fatgoogle Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 I was wondering whether it would be possible to put 4 drop tuners on a 4 string bass, so i could chnage the tuning from EADG-ADGC. I was also wondering would strings be able to handle this, being brought up that much expecially an e string, would lighter gauge strings work better here. Also with drop tuners can go 3 ways so on the E string could i brin g it up to A and then drop it to D If i wanted to or is it only possible to go within one tuning. Thanks Sam H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Its theoretically possible (see Michael Manring as the most obvious example) but most basses don't have enough room on the headstock to fit four. You would need to buy a custom. I've seen a pic online of an Elrick with that configuration and the headstock was pretty oversized. You can only have two tunings per detuner, there's no middle position as it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 [quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='851875' date='May 30 2010, 03:45 PM']Its theoretically possible (see Michael Manring as the most obvious example)[/quote] Remember that Manring uses a Carbon Fibre necked Zon bass - I don't know how successful it would be on a wooden necked bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 By the time you've flipped all those switches and got it in tune properly, might as well switch basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 It could be possible if you used something like a standard Fender headstock but replacing the massive Kluson pattern machines with something more compact, like Schaller Y patterns. You'd have to have the holes sleeved down (not much of a problem), but tuning the entire neck up that much would definitely produce a big bow in the neck, as well as putting quite a strain on the strings. Manring doesn't use his Hipshots to transpose the whole neck - just a tone or so here and there. If you want to extend your range you'd be better off with another string or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 In all the videos I've seen Manring spends as long tuning his bass as he does playing the music, so yes it's possible, but unless you need to switch tuning mid-song, you'd be better off with a bass for each tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 (edited) [quote name='RhysP' post='851886' date='May 30 2010, 03:59 PM']Remember that Manring uses a Carbon Fibre necked Zon bass - I don't know how successful it would be on a wooden necked bass.[/quote] As far as I recall the chap who had the Elrick with four detuners found it OK, but it was some time ago. I certainly think adding a string or two is a better and easier way to go! [quote name='Johnston' post='851909' date='May 30 2010, 04:38 PM']I seen a bridge for guitars the other day that let you have 3 up to 3 tunings per string. Same idea as the hipshot tuners just the other end. Maybe be worth seeing if something similar available for bass. I think it was on the hipshot site but not 100% sure.[/quote] That would be the Hipshot [url="http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=9"]Trilogy[/url]. edit- found some info on the Elrick I was talking about: [url="http://www.bryanrtylermusic.com/elricksinglecutfretless.html"]link[/url] and [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259964&highlight=elrick"]thread on TB[/url] about it. Note the bloated looking headstock... Edited May 30, 2010 by velvetkevorkian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Reckon you could do it with a Wishbass, plenty of room on the headstock, and a beefy neck with reinforcement option for stability. Plus no pesky frets to show up the intonation going out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 use a capo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' post='852205' date='May 30 2010, 11:06 PM']use a capo[/quote] Wonderfully simple! Excellent idea! (Wouldn't have thought of it myself) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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