I'm doing a last-minute fill-in and the setlist has one song in drop D right in the middle. I only own one 4-string (don't even mention 5-string!) and no, there's no time to add a Hipshot. What's the best way to deal with this?
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Drop D for one song?
- Thread starter abarson
- Start date
Tell the bandleader youll have to tune quick for that song. Hopefully he will build the setlist so you have time
There's a knob up near the top of the bass that works pretty well. But seriously, a tuning pedal that mutes when on is all you need.
Clearly, you need to acquire an additional bass 
...And we can help with that!Clearly, you need to acquire an additional bass
Ability to quickly tune quickly and silently and an opportunity to do so. Maybe intros or usual banter for 10 seconds. 10 seconds of standing and waiting between songs is a little unprofessional. But easy for an experienced LS to fill that time.
It’s no big deal just take 10 seconds to tune back and forth.
Leave it in E, start the song, and immediately glare at the guitarist as if it's all his fault. Watch him fumble around trying to figure it out, and then point at his strings as if he's the one out of tune. If there's a keyboardist on stage make sure to glance at him and roll your eyes as if to say "Can you believe this guy over here?!" Feel free to play with one hand and facepalm with the other.
While everyone is focused on the guitarist, reach up and drop down to D real quick, then when it starts sound good give the guitarist a thumbs up so everyone knows that whatever he did finally worked.
While everyone is focused on the guitarist, reach up and drop down to D real quick, then when it starts sound good give the guitarist a thumbs up so everyone knows that whatever he did finally worked.
drumvsbass
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Depending on your bass, drop D from E is about a quarter turn and a smidge.
I say you just mute yourself with a tuner pedal and tune down. Bobs your uncle.
BASS SOLO! Then end it by slowly tuning down the E string to D and go into the next song!
If you have a tuner pedal or clip on tiner this is not a problem. 10 seconds is a high end estimate. I say you can step on your tuner, lower your E string to a D, step on the tuner again and be ready to rock in 5 seconds. This leaves 5 seconds to sip your beverage.
If you don't have some sort of stage tuner, you probably should get one.
If you don't have some sort of stage tuner, you probably should get one.
Hang on a second. You’ve been a talkbass member since 2003! I am absolutely gobsmacked that this is the question that you’re asking. What have you been doing all these years? Lol
I must have missed a joke somewhere
hit the open D and tune to it , takes 3 seconds , hit both the E and D
JeezyMcNuggles
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Hit e and a. Drop til it makes a chord. 2-3 seconds. Tune up with harmonics on 5 and 7. Tune up til the wah wahs stop. 3 - 5 seconds.
Last edited:
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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8 stringClearly, you need to acquire an additional bass
Right? Sometimes this forum trips me out.
