Tuning during gigs?

[paf77]

What's the best way for tuning during gigs? Seems like the best way would just be to have a tuner pedal like the boss tu-2 or the korg pitchblack tuner. Also do you guys tune after every song? Might be having a first gig coming up and I definitely wanna be in tune...

[Illbay]

Clockwise.

[DogBone]

Originally Posted by paf77

What's the best way for tuning during gigs? Seems like the best way would just be to have a tuner pedal like the boss tu-2 or the korg pitchblack tuner. Also do you guys tune after every song? Might be having a first gig coming up and I definitely wanna be in tune...

Being in tune is a good thing.

Your pedal suggestions sound good, but the main thing is to do it silently and quickly. No one, I mean no one, wants to come to a show and listen to tuning.

I personally use a clip on tuner, but that's because I also play other acoustic instruments and it just works good for me.

And I know everyone has different playing styles, but I have never had to tune my bass more than once per set (roughly an hour of steady playing), and usually never more than once per gig.

Good luck if the gig works out, I know that's exciting for you!

[bassteban]

I mute my B2.1u & do it up. 2X if needs be.

[sedan_dad]

I really like the Fender stomp box. Cheap($45-$50), very easy to see in the dark, mutes output when you use it. Very nice.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by Illbay

Clockwise.

Not on a right-handed Fender bass.

Always tune up to the note, never down. If you're sharp, slacken off to a little way below the note and then tension up to it. Stays more stable.

I use a tuner (with mute) just before we start and then generally don't have to worry about it for the rest of the night. That said, I don't think hearing people tune bothers an audience too much, just as long as it's done quickly (think symphony orchestra ). Endless messing about with sloppy, indecisive tuning between numbers is a turn-off, though.

[samson3382]

Originally Posted by sedan_dad

I really like the Fender stomp box. Cheap($45-$50), very easy to see in the dark, mutes output when you use it. Very nice.

I have the same pedal, works great and has two outputs, one that mutes and one that doesn't. Once in a while, I get a loud POP! when I un-mute. It can be bad if I'm running through the P.A. I usually try to hit it while the guitar is making noise. Do you ever get that? Is that normal for pedal tuners? do the more expensive ones (BOSS for example) do that also?

[KPJ]

If you have to tune after every song then there is something seriously wrong with your instrument, unless each song requires a different tuning. Most basses are very stable in their tuning. Check your tuning prior to the start of the gig, and then prior to each set. Only if something seems out will I tune during a set. Usually it's one of the guitars that went out of tune, though.

[KPJ]

Originally Posted by samson3382

I have the same pedal, works great and has two outputs, one that mutes and one that doesn't. Once in a while, I get a loud POP! when I un-mute. It can be bad if I'm running through the P.A. I usually try to hit it while the guitar is making noise. Do you ever get that? Is that normal for pedal tuners? do the more expensive ones (BOSS for example) do that also?

No experience with the Fender nor the Boss pedal, but I have a Korg DT-10 which is completely silent when switching on and off.

[Fergie Fulton]

Shhhhhhh don't let Mr Berlin hear you.

[gregoire1]

I use my dean markly pedal tuner between songs. I'm a compulsive tuner an acually get dissapointed when the strings ARE in tune! It mutes so I can watch the pretty lights and no one knows.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by samson3382

Once in a while, I get a loud POP! when I un-mute. It can be bad if I'm running through the P.A. I usually try to hit it while the guitar is making noise.

Bad switch.

Good excuse to get a Korg (more resolution than Boss TU-2). Keep the popper as a spare or practice room tuner.

[JustDavid]

I highly recommend a muting pedal tuner.

I'll tune before each of the 1st 3 songs (2nd & 3rd are more paranoid than required) & after the set. My bass will shift tuning as it &/or the strings warm up.

[LBronson]

I use the boss tuner, most of the guys in our band do. I set it next to the amp so I dont step on it and cut out the signal when I'm playing. It's a great way to go for the price. I would recomend it to you but there are other options if you want something else.

[JulienJeff]

I use the Boss TU-2, in mute mode and it works perfectly. Tuning is fast, silent for the audience. I tune after 3 or 4 songs, depending on the time I have between 2 songs

[Illbay]

Originally Posted by bassybill

Not on a right-handed Fender bass.

AH! But I have the "vintage P-bass tuners!" They go "backward!"

SERIOUS ANSWER TO O.P.: I've tried lots of different things, but a rackmount tuner stuck in there with your head is the best I've found.

I have the Korg DTR-1000.

[Mike151]

Originally Posted by bassybill

I don't think hearing people tune bothers an audience too much, just as long as it's done quickly (think symphony orchestra ). Endless messing about with sloppy, indecisive tuning between numbers is a turn-off, though.

+1 I only tune my A string to my rack tuner and then quickly (very quickly) tune the rest of the strings. Usually no more than 15 seconds. I hesitated to do this last weekend at a gig because we had some local musicians come in to check us out. But I thought about it for a sec and thought this is no big deal. I check my tuning once before each set and rarely have to adjust it. If the temperature changes in the room, then you might want to keep an eye on it.

[samson3382]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Bad switch.

Good excuse to get a Korg (more resolution than Boss TU-2). Keep the popper as a spare or practice room tuner.

Thanks. I'm gonna look into that.

Playing outside can mess with your tuning big time. anywhere with high temerature fluctuations. When i first started out I played some gigs at an outdoor winter carnival. it was probably 15 degrees outside. they put propane radiators on the stage to try and keep it warm. Stand too close to one of those for a while and you start to go flat. step away and start to quickly go sharp. Guitardist broke alot of strings at those gigs. I'm sure that just does wonders for the instruments.

I avoid those ones whenever possible

[mrkreuzschlitz]

FYI, some pedal tuners (Planet Waves Stompbox) don't tell you if you're muted.

During a worship service I went to tune, and I thought it was on, and during a soft acoustic call to prayer, you hear a "BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM" and of course I quickly hit the mute button.

The Korg Pitchblack is by far the best $100 stompbox tuner on the market right now, bar none.

[derrico1]

Originally Posted by KPJ

If you have to tune after every song then there is something seriously wrong with your instrument, unless each song requires a different tuning.

...in which case, there's something seriously wrong with your set list.