Tuning Bass?

[Sara17jessica]

well when i tried to play a song on my bass i noticed that my A string is not tuned so i tried tuning it with my tuner but it still out of tune i know it cause i heard a tuned A string and its not ? how can i tune it right cause i think my tuner is nuts

[Gadolinium]

Play the 5th fret on the E string. If your A is in tune, it will sound identical to the 5th fret on your E string (providing your E string is in tune)

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by Sara17jessica

well when i tried to play a song on my bass i noticed that my A string is not tuned so i tried tuning it with my tuner but it still out of tune i know it cause i heard a tuned A string and its not ? how can i tune it right cause i think my tuner is nuts

A couple things.....

Your tuner could be adjustable. Make sure the A is set to 440. Look and see if you have a 440 visible there. If you see something like 437 or 443, that's a good indication that the tuner is adjusted to a "different" A. Adjust it back to a 440 and try again.

Second, how are you sure the OTHER A is actually a 440 A? Could be that it was detuned as well.

Third.....buy a new tuner. Well, check first using a friend's tuner.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by Sara17jessica

well when i tried to play a song on my bass i noticed that my A string is not tuned so i tried tuning it with my tuner but it still out of tune i know it cause i heard a tuned A string and its not ? how can i tune it right cause i think my tuner is nuts

Try to make sure your bass is in tune prior to playing. As previously mentioned by Enchanter_Tim, check that your tuner is set to the correct Hz for the tuning you want (440 is standard). It's too common for me to accidentally press the up or down button and tune to a different setting than the rest of my band, and not realise until playing

Also, if I have access to "hear a tuned A string and it's not", I would put the tuner aside and tune the A off the good note

If you are having trouble hearing the note quality on the open and fifth frets due to the boominess between the 2 pitch option...and you know at least one string is in tune then you can also play the 5th fret harmonic on the in tune string, then the 7th fret harmonic on the next string up (in pitch) and let them both ring. It should ring clear, and if is no "wavering", lack of harmony or bleeding ears between the two ringing notes and noone is screaming "Turn it down my ears hurt " then it's most likely tuned within reason