How to tune a bass guitar
- Bass is already selected with standard 4-string tuning. Choose 5-string or Drop D under Tuning if you need it. Press Start and allow the microphone.
- Play one open string and let it ring. The tuner shows the nearest string, a needle and the frequency.
- Tighten a string that is flat and loosen one that is sharp until it says In tune.
Tuning a bass step by step
Start with the A string, then tune D, G and finally E, playing each one open and letting it ring for a second before reading the needle. A bass string sounds sharp for a moment right after a hard pluck, so wait for the reading to settle. Go round all strings once more at the end, as changing one pulls slightly on the neck.
Clicking a string’s letter plays its note and makes the tuner listen for that string only, which helps when a string is so far off that the tuner thinks it’s a neighbouring one.
Bass tunings
| Tuning | Strings | Frequencies (A4 = 440 Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 4-string | E1 A1 D2 G2 | 41.20, 55.00, 73.42, 98.00 Hz |
| 5-string | B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 | 30.87, 41.20, 55.00, 73.42, 98.00 Hz |
| Drop D | D1 A1 D2 G2 | 36.71, 55.00, 73.42, 98.00 Hz |
For guitar and ukulele tunings, use the guitar tuner.