How to play songs like this on a 5 string

[Les Fret]

I want to add a few things to the answers that are already given.

-If a detuned 4 string song works well on a non detuned 5 string depends highly on the difficulty of the specific song. If it is a simple song there is no problem. But if it is a technically difficult song with lots of open string riffs it will not translate well to 5 string so you are better of detuning.

-it also depends on how close you want to stay to the original. Do you want to play it exactly like the original bass player is doing it? Then detuning is better. Or transpose. Don’t you care? then use a five string.

-some songs are just meant to be in that tuning (especially open tuning!) and playing it on a 5 string doesn’t make much sense. Then skip the song or detune.

 

[Bassdirty]

I play everything on fivers tuned BEADG, except when there's an open low D having a big part in the original song or the riff demands it, then I drop the E to D for just that song (like pearl jam's 'even flow' for instance) which makes it a lot easier to play. When playing the Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage' you can nail the song playing everything at the same position on the neck.

In my opinion, a five string only has advantages over a four. There are zero disadvantages as long as you have your left hand technique in check.

^^^ THIS^^^ 100%

Its not knowing the notes (as has been suggested), its being able to get there fast enough- depending on the song.

I play a fiver, but when we covered "Slither" by Velvet Revolver (duff played 4 with drop D) Every other note was open string D, in between "hammer on" notes up 6-7 8-9-10?+ frets. MUCH easier (and sounds more natural) played in Drop D. So that's what I did, for 1 stupid song..lol.

YMMV

T$