OK, we alternate in our set between drop D and standard tuning. I use a tuner because I really have when bands tune full volume on stage. I use one of those standard Boss stomp tuner pedal deals (TU-2 I think). Why is that when I tune my drop D string the tuner says it's on but when I check it buy ear it is allways a little off? Is the Drop D to low for the tuner? Does anyone else experience this? Our guitar player has the same problem.
- Thread starter lomky
- Start date
Jazzbassman23
Well-known member
Okay, the smartass answer is, "dude, you need another bass for the alternate tuning."
Seriously, though, are you tuning D, G, C, F or just dropping the E to D? I just use one of the cheapy $20 tuners and have never had any problems, though I haven't gone lower than a half step across all four strings. Is it off in relation to the other strings or off in relation to the guitar player? Sorry for all the questions and no answer, but I'm sure it'll get sorted out.
Seriously, though, are you tuning D, G, C, F or just dropping the E to D? I just use one of the cheapy $20 tuners and have never had any problems, though I haven't gone lower than a half step across all four strings. Is it off in relation to the other strings or off in relation to the guitar player? Sorry for all the questions and no answer, but I'm sure it'll get sorted out.
Just dropping the e string to a D. so D,A,D,G
It just seems as the tuner is never right on when I check the tuning between my now 2 D strings or using the fifth fret on my A.
Maybe I'm crazy
Our guitar player has a better ear than me and he was the one that pointed it out to me.
It just seems as the tuner is never right on when I check the tuning between my now 2 D strings or using the fifth fret on my A.
Maybe I'm crazy
Our guitar player has a better ear than me and he was the one that pointed it out to me.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
How about a Hipshot?
oddjob
Well-known member
+1Aussie Mark said:
love my hipshot, and once they are calibrated properly they are pretty accurate
adouglas
Well-known member
Smartass-today but wise-tomorrow answer that unfortunately doesn't help you at the moment:
This is one of the best reasons to get a 5 string bass IMHO.
I'm 47. My bandmates are of similar age.
When you get here, you WILL find that the singer can't hit the high notes quite so well. That means one of two things. Either abandon a whole lot of songs or transpose them down a whole step.
Trust me...the latter works great.
A lot of our repertoire is transposed down, and a 5 string makes playing the songs easy.
Consider your situation....with drop-D, you have to re-learn your bass part. With a 5, you don't...just move it to a different place on the neck.
This is one of the best reasons to get a 5 string bass IMHO.
I'm 47. My bandmates are of similar age.
When you get here, you WILL find that the singer can't hit the high notes quite so well. That means one of two things. Either abandon a whole lot of songs or transpose them down a whole step.
Trust me...the latter works great.
A lot of our repertoire is transposed down, and a 5 string makes playing the songs easy.
Consider your situation....with drop-D, you have to re-learn your bass part. With a 5, you don't...just move it to a different place on the neck.
niftydog
Active member
According to the manual, no. It's (TU-2) supposed to go down to C0.lomky said:
Try tuning to the 12th fret harmonic... or, do what I do, throw your tuner in the nearest bin once you got a reference pitch and tune the rest by ear! It's the ONLY way to be sure.
This is interesting and I don't know the answer. When I used to drop D my guitar I picked the open D and then used my ears to determine if it was correct. I now gotta go try it with a tuner. I bet I was always flat on the D going it my way.
The string does get looser when you detune it. I don't know how them hipshots work never messed with one.
Loose strings cause overtones. Maybe mute it a bit when tuning with the TU-2.
Feel free to apply my sig if you disagree.
tk
The string does get looser when you detune it. I don't know how them hipshots work never messed with one.
Loose strings cause overtones. Maybe mute it a bit when tuning with the TU-2.
Feel free to apply my sig if you disagree.
tk
tommyindelaware
Well-known member
if ya only drop yer e string to d........the other strings will go slightly sharp due to the spring energy in the neck & truss rod.
are u fine tuning all the other strings afte u drop the e to d ???
also....that tuner works fine.
also also..make SURE all y'alls tuners are on the same exact calibration setting. easily overlooked.
are u fine tuning all the other strings afte u drop the e to d ???
also....that tuner works fine.
also also..make SURE all y'alls tuners are on the same exact calibration setting. easily overlooked.
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hipshot
I use hipshots on all my basses and they really are great. I play in two bands one detuned a semitone and one a full tone in both bands i then also tune the 'E' down a further tone to'D' as it were, and one my six the low B ends up right down at A, which sucks but thats life, but no my Boss TU2 hates all the downtuning, thinking about a strobostomp, but worries about speed and it being too finnicky live.
I use hipshots on all my basses and they really are great. I play in two bands one detuned a semitone and one a full tone in both bands i then also tune the 'E' down a further tone to'D' as it were, and one my six the low B ends up right down at A, which sucks but thats life, but no my Boss TU2 hates all the downtuning, thinking about a strobostomp, but worries about speed and it being too finnicky live.
roballanson
Well-known member
adouglas said:
Defo on that. Used to play 4 bangers all the time but had loads of drop d stuff to play so used a 5 string. Now own two and no 4 bangers.....never looked back.
Also its a great way to ensure you are in tune bang on without even thinking.
BTW I use a boss pedal tuner and its fine with the low b....
I actually just switched from a 5er to a 4. Our song patterns just don't work w/ the B string. Lot's of open D w/ chording and such. I know alot of you guys would have no problem playing my stuff on a 5er but I found myself tuning down regardless and playing the 5er like a 4 string anyway. I was really careful last night tuning and it was fine. I'm thinking that maybe I was tuning to Do as there is that little light that I may have missed.
Oh yeah, now I feel like an idiot. Can someone lock this thread
Oh yeah, now I feel like an idiot. Can someone lock this thread
