Is there a such thing as?

You need a pitch shifter. Digitech Whammy, Boss PS-5, or else.

Pretty expensive for this use I think.

 

Why not just use a hipshot? My band is about half-standard, half-dropped D, and I swear by mine.

Also, a pitch shifter will do it's thing to every note, regardless of what string it is on. As far as I know, there is no way to go to drop D tuning without some sort of mechanical system, ala hipshot.

 

I'm pretty sure you can do custom tunings with a V-Bass, but that's akin to using a sledgehammer to kill an ant in this case.

Go Hipshot, or just have a decent tuner inline and learn to de/retune quickly between songs. I'd skip the Whammy idea - I pulled out my old Bass Whammy, and was surprised beyond words at just how much a tone suck it was when A/B-ing it with going direct. The only electronic method I'd trust would be an Eventide, and that's like using a nuke to kill an ant.

 

How difficult is it to retune to drop D? How much time does it take? Is it too hard or too bothersome, or is it simply more fun with another piece of gear? I just don't get it.

 

i was going to suggest the Vbass, or some MIDI solution, but that is really a bit of overkill...the hipshots take 5 minutes to install, and take a second to drop the tuning...no time at all...

otherwise you could get a special pick up that separates the strings to individual outputs (like ray riendeau..i am not sure if i spelled that correctly), and then set a whammy to drop to D on the E string output...but again, thats quite the overkill...

 

I personnaly take the 5 seconds needed to drop my E to D when I need it.

 

I really prefer a hipshot, because, my bands songs are about half and half. Whenever possible, I prefer to play in standard, and, as such, I can do so in any song I want now, even when the rest of the band is in dropped-D. It's a big deal when playing like not to have to take time to switch basses or retune to do this. I can do it literally at the flick of a lever. Also, I can (and do!) drop to D right in the middle of songs, for a line that benefits from a low D, and then pop right back up in time for the chorus, which benefits from standard tuning.

 

Back in the day I just dropped all strings one whole step (DGCF) and adjusted my playing accordingly.

 

A Whammy kind of does it, but it'll take everything down a 2nd.

A MIDI system would do it, but that's overkill.

A Hipshot does just what you're looking for, what's stopping you?

 

I sometimes use the pitch shifter function on the Digitech BP-8, works pretty well but sounds artificial to me but that can also be a good thing. Most multiefx offer some pitch shifting with varying degrees of success.
I'm finding that I use my 5 string bass with a capo on a lot of those kinda things as well.

 

oh yeah, thats also true, you could tune it to drop D and then capo just the E string at the second fret, that would be tricky, also, if you want to just to quickly have it in drop D, why not just keep it in Drop D, and adjust your playing?

 

the hipshot has a little switch on the E string tuner, if you pull it (or push it, i don't know, never had one) it releases some of the tension to D

http://www.hipshotproducts.com/xtenders.htm

 

They're worth the $90. I've got one on every bass I own but my fretless. Much cheaper and more effective than the equivalent effect.

It's a tuner attached to a plate that is allowed to revolve ever so slightly. When in the normal position, it's tuned to E, and you release the lever, and the tuner rotates in a preset amount in order to relieve tension where it can drop to D or another note. Simply flip the switch the other way to get back up to E. Very effective, very well made, and foolproof. 5 minutes to install, a lifetime of use with little or no adjustment.

 

What kind? I know a Boss TU-2 is more than that.

 

Tuning to D is pretty simple...just pluck the D and the Low E at the same time, and tune down...It's quick, and easy...But since I'm gonna be using my new 5er most of the time, I'm probably gonna end up getting one to drop my B to an A for a few songs...Depending on wether the band decides to use them...The 90 would be worth it...

 

The drop tuner works as already described, by flipping a lever, the travel of which is screw adjusted so that you get perfect intonation in both settings.

You can get them on ebay for fairly cheap sometimes but if it's too much for you to pay right now then, since there is no easier, quicker and more accurate way to go, then just get fast at changing your tuning.

Whichever of these two methods you might choose, you'd be doing it the same way everyone just about everyone else without a 5'ver is doing it... or buy a 2nd bass for your alternate tuning.

 

I don't often detune to D, but when I do I find the quickest way for me, with no Hipshot, is the harmonics method. Just slacken off the E until it's close, listening to the open note, ideally just below. Then pluck the pair of harmonics at 12th fret D and 5th fret on your bottom "was-the-E-now-the-D" string and tune the bottom string back up until you're there. You can hear the beats slow down and stop when it's right.

There are other harmonic pairs you can use for the same thing, or for double-checking; for example 12th fret A, 7th fret bottom D. It's really just a matter of preference. Maybe not as fast as a Hipshot, but pretty quick to do (under 10 seconds) with a bit of practice - in fact, a lot quicker to do than to describe! And no mods needed.