Drop D Tuner: Comments?

[bassedsouth]

Has anyone tried tuning their bass DGCF ? Pino Palladino uses various alternate tunings for some of his gig's . I have played around with tuning one of my 4's a whole step lower and must say that it makes sense . I even think that the string tension feels quite good !

 

[Marcus Willett]

Has anyone tried tuning their bass DGCF ? Pino Palladino uses various alternate tunings for some of his gig's . I have played around with tuning one of my 4's a whole step lower and must say that it makes sense . I even think that the string tension feels quite good !

I tried that for a while. It's OK, but it annoyed me having to constantly transpose stuff. I mean, I've spent over 20 years knowing the names of the notes where they are. I was a pain to look over at a keyboardists' left hand to check notes or whatever and...oh wait...transpose up a step (for me) to be in key.

I guess if you were in a situation where you were learning specific tunes with one band it would probably be fine, but if you're a full-timer like me who works with a lot of different players, the hassle wasn't worth it.

 

[duke2004]

getting back to the detuner iteself, anyone have any issue with runs on the E string and then going directly to the drop D...and back? does this work in (reasonable) real time or do you try to play on the A string and then engage the detuner and then move to the E string? hope my question is clear enough

 

[tplyons]

getting back to the detuner iteself, anyone have any issue with runs on the E string and then going directly to the drop D...and back? does this work in (reasonable) real time or do you try to play on the A string and then engage the detuner and then move to the E string? hope my question is clear enough

It happens as fast as you can move the lever. It pops into D because of string tension, but you need to push it back into closed position for your open E. I can do it quickly, just takes a bit of practice.

 

[FatCity]

I just ordered one of these (the BT4) for my Jazz bass and planned to install in myself. I probably should have asked this question beforehand...is it difficult to install?

Thanks in advance,
FC

 

[bikeplate]

HI

As long as you bought the right one, you shouldn't have a problem. Read the directions, take your time. Easy

Rob

 

[FatCity]

I got it yesterday and installed...you were right, pretty easy. I like what it does but the tuners on the MIA Fenders are already heavy and the addition of the Hipshot makes the bass very neck heavy.

Kind of a drag- hopefuly I will get used to it.

FC