4-string or 5-string or D-tuner?

I sold my 5-string Belman a while back, which leaves me with my cheap, but much-loved 4-string Yamaha RBX-100. I've had this bass for some years, and I just love it. It looks good, it feels good, and it plays really well. It just lacks the punch and tone of the more up-market instruments. So, I'm looking into an Audere on-board pre-amp. From all accounts, this should give me the punch and tone I'm looking for.

The only problem is the tonal limitation of the 4-string. So, I'm thinking of a D-tuner. I hardly ever used the B on my 5-string, and the C sometimes (because it was there). The D was fairly useful, and I loved having the E flat. From this, I reckon 95% of my playing needs will be met by a D-tuner. I love the slim Jazz-style neck of the Yamaha, and I don't really want to go back to a fat 5-string neck.

So does anyone have any experience with a D-tuner? Does it work as advertised?

As long as my D-Tuner in bridge worked (precise tuner screw's thread broke a while ago), it was really cool and worked fine. But don't use the bridge D-Tuner with flats!

I've had a Hipshot Bass-Xtender on my favorite Fender bass for ten years or more and it works very well.

I gigged with it often in weekend cover bands and usually flipped it down two or three times a night - usually for songs that were played in Dropped D on guitar and had a riff that was easier to play that way. I seldom used the low D but sometimes if I song ended on a D I'd flip it down for a big low note at the end of the song.

It needs periodic minor adjustment of the set screw in back but it's no worse than tuning the bass and making minor adjustments to each string before playing a set. I'd check and/or adjust it once at the beginning of the night and was set until the next gig or practice.

Good product. I'd buy another one without hesitation if the need arose.

For that matter, I can detune and retune with just the bass tuner by ear in a flash. I have used two bases with one tuned down a half step.

A five-string makes no sense if you need that dropped D only every so often.

The Hipshot Bass Extender is THE solution for this and works flawlessly.