Drop D Bridge?

[fryBASS]

The other day I went to my local music store to find a used Ibanez on the wall that came in recently. It had those single string bridges on it (http://www.allparts.com/Single-Strin...b-3518-010.htm), but on the E string, it had this switch on it that you could flip up to "d-tune" it.

Does anyone know who makes this? Or was it some custom job?

[TheBasicBassist]

This is kind of like the contraptions on EVH's guitars - correct?

Zon also does something like this on the Manring bass?

[fryBASS]

When I saw it I immediately thought of Manring's Zon bass, but no, this is different because it's one of those single rail bridges.

Maybe I'll get a picture of it somehow.

[Ric5]

http://www.allparts.com/Single-Strin...b-3518-010.htm

That is not a drop d bridge.

Either get a 5 string or tune DGCF and you will never have to mess with drop tuning again.

This is what it looks like installed on a bass ...

[Hollywars]

Calm down Ric5, he's just trying to figure out what was on the bass. I know there are D-tuners that are on the tuning peg, but I've never heard of it on the bridge.

[nic salsus]

Originally Posted by Ric5

http://www.allparts.com/Single-Strin...b-3518-010.htm

What's the B to G spacing stacking those singles tight together like that? I want to do a 4 to 5 mod and what you've done or the Kahler look like they way.

[NickInMesa]

Originally Posted by Ric5

http://www.allparts.com/Single-Strin...b-3518-010.htm

That is not a drop d bridge.

Either get a 5 string or tune DGCF and you will never have to mess with drop tuning again.

We went through this so many times.

I have played in DGCF during a short stint in a Nightwish tribute band (we sounded great but had like 20 people at the gig, all family and friends).

It works great if you have a bass set for this. Drop D is good if you don't have too many basses and want to keep the same bass in a gig. Detuning the E to D will not cause too many issues.

As for learning 5 strings, well Robbie Merril from Godsmack and Brian Marshall from Creed, both switched from drop D to a 5er.

Now, as for a bridge that allows you to detune, that sounds like a very bad idea altogether.

[dazgreen]

This is a drop D bridge by Steinberger. Flip that lever across the top and you drop from an E to a D.

[NickInMesa]

Dazgreen, I am sure it does exist but it was one of these experiments from the 80s, like the interchangeable neck, the auto-tuning guitars and so on.

It did not catch on for a good reason: I am pretty darn sure the intonation is lost somehow.

As for Drop D version 5er: try doing the riff from Velvet Revolver's Slither with a 5er tuned standard.

[dazgreen]

I dont think it was too rare. plenty of the Hohner Professional B bass guitars have them. I have one myself. Cant find out how old it is or anything about it though, even though i have a serial number the Hohner website is no help. It could well be from the 1980s as you suggest for all i know.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by nic salsus

What's the B to G spacing stacking those singles tight together like that? I want to do a 4 to 5 mod and what you've done or the Kahler look like they way.

When you jam those single bridges together you get about 2 7/16" B to G spacing at the bridge.

Actually I prefer the Schaller 5 string bridge it has adjustable spacing 2 1/2" to 2 3/4". I like to set it at 2 5/8".

[nic salsus]

Originally Posted by Ric5

When you jam those single bridges together you get about 2 7/16" B to G spacing at the bridge.

Actually I prefer the Schaller 5 string bridge it has adjustable spacing 2 1/2" to 2 3/4". I like to set it at 2 5/8".

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.