Pedal for shifting step and a half down

[Bob Palmer]

Hey all, a quick question.

I'm preparing to do a rehearsal with a band, and while they have provided the chord charts and MP3's of the songs I will be playing, they noted that they actually drop everything down a step and a half, so suggested that I learn the songs in standard tuning (which matches the MP3's provided), but be prepared to drop down to C#/F#/B/E when performing live.

Is there an effects pedal I could procure that could do this via a footswitch? I'm not thrilled with the looseness of the strings when I drop everything down the step and a half, and would rather solve this with some tech

Thanks in advance!

 

[Swimming Bird]

There are a bunch of pitch shifters that will do this or get you very close: Boss PS-6, Eventide Pitchfactor, Digitech Whammy, Behringer super shifter, Mooer shifter, Morpheus detuner, etc. That said, I think it won't sound as good as if you figure out how to play the songs in a different key - try changing the pitch on the recordings you're practicing to. Another idea that may still sound better than pitch shifting is if you get heavier gauged strings that will let you drop tune without getting overly flubby.

I suggest these alternatives because you may run into tone, latency, and tracking accuracy issues with shifters. Many can seem to have a mind of their own and can ca require exceedingly clean technique to sound good, which can be difficult to maintain for a song let alone a set.

 

[mmbongo]

You could always get strings designed for the tuning you want. That way you'd have the same feel but still tuned down.

 

[sillyfabe]

I would use a EHX HOG and expression pedal. Set the EHX HOG in octave bend with original only in exp rev mode : set the exp pedal at step down and half then when the HOG is on so is your down-tuning all in polyphony

 

[gregmon79]

As mmbongo stated, I'd try the more inexpensive route first and get a thicker gauge string to tune down with. If you want a pedal, I can't think of a better one to do what you want to do than the whammy by digitech. You can find them used pretty easily for $100 usually. I'm just thinking of more inexpensive routes to go down. The pitch factor is expensive to me. Especially if you're just trying to find a solution to what you're talking about.

 

[willbassyeah]

I think your best bet is getting a thicker string.

 

[JonnyAngle]

A line6 m5 will do this all day without breaking a sweat.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

Here's a clip of my M13 going down a half step. M5 should behave similarly.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12197453

 

[Adamixoye]

It's overkill, but I have found that the Pitchfactor's Whammy equivalent does a great job retaining my input tone with excellent tracking.

 

[knumbskull]

if you have more than one bass, i'd strongly recommend setting one of them up in the lower tuning with heavier gauge strings. it'll be cheaper, and it'll sound (and feel) way better.

IMO of course.

 

[Bob Palmer]

Thanks all - decided to go with the heaver strings route for now, and if I end up getting a position with this band, will just set up a second bass.

 

[zwkoch]

A line6 m5 will do this all day without breaking a sweat.

+1 for the M5 if you decide on a pedal option.

 

[gregmon79]

Thanks all - decided to go with the heaver strings route for now, and if I end up getting a position with this band, will just set up a second bass.

I think you'll be happy going this route. Don't you love TB?