D Standard Club Wiki

FAQs​

• What is D Standard?
• Why are there no numbers in this club?
• More?

Why? ​

• It's a happy medium between Standard tuning and BEAD tuning
• You have most of the range of a 5 string bass with only 4 strings
  • You also have most of the range of a 6 string bass with only 5 strings
• Fretting notes is easier, particularly for those with hand pain
• Accommodating Singers & Vocalists
  • Great for baritone singers
  • Great for contralto, alto, and mezzo soprano singers
• It can change the whole tonal character of your bass
• It can change how you play bass
• Great for heavy metal
• More?

Benefits ​

• The massive open D1 note
• Playing in different keys is easier
  • D, F, and G
  • Bb, Eb, and Ab Major
    • Works well with brass instruments in Bb
• It can be done on 5 string basses too
  • D1-G1-C2-F2-A#2: You can add a higher A#2 string and play more chords
  • A0-D1-G1-C2-F2: You can add a low A string and go as low as a grand piano
• The F string is a fine compromise between Standard tuning and BEAD tuning
• Note Definition
  • Bass lines and chords still have "zing" like in standard tuning
  • Lower notes than D1 are muddy
  • Low B0 notes can sound undefined while D1 notes still have definition
• Strings
  • You can use any strings you want
  • Lower string tension
• Capo for Higher Tunings
  • You can capo the second fret to get back to Standard tuning
  • You can also capo the first fret to get Eb Standard tuning
• Patterns
  • Patterns remain the same as in Standard tuning
  • Easier to remember than Drop D
  • Drop C tuning can easily be obtained
• More?

Drawbacks ​

• Doesn't work well with certain guitarists
  • Confused guitarists
  • Doesn't work well with guitarists in C# Standard or Eb Standard
• The Key of E
  • Not good for songs with lots of open E1 notes
  • Messes up certain Standard tuned rock riffs
• Lack of High Notes
  • Fewer higher notes and no open low E
  • Not having any notes higher than C#4 on 20 fret basses
• Learning Curve
  • Bass lines written in other keys may need to be altered
  • Re-learning original songs written in other tunings
  • Mental math when switching tunings
• More?

How-To ​

• Determine the right string gauge for you in D Standard
• More?

Who Plays in D Standard?​

• Peter Baltes (Udo Dirkschneider, formerly of Accept)
• Geezer Butler (sometimes)
• Tony Franklin (sometimes)
• Andrew Gouche
• Mark Hill
• James LoMenzo (Megadeth)
• Pino Palladino
• Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue)
• Jimmie Sloas
• More?