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Drop D

Soonlobo

Soonlobo

Nov 15, 2022
27
55
#1
I am a beginning bass player (been playing for around 15 months) and have an issue with Drop D tuning.

Every time I try to play a song tuned Drop D the E string sound makes me physically cringe. Not trying to be cute. The sound from two different basses on the E string makes a sound that immediately sounds horrible to my ear and makes me very uncomfortable.

It’s come to the point I had to ask other bass players if this happens to them also?

It’s a very unnerving sound to my ear. Is it just me?
 
#3
Soonlobo said:
Every time I try to play a song tuned Drop D the E string sound makes me physically cringe. Not trying to be cute. The sound from two different basses on the E string makes a sound that immediately sounds horrible to my ear and makes me very uncomfortable...
Click to expand...
What make/type/gauges of strings are you using? Do you tune and re-tune back and forth between E and D?
 
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#11
I'd check for a twisted string - then verify my set-up - setup could be too low and/or relief too flat - then verify break angles at both ends. If you still hate it you may need different types of strings. Roto66 do well in drop D meaning they don't start feeling loose/sloppy when de-tuned. They still sound aggressive
 
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#12
As a rule it will be the gauge of strings (as said already) I went from 100 to 105 and it sounds great...but my buddy went from 105 to 110 on his bass. Everyone has a different ear and feel for the string tension they like. Just try out a few, you never know.
 
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#15
For sure, try going up a gauge. I play a 5 string tuned to A and had the same issue. String tension was too low and it just sounded horrible. 110 on the D (E string) which I will drop to C on occasion and 135 on the A (B string). 454, 65 and 85 on the other strings.
Makes the actual note stand out more instead of just string noise.
 
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#16
I tune all my Basses down a whole step. DGCF. I use Chromes mainly in a 55-75-90-110 gauge. This has worked for me for about 15 years. Most of my Basses are Leo designed but I have an Ibanez artcore and a Sprit all tuned down. This of course requires a set up for the strings, not just put some strings on and think it will all work out as desired. You might consider this option if You want the extra lows without going to a five string. It will also require a nut filing and once this is done for larger gauge strings, if you decide to go back the nut will have to be replaced. This is all really simple to do and a player should know how to do this and have the tools to do so.
 
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#18
Element Zero said:
My guess is since the string has less tension at lower tunings than its normal standard pitch, you’re actually scraping the pickup pole with the string when you pluck.

Other than that, no idea what else could be “scratching a chalk board”.
Click to expand...
I should have written a better description. The sound made gives me the same reaction as someone scratching a chalk board. It sounds nearly ok, but something (I have no idea what) sonically isn’t right to my ear, and it gives me a physical reaction since it’s not quite right.

It’s really weird.😄
 
#19
Soonlobo said:
I should have written a better description. The sound made gives me the same reaction as someone scratching a chalk board. It sounds nearly ok, but something (I have no idea what) sonically isn’t right to my ear, and it gives me a physical reaction since it’s not quite right.

It’s really weird.😄
Click to expand...
Can you spare the roundwound-equipped bass for an experiment?

- Buy a single, light-gauge (120) low B string.
- Replace the low E with it for the time being.
- Put something thin and rigid, like a piece of cardboard, between the string and the nut slot, so that the latter is preserved.
- Tune to B, but a fraction of a semitone flat, so that the string, while not sitting properly at the nut, yields an E when fretted at the 5th. Nay, a smidgen flatter than that, still.
- How do you like the tone of the D at the 3rd fret? Is your original issue with the pitch somehow, rather than the tone?

- Now tune the 120 string up until it gives an open D (lose the cardboard piece, temporarily, when you're there pitchwise; it doesn't matter that the string is outside the slot).
- How about now? Is the tone annoying to you?

Just so as to eliminate variables, and rule out/in possible causes. (I agree with my distinguished colleagues above, in that the cause may be as simple as fret rattle, a twisted string, or the smacking thereof against the pickup poles.)
 
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