leschirons Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I normally use a 5 or 6 string these days but, I seriously miss using my lightweight 4 string Jazz bass over the course of an evening as the others are starting to feel a little heavy in my advanced years. I've realised, 99% of the time it's for the low D and just the odd occasion where I get bored down the head stock end so move up the board. I saw a covers band at a wedding a few weeks ago and the bassist was using a 4 string (an attitude I think) with a Hipshot drop D tuner. He covered a fair few of the numbers we do and used the drop D a fair few times. I'm not really into changing basses on gigs and wondered if any of you have forsaken the low B string in favour of a D tuner. The alternative I guess would be buying a lightweight 5 string but thought I'd investigate your opinions first. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Depends really, a 5 or 6 string obviously retains your string intervals, a 4 string in drop D moves your E string out of your traditional fingerboard patterns. Some people will find a 5 string more comfortable, some people will find a 4 in D more comfortable. Depends how good you are with fingerboard knowledge Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I have both 5 strings and a 4 string (jazz) with a hipshot. TBH I don't currently use the hipshot much live, but only because we are not currently doing any drop D songs in my current band. In fact with the current band I can use a 4 string in regular tuning. There are some songs I have done (covers) which I only really know to play in drop D, and for those I would rather do with the hipshot than with the 5 string, because thats the way I learned them. For songs I write myself, I use the 5 string because that is what I feel more comfortable with. So not much help, but I can say that the hipshot does work very well and I am glad I have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 All my 4 string have D tuners on. I find them very useful. I also play 5 strings. Different tools for different tasks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I have 3 basses - all with Detuners. Essential....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 For my money, a d-tuner is probably the single best mod you can make to a 4 stringer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1436385003' post='2817802'] Depends really, a 5 or 6 string obviously retains your string intervals, a 4 string in drop D moves your E string out of your traditional fingerboard patterns. Some people will find a 5 string more comfortable, some people will find a 4 in D more comfortable. Depends how good you are with fingerboard knowledge Si [/quote] I don't think I'll have a problem with new fingerboard patterns. We seem, to do quite a few numbers in D (due to the vocals) and when I've only had a 4 string at my disposal, I've dropped the E to D purely because the numbers sound a bit empty and lifeless played on and around the 5th fret. (Although that could be a jazz bass quirk too) The downside being de-tuning and re-tuning mid set. I'm just thinking that for the songs that we have in the set that I need (or prefer) a low D, this may be the answer. I've just looked through our set list for this Friday and there are 17 numbers that I use a low D on so, may be the way to go as it's less grief than buying another bass (especially here in France) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 Thanks for the input gentlemen. I think I may give it a go. I can always take it off it it doesn't work out. Merci. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 You don't need to take it off if it doesn't work out - it doesn't take your E away, just adds the option of a D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) I've a 5 string but still prefer gigging a 4 but I've never usedd tuner , instead I drop the E string between songs with a tuner pedal or rack display Last Saturday i did this but forgot to tweak it back up before the next song, so I had to rearrange my bass pattern to compensate , which took a few bars of not playing so well Presumably a D tuner would allow you to get over that slot easier and I should also consider one Edited July 9, 2015 by lojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Considering finding one that matches my US Geddy Jazz - the Hipshot BT2 looks almost right but the stalk is a little short in the pics. Need to get some decent dimensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) If anyone needs a BT10 then I have one that will be for sale soon. My MIJ Squier Silver Series Jazz seems to have a very odd tuner, which doesn't match any of the hipshots. When i used to have a detuner, I used it absolutely loads. Even managed to flip it during songs sometimes, there's a D > D# run into the chorus of Cochise, and I used to flip down to the low D, then flip it back up and play the chorus. Nobody ever noticed, but it made me feel cool. Edited July 9, 2015 by allighatt0r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 How heavy is your 5 string bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 There's videos on youtube of Michael manring using hipshots on every string and de/re-tuning each string several times during a song. makes my head spin just to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliusmonk Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) Take also into consideration that a d-tuner obviously makes a D available as an open string - some people don't like that and prefer the fretted tone of a D on a 5-string. Depends on how regularly you use open strings. Edited July 9, 2015 by juliusmonk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 I wish I could work out what one would fit my S1 swtiching P Bass, I've tried a few times and short of calling them up I've drawn a blank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) [quote name='jacko' timestamp='1436434414' post='2818050'] There's videos on youtube of Michael manring using hipshots on every string and de/re-tuning each string several times during a song. makes my head spin just to watch. [/quote] Like this one? This still stuns me every time I watch it. Yes I know Manring's playing, music and approach aren't everyone's cup of tea (just trying to head off the negatives at the pass here ) but I think this is just beautiful. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas[/media] Edited July 9, 2015 by UglyDog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1436432745' post='2818022'] How heavy is your 5 string bass? [/quote] The Musicman is 3lbs 2oz heavier than my 4 string Jazz. Problem now (as mentioned by another poster) is working out which Xtender to buy. My Jazz has Schaller BMFL Original series tuners. Thomann supply one for the Schaller BMFL tuner replacement but as it's listed as a Hipshot H20200N which is not a Hipshot reference, I can't be sure it's the right one. Best if I mail Hipshot. Edited July 9, 2015 by leschirons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 I have D Tuners on 2 of my basses. They are a simple and cheap mod compared to buying a 5 string. I personally don't get on with 5 strings and have not had to go lower than D so it's a win win situation for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happynoj Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 I have D-tuners on the B-strings of my 5ers. So I guess maybe they are A-tuners? When I've got some more free time I'm going to investigate modding a normal D-tuner to have an extended arm so that I can have one on the E string as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matski Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) Can I ask a Hipshot Bass Xtender question too, please? Does anyone on here have the double-stop version fitted to a bass? If so, I'm wondering how low they can be set to go: for instance, on a regularly tuned 4 string could you drop the E string to a lower D and also a lower B? Edited July 9, 2015 by matski Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 [quote name='matski' timestamp='1436447396' post='2818221'] Can I ask a Hipshot Bass Xtender question too, please? Does anyone on here have the double-stop version fitted to a bass? If so, I'm wondering how low they can be set to go: for instance, on a regularly tuned 4 string could you drop the E string to a lower D and also a lower B? [/quote] Don't really know but going to the 5th below with an E string sounds like it may be flappy time. I guess you'd have to really up the guage on that string. There's bound to be someone on here that has either tried it, or actually does it. I'm sure they'll be along soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 They advertise it as dropping to a C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agwin Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Don’t have any hipshot d tuners fitted but my understanding of how they work is you can choose to drop a tone OR drop two tones – not both, so on a bottom E that gives you D or C. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Correction. The Hipshot XTenders (which is what we are talking about) generally detune to d (if put on an E - although it could detune to anything really). They do a double detuner option which lets you tune to either D or C, ie, it has two stops and you can pick either. Strangely I can't see that product on their page any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.