Drop D Tuning...

Randy13 · #1 06-11-2007, 06:23 AM

I'm having trouble getting to Drop D Tuning. I was told that the E string drops down to D. I tried making it go lower but the string gets really loose. Even after it got that loose it still didn't get to D. Would I keep making it loose or am I doing this wrong?

~Thanks in Advanced

202dy · #2 06-11-2007, 07:34 AM

It is normal for the string to be floppy. Detune (loosen) the E string to a pitch below D. Tune up to D. The rule is that a string can only be tuned up to pitch, never down. Sometimes it helps to give the string a tug after the string is tuned to D and re-tune back up to D.

Randy13 · #3 06-11-2007, 01:56 PM

Well, I made it to D, but is there anyway to stop it from being so loose. When I hook it up to the amp and play, all you hear is a vibration. You don't actually hear the note that's being played.

Roland777 · #4 06-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Dude... you're supposed to go down one step, not one octave. I doubt the string goes from audible to zilch from only one step, so you're obviously going down too low. No rig reproduces an E, then does nothing when you tune to D.
Tighter strings? Buy a thicker gauge.

Rids · #5 06-11-2007, 09:40 PM

How many twists would you say you gave the tuning 'knobs' when you tuned down? If your answer is 'alot' you did it wrong :P

krazy kool 48 · #6 06-11-2007, 09:59 PM

im with rids, when i tune down i turn the knob what seems to be exactly 1 turn all the way around. what i like to do too is play the open d and e string together if you hear a steady reverberation, you know your in tune. ( or at least close to it )

Bassplayer_479 · #7 06-11-2007, 10:34 PM

ok....tune to EADG, then play a 12th fret harmonic on your normal D string, then quickly after play a 12th fret harmonic on your low E, while leaving the first one still.....umm...."going"

Now, with those to "going", use your left hand to start turning the tuning machine "down" until the two harmonics are in "phase" with each other. (i.e. making the same fundimental harmonic)...

there you go....this is the fastest way to drop D tune, with a little practice can be done without a tuner (which is the whole idea) and between sets/songs/sections of a song etc...