Tuning Drop D and Drop C

[Rageadon]

Get a chromatic tuner. I use a Korg CA-30. It's not fancy, only cost me $25 new and I've had it for years.

There are loads of threads on how to properly detune a bass in the Hardware, Setup, & Repair section.

Most people, including me, will say dropping the tuning further than a full step should be done with a proper setup.

My advice for swapping between dropped D and C would be to go with a slightly larger gauge string, maybe a .115 or .120 low E string. There are many sources online for custom sets but a few manufacturers sell specialized drop tune sets you can try too. Set up action and intonation for whichever tuning you'll be playing the most, or better yet, have a properly setup bass for each tuning.

As stated earlier, attempting to play a drop tuned song with a lot of open low string pedal or galloped notes (mostly metal) on a standard tuned 5er is a pain. I drop the E to D on my 5 string if I'm gonna jam some Pantera or old Sepultura (Chaos A.D.).

I tuned my 5'r to CGC (keeping the 2 lower un-droped) that sounded better than tuing my 4'r to CADG or CGC(F?) but i'll keep the standar on my 4 and tune it down to D when i need to do that

 

[AcridSaint]

I've not seen that with mine. I haven't had to adjust it since I installed it and the machine stays as in-tune as my Boss pedal can read it. Might be that you got a bad one, or might be that I got a good one.

I also don't drop it as often as I thought I would. I guess the thing about multiple tunings is that there are always compromises, either with transposing, multiple instruments, re-tuning, etc.

My problem with the D-tuner was, when I switched back and forth it would go slightly out of tune, so when I switched back to E from Drop D many times it would go slightly out of tune, either flat or sharp, then you have to do the adjustment thing, but when you drop back to D you'd have to adjust it again. Real annoying and defeats the purpose if I have to constantly check both tunings with my clip-on tuner, might as well just give the tuning peg a quick turn and a half to drop and use the clip on tuner.

 

[RhynoRock]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KLR3QA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

This is the best tuner I've ever used. It's chromatic, which allows you to tune to anything, and I tune in C standard, it mutes in tuning mode, nice big display, built like a tank, and for $35 with free shipping, it's impossible to beat for a brand new and accurate tuner.