What would you do?

[Tom F]

Here's my situation...

After a year and a half without a band, I recently joined a pretty busy cover band. Gigs are typically three sets with a pretty straightforward mix of mostly popular rock from the 70's forward (focus on 90's/00's) with some other styles mixed in.

My first gig with this group is still a couple weeks off, but after a lot of preparation and some rehearsal time with the group, I started to wonder about my choice of gear. Right now my main bass is the 2-band 'Ray wearing group II flats that I spoke so highly of a few weeks back. It's a great sounding bass, but the wide variety of songs and tunings is making me question if it's the right bass for the gig.

Here are the options I'm considering:

1) Keep the 'Ray, put the rounds back on and pick up an octave pedal since there aren't too many spots that really call out for a five string.

2) Sell the 'Ray and a few other odds and ends and pick up a Big Al/Bongo (maybe even a fiver), since they cover a little more ground. Con would be the lack of a backup bass.

3) Keep things as is, seeing as how I got the gig with my current setup and I'm probably jut being picky.

Just curious what everybody thinks in this situation. Besides all that, it's definitely an exciting time for me. Looking forward to rocking a MM bass on stage one way or the other.

 

[adouglas]

If it were me I'd get a 5. They're useful in all sorts of ways.

 

[syciprider]

Rounds and Hipshot Detuner?

 

[five7]

GC has a teal colored 5 string sub for $500 on their website right now. Just came up today, good price on a usa made MM.

 

[Aussie Mark]

The Hipshot is definitely an option to consider. I've only ever had a detuner on two basses (a Stingray and a Steinberger) but to be honest I can't remember using the detuner at a gig.

If you got the gig with the SR4 with flats, and the other dudes like it, then I wouldn't change a thing.

Buy an octave pedal.

 

[Bloodfist]

Man I just got thrown into basically the same situation...almost. After my orginals band decided to call it quits recently, I joined a very busy cover band ( 3 to 4 shows a week now), and was given 1 week to learn 40 songs The problem I had was I've always been a four string player, but a lot of the songs require that low B. Our tunings are standard, drop d, drop c and standard with the low B. I rigged one of 4 strings BEAD, but that left the problem of having to tune my Stingray between drop C Drop D and Standard, and that got time consuming and annoying. I gave into the powers to B and and bought a five string. Now I just keep my stingray in Drop C, and play the 5'er for everything else. The only time I have to adjust for tuning is when we do Drop D songs, and I just drop tune the E on the five string. I think you'll find out real quick whats going to work for you and what doesn't when you start gigging. I was under time constraints, we play 3 one hour sets, and we pack the songs in during those sets. I needed something quick and easy that gets the job done, and I actually like playing a five string now!

 

[danny-79]

Tough one, all three options are reasonable, but as said if you got the gig on the set up that you are using then give gig #1 a go an see how it goes.
As far as a D-Tuner i had one a while ago on my Ray an found that i never used it so i took it off, but an Octave pedal is always handy to have .

 

[Movielife]

Keep the Ray and save for a 5er of some type.

There is a place for both 4 and 5 string basses, IMO.

 

[Colin]

you've got the gig, enjoy it and do what all muso's do... buy more gear

 

[jlepre]

Quit the band, and give the gig to me?
*just kidding*
Keep the current, and get the pedal.

 

[Tom F]

I appreciate the feedback guys - all good thoughts so far.

On the D-tuner: I used one years ago in one of my old original bands. It made sense in that group, since out set was pretty evenly divided into songs that did and didn't require low D. There really aren't any songs in drop D with this group, which is why I didn't really consider a D tuner. Some songs are in E flat, some occasionally require notes outside of the range of the 'Ray, etc.

I'd definitely like to keep the 'Ray, as it's sort of a dream bass to me from way back when. However, I'm not sure I could get dispensation to buy the fiver that I really want (Big Al SSS) without selling it.

Right now I'm leaning toward keeping the 'Ray, and picking up an octave pedal. Still, if a good deal came up on a fiver, or somebody wanted to trade one for a 2 bander, I'd be forced to consider it, since the 2-band 'Rays have become so much easier to find with the release of the classic series.

One of these days I have to tell the story of how this group fell into my lap. Pretty wild set of coincidences!

 

[oli@bass]

3) Keep things as is, seeing as how I got the gig with my current setup and I'm probably jut being picky.

I'd try that. Sometimes not trying to play the original bassline exactly as it was recorded leads to a new perspective on the songs. And often it goes unnoticed even by band members.

Just PLAY.

Oh, and yes, I'd rather add a 5 string than swap the 'Ray. You'll miss it, sooner or later.

 

[Freddels]

I'd keep the Ray (dance with the one that brought you) and get a pedal. Then with all the gig money, you should have enough for a Big Al 5 in a short time.

 

[mmbassplayer]

I was going to say the same thing as Oli... play a gig or two and see if you truely do need any other gear. If you do save your gig money and get what you need. I found in my gigging days there is not much i couldn't handle with and amp, a cord and a 4 stringer. JOSH

 

[smallequestrian]

Do what you need to do to make it through your gigs. Ask your misses for the dispensation for an advance on the purchase based on how many gigs with the new band it will take to pull it off. Also, once the bass is paid off via gig money, say the next amount of gig money goes to something she wants.

Win/Win!

 

[jlepre]

One of these days I have to tell the story of how this group fell into my lap. Pretty wild set of coincidences!

I don't know about the rest, but I would like to hear. Since I am also in OC, I would like to know more, and maybe come see the band someday.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I would also advise going with what you have and see how it goes. If you find you really need it, you can add a 5-string later.

 

[tkarter]

The subject line is the only reason for my reply.
What I would do is get myself a Bongo 5H and kick arse.

If I needed more notes I would get myself a bongo 6H and keep going. LOL

If you want to limit yourself stick with the 4 stringed basses and pick any one of them.


The real horizon is 6 stringers. And the Bongo 6H is the leader.

imho

tk

 

[Tom F]

Thanks again everybody - I definitely appreciate the feedback. At this point I've pretty much decided to pick up an octave pedal and hold onto the 'Ray. Will probably throw a fresh set of slinkies on this weekend and start trolling the classifieds/eBay for a good deal. The Big Al will come when the time is right. Mostly, I'm excited to just get back out there and make noise, which is really what it's all about anyway.

Just PLAY.

Excellent point! It's easy to get caught up in gear, but I wasn't thinking much about what I was playing when I was learning the 50-60 songs the last couple weeks. Odds are the audience doesn't care if I hit the F# below the low E or above it!

I don't know about the rest, but I would like to hear. Since I am also in OC, I would like to know more, and maybe come see the band someday.

Out of respect to the band and the current bassplayer, I'm going to hold off on the story until they make the announcement, but will post the story with the first gig pics later this month. Most gigs are around the Hudson Valley, so there should be opportunities to come out if you're interested.

The real horizon is 6 stringers. And the Bongo 6H is the leader.

My dream lineup would be my 2-band Ray, a Big Al 5, and a Bongo 6H.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Odds are the audience doesn't care if I hit the F# below the low E or above it!

Even a B-string wouldn't cover that!