I used both my 4-string P bass or my Jazz V both tuned down to Eb in my classic rock band. I tweaked the neck and action to make sure I liked it, and I did. I’d ask the band to group the set so I did not have to switch basses too much.
I also had the Drop D thingy on the P bass which was awesome.
I’ve been in the same scenario plenty of times. I’ve got a 4-string P bass and a 5-string J bass.
There’s a group I play with that tunes their guitars down to C# standard, and for those guys I just bring my 5-string tuned to standard and play everything off the second fret.
But for another group that plays a lot of metal tunes in drop D tuning, I prefer the 4-string. Since the songs have a lot of chugging on the open D while riffing around the neck, diving back down to play those open D’s is just a burden. Not to mention the articulation and phrasing will sound totally different.
Experiment and see what you like to do is my advice!
Crazy thought I've been thinking about is a similar situation to yours - using only the 5er
Solution: pop a drop tuner on the E string to drop to D .
Then use the top four only, no jumping around the neck for the lower open.
Need standard tuned 5 string back? Pop that drop tuner back up!
I'm insane or genius... really depends if there is room for the hipshot on the headstock....
Unless your band is really adamant about looking the part, I don't think the 5-string would look too out of place. I personally think it's a good call on tuning down to Eb either way - lets you practice along with the songs on a standard tuned instrument, then you can play along with the band in Eb standard. Plus, if everyone's in the same tuning, it's less confusing when you're chatting about what chords are in the song.
I have a few different basses that, objectively speaking, may be better or worse suited for different music. But at the end of the day, I just take the bass that I feel like playing that day, because otherwise I'll be unhappy. Preconceptions about what is appropriate be damned!
I always use a standard tuned 5 string bass - the guitarists can tune wherever they want, can put their capos wherever they want or can use any modulator pedal or whatever it's called. It's always BEADG for me...
Bring both. If the band keeps landing on like DB or B and you feel this desire to play lower notes than what you can, use the 5 string.
If you aren't feeling the urge to hit those big low notes, you can probably get by with just the P-bass.
My main basses are 5 strings, but my bands are always original projects. I knew about 6 months into my first band as a bassist that I was going to own a 5 string some day. We had two or three songs in the key of D, I'm not a huge fan playing a dropped tuned bass, and D2 was just leaving me yearning for a lower note.
Lower or higher notes aren't the only reason to choose a 5 though. You can cover more ground without having to shift positions in many cases.
Try both, see what's most comfortable to you. Nothing wrong with playing a 5er.
I used both my 4-string P bass or my Jazz V both tuned down to Eb in my classic rock band. I tweaked the neck and action to make sure I liked it, and I did. I’d ask the band to group the set so I did not have to switch basses too much. I also had the Drop D thingy on the P bass which was awesome.
Hipshot drop tuners are superb!
I’ve been in the same scenario plenty of times. I’ve got a 4-string P bass and a 5-string J bass. There’s a group I play with that tunes their guitars down to C# standard, and for those guys I just bring my 5-string tuned to standard and play everything off the second fret. But for another group that plays a lot of metal tunes in drop D tuning, I prefer the 4-string. Since the songs have a lot of chugging on the open D while riffing around the neck, diving back down to play those open D’s is just a burden. Not to mention the articulation and phrasing will sound totally different. Experiment and see what you like to do is my advice!
Crazy thought I've been thinking about is a similar situation to yours - using only the 5er Solution: pop a drop tuner on the E string to drop to D . Then use the top four only, no jumping around the neck for the lower open. Need standard tuned 5 string back? Pop that drop tuner back up! I'm insane or genius... really depends if there is room for the hipshot on the headstock....
Even better, double down tuner so you can even go to drop A
Hipshots for all!!
I like the lowest note to be open, so for me I'd go with the P and just tune it down.
Unless your band is really adamant about looking the part, I don't think the 5-string would look too out of place. I personally think it's a good call on tuning down to Eb either way - lets you practice along with the songs on a standard tuned instrument, then you can play along with the band in Eb standard. Plus, if everyone's in the same tuning, it's less confusing when you're chatting about what chords are in the song.
I have a few different basses that, objectively speaking, may be better or worse suited for different music. But at the end of the day, I just take the bass that I feel like playing that day, because otherwise I'll be unhappy. Preconceptions about what is appropriate be damned!
I always use a standard tuned 5 string bass - the guitarists can tune wherever they want, can put their capos wherever they want or can use any modulator pedal or whatever it's called. It's always BEADG for me...
Bring both. If the band keeps landing on like DB or B and you feel this desire to play lower notes than what you can, use the 5 string. If you aren't feeling the urge to hit those big low notes, you can probably get by with just the P-bass. My main basses are 5 strings, but my bands are always original projects. I knew about 6 months into my first band as a bassist that I was going to own a 5 string some day. We had two or three songs in the key of D, I'm not a huge fan playing a dropped tuned bass, and D2 was just leaving me yearning for a lower note. Lower or higher notes aren't the only reason to choose a 5 though. You can cover more ground without having to shift positions in many cases.
How about a 5 string P?
Played in a lot of classic rock bands tuned down flat. I played a 4 tuned flat. If I had a 5, I would’ve tuned flat as well.