I AM LOST!!! Drop d, Eb tuning Db.... HELP PLEASE.

[OldSchoolBass]

I have been playing for 28 years. Four strings, standard tuning, E, A, D, G.

Working with a new band, and they are doing the drop d tuning Db tuning and the eb tuning... All of a sudden I feel like a focking novice.

In other words, they play Alice In Chains Man in the Box - they play in Db... with the other strings a 1/2 step down.. So, if I get this correctly, I tune my E to Db... Then a A to Ab, D to Db etc.. Correct? They play two songs this way.

As far as Eb tuning - I tune EVERY STRING down a 1/2 step?? Seems easy.

Drop D - drop the E to a D and leave everything else alone??

I have 3 weeks to get this crap nailed.




TIA

[Gasman]

Yep, that's it.

Drop D- tune low E to D, leave others alone (D A D G)

AIC plays tuned down a half step (ALL strings tuned down), but for a few (although not Man in the Box), they tune their low E to D flat.

What you are describing is exactly why I have multiple basses- it's too much of a pain to keep tuning all the strings- just switch guitars.

[tmart937]

I think you got it down you just need some reassurance. The basic way to look at it is that you only have 2 different types of tunning(that you are dealing with). Standard tuning (EADG) that is flattened to what ever degree you want. eg. 1/2 step, whole step, 1 1/2 steps, 2 steps and so on.
The other tunning is "drop" tunning. This where the E string is "dropped" a whole step relative to your normal tunning. (DADG, DbAbDbGb, B F# B E). The E string is dropped to the same as whatever your D string would be tuned to. Makes it easy (for guitarist) to play in the key of D.

[OldSchoolBass]

Outstanding, thanks to you both!!!

[RiddimKing]

Or, just keep your tuning standard and shift your position a half-step.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by RiddimKing

Or, just keep your tuning standard and shift your position a half-step.

+1 You don't have to retune your bass because the guitars do, just need to play in same key. Also you bass may not handle the dropping tunings as well as guitars do. String rattles, floppy strings, and other issues can arise. Many who play in drop tunings a lot will have a second bass or have their bass setup for drop tunings. Others just get a 5-string.

Just play in key that is all that matters.

[coolrunner989]

I agree with the "just change position" comments, but on a four string if you want to do a line that ends on a D or Eb sometimes it just feels/sounds weird to end on the octave up because you didnt detune your E string to match the song.
IMO

[osciphex]

Our band often plays in drop Db tunning: Db Ab Db Gb. I eventually had to switch to thicker strings and have the bass set up for the lower tuning: with the music we play (metal type stuff) playing my parts an octave up was not really an option. I considered getting a 5 string, but even that is not worth it: so much metal is "optimized" for drop D tuning and would be really hard to play moving back and forth between the B and E strings on a 5 string.

[Jim Breece]

Five strings has been the answer for me when playing with guys tuning down 1/2 or whole step, but I probably wouldn't suggest rushing out to buy one tomorrow. I just hate retuning or carrying another bass for a couple of songs. Do they tune down for everything and then drop the E further for a couple songs or do they tune to standard most of the time?

[whizack]

The real question is wether your bass lines consist of alot of unison notes or if they're more jazzy and outline chord tones.

If you play alot of unison notes, you might need to consider a hipshot for drop D on one bass, and have a second bass tuned C G C F or Db Ab Db Gb depending on how low of a tone you need. If you put a hipshot on this bass as well you could potentially tune Drop Db and standard Eb tunings.

If you play more jazzy chord outlines, then slapping fat strings on one bass and tuning it BEAD would be good enough I'd think.