Drop D for one song?

[J Wilson]

That's easy:. Unwind the E-string than bring it up to match the open D-string, you're only going down a whole step.

 

[whero]

... don't even mention 5-string ...

OK, I won't mention it. But you already did. And we both know...

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Use one of these, a Digitech Bass Whammy. Can use preset that down to D or you can rock the pedal from D to E down a 2nd. No retuning required. Works in a pinch. This is the older first gen. Pedal.

 

[ga_edwards]

Just remember to tune up to E again once that particular song has finished. Last gig I ended up playing Sweet Child O Mine in drop D because I forgot to tune up again. Good job it's an easy tune.

FWIW, I have a hipshot xtender on one of my other basses and it's fantastic. I just haven't gotten around to installing one on this particular bass I was playing last week.

 

[el murdoque]

What about the guitarist(s)? They need to drop, too?

Does the song REALLY require drop D tuning? There are quite a few where the guitar is dropped in order to play one fingered power chords but the bass does not necessarily have to tune down.

 

[Jogobass]

I would just hit that D string and tune the low string to it. Matter of seconds and it gives the crowd the impression that you know what you're doing

 

[Bill Murray]

Bail on the gig. No one has time for that.

 

[two fingers]

Meh. If it's stressing you out that much, just play middle D every time it comes up. I promise you not one single audience member will care.

A friend of mine plays with several Nashville baby acts. Some of them play bro country songs that are all way low. All if their bass players play a standard tuned P bass. Nobody leaves the venue saying "Man, that band would have been great had the bass player brought a 5 string!!!!"


Seriously, work around it in standard tuning. Nobody cares.


(I say this as someone who plays 5 string almost exclusively.)

 

[burgerdj]

If you don’t already have a tuner pedal, now is the time to get one! Problem solved. You can use during the set to make sure you remain in tune, too! Seriously, whether your gig is in a basement, dive bar or main stage, nobody wants to hear a band tune. You need a tuner.

 

[GreggBummer]

I'll add my support to the silent "tune down to drop D".

I would imagine that if the first song is in standard, and the second is drop D- then the guitar players will need some time too. When putting set lists together for my band I usually put these "administrative" times on the set list. "gutitar swap" and "tune" are put there. We figure out a way to cover these times- a short keyboard solo, some stage banter, drum solo, announce drink specials/birthdays. All of those things can cover that time. 10 seconds is plenty of time.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Just remember to tune back to E before the next song! I speak from experience!

 

[micguy]

Clearly, you need to acquire an additional bass

A bass? Just one? What are you, crazy? You at least need one backup.

 

[DwaynieAD]

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?

I can tune to drop d in about 10 seconds and back in even less. Shouldn't be an issue

 

[DwaynieAD]

Just remember to tune up to E again once that particular song has finished. Last gig I ended up playing Sweet Child O Mine in drop D because I forgot to tune up again. Good job it's an easy tune.

FWIW, I have a hipshot xtender on one of my other basses and it's fantastic. I just haven't gotten around to installing one on this particular bass I was playing last week.

Nothing like the pressure of forgetting to make you learn how to transpose on the fly real quick

 

[Durham52]

A bass? Just one? What are you, crazy? You at least need one backup.

Surely if a backup is needed for the standard tuned bass, another backup is needed for the bass tuned to D? Just in case that one dies just when you're about to start the critical one song in D. You can never be too careful.

 

[Stewie]

One of the guitar players in my band carrys three guitars: standard, open G and open D. Easy switch. Maybe borrow another bass, then you can stand up, stretch your arms, adjust your belt buckle, yawn and grab the other bass.
Remember, showmanship is important

 

[MultiScaleMale]

It takes about three seconds to drop your E string to D. Do you really mean D standard?

 

[Killing Floor]

Would that be the only D on your bass?

 

[Gustopher]

You should be able to hit the tuner and get there in like 3 seconds. If 3 seconds isn't enough time... I have no solutions. We have 2-3 songs that are Drop D on bass (the guitars don't change) and I just go ahead and start tuning it down as soon as the other song ends. As soon as I get to the last note of that song, I go ahead and tune back up. No one ever even sees or hears me do it. I can usually do it as quick as a guitar player can move a capo to the correct fret.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

I usually play a 5er but I can stomp mute on my Line6 G70 receiver if needed to change tuning. My polytune 3 is off an aux port and runs full time.

ime a muted tuning capability is an absolute requirement for playing live