Song: Straight Out Of Line
Artist: Godsmack
Album: Faceless
Transcribed by: Joe Black from The Bronx!
On: 02/17/2003
E—mail: [email protected]

Standard Tuning 5 Strings: B—E—A—D—G


Important Note:
The song is in C and Robbie's 4 is tuned C—G—C—F
for all of their C songs.
However, every song I tab from now on
will be on a 5 string standard tuned. I'm tired
of constantly changing the tuning to play different
songs from different artist. So with that, 
please don't email to tell me "so and so" is tuned C, 
blah, blah, blah. I'm aware of the fact and don't care.
I just like playing different songs, one after another
without touching the pegs. PEACE!
4 Stringers just need to tune down and find the notes
on the strings they think sound like the recording and
then play it the same way I have it outlined. Very simple.
Trust your ears and don't always depend on the tabs.
You can do it.


  b = Bend String Down
  h = Hammer Down
 ( )= Land On That Note
  p = Pull Off
  / = Slide Up
   = Slide Down
  ~ = Let Note Ring


Intro     Maybe a little string bend
G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—3——h5——5—b5p——(3)—3—3——h5——5—b5p——(3)—3—3——h5——6—(3)——|
E:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|

About the intro:
You can use hammers and pull offs or just tap with the
drums. It's hard to hear with the drums. But all you
need to know is the 3 notes are C,D,Eb    (b=flat)

I chose to play the intro on my 5 on the A string as
opposed to the low B. This way when the songs comes
into the heavy part I can really emphasize that with
the boom of the low B. I play it live with my band 
and it sounds good.

Again, from the beginning
Intro A
Intro     Maybe a little string bend
G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—3——h5——5—b5p——(3)—3—3——h5——5—b5p——(3)—3—3——h5——6—(3)——|
E:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
 
The little break part
G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:————————————————————————————————————————————3——6—6—|
E:———————————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:———————————————————————————————————————————————————|

Then back to the Intro A
G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—3——h5——5—b5p——(3)—3—3——h5——5—b5p——(3)—3—3——h5——6—(3)——|
E:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|

Now the heavy opening.
Part B  1X
G:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
E:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:—1——1——3——3—3——1——1——3——3——1——4——————————————|

Part C 2X  There is a variation below
G:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
E:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:—1——1——3—3——1——1——3—3——1—3—4—————————————————|

Then the ring
G:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:——3~~~~~~~~~~~———————————————————————————————|
E:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:—————————————————————————————————————————————|

Then again
Part B 1X
Part C 2X
       A variation of Part C like this:
G:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
E:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:—1——1——3—3——1——1——3—3——1—3—4—1———————————————|

Then the funky part with the stop. Maybe use 
some bends on the strings with the flow of the
song.
G:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
E:—————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:—1———h3——3——b3——(1)—1—1———h3——3——b3——(1)—1—1—|


Anyway For the verses just go back to:

Intro A

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Then the Chorus  (Simple Version)
Part D
G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:———————————————————————————3——3——3————3—————6——6——6—/|
E:——————————————1——1——0—1———1————————————————————————————|
B:—3——3——1—3———3—————————————————————————————————————————|

Then
Part E
G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:———————————————————————————3——3——1—3———3———————6~~~~~~—|
E:——————————————1——1——0—1———1————————————————————————————|
B:—3——3——1—3———3—————————————————————————————————————————|

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Or the Chorus  (More really going on Version)

G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:—3——3——1—3———3—3—(1)—1—1———————————————————————————————|

G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E:——————————————1——1——0—1———1—1—1p0—0————————————————————|
B:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|

G:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A:——3——3——3—3—————3————6——6—6———6—6—6—h8p(6)—6—6————————|
E:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
B:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Then back to everything else again. Listen to the song.
Some variations. Just listen, it's the same notes just
different timing stops.


=========================================
I may have updated this tab. The latest
version will be uploaded to:
http://www.geocities.com/newyorkzone
Some older tabs are there as well.
=========================================

  ____    _____
 (    `——'  .—'`                T_T_T_T_
 |{| O  O  ||||||||||||||||||||[o o o o/
 (__,——.____',                  `——`——'

About Godsmack

Godsmack is an American Heavy Metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band comprises founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin. Since its formation, Godsmack has released five studio albums, one EP, four DVDs, and one greatest hits collection.

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|---3---------------|
E|-------------------|
            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5h7---------|
            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------7p5---------|
            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5/7---------|
            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

Forum

Godsmack — Straight Out Of Line bass tabs