Drop D

[bass555]

I never really thought about this until DropD tunings became the "rage" amongst gtr players...I was relatively early into the 5 string game, and, relatively well-schooled, so I just transposed every thing I needed onto the 5 string. Later, as I grew musically, I began to exploit the low B-C-C#D-D# notes into other basslines.

I like these notes.....a lot(!), and have incorporated then into my personal style of playing

I recently received a gorgeous 4 string, to which I am really unwilling to make any nut mods to accomodate a BEAD tuning, so I'm stuck with the EADG, but...I'm missing my lung-thumping lows

Anybody ever run tinto something like this and if you did, how did you cope

[Dan1099]

I use a hipshot detuner on my e-string. Works well for me.

[bass555]

that won't get me to a low B, will it?

[Dan1099]

nope. They advertise that it can take you all the way to a low C, if you so desire, but I leave mine set just for one step down. It's nice to be able to switch to that at the flip of a lever, with no adverse effects, and then switch back up to play parts in normal positions.

[Tash]

Buy another 5...you can fix every problem if you own enough basses


I'm trying to learn to live without that low 4th myself. I'm in a new band that tunes 1 whole step down across the board and I can't get a low A to sound good, so my 5 is no D-Bb. I don't think there is really a substitute for those low notes.

[JimmyM]

You could do what Doug Pinnick of King's X does...just leave the normal strings on it and tune it down to B and F# instead of E and A and leave the rest of the bass at D and G.

[bonscottvocals]

Tune the 4-string to BEAD and forget about the G. Just remember to get heavier strings and set it up for the difference in tension. How many songs do you use the G string for anyway? That's a question you have to answer yourself. I know that I rarely use it.

[tplyons]

I'm not a huge fan of fivers. I've been known to keep a bass tuned BEAD and one EADG with a Hipshot.