Something I've noticed quite a lot in the last couple of years is bands/artists from the US playing a 'European Tour' that features no UK dates whatsoever. My favourite jazz artist's last European tour featured pretty much every country in mainland Europe (9 dates in Germany!) but the closest he got to the UK was Paris.
I agree. Learn them as-is, and then if you get the job ask if they'd mind you tweaking them a bit or if they'd prefer them left alone. Good luck with the audition! What's the genre?
Now here's something I never imagined happening... actually considering going back to a 4 as my main gigging weapon. I love my 5s but I just fancy a change.
I only have the one fiver these days. But having recently bought a decent Mustang, my long scales have been feeling unloved and have cause to feel twitchy about their long term status.
Time will tell regarding the favourableness (probably not an actual word, but IDRGAF ) of the 19 aligned agreements so far in place. As has been mentioned, it's only really a partial win if the carnet issue hasn't been resolved.