Kevin Dean Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 In part of my bands Set I have to D tune on all 4 strings 2 steps down D,G,C,F As this takes a bit of time would the best solution be 1 Have another bass ready D tuned 2 Have a Hipshot D tuner per string ........or is that a stupid idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 Interesting. What bass have you got ? Is it time for a 5string ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanEly Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 (edited) 3. this warrants the purchase of a new bass The Xtender will only fit on you're lowest string as far as I'm aware. I don't think there would physically be enough room to have one on every tuner Edited December 28, 2013 by DanEly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 At the Moment I have a Shuker JJB , but I'm waiting for a 36" Shuker . I had a 5 string before & really could get on with it .. It takes me about a minute to D tune across all strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 If you had 2 basses, I would say tune one in standard tuning,and the other alternate. If both basses were identical, that would be the way to go imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPHDS Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 Sorry to seem a bit blond, but why do you need to detune across the board.....surely it is a case of going into drop D (DADG) then shifting the fingering a couple of frets along the fretboard for the other strings.....!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 I already do that on some songs but just can't do it on these . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I know of a Jazz/Avant garde bassist (Michael Manring) here in the states that Has a Zon Bass with a Hipshot on each string (2+2 arrangement). The bass has a very long headstock that gives each hipshot room to be utilized. Most basses probably don't regardless of key configuration. My approach would be to have two 4 stringers with one in DGCF and the other in traditional tuning with the Hipshot when you just mwant to drop the E to D and still use traditional tuning when needed. As for the bass in DGCF, a four string set in .55-.110 would be ideal, at least in my experiences, and for the bass with the hipshot a medium gauge set with an E string of at least .106-.110 E string. GHS makes a string set for dropping just the E string. Billy Sheean set I believe. DR also make one I believe. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0175westwood29 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 (edited) could i maybe put a strange suggestion out there, why not use a good quality capo? to bring the bass up a tone? easy and quick and no second bass needed just tune the bass to d and pop a capo on the right fret andy Edited January 4, 2014 by 0175westwood29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Just drop to D on the E string and adjust the what you play on the other strings. All the notes are there, just in a different place relative to the dropped D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r16ktx Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hi sounds like you have a similar issue to one i've been trying to solve for a few years now with many tunings reqd and trying to minimise the number of basses reqd. I had a hipshot on the E of a 4 str great piece of kit, until it fell apart :-( most likely a combination of lack of maintenance on my part and the fact I got it off ebay for less than half the usual price (looked genuine, but more fool me eh?) perfect for dropping e to d, but probably too bulky for most basses for every string, eventually ended up with a 5 str in std tune and a capo (one meant for a 12 str guitar which works great on a 5 str) - there is/was also a capo called something like a Spider that clamps in different places for each str - never tried it tho. This is the capo i use (stored next to the clip on tuner on the headstock :-) - [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kyser-Acoustic-Guitar-Quick-Change/dp/B0002CZVWI"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kyser-Acoustic-Guitar-Quick-Change/dp/B0002CZVWI[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 [i]Why don,t the band compromise and play half step down for everything like they used to do.[/i] [i]You can,t invent a rounder wheel[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1388172184' post='2319177'] If you had 2 basses, I would say tune one in standard tuning,and the other alternate. If both basses were identical, that would be the way to go imho [/quote] Got to be the best solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1389045702' post='2329369'] Just drop to D on the E string and adjust the what you play on the other strings. All the notes are there, just in a different place relative to the dropped D. [/quote] ^ This. Are you playing chords? If not, why bother detuning the A, D and G when all the notes are already there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.I. Joe Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 [quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1388800949' post='2326336'] could i maybe put a strange suggestion out there, why not use a good quality capo? to bring the bass up a tone? easy and quick and no second bass needed just tune the bass to d and pop a capo on the right fret andy [/quote] Exactly what I would suggest! Having 2 basses at a gig is never a bad idea though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinAndy Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I dunno if, tone-wise it's a possibility, but you could consider a pedal like a whammy to drop the bass tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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