Drop tuners..

[bubinga5]

Ok this maybe a dumb question, but can someone explain how a drop tuner works...(for dummies)

Obviously it drop tunes the one string, but how does this affect playing the rest of the strings in conjuntion with the e string that is dropped.. also does installing a drop tuner involve drilling other holes....

Why not just de tune everything and play in a different position..

im a newbie with drop tuners..

[Fat Rich]

If you get the right de tuner for your bass you shouldn't need to drill any holes, it'll use the original holes.

The replacement tuner moves in relation to a plate which fixes to the headstock, there's a lever that allows the tuner to rotate back slackening the string a bit. Plus a small thumbscrew that allows you to adjust how far back the tuner rotates, this sets the note the string drop to (often D).

This probably explains it better [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krL94H-wwDw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krL94H-wwDw[/url]

It takes a while to get used to being tuned Low D, A, D, G so some people do tune everything down to D, G, C, A (I prefer to play a 5 stringer)

[bubinga5]

Thanks Rich..good explanation.. another Q...when people down tune, do people usually use the same strings, or do they use string a D gauge string for the E, G for the A etc?im sure ive heard this before..

[Fat Rich]

I used to use a slightly heavier E string but generally it seems if your E string sounds fairly tight and punchy it'll drop to D and still sound great. Often an open detuned D will sound better than a fretted low D on a five string.

I think some signature strings like Billy Sheehan's have a heavier guage E because he uses a D tuner.

[blind pilot]

I use Std strings, and go between standard and dropped d, also tune to C and drop C with "normal" strings.

One thing I have always thought of, is when I drop to D, I always have to re-tune the other 3 strings, I just assume that the change in tension by varying one string, causes the tension to change on the other three, so if I used a hipshot etc, I guess I would still need to re tune the other three, so in reality, are they that good?

Never used one so I am just assuming.

[bartelby]

[quote name='Fat Rich' post='1064796' date='Dec 20 2010, 04:58 PM']I think some signature strings like Billy Sheehan's have a heavier guage E because he uses a D tuner.[/quote]


Yep, they have a 110 gauge E (as opposed to a 105).

[xilddx]

Rich's explanation is good.

I use standard gauge 105 E strings on a 34inch scale and I have never had a problem with drop D tuning. Don't have a problem playing in drop D either, it's easy to get used to and you'll be swapping between the two tunings in no time. Possibly because you can play some really cool things in drop D and 5ths and octaves are really movable as you play them like 4ths in standard tuning.

The one thing with a D Tuner is to remember to use it, I've so many times forgotten to switch it back up for the next song

[xilddx]

[quote name='blind pilot' post='1064799' date='Dec 20 2010, 05:01 PM']I use Std strings, and go between standard and dropped d, also tune to C and drop C with "normal" strings.

One thing I have always thought of, is [b]when I drop to D, I always have to re-tune the other 3 strings,[/b] I just assume that the change in tension by varying one string, causes the tension to change on the other three, so if I used a hipshot etc, I guess I would still need to re tune the other three, so in reality, are they that good?

Never used one so I am just assuming.[/quote]
That's weird. It has never been an issue on either of mine. A cent here and there won't make any tangible difference anyway.

Yes, they really are that good!

[blind pilot]

[quote name='silddx' post='1064805' date='Dec 20 2010, 05:06 PM']That's weird. It has never been an issue on either of mine. A cent here and there won't make any tangible difference anyway.

Yes, they really are that good![/quote]


mm, thats got me worried now, could my necks not be that stable? as if I tune back up from dropped to standard, the other three are really flat, like un-playable!

[Doddy]

I've never noticed any discernible tuning problems on the remaining strings. The only thing that is common is that when you flip back to E it often floats a little bit sharp,nothing major though.

[bubinga5]

QUOTE>>it seems if your E string sounds fairly tight and punchy it'll drop to D and still sound great. Often an open detuned D will sound better than a fretted low D on a five string.QUOTE>>

i have a Modulus..

Edited December 20, 2010 by bubinga5

[Mr. Foxen]

On thin skinny necks, the tension change can put your other strings out a little. I tend to think of it as giving you two lower notes rather than a means to be in drop d tuning sometimes. Bit of practice and you can thumb the lever as part of your playing.

[xilddx]

[quote name='blind pilot' post='1064808' date='Dec 20 2010, 05:09 PM']mm, thats got me worried now, could my necks not be that stable? as if I tune back up from dropped to standard, the other three are really flat, like un-playable![/quote]
That really is very, very odd mate.

[elom]

[quote name='silddx' post='1064803' date='Dec 20 2010, 05:04 PM']The one thing with a D Tuner is to remember to use it, I've so many times forgotten to switch it back up for the next song [/quote]

Aint that the truth!

[Paul S]

But at least it is fixed with a quick flick. When you detune manually, then forget to retune, it is more of a problem... and, yes, I have done it.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Paul S' post='1064935' date='Dec 20 2010, 07:10 PM']But at least it is fixed with a quick flick. When you detune manually, then forget to retune, it is more of a problem... and, yes, I have done it.[/quote]
Me too mate

[bassmachine2112]

no problems with them they are that good once set up which takes minutes,there is a video on fitting and setting up.
No drilling or anything if you get the right one.
You can switch from D/C back to standard E during songs-easy peesy