4 or 5 string tuning

[The-Great-666]

I'm still new to bass, hoping somebody could help!
I tried to play one of my all-time favourite songs, but the tuning was so low, it wasn't happening on my 4-string.
Does this mean it can't be played on a 4-string? Or should I learn to tune this 4-string bass to play a 5-string song? The song in question is High Road by Mastodon.

[The-Great-666]

Thank you. I have another bass which does have a slightly longer neck although it is sadly of lower quality to play with. I'll give it a go! If that doesn't work, i'll look at thicker strings. I appreciate your answer, many thanks :)

[Pata]

You could also get a 5 string bass :P i use that bass a lot for the lower tuned songs, helps a lot :)

[Youri]

You can also use a pitch shifter to 'detune' your bass. That way the strings keep the same tension. Your bass can remain tuned E standard, but Rocksmith will think it's tuned D standard.

It does sound horrible, so headphones are highly recommended if you use this.

With an actual 5 string bass this becomes even more interesting. My bass is tuned AEADG, and can play about 99% of the songs without retuning.

[MyGuy]

You should get off your TONE cable and start running a 1/4 patch cord plugged into a USB mixer interface. I have no problems with any bass for any song in Rocksmith while plugged into my mixer. I also run a tube pre amp a peddle board into Rocksmith and it all sounds good out of my sick house stereo

[The-Great-666]

I'll try some higher gauge strings. Thank you for your input, all is noted, I need to learn from you guys. Much appreciated :)

[SOUS CHEF HELLDAVE]

If you get higher gauge strings you might have to do an adjustment on your nut on the bass and sometimes the bridge. Basically if this has to happen, get a file and work it little by little so you can open up the slot on the nut. If you're talking about CDLC here it could be very well that you're getting a song that needs a B string, but most of the ones in game are pretty tame as far as tunings go, but the lowest ones do feel really bad when you get really really low string tension

[Buck]

You can absolutely use a 5 or 6 string bass (I play 5 string), but the game currently supports only 4 string arrangements. the game WILL recognize notes played on the low b and high c strings, you just simply need to transpose yourself as it feels comfortable for you to do so.
Which is fine, you aren't obligated to stringently follow the on string notation. the game only cares that it "hears" the correct note. For example, playing a closed E (5th fret B string) instead of an open E (4th string) will be registered by the game just fine.

In the case of official tracks that were recorded on extended range basses (such as Dream Theater's "On the Back's of Angel's) is arranged/transposed for 4-string, and the notes you see on screen are what the game will expect on those cases.

Same goes for alt tuning songs. like instead of tuning to D drop, you can simply manually transpose yourself, but of course what you physically play will then not match what's on screen, but again, the game does not care, it just wants to hear the right note.

We do not support or discuss CDLC here. If that's what you're after I suggest finding an external forum for help with that.

[The-Great-666]

Thank you very much for your replies Warrior and Buck, I'm learning so much from you all, very much appreciate your guidance.

[The-Great-666]

Hopefully it is straight forward for ya John.
I guess if RS had the ability to recognise 8-string guitars or 5-6 string basses, it would be THE ultimate learning/playing tool?
I'm so thankful for you helpful chaps that have the knowledge for us noobs to learn from when it comes to technical or theory-related things. I hail from console land, where help can be hard to find.

[The-Great-666]

Righto. Stylophone or didgeridoo