Drop D tuner yes/no

[quindecima]

How many of you players are using one? I have one (Hipshot) for my caprice but have not installed it, I'm leary of adding extra crap if not needed. I want to start a Bach cello Suite and play a SteveRV number that needs a Drop D but don't really anticipate a whole bunch of the stuff.

 

[saabfender]

You and me both. I've been back and forth on this more times than I can say. LSS: None of my basses have one. Yet. Still on the fence. Hmm. The new parts P-Bass is a worthy candidate... It's got a super-good low E and D sounds solid as well.

 

[JTE]

I'very used them since before '82. Only 4-string basses I have without them are the ones that don't gig. The work very well, and are utterly reliable a assuming you follow directions.

 

[toddsterbassist]

They are a requirement for me.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I have one on all of my basses. It adds next to no weight, requires no modifications, and it is quite handy. I just don't see a downside (aside from cost.)

 

[spufman]

I was curious for years and finally bought a bass that had one already installed. I love it, works great for me in every way.

 

[lz4005]

How many of you players are using one? I have one (Hipshot) for my caprice but have not installed it, I'm leary of adding extra crap if not needed. I want to start a Bach cello Suite and play a SteveRV number that needs a Drop D but don't really anticipate a whole bunch of the stuff.

Do you need to go from standard to drop-D instantly or can you wait 5 seconds? That is what you get from a d-tuner vs retuning with a normal tuner.

 

[saabfender]

Do you need to go from standard to drop-D instantly or can you wait 5 seconds? That is what you get from a d-tuner vs retuning with a normal tuner.

I hate it when guitarists retune during gigs, especially when they mess it up. I don’t like being That Guy on the bandstand everyone’s waiting for. A D tuner also is nice if you forget to retune before the next song starts. I’m sold - getting one.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It's great to have - you can drop down to the D (or another note) and back up in a second, even in the middle of the song.

 

[Element Zero]

I put one on my main 5 string to drop the low B to A. There’s a number of songs we play at church and the country band I fill in for that have songs where I could TASTEFULLY utilize the suuuuuuper low A from time to time.

 

[FunkHead]

.......and play a SteveRV number that needs a Drop D......

Hmmm, Which song would that be?

 

[sissy kathy]

Or, you could go to BEAD, you lose your G string, but that's no loss (unless you're wearing it.)

 

[saabfender]

Hmmm, Which song would that be?

Most of them. SRV usually tuned down a half step. Never been too worried myself. Sometimes an E can sound like Eb in context, like "Superstition". Other times play something else. "Couldn't Stand The Weather" works fine in EADG.

 

[FunkHead]

Most of them. SRV usually tuned down a half step.

I know SRV is 1/2 step down. I was asking what song was drop D.

 

[JTE]

I know SRV is 1/2 step down. I was asking what song was drop D.

Dropping the E to D gets you the EB you need for some songs without detuning the whole instrument.

 

[saabfender]

Just ordered Hipshot BT-7 from eBay.

 

[theduke1]

I use a Digitech Drop pedal as in the three band I work with one tunes standard one is 1/2 step down and one is a whole step down so there is no need to adjust the necks a on any of my basses
Duke

 

[bassicmike]

I have one on both my basses. Only use it on one or two tunes, but it does come in handy.

 

[Goatrope]

I had them on two of my 4 strings, and one 5 string, for many years. They worked fine. HipShot is excellent to work with in terms of spare parts or special requests.

I started gigging a couple of my 4s that were without, and I never got around to installing the drop tuners on those basses.

Over time, I just kinda got used to quickly detuning without the lever, and eventually I removed the drop tuners from my other basses.

 

[bimple]

Get one, you won't regret it. Just make sure that the tuning pegs match your current type - the Hipshot have 2 kinds, straight and tapered pegs. I prefer the tapered ones because of better string compression and need for fewer windings