D-Tuners

[markytbass]

I have been considering a hipshot D-Tuner for my Warwick but don't want to fork out £70 on something that might not work too well. At the mo we only do one song that requires drop D and at rehearsals I have time to tune down and then back up again. At a gig I may not have time on my side.

Does anyone use one? Do they work?

Thanks.

[Happy Jack]

Fitted one to my Lakland a month ago, soon discovered that you can use the drop-D in far more situations than I'd thought. Well worth having as an option.

Don't forget that you can also tune them [i]lower[/i] than a D.

Also don't forget that you get a subtle but interesting change in tone on the E string as it drops to D.

Necessary? Nope. Useful? Yup. Worth £70? Your call.

[Muppet]

I use one on a Precision and it's great once you get used to the tuning method (which is a bit quirky). For fast accurate down tuning it's a godsend, especially if you are not having gaps between songs to allow you to retune properly.

Even if you buy one and don't get on with it, you'll not lose much on resale value.

Steve

[Metal-Mariachi]

I put one on one of my basses and am considering doing it to another.
As Muppet said, once you get past the weird feeling on initial stringing, they work great.

Just follow the directions and you'll have no problems.

Right now mine is set to C for no particular reason other than I can.

Now if I could find a way to drop all 4 strings at once.

MM

Edited September 15, 2008 by Metal-Mariachi

[Mr. Foxen]

Should be able to score one for less than £70. I like mine, but haven't used it in anger, band decided to downtune to A so it was a bit redundant. Just have to not put too many winds around it and spend ages setting it right at the start.

[yorick]

Well worth getting. I found mine on eb@y for £40 inc shipping from the states. AND it's left handed and brand new..................................

[chris_b]

Check this out for D-Tuning heaven......



Me? I'd just use a 5 string. It's much easier!

[endorka]

I recently acquired one, and indeed they do work. From my own experience, when switched to "D", I'd say that they are more useful for lines you've worked out in advance - improvising or sight reading complex lines at any great speed with the two lower strings tuned a fifth apart is alien territory for me. However, if you put the practice time in I dare say it would be possible.

Jennifer

[markytbass]

Thank's for the feedback, we probably won't be gigging for at least a month so I have time to save/look for one.

I have tried playing the song in standard tuning but it doesn't sound right and the drop D really beefs things up.

[Delberthot]

They are good if you don't have time to tune down and back up between songs but currently I just mute my bass, tune down and then unmute. the whole process takes about 5 seconds.

I used to do a cool thing like on the Manring video (hadn't heard of him at the time) where the last note of the song was a low D. I'd do the run all the way down to the E then flick the lever to go down to the D.

I have 2 detuners in my parts drawer that i don't use - a Schaller Musicman/fender type one and a Gotoh GB7 type one.

[markytbass]

What colour is the GB7 tuner and would you be up for selling it?

[Lenny B]

I had one and it was great - moved from a 4 to 5 shortly after, but was thinking the other day of getting one for my 4 again...

[bassmachine2112]

hi put a hipshot on me musicman n it works a treat,fleabay n go.well worth it.easy to fit n you can go lower than d.brill

[markytbass]

Cheers for the replies, I've decided to put the tuner on hold for now. We only do 1 song that requires drop D and I keep my tuner plugged into my amp, so its quite qick to tune down and back up again.