Tuning E - Huge Beginner

nl2134 · #1 11-12-2006, 10:42 PM

I am having a tough time tuning E on my new Bass. I have a tuner but E isn't recognized by the tuner so I don't know how far off I am when playing it.

Are there any suggestions for tuning E?

Thanks

mjbing · #2 11-12-2006, 11:06 PM

nl
Tune the fifth fret on the E same as open A string
mj

NamelessOne · #3 11-12-2006, 11:15 PM

or, play the harmonic at the 5th fret (lightly tap the string, but not fret it) on the E sting, and the harmonic at the 7th fret of the A string, and go by ear. Better yet, listen for the "wop wop wop" as they get closer to equal. when this slows down so much as to be undetectable, you're in perfect tune.

Lowpro · #4 11-12-2006, 11:18 PM

Trying to "layman" term it for ya. On your A string, play it open, no fretting. Now, on your E string, play the 5th fret of the E string, and try to get that sound to match with your open A string. When you play them both at once, try to get it to where the sound is "stable" and you don't here any strange fluxuating sound ( like when you spin a hose around, you hear an oscillating whistle of sorts)

Foamy · #5 11-12-2006, 11:19 PM

Pluck it harder
Pluck closer to the bridge
Try using just the bridge p/u if applicable
Follow above suggestion to tune at 5th fret to A

SurrenderMonkey · #6 11-13-2006, 05:13 AM

I use the 12th fret harmonic on the E, and the 7th fret harmonic on the A string.

All in all, the same thing.

vindy500 · #7 11-13-2006, 07:44 AM

try plugging into your amp and using the mic on the tuner

**Blackbird** · #8 11-13-2006, 07:58 AM

All the advice above is pretty good, but let me offer this: Don't expect your tuner to recognize the note instantly. Sometimes you have to let the note ring for a little while before the tuner can get a "hold" of the note frequency and give an accurate reading.

Also make sure the volume on your bass is all the way up.

Just out of curiosity, what brand/model is it?

cowsgomoo · #9 11-13-2006, 09:56 AM

find a record with some slap bass on it

tune your E string to that, it's bound to be in E

Stuggi · #10 11-13-2006, 10:11 AM

or use the 12th fret and hope that the E-string's intonated (dunno if that's english, direct translation from swedish). If the bass has a preamp it might help to turn it on. Or lowering the action so the strings get closer to the Pups.

vindy500 · #11 11-13-2006, 10:59 AM

or the 12th harmonic, then it doesn't matter if its perfectly intonated

nl2134 · #12 11-13-2006, 11:34 PM

I am playing on a Ibanez GSR200...

I read over the responses and tried matching A open with fifth fretted E, and I still can't match it up real well.

This is how I used to tune guitars in years past, but I can't seem to match it up well enough. I guess it's an acquired thing...

Thanks anyways.

pointbass · #13 11-14-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

find a record with some slap bass on it

tune your E string to that, it's bound to be in E

Dr. Feelgood · #14 11-14-2006, 11:02 AM

If your tuner isn't recognizing the E, you might want to change the batteries, or make sure you are on the BASS setting if it is a dual guitar/bass tuner. Make sure the volume on your bass if on full.
Or buy a new tuner.

All this harmonic stuff can wait till you know what an E sounds like and you've learnt more things. Good luck.

Vic Winters · #15 11-14-2006, 12:31 PM

+1 to everything Dr. Feelgood said.

Batteries, volume or new tuner.