Pedal to drop a half step

chuck stardust · #1 01-28-2008, 10:10 PM

I am wondering if there is a single pedal of really good quality that will drop tune a half step? We play Black Velvet and the stupid guitar player insists on playing it in E flat (Which is the tuning on the record), so I USUALLY drop a half step for that song. Well, He slams right into it as soon as I begin tuning....guess what...I start to play it in standard tuning and as you know, on a four stringer, you just dont get that good deep open string rumble when you fret the A string E flat note. I could drop tune my spare bass for the song IF the idget would allow me time to switch, but he rushes into that one and man, his guitar sounds crappy as well. I used to love that song because our singer sounds JUST LIKE Allana Miles, but now, I wanna strangle our guitarist. I suggested that it we try in in E instead of E flat, but unlike myself, He can't transpose to another key. Go figure!! Proof that Bassists RULE!!
Chuck

By the way, I play guitar as well, and I have NEVER struggled with transposing a tune to another key.

superbassman2000 · #2 01-28-2008, 10:15 PM

whammy pedal can do that

niftydog · #3 01-28-2008, 10:21 PM

Yes it can be done. Will it sound any good? No.

My advice would be to get a hip shot tuner for your E string, then at least you can hit that low E flat when you need it and it's quick and easy to switch back and forth. Plus, you get a 'real' sound as opposed to the synthesised sound you'll get from a pedal.

selfblessed · #4 01-28-2008, 10:31 PM

I'm with niftydog.

It's probably just as quick as a pedal. I wanna get one too. I might have to do it now.

73jbass · #5 01-28-2008, 10:34 PM

I just tuned a fretless to whatever key we played it in.The original is done in Eb,but I've also played it in E and D. It's a lot less hassle to just play it in E.

JanusZarate · #6 01-28-2008, 10:44 PM

The Hipshot Bass Xtender (also informally known as the "Detuner") is perfect for instant drop-tuning. Works for more than dropping E to D - it'll also work for other tunings as well, and you don't have to start from E.

Most of my band's songs are played in Drop-D, but we have a few that are played in E, so I just flip the switch back to normal. I surprised our lead guitarist with that the other day; he was about to start tuning back up by ear, and I just flipped a lever, finishing before he even started.

chuck stardust · #7 01-28-2008, 10:51 PM

I have a Digitech Whammy for my guitar, so I may give it a try, BUT I like the Detuner idea a lot more. Obviously that would be my best option. Now if the darn guitar player says that He wants to try that song in E, You guys will read about me in the paper under the crime section. It will say "Mad bassists plays percussive/Slap solo on goofy guitarist"! Hey guys, Thanks for the input.

As Always,
Thanks,
Chuck

Sir Edward V · #8 01-28-2008, 11:45 PM

IMO the detune on the whammy sounds good.

if you have the cash the extender would be nice...

southshoreconor · #9 01-29-2008, 12:07 AM

give your guitarist a smack and tell him to hold on a second while you tune properly.

selfblessed · #10 01-29-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southshoreconor

give your guitarist a smack and tell him to hold on a second while you tune properly.

I second this. Well kinda.

Just tune and pick up in the song when you are tuned up. Then tell him after the set/practice that you just need a little time to get ready. If he is cool he will settle down some. If not.
1. Tune to E flat the whole night.
2. Use the Whammy.
3. Get the extender.
4. Keep doing it. He will get a clue sooner or later.

Lokkenjawnz · #11 01-29-2008, 01:06 AM

The whammy can't do a half step down detune, unless you have a ridiculously good ear whilst using the full step detune function.

One idea is to get a capo. Tune the bass down a half step and use the capo to bring it to standard, then just pull it off for that song. It might be a bit of overkill, but it's cheaper than a hipshot extender.

-Lokkenjawnz

Jazz Ad · #12 01-29-2008, 02:46 AM

Tune to Eb and use a capo on 1st fret to get back to regular tuning.

Mitchell Royce · #13 01-29-2008, 03:48 AM

Octaver and play everything high up on the neck?

Unrepresented · #14 01-29-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

The Hipshot Bass Xtender (also informally known as the "Detuner") is perfect for instant drop-tuning. Works for more than dropping E to D - it'll also work for other tunings as well, and you don't have to start from E.

I've only played with one of these once. Does it actually have a way of stopping at a half step? I remember it going to a whole step.

dannybuoy · #15 01-29-2008, 08:50 AM

On the Line6 Variax bass guitar, can you just barre the first fret, hit a magic button, and hey presto, you're tuned down a step? I've not used one, but I was sure the acoustic guitar they made had a similar feature.

XtraLongScale · #16 01-29-2008, 09:22 AM

This isn't the nicest advice, but next time your band rushes into black velvet, just tune or switch basses like you normally would and take your time doing it. Real casual like. Maybe then, your schmuck guitarist will realize who's really in the driver's seat and if he doesn't learn by then, leave the band because no gig's worth having to deal with a situation like that.

c_joseph_lier · #17 01-29-2008, 09:27 AM

i was in a band once where the guitar player tuned his guitar a whole step down, and played with a capo on the 1st or 2nd fret or open depending on the original tuning ... i myself had a HipShot, so it was easy peesey to switch down ... we would play Hendrix and Vaughan in the Eb that it is recorded in, and be able to job where needed for what needed ... our "throat", (our word for singer), wasn't able to sing in anything but the "original" key ... and i still question that philosophy to this day

dan.ablett · #18 01-29-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

I've only played with one of these once. Does it actually have a way of stopping at a half step? I remember it going to a whole step.

im pretty sure the interval drop is adjustable. i think you can take it down to a C (from E) if you are feeling lucky.....

seanm · #19 01-29-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck stardust

I am wondering if there is a single pedal of really good quality that will drop tune a half step? We play Black Velvet and the stupid guitar player insists on playing it in E flat (Which is the tuning on the record), so I USUALLY drop a half step for that song. Well, He slams right into it as soon as I begin tuning....guess what...I start to play it in standard tuning and as you know, on a four stringer, you just dont get that good deep open string rumble when you fret the A string E flat note.

For one song, I would probably just put up with the weak Eb. I quite often have to transpose to bad positions and have just learned to live with it. I don't like it, but I live with it.

I realize you case is hard because Eb is *so* close. You could also get a five string

JanusZarate · #20 01-29-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

I've only played with one of these once. Does it actually have a way of stopping at a half step? I remember it going to a whole step.

I can mess with mine tonight to make sure the screw can go in far enough to allow for a short half-step drop. It should, though - it's pretty adjustable, and sensitive to small changes.

For tunings below D (i.e., drop-C), it can easily do it. Hipshot mentions it in their FAQ.

I should probably mention that setting it up can be tricky, since it must be adjusted for your E string, and changing string types or gauges requires some readjustment. Hipshot provides an instruction video on their website which helps a lot.