5 string and drop d tuning

[progmanjum]

How does it work with a fiver? Do you still need to tune the E to D or can you use the B instead?

[Depth_Charge]

Up to you, but the 3rd fret B string is D, so there's no real need except to keep the fingering true to a four string I guess

[Lync]

When I was switching back and forth between basses for different gigs, I would tune my 5er like a 4 banger for dropped D (E string to D) for playing the tunes the same way. No harm in doing so.

Now that I have been playing 5ers exclusively again I just use the low D on the B string.

[jgroh]

There is no point IMHO of dropping a 4 string to D if you have a 5 string (except if you are playing stuff like Tool where you almost have to play a drop D)

[Lync]

On some tunes where you ride the D (say like Godsmack for example) it makes sense to still do it for technique and sustain. Kinda redundant I know, but sometimes it still works better even though you are playing a 5er.

[Knettgummi]

There are certain songs where I would tune my E string to a drop D even if I were using a 5 string bass, for the purpose of playing that D as an open string. Say I want to go from an open D to the A on the 7th fret with a hammer on, for instance. I could certainly play the same line without downtuning if I'm on a 5 string, but I would feel like it changes the flow of the line. Not to mention an open note will have a different character from a fretted note.

[Epitaph04]

Depends on the song...usually Ill just try to transpose to the standard BEAD tuning, but depending on the song Ill just tune down the E to a D.

[sonic assassin]

any sort of drop D necessary song, ill tune BDADG and ignore the B string. rage, tool, etc. if its a drop D song where i'd be drop tuning to be on the same fret to correspond with the guitarist, then ill just use my low D note on my B. so yes possible, not always practical, but sometimes necessary. dont let anyone give you crap for it.

[benthughes]

Just because you can hit a D on a 5er doesn't mean you can necessarily hang with a guitar player playing in drop D. You can make it work, I'm sure but , especially when doubling riffs it's not super practical.

I've found that I like dropping the B a whole step to keep it a 5th below the D. It works on my 35" basses well enough and I can use my low B without having to over think it. I do prefer a 4 banger for drop D riffage though