Over time, bass guitar strings gradually become dull and lifeless. Sweat and oil from your fingers and general dirt become trapped in the string windings. The acid in your sweat will attack the strings and gradually prevent them from vibrating as well as they did when new. Read more »

In this final part in our series of posts on how to tune a bass guitar we look at electronic tuners. Available in pocket-size models costing around $20 to large rack mounted models costing several hundred dollars, electronic tuners are a highly accurate means of tuning any instrument and after using one for a while you will wonder how you ever managed without one. Read more »

Continuing our discussion of the various methods of tuning a bass guitar, this post talks about an advanced method involving the use of harmonics. At several points along the strings, it is possible to produce bell-like sounds known as harmonics. These harmonics can be used to tune to a high degree of accuracy. Read more »

There are several methods you can use for tuning a bass guitar. In this first post we discuss two methods: how to tune to a piano and relative tuning. We will also talk about the pros and cons of each method. Read more »

Choosing bass guitar strings can be a daunting experience. There are many different types available and although the perfect strings for you are out there somewhere, finding them is not always easy. Bass guitar strings are quite expensive, so you do not want to be wasting your hard-earned money on the wrong choices. Read more »

Cleaning the neck and fretboard is a part of bass guitar maintenance that needs doing periodically. If it is lacquered, the back of the neck can be cleaned with guitar polish. Just spray a little on a soft cloth and give the neck a good wipe. If it is not lacquered an application of beeswax will keep it in good condition. Read more »

You have brought your shiny new bass guitar home and the first thing you should learn is how to tune it. Even if it was tuned perfectly before you left the music store, chances are it will be out of tune slightly by the time you get it home. Tuning will be affected by many things such as temperature, humidity and the chances are that sliding it in and out of the case or gig bag will disturb one or more of the tuning pegs. Read more »