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Are drop D tuners like Hipshot any good?

D

DJC123123

Jul 2, 2022
59
10
#1
I like the idea of drop D tuners, but when I manually tune to D, my other strings also go out of tune (by a few cents) as the tension on my neck is changing. Is this an issue for anyone? Does the tuner have to be calibrated alot to nail the tuning? I imagine you especially have to do this when after changing strings.
 
#2
Not for me, have detuners on all (8) of my 4 string basses.

They are rock solid and super useful.

They're on (4) Fenders, (2) Guild Pilots, a Peavey Dyna (first gen bolt-on) and an Embassy Pro, no issues.

What bass are you having problems with? Seems a stable neck should be fine with such a tiny amount of tension variation.
 
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#5
DJC123123 said:
I like the idea of drop D tuners, but when I manually tune to D, my other strings also go out of tune (by a few cents) as the tension on my neck is changing. Is this an issue for anyone? Does the tuner have to be calibrated alot to nail the tuning? I imagine you especially have to do this when after changing strings.
Click to expand...

You have to tune and retune several times to get the normal and drop to both be in tune, but it's a once and done deal....Unless you change strings, then you're back at square one. My Warmoth P neck doesn't flex enough to measurably throw the other strings out of tune. It has the steel reinforcing bars though, not graphite.
 
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#6
Hipshot makes quality products - no doubt. And their detuners work, There are a couple of caveats though.

One is that your neck may flex as you activate the detuner. That will affect the tuning of the other strings. But with a good stiff neck this may not be an issue. The problem is exacerbated the further you drop tune. A semitone may not cause a significant detuning of the other strings but a full tone might. Drop from E to C and it may become more problematic.

The second is that the string may hang up a bit in the nut as the tuner is activated. So your string may be a bit sharp when you drop down, but it may even out as you play. And it may be a bit flat when you step up, but it too may even out as you play. In such a case, if you set the adjuster so that the string is in tune when you drop, it will gradually get flat as you play. And similarly when you step up it will be in tune at first but will gradually get sharp. To avoid this you need to make sure that the string slips easily in the nut slot and doesn't bind up. That is easier to accomplish with quality bone or most synthetic bone nuts. Brass nuts can be a bit grabby as are many plastics.
 
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#7
sissy kathy said:
You have to tune and retune several times to get the normal and drop to both be in tune, but it's a once and done deal....Unless you change strings, then you're back at square one. My Warmoth P neck doesn't flex enough to measurably throw the other strings out of tune. It has the steel reinforcing bars though, not graphite.
Click to expand...
This was exactly my experience. It took me just long enough to get both in tune that it was making me nervous, but once I got it it has been fine since at either pitch.
 
#11
Turnaround said:
Hipshot makes quality products - no doubt. And their detuners work, There are a couple of caveats though.

One is that your neck may flex as you activate the detuner. That will affect the tuning of the other strings. But with a good stiff neck this may not be an issue. The problem is exacerbated the further you drop tune. A semitone may not cause a significant detuning of the other strings but a full tone might. Drop from E to C and it may become more problematic.

The second is that the string may hang up a bit in the nut as the tuner is activated. So your string may be a bit sharp when you drop down, but it may even out as you play. And it may be a bit flat when you step up, but it too may even out as you play. In such a case, if you set the adjuster so that the string is in tune when you drop, it will gradually get flat as you play. And similarly when you step up it will be in tune at first but will gradually get sharp. To avoid this you need to make sure that the string slips easily in the nut slot and doesn't bind up. That is easier to accomplish with quality bone or most synthetic bone nuts. Brass nuts can be a bit grabby as are many plastics.
Click to expand...


Good to know. I can also give the string a little pull, to get rid of that slack, before playing.
 

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