoe area). I had a successful trio playing progressive blues/rock and jazz but also That meant playing a lot of casuals, weddings and subbing for other players. This meant playing all styles of music and also Many of these gigs involved a female vocalist and (no offense ladies) many didn’t sing tunes in original keys. No big… transpose on the spot. This is where my fiver became a useful tool. It gave me the ability to transpose a tune without sacrificing the integrity of the bottom.
Long story short… once I started playing a five string there was no need for me to play my fours.
I guess if you were a carpenter and worked on jobs that included all phases of the trade and you didn’t have a large framing hammer in your bag you would probably end up needing one some day. Kind of like having that B string. You don’t need it all the time…. But?.
Cheers

 

[FenderBass71]

I play a 4-string 95% of the time. But I play in a lot if bands with a lot of different styles of music. Add in studio work and online collaboration. I just never know what will fit best. So I keep a 5-string Precision and a 5-string fretless around.

 

[Beejay772]

You don't need a fifth string on a a bass. And you don't need fries with a burger. But you often want the fries and you will find fries becomes the norm. So too with the 5th string. Is it so hard to carry one more string? The question should be ' if you take a five string, is there really any need for a four string?' Cos you will find all most fives do have E,A,D, and G on them. I bought a five string for no reason when it was offered cheap. Then we added a couple of songs that had a five in the original. Now I find I use the B in about 30 percent of our songs. Never carry a four any more. Over half my basses are 5s.

 

[TomB]

Full-time musician for 50+ years, now retired … if you are a journeyman and in it to get paid, you have the right tools available. That means being able to play electric, acoustic, & double bass, playing 4’s & 5’s (or using an extension on DB), being able to read notation, Nashville charts, tabs, whatever. Not having the tools means not getting paid and not getting call-backs.

Not all situations are equal … if it’s a dedicated band setting, then use what is necessary for that setting. If your only a rocker, or only a country player, or only a jazz guy, make the tool adjustments for your scene. But in any case, if you intend to be a paid pro then be professional and be prepared ….

Ooh… no one has EVER asked me to read TAB. You?

 

[ad9000]

This is really an individual decision based on the music you're playing and what you're comfortable with, and it's worth noting that there are bass players that have incredible careers without touching anything but a 4-string. Since I'm more of a chameleon I'm open to any tools that get the job done. I've done some gigs where I wouldn't have been able to execute the bass parts without a 5, but a majority of the time it's my choice. Even if I only reach for the sub-low E notes once or twice in a set it's worth it to me to have a 5. I have Hipshot D-tuners on most of my 4-string basses, but I find that the sub-E notes with those are not as fat as they are on an actual B string. Conversely I've been in some situations where there is a strong bias against anything but a 4-string, and while that rubs me the wrong way I have to have my antennae up for it if I want to make a good impression and/or be rehired. I also have some 4-string basses that I just love to play, so if I want to deal with carrying an extra axe I'll bring a 4 and a 5 (or 4 and a 6).

 

[jnottoli]

If you have a 5er & learn how to play it, sometimes it may be all you need (depending on what type music you play, of course).

- Supporting vocalists who need to transpose keys
- Works well in acoustic music. With drop tuned guitars - hit a low D down to B in many situations: people notice.
- Theater, anything you can imagine where a bunch or keys are thrown at you
- Alternate fingerings

You can pick up patterns & move them all around.

With the extended range, I feel I'm ready for anything (only limited by my skill ).

Won't help your sight reading!

To me, a 6 string was just too much.

I earned a PART of my living from music a while ago.

 

[ryco]

In this day and age I would definitely say yes to bringing a five string if you are planning on gigging with a lot of different acts all the time.
Otherwise if you are just gigging with one band, you'll know what you need for your set list.
If the lowest note you are looking at is a low "D" for a couple of songs, it's no big deal to tune the E string down for a song, and then tune back up.

But it's nice having a fiver in your arsenal anyway!!