Drop D for one song?

[RJC1811]

I know the situation has changed so this is no longer needed but just to make a point. Even if you had another bass tuned to drop D, I think I could tune my E to D quicker than, muting, unplugging, taking that bass off, putting it in a stand, picking up the other bass, throwing the strap over my head, plugging in and unmuting.

I would also tell whoever counts off that song to look at me first and get a nod before counting it off.

 

[jnuts1]

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?

play a regular D and call it a day....

 

[hotrodjohn]

Take a deep breath in, and in your best baritone voice, run up to a mic and sing that low D at the end of the song

 

[Killing Floor]

Jaco just never played a D…

 

[abarson]

I know the situation has changed so this is no longer needed but just to make a point. Even if you had another bass tuned to drop D, I think I could tune my E to D quicker than, muting, unplugging, taking that bass off, putting it in a stand, picking up the other bass, throwing the strap over my head, plugging in and unmuting.

I would also tell whoever counts off that song to look at me first and get a nod before counting it off.

I thought about this and came to the same conclusion. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Chickenwheels]

I do it. I hit the harmonics at the twelve fret on the D and E and then dump the E down to pitch. Sounds incredibly dramatic too. Turn it into a feature.

 

[devnulljp]

You don't know how to tune your low E to D?

 

[mcnach]

8 string

double neck!

 

[GBBSbassist]

I'd suggest getting a fill in for just that one song, then after it's over, you get back up there and resume bass duties.

Or just tell the BL "got it, boss" and then just play the song as normal without actually tuning down, but any notes on that drop d string, just mouth them into the microphone really quick.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[GBBSbassist]

double neck!

Can we take this seriously please? I don't really see how having to tune two different necks down to drop d in the middle of a set is easier...

 

[beaglesandbass]

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?

This isn't complicated. Tune your bass in standard at home, then tune it to drop d a few times, then back up to standard. Pay attention to how much you had to rotate the tuning peg each time and where the end position is. This will give you a great reference of where you need to be. As soon as you're done playing song 1, drop to reference point 1. Use a pedal tuner for small adjustments. As soon as you're done song 2, tune back up to reference point 2. Use a pedal tuner for small adjustments. Each should take no more than 5 seconds.

It isn't hard, you'll be fine.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

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?

Have the frontman tell a joke or pose a question to the crowd While you drop your low E string to D. It's pretty quick. I did it a lot until I bought a 5-string to use for such occasions. The real trick is to remember to TUNE IT BACK UP at the end of the song...ask me how I know...

 

[Oldbasslover]

Not to be snarky BUT you mean the top 3 strings.

well, “top” by higher notes, but at least on my bass, the A, D, and G strings are closer to the earth than the E string, which would make them on the bottom…

 

[Barticus]

Wow, 5 pages on tuning to drop D for one song??!! This takes less than 10secs

 

[GrapeBass]

Just play the note an octave up, it's one song.

 

[vindibona1]

Just play the note an octave up, it's one song.

Maybe. Depends on the song and the MD.

 

[tmvt]

Can we take this seriously please? I don't really see how having to tune two different necks down to drop d in the middle of a set is easier...

I take back just tune it down or buy a inexpensive 5 string, GO DOUBLE NECK!

 

[Ryno1330]

well, “top” by higher notes, but at least on my bass, the A, D, and G strings are closer to the earth than the E string, which would make them on the bottom…

It's not a big deal, it's a mistake I made as a younger player because they are closer to the ground, then other guys would say "what do you mean play that on the top string??" Do a quick search, the lowest pitched note is called the bottom string on guitar and bass.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Wow, 5 pages on tuning to drop D for one song??!! This takes less than 10secs

might take 20 secs if you have to turn your tuner on. Or, of course, you could just tune your 7th fret on the E string to open A. Then you don't have to worry about a tuner

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Just play the note an octave up, it's one song.

And that totally ruins the whole character of the song.

That's why I bought a cheap (~$220) but decent 5-string for those songs. Got to where we did about 5 of them a night and tuning down and up with my Jazz was a hassle. Not to mention forgetting to tune my E string back up and few times and having to transpose on that string on the fly...that sucks!