Detuner
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Detuners are mechanical devices used to simplify the retuning of a stringed instrument during performance. This allows the musician to quickly and accurately reach notes outside the normal range of their instrument. These devices are also known by other names including 'drop head' and 'hipshot'.
They can be fitted at either or both ends of any or all of the strings. For example, a relatively common arrangement on the bass guitar is to use a detuner on the lowest string to allow the bassist to switch between 'standard tuning' (E A D G) and 'drop D' (D A D G). The latter provides two extra notes (D and D# / Eb) that are particularly useful in several common keys.
However, there are many possible variants - for example, bassist Michael Manring has made extensive use of detuners in some of his compositions and has a four-stringed bass with multiple detuners.
External links
- Hipshot (http://www.hipshotproducts.com/) - one of the leading manufacturers of detuning devices