tuning your base into Drop D

happy_knappy · #1 01-30-2002, 03:00 PM

Hey i am a beginner and i was wondering how to tune your base into drop d. i have no clue how. And another question. WHat are the best strings for bass?

--Wang-- · #2 01-30-2002, 03:19 PM

A bass in standard tuning has the strings pitched to EADG, with E being the thickest and lowest string, and looks like this:
G|----
D|----
A|----
E|----

Drop D tuning would be DADG, so turn the tuning peg on the E string counterclockwise so that the E string sounds like the D string. Drop D would therefore look like this:

G|----
D|----
A|----
D|----

Someone else would probably be more knowledgable than I when it comes to strings. Hope that helped.

**embellisher** · #3 01-30-2002, 03:22 PM

Welcome to Talkbass, happy_knappy.

This is in the wrong Forum, but never fear, a Moderator will be along to move it soon enough.

We have an entire Forum devoted to strings and while the term best is highly subjective, you will find lots of opinions on great strings in that Forum.

Here is a link to Strings: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumd...?s=&forumid=16

SpankBass · #4 01-30-2002, 03:25 PM

I don't know how to drop D, but I can tell ya how to drop E!

Corney Joke of the day

Anyways
Just like Wang Chung said. And I'd suggest using a tuner seeing as your are a beginner, but as your ear matures and you can tell when two strings played together are in tune (it makes a very distince wah wah wah sound) you can try comparing the D string (2nd smallest) to the E string while dowtuning until you get thim in tune with each other. Make any sense?

Try a search over in the Stings forums for the best strings.

alx564 · #5 01-30-2002, 04:35 PM

If you are having trouble downtuning to the D by playing both D's what you can do is play the 7th fret on you E string (thickest one) and also play an open A (the next string up) at the same time.

You can then tune by finetuning your strings untill the sound fluxuation stops and it sounds like one solid note. That is the best way I can describe tuning by ear.

Angus · #6 01-30-2002, 04:44 PM

DONT tune with frets as ALX suggests. It won't get you precisely in tune.

For drop D, hit the harmonic over the 12th fret of the D string (the second highest) and the 12th fret of the E string (the lowest), and adjust the E's tuning key down until they sound like the same note (ie, you won't hear any beating or wave like noises).

Tuning with frets BAD.

MJB · #7 01-30-2002, 04:49 PM

It's BASS not base!

Sorry, pet peave.

**embellisher** · #8 01-30-2002, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angus
Tuning with frets BAD.

Yep.

Bassmouse3 · #9 01-30-2002, 04:58 PM

Must... not... AAAAARRRRGGGGH, I CAN'T HELP IT!
Ahem, sorry about that... Actually, tuning with harmonics is just as bad as tuning with frets, since the guitar and bass both are tempered instruments, this meaning that since a harmonic is a pure note, they cannot be used to properly tune a bass. The only exception would be a Buzz Feiten equipped bass. I know that I'm not very good at describing this, but Dan Erlewine goes into detail on this subject in his book about guitar repair.
Best Regards,
Bassmouse3.

**embellisher** · #10 01-30-2002, 05:15 PM

That's why it is best to play a fretless.

Bassmouse3 · #11 01-30-2002, 05:20 PM

Quote:

That's why it is best to play a fretless.

Exactly! And guitars are just plain bad medicine!

Showdown · #12 01-30-2002, 08:50 PM

If you switch between regular and drop D tuning a lot, I would highly recommend the Hipshot D tuner. When you want drop D you just flip a lever, and it drops the E string to D. Works very well, of course you have to set it up to drop to the right note, but that is fairly easy.

FretGrinder · #13 01-31-2002, 02:07 AM

and if you do it in the middle of a song, you'll look hardcore ...

cap · #14 01-31-2002, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angus
DONT tune with frets as ALX suggests. It won't get you precisely in tune.

For drop D, hit the harmonic over the 12th fret of the D string (the second highest) and the 12th fret of the E string (the lowest), and adjust the E's tuning key down until they sound like the same note (ie, you won't hear any beating or wave like noises).

Tuning with frets BAD.

not to say im smarter than Angus cause im sure he is at least 1000 times more bass educated than me but if he is having to ask this question then he probably cant tell when it is precisely in tune.

to put it in laymens terms
im assuming that you know how to tune the bass by ear

you tune the E string down to where if you hold the 7th fret you get the Sound of the A string...this was how it was explained to me and it works for me

**HeavyDuty** · #15 01-31-2002, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MJB
It's BASS not base!

Sorry, pet peave.

It's PEEVE, not peave.

MJB · #16 01-31-2002, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HeavyDuty

It's PEEVE, not peave.

After I posted that I knew it was coming.....but it wasn't worth editing. I must have been thinking of Peavey.

ebozzz · #17 02-01-2002, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MJB
It's BASS not base!

A Bass is a fish!

Steve S · #18 02-01-2002, 02:08 PM

I've never used this kind of tuning...I guess I could try it. What is the purpose?

MJB · #19 02-01-2002, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ebozzz

A Bass is a fish!

Check my signature.

Steve S, It's for when you have an annoying guitarist that insists on tuning down, it gives you a low Eb and D.

JimM · #20 02-04-2002, 11:44 PM

I've got a song coming up which requires holding a low D for about 20 measures.I've decided the easiest way for me to do it without a fiver is to tune D-G-C-F,then,since the chart is almost all chords and very little actual written notes,I've crossed out the chords and written them in a whole step higher.I think the biggest challenge will be having to switch basses quickly before and after this song.
Hey,ya do what ya gotta do.