Drop D

[Soonlobo]

A twisted E string will sound bad both in low E and low D. That’s not what the OP is experiencing.

Just use a heavier E string and I bet that OP will like the tone of the low D.

I think there’s enough of a consensus that I should try a heavier string. Going to try that. There are too many great songs in that tuning!

 

[fretlessman71]

Is this only a "plugged-in" sound, or does it happen unplugged as well?

 

[Soonlobo]

Is this only a "plugged-in" sound, or does it happen unplugged as well?

That’s a great question. I just tested that and it still sounded bad.

Now I’m thinking I got so used to standard tuning that it’s in my head

 

[fretlessman71]

That’s a great question. I just tested that and it still sounded bad.

Now I’m thinking I got so used to standard tuning that it’s in my head

Do you have perfect pitch? You may just have an aversion to that frequency. I wonder if you get the same thing when someone plays a D on their 5 string.

 

[LowendG]

Can you post a recording? Still can't figure out what you're describing...

 

[Soonlobo]

Do you have perfect pitch? You may just have an aversion to that frequency. I wonder if you get the same thing when someone plays a D on their 5 string.

I really have no idea if I have perfect pitch. I can tell very quickly if a note is wrong, kind of surprise myself sometimes how fast I’m aware of that. No musical training at all and didn’t take up the instrument until I was 58 years old.

 

[Soonlobo]

Can you post a recording? Still can't figure out what you're describing...

Really not sure how to post a MP3 file here. And it would be a recording off my phone since I don’t have any recording software.

 

[Soonlobo]

Do you have perfect pitch? You may just have an aversion to that frequency. I wonder if you get the same thing when someone plays a D on their 5 string.

The more I think about it the more I think it’s an aversion to that frequency coming out of my amp. I’ve never had any issue listening to Drop D from any songs on any other speaker. It must be unique to my amp. It’s a Fender Rumble 100.

 

[fretlessman71]

I suggest you go to a music store and repeat the experiment on a different bass and a different model amp.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Well…just stop playing drop D.

 

[Short4since64]

The more I think about it the more I think it’s an aversion to that frequency coming out of my amp. I’ve never had any issue listening to Drop D from any songs on any other speaker. It must be unique to my amp. It’s a Fender Rumble 100.

Tuned D-G-C-F in one band to accommodate singer's changed keys. Sounded horrible on the practice studio amp (Fender BXR300 combo) No problem at all on my stage rig. Likely a resonance in your amp, Rumbles are passable but leave a lot to be desired.