Playing Eb-tuned songs on a 5-string

[Christophe C]

This is really the beauty of a five string, in my opinion. Learn the shapes, avoid open strings, and go with whatever key the singer wants.

Even for the ostinato bass on Bon Jovi « livin on a prayer » as recorded on the « one wild night » live CD ? (Half tone lower than the original)
Doable yes but a lot of effort (for me) for zéro added value…

 

[GypsyBilly]

The Smithereens "Blood and Roses" just needs that open Eb to sound right, even though I can play it on a 5.

I love that song, & Mesaros' bass line, but it really sits so much better with the open E and A strings. Playing in Eb on a 5-string is so awkward. I would suggest that the band could tune to Eb for all the songs, or at least the whole set - it would make every song easier to sing, especially for us more senior vocalists LOL. Pat Dinizio had the perfect voice for Eb, though, especially when he double tracked his vocals.

 

[MCS4]

To me this is an easy question, because I never play a gig without having a backup bass on hand. So, if I am playing a gig that has some tunes that are more easily played in a different tuning, I simply set the backup bass to that tuning and swap when needed. Since we're only talking a semitone difference, it would be simple enough to tune the backup up to standard tuning if the main bass had an issue.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Even for the ostinato bass on Bon Jovi « livin on a prayer » as recorded on the « one wild night » live CD ? (Half tone lower than the original)
Doable yes but a lot of effort (for me) for zéro added value…

To me, that sounds like a good exercise... guess what song I'm adding to Moises next!

 

[g-dude]

I had to play the song up a full step from the original (up a half step from standard tuning.

Same set featured other songs not in the original keys, sometimes up to a fourth different.

The only way to preserve my sanity was to use a five string and adapt parts as needed.

 

[KenSmithFan]

I make it a point not to make things harder than they need to be. Tuning down 1/2 step is easy, especially if it allows you to take advantage of open strings. Arthritis takes a toll too. As someone pointed out, it adds no value to to song to play it in Eb rather than a downtuned bass.

 

[basslayer]

I would use a pedal to achieve multiple tunings.

 

[logdrum]

Psst.. How about a capo on the 4th fret and B strings is now an Eb?
I'll put my hoodie back on

 

[brucehum]

All the tunes in my band are Eb.

I'm still waiting for my first 5 stringer to get here (should be here before Christmas, I hope)... but my idea is to just play in 4th position, Eb, etc.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

It's a big part of the reason I played 5 string basses over the years. I didn't care what the rest of the band wanted to do...play lower, downtune, etc. Go ahead. Made no difference to me.

I go to a great deal of trouble setting my own basses up and I like low action. I abhor downtuning, even if it's just a semitone. Messes with my string tension and action too much.

 

[Mechayoshi]

5s and 6s, which are all I play aren’t immune to being detuned. If the guitars are in Eb just match it in an open string heavy context.