Tuning a Bass Guitar – Part 4 Electronic Tuners

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 »

Tuning a Bass Guitar – Part 3 Using Harmonics.

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 »

Tuning a Bass Guitar – Part 2 A couple of Methods

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 »

Tuning a Bass Guitar – Part 1 The Basics

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 »