How to handle multiple tunings

[jbcoll]

I've recently begun playing with a rock cover band after a 20 year absence from active playing. In addition to standard (E-A-D-G) tuning, we've been doing songs that require dropping all strings down a half step, as well as drop D tuning. Should we start gigging, I figure that I'll need to buy a second bass, or switch to a 5 string. I'm curious to know how other bass players handle this.

 

[spade2you]

You could tune one bass to half step and get a 5 tuned in standard. I never bothered with 1/2 step, though. I always felt it was close enough to standard that the singer can stop being a baby and cowboy up to standard. Plus, I'm picky enough as is with having a solid low B in standard tuning as is!

If funds are low, the Hipshot D tuner is a quick and cheap alternative to another bass.

 

[fullrangebass]

Get a 5er. I have played a whole gig in standard tuning while the rest were tuned a semitone flat. With a 5er you can have SOLID notes, not floppy notes

 

[bifbugie56]

try tuning down DGCF 1 step . it'll cover enough of the low end and still have good tone

 

[alfredpunkjazz]

Unless you're behind the sound of de-tuned strings (which I love, but it's not for everyone), I really think you should try a 5'er... A stingray for example, it's a very versatile bass in the covers world.

 

[69nites]

5ver would be my solution but some aren't comfortable on a 5 string.

if you have the funds you could buy a second bass and keep one tuned to Eb and one tuned Drop D that should cover everything you're describing.

 

[Baird6869]

Get a 5er. I have played a whole gig in standard tuning while the rest were tuned a semitone flat. With a 5er you can have SOLID notes, not floppy notes

+1.

Drop D just confuses me si I use 5ers when I need to detune. A 5er is just like playing a 4 string with 2 or 3 extra notes (actually 5 but most don't use anything below low C).

 

[Lync]

I have the same situation. Here's my solution (except I have the older model).

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[Dave Siff]

I go with two basses at every gig. I use DGCF tuning for all but a couple of songs which require an open E and/or A. It's no problem.. I've got a double gig bag, and A/B box, and I like having two Rumblefish on stage.

 

[Dirty Dave]

You know, I used to bring two basses to my gigs and keep one D-tuned for the songs that require it. I thought it would be easiest to just switch basses.

Somewhere down the line I got tired of doing that and now I just mute the amp and tune down (or back up) with the rack tuner between songs. It takes me less than ten seconds and the singer knows exactly when I need him to keep the audience focused on him for that brief time.

 

[69nites]

You know, I used to bring two basses to my gigs and keep one D-tuned for the songs that require it. I thought it would be easiest to just switch basses.

Somewhere down the line I got tired of doing that and now I just mute the amp and tune down (or back up) with the rack tuner between songs. It takes me less than ten seconds and the singer knows exactly when I need him to keep the audience focused on him for that brief time.

I like differant gauges for differant tunings personally.

 

[TrooperFarva]

I say get a Hipshot Drop Tuner, to switch between standard and Drop D. For the songs that are a half step down, learn to play them in Drop D. I played Drop D for years before I got a 5 string, and now, I'm moving back to Drop D.

 

[Kael]

You need a low B. I do a lot of sub/fill in work and have to deal with this crap all the time. Either get a 5+ string or try tuning BEAD.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Another vote for a 5. I've played since '74, and only got a 5 string this year, and totally because of drop D tunings. Makes life much easier.

 

[Lync]

Another vote for a 5. I've played since '74, and only got a 5 string this year, and totally because of drop D tunings. Makes life much easier.

On the drop D stuff yes. On the stuff tuned to Eb, it will work, but then you are playing it 1/2 step down. Can be confusing and some of the licks may be just weird.

But in the end, whatever gets the job done (for you) wins.

 

[ihateusernames]

retuning can be a problem when the guitarists who go back and forth from standard to drop d twice as often as you need to, forget to give you time to retune before cueing the drummer to start the next song. i'm leaning toward stringing BEAD then tuning half step down to keep things in the easiest positions for playing open strings with the rest of the band.

 

[EighthNotes]

I'm in this same pickle now. I hate Dropped-D tuning as it is, it's so unnatural to have three strings tuned in 4ths and ONE in 5ths. But to go back and forth on one bass is hell on that E after awhile, it'll become floppy while in standard and worse in D. So..I would tune one bass to D (do it with new strings and adjust the intonation on the E string accordingly) and the other a half step down then capo the first fret for songs in std. tuning, that way your open notes can be played the same. The way I see it, if a band tunes in D then the only lower note that will be in a song is that low D, I can afford to play 5th fret A and be in the same octave as a guitar for a second. My .02 you can take it or leave it...

4

 

[Fretless1!]

I can not stand to tune down. I play on a 5 string so E flat or D is not a problem. I'd use a detuner like a Hipshot if I had to, though.

As far as playing in E flat for one song on a 4 string, just learn to do it. I do in on the upright all the time. Good excercise!

 

[Gegatso]

I either use a 5'er, or in the situation I'm in have a second bass tuned down a half-step. Realy depends on the sets and how I feel.

~Mark

 

[Dirty Dave]

retuning can be a problem when the guitarists who go back and forth from standard to drop d twice as often as you need to, forget to give you time to retune before cueing the drummer to start the next song.

My guitar player doesn't forget...he does this on purpose every so often to mess with me.