D-Tuner for a 5 string?

BruceBass3901 · #1 09-14-2010, 05:57 AM

I am considering putting a D-Tuner on the E string of a 5 string bass I am building (to be tuned BEADG). The neck I am using is a Fender Precision style, so are there any D-tuners that will fit on the headstock alongside the other 4 tuners? BTW, the headstock uses a 4 + 1 arrangment.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

Brubass · #2 09-14-2010, 06:01 AM

Interesting concept... No criticism intended, but why do you want a D-Tuner on a 5 string that can already reach the low D on the B string?

loend68 · #3 09-14-2010, 06:19 AM

I think if there's enough spacing between tuners you can do it. I think Hipshot will modify the lever so it will go past the B-tuner. I'm planning to do this on my Peavey...

Brubass~ it's been beaten to death around here, but it gives you the option of playing alot of the songs written with a D-tuner (RATM, Velvet Revolver, etc) with riffs that ride the open D....

Brubass · #4 09-14-2010, 07:58 AM

Ah - learn something new every day - thanks!

BruceBass3901 · #5 09-14-2010, 10:08 AM

Really, I just want the option of being able to flick the switch and hit the D rather than transpose everything ... it would make tuning even easier :P

mech · #6 09-14-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loend68

.... it gives you the option of playing alot of the songs written with a D-tuner (RATM, Velvet Revolver, etc) with riffs that ride the open D....

Don't leave out Pink Floyd's "Brick In the Wall" It's the first tune I remember that had the drop D.

To the OP. It can probably be done. I'd get in touch with Hipshot to ask since this is getting more common. I have D-Tuners on two Peavey TL-5s that I modified myself. Don't know what it would take on a Fender but it couldn't be that difficult.

mech

loend68 · #7 09-14-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech

Don't leave out Pink Floyd's "Brick In the Wall" It's the first tune I remember that had the drop D.

To the OP. It can probably be done. I'd get in touch with Hipshot to ask since this is getting more common. I have D-Tuners on two Peavey TL-5s that I modified myself. Don't know what it would take on a Fender but it couldn't be that difficult.

mech

How did you modify it? Just bend the lever out a little? I'd be putting on on a Millenium 5'er....so same spacing on the tuners.

Bijoux · #8 09-14-2010, 10:24 AM

ah! you have a D-tuner on the E string!!!????!???!!?!??
why not on the B string?
ah! I kNow! because that would be an A-tuner!

mech · #9 09-14-2010, 10:36 AM

Bijoux...cute.

Quote:

Originally Posted by loend68

How did you modify it? Just bend the lever out a little? I'd be putting on on a Millenium 5'er....so same spacing on the tuners.

Front of the lever was filed off (smoothed/polished) so it would miss the B tuner. The tuning screw had to be shortened a taste to get a little finger room and it's spring shortened to keep it from stacking up. Wasn't difficult, just did a lot of eye-balling and some measurements.

PM me if you're interested and I'll give you a more detailed version.

mech

shawn-o · #10 09-14-2010, 12:24 PM

Its do-able.I have shallers on my modded squire5 with nordy's.

I have it set to be tuned D-E-A-D-G. I use the detuner to drop it down to a low B for one song. We play afew songs that ride the drop D, so ive found it pretty useful imo.

... I guess I could have just had it on the E string like posted above, but it wouldnt have fit with the large plate/ detuner lever right there. I purchased the tuners through tb and got a pretty decent deal so no complaints over here!

mech · #11 09-14-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn-o

... I guess I could have just had it on the E string like posted above, but it wouldnt have fit with the large plate/ detuner lever right there.

Just eyeballing it, you're right, it would never fit.

mech

BruceBass3901 · #12 09-15-2010, 10:46 AM

Judging from @Shawn-o's Jazz, I don't reckon I will be able to achieve it =/

mech · #13 09-15-2010, 11:37 AM

Take a measurement from the center of the gear screw to the edge of the mounting plate for the A tuner. Hipshot has so many styles I'll bet a six-pack they'll have one that'll fit. May take new screw holes.

Be sure and know the post diameter you need, too.

SPYD3R #9 · #14 01-18-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech

Front of the lever was filed off (smoothed/polished) so it would miss the B tuner. The tuning screw had to be shortened a taste to get a little finger room and it's spring shortened to keep it from stacking up. Wasn't difficult, just did a lot of eye-balling and some measurements.

PM me if you're interested and I'll give you a more detailed version.

mech

PM sent
had a problem here, maybe you can help

mech · #15 01-18-2012, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPYD3R #9

PM sent...had a problem here, maybe you can help

I don't think this will work unless the lever on the E tuner is bent and I have not been able to bend one without it breaking. Even if the front of the paddle of the E tuner lever is filed off it looks like the lever will still hit the B tuner gear box. This would be caused by the extra thickness of the mounting plate that is required for the drop tuner to work.

Do you know a metal worker who could make one that would be the right shape?

mech