How To Adjust a Guitar Bass

Introduction

A guitar bass usually has four strings. A standard tuning on a bass guitar is E, A, D, G with the E as the lowest string, found on the top, and G as the highest string, found on the bottom. These are the options on how to tune a standard tuned four string bass guitar.

Step 1

The first option is by ear or accompanied by another instrument. Tuning a guitar bass by ear is done by experienced bass guitarists. This skill is acquired and takes practice. For those choosing to tune with an accompanied instrument, it requires basic knowledge of where the chords are. The accompanying instrument can be another bass guitar, a piano or a synthesizer. Ensure the other instrument is tuned properly. There are also online sites that caters to tuning bass guitars.

• Step one is to play the E note on the other instrument and then play the E string on the guitar bass. Take note of the note from the other instrument and turn the machine head or the tuning head counter clockwise until the tones in both instruments match.

 

• Step two is to play the fifth fret on the first or the E string, then play the second or adjacent string or the A string. Play both notes and turn the machine head or the tuning head to where the A string is connected to counter clockwise until it matches the tune of the E string.

 

• Step three is to play the fifth fret on the second or the A string, and then play the third or adjacent string or the D string. Play both notes and turn the machine head or the tuning head to where the D string is connected to counter clockwise until it matches the tune of the A string.

 

• Step four is to play the fifth fret on the third or the D string, and then play the fourth or last or adjacent string or the G string. Play both notes and turn the machine head or the tuning head to where the G string is connected to counter clockwise until it matches the tune of the D string.

Step 2

The second option is to use a guitar bass tuner. Tuners listen to each string and indicate, normally through LED lights, if the string is tuned or not. Buying a Bass Guitar Tuner is an investment. Even with this type of tuner, it is advised to try tuning by ear first before checking if it is tuned properly with the bass guitar tuner.

Tips

While tuning a guitar bass, a string may snap in the process of turning the machine heads, so it is important to turn the machine heads slowly. Sometimes it is also possible that this problem is caused by a slip up in the manufacturing. It is also important to have an extra set of bass strings even though they are expensive. Take note, there are extended range basses that have five to seven strings. The other strings added are either an extra low B or a high C.

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