Drop Tuning Pedal

rydin4lifebass · #1 05-26-2010, 11:56 AM

I'm starting to play some songs in drop D so tuning my E to a D isn't an issue but some of the songs I'm looking at are tuned BEAD or really, BADG since the only string used is the E (tuned to B), like AntiChrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson. I don't want to buy a 5 string since I just bought another 4 not too long ago but I remember reading about an effects pedal that switches between tunings. Does anyone know the name of this or where I could find one or read more about it?

Din Of Win · #2 05-26-2010, 12:25 PM

I hate to be 'that guy'... but for the same price(or less) as a pedal that will 'sort of' do what you want, like a Digitech Whammy IV, that tracks badly... you could pick up an SX 5 string... which would sound WAY better.

I had the same issues, not wanting to detune for only a few songs, and picked up a Whammy IV for its detuning (i also tried the boss PS-2 and PS-5)... they all track poorly and sound too synthetic. Though they do awesome things in their own right, using them as a detuning substitute is lousy.

While there may be others out there that do it well... you're gonna be spending $$$ when you could get a good SX or used 5 string for the same or less.

Just my .02

Slater · #3 05-26-2010, 12:37 PM

Some guitar players are really liking the Morpheus pedal. I have never used one, and I really don't know how well it would work for bass, but it may be worth checking out...

http://www.morpheusefx.com/pages/droptune.html

Wud · #4 05-26-2010, 12:37 PM

Doh beaten to it!

What he said ^

brattbugg@sbcgl · #5 05-26-2010, 01:14 PM

The Morpheus is awesome....for guitar players. It will not track cleanly on your low E and surely wont go to low B or beyond. I have tried, my guitar player has one. It is cool though.

jp58 · #6 05-26-2010, 01:17 PM

If you have more than one bass, you could always keep one tuned BEAD, and the other EADG.

ehque · #7 05-26-2010, 01:45 PM

The MicroPOG and its bigger brothers, the POG and the POG 2, will convincingly do octave downs.

They will track mercilessly down to where your speakers cannot handle it.

If you're planning on droning on a low B, then it may not be as helpful, as it only does octaves. (up and down).

rydin4lifebass · #8 05-26-2010, 02:05 PM

I can easily drop my standard to drop d and as of now only have 1 song that is BEAD...so not a huge deal, but looking forward I thought of having th room to expand...was going to tune 1 to BEAD, but not worth it for 1 song..of course I could play anything on that that isn't using a G...but we shall see..I think I'd go for a 5 string just to have the options, but who knows...Twiggy uses 4-strings to my knowledge so if thats who I'm playing, I might go that route...or have a standard 4 string, a drop d 4, a low b 4, and a 5...didn't take me long here to acquire the gas you're all talking about..haha

jp58 · #9 05-26-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I can easily drop my standard to drop d and as of now only have 1 song that is BEAD...so not a huge deal, but looking forward I thought of having th room to expand...was going to tune 1 to BEAD, but not worth it for 1 song..of course I could play anything on that that isn't using a G...but we shall see..I think I'd go for a 5 string just to have the options, but who knows...Twiggy uses 4-strings to my knowledge so if thats who I'm playing, I might go that route...or have a standard 4 string, a drop d 4, a low b 4, and a 5...didn't take me long here to acquire the gas you're all talking about..haha

Actually you only lose the highest five notes on your G. All the other notes just move down the fretboard, so unless your using frets 15+, you should be okay.

Din Of Win · #10 05-26-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp58

Actually you only lose the highest five notes on your G. All the other notes just move down the fretboard, so unless your using frets 15+, you should be okay.

That means no "For Whom The Bell Tolls"

jp58 · #11 05-26-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

That means no "For Whom The Bell Tolls"

Well the whole point in having one bass in BEAD and one in standard would be so he could play them both in songs he needs them... Like that one.

takfar · #12 05-26-2010, 08:35 PM

Why not get a hipshot D-tuner installed?

rydin4lifebass · #13 05-27-2010, 08:28 AM

How exactly does the d-tuner work?

I've thought of buying a used 4 string and going bead...but might keep my normal bass standard and move the srx300 to BEAD...think that would suite that one well..thoughts?

takfar · #14 05-27-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

How exactly does the d-tuner work?

I've thought of buying a used 4 string and going bead...but might keep my normal bass standard and move the srx300 to BEAD...think that would suite that one well..thoughts?

It replaces your normal tuner keys. You flick it and it loosens your string, tuning it down one step. You may be able to install four of them if you want to detune all strings at once, but usually just installing it on the E string is enough.

iri5h_punk21 · #15 05-27-2010, 10:47 AM

I've been kinda trying to do the same thing. I got the POG 2 and it works OKAY. It almost seemed to just add a 5th to get kind of a lower sound. Don't get me wrong it gets those lower tones, but it makes it kinda crunchy like if you were to do a power chord on your bass.

From what I have noticed, most of these octave pedals can't compare to the real deal, especially if you want it to sound clean. Right now I'm working on a "baritone bass" as I call it. Basically a 4 string but tuned to BEAD. Just make sure you adjust the nut and truss rod properly and I'd suggest that instead if you don't wanna get a 5

rydin4lifebass · #16 05-27-2010, 11:24 AM

Does anyone make sets for BEAD tuning or just buy a 5 string set and not use the G? I'd take it to my shop and have them do it..hook it up that way and do a complete set up on it..the way I'd imagine the Ibanez Paul Gray is from the factory.

notdavey · #17 05-27-2010, 11:44 AM

From my experience, everything I have tried in the pedal or effects / rack world sounds synthetic. Now this might be desirebable depending on the style you are playing etc. and the POG2 is an great example but the only really way to tune down is to do just that - tune down. If you have two 4-strings - I'm with everyone else here - just have one set up in the B-E-A-D tuning. I use to actually have 3 basses in different tunings at gigs. More to haul but more to play too.

iri5h_punk21 · #18 05-27-2010, 11:47 AM

I don't think they sell any 4 string sets tuned to BEAD, or at least maybe not that I've seen. Do an online search maybe you'll find something but otherwise you'll have to just get the 5 string sets

jgroh · #19 05-27-2010, 03:07 PM

I was heading down this road a while ago because we have some drop D songs in our setlist and Ive always played a 4 banger. I tried out some octave pedals but like was said before, nothing will do it cleanly. I eventually broke down and bought a 5 string and was so happy that I did. Took me no time to adjust to the extra string and i can hit those low notes and they sound awesome. BEAD would be cool too though.