Octave pedal instead of 5 string?

[JimmyM]

Get a 5-string! After I got used to mine, I wondered why I hadn't done it years before. Most likely I will never buy another 4-string.

ya i said that when i got my 5 too, only to become extremely annoyed with it within a year

 

[ksandvik]

You could get far with D-G-C-F tuning (provided you use stiffer strings, DR Low-Riders for example). That's the reason I don't need a five-string bass for my gigs with multiple bands.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I tried using an octave pedal for ONE song, (Failure-"Frogs"), and it was miserable. Bought a 5 string shortly thereafter, and now just use a 4 string tuned D standard.

 

[gumtown]

Since you only need it for a few songs, how about a pitch shifter down -5, so your EADG tuning goes to BEAD with the pedal kicked in.
just an idea, i have moved from 4 to 5 strings about 15 years ago.

 

[SteveC]

Thanks for the suggestions of buying a 5 and alternate tuning. I still have a 5 string. I don't want to use an alternate tuning. The point of the post was asking about 2-3 songs - maybe - in a night where I kind of want some low notes. I don't need them, it just kinda spices it up a little. I don't want to haul 2 basses for that, and for now anyway, I prefer playing my 4 string. Feels better and sounds better than my 5.

I may pursue a different 5 in the future - if I could sell my current one - but for now I want to try and play my RV4.