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.

Method 4 Electronic Tuners

Electronic tuners, like the one shown above can be bought for around $20 and are well worth the investment. They are extremely easy to use and will result in a perfectly tuned instrument every time. Simply plug one end of your cable into your bass guitar and the other into the tuner. Switch it on and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The actual display will vary among models, but will usually have a needle, as shown above, or a series of lights indicating when the string is correctly tuned. It will also indicate the note you are playing and more sophisticated models will tell you the exact frequency of the note.

Some electronic tuners will be designed for both guitar and bass guitar and will usually have a a switch to select which type of instrument you are using.

At the top end of the scale we have strobe tuners. These are incredibly accurate and can be used on virtually any type of instrument. However, they are also incredibly expensive and are simply not required for bass guitar tuning.

Unlike the previous methods, using an electronic tuner will not help to develop your hearing. What it will do, however, is allow you to tune your bass guitar perfectly, every time without the need for any other piece of equipment. As tuning with an electronic tuner can be done silently it is perfect for use on stage.

The electronic tuner has revolutionized how instruments, especially string instruments are tuned. They are perfect in a band where each guitar player and the bass player can can use them to be certain that they will be in perfect tune with one another. Tuning is just as easy no matter how much background noise is going on around you. Try using harmonics while your lead guitar player is getting his sound just right!

No other method of tuning a bass guitar offers more advantages for both beginners and seasoned professionals. Try one. You’ll be glad you did.