Using a Hipshot D-tuner on the low B string

[geilerbass]

I've recently joined a very progressive and technical metal band who have a penchant for using dropped A tuning (de-tuning the low B down a full step) as well as standard tuning. It's not really going to be practical to keep swapping basses, so I wondered if anyone could advise me as to whether fitting a Hipshot D-Tuner to my low B would be a good idea?

Has anyone else tried this? I've never used a D-Tuner before, so don't know if they're even any good on the E-String.

BTW I have an Ibanez Soundgear bass - does anyone know if you can get D-Tuners that fit to the SR's Gotoh style machine heads?

Many thanks in advance...

[Mr. Foxen]

I use a D-tuner to go from D to C. They are awesome. Low B would probably be fine, but use a heavy string, cause they are wicked floppy as it is. Make sure you lube your nut also, otherwise it saws through.

[bassbloke]

I swap between standard and Drop A alot and, to be honest, it takes a few seconds to double check your tuning. A hipshot would be fine - it's just dropping the strings down two steps and the tension on the B is much less than on the other strings.

[Adee]

Should be fine
The trick is when taking the Xtender lever back UP add some tension to the string
by pulling the string out with your right hand around the the neck join.
This will ensure the string is in tune. Dropping down is usually OK

This should be the one [url="http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=72"]HIPSHOT GB7[/url]

[geilerbass]

Thanks for the prompt responses!

I'll have to see how much I can score one of those GB7s for - if it's not too pricey, it'd be worth giving it a (hip)shot. But I agree that it shouldn't be too much hassle to re-tune between songs... unless they decide to segue between songs. You know what these prog types are like!