Wasn't sure where to put this, but about the TU-80 Tuner and Metronome

[coolf1r3]

Hey, what's up everyone? I have a question regarding bass tuning using the TU-80. How do I tune the E string on my bass to a D using the tuner? Or any other string for that matter.


Any idea?

Sorry if this is a dumb question. Haven't been playing very long.

[Matthijs]

Isn't that a chromatic tuner? That would mean you tune your string and the tuner tells you what tone is the closest and if it's in tune with that note. So: just downtune your E until the tuner say's: "D" and the pointer is in the middle or the green light lights up.

[coolf1r3]

I guess I don't understand how to use this thing. To tune my bass into standard, I just select the "Bass" setting out of Chromatic/Guitar/Bass and tune the strings until the tuner beeps when I play each one, right?

As for tuning using the chromatic setting, would I just set the tuner to Chromatic and tune the E until d1 or d2 is displayed?

[Matthijs]

Yes, that's all there's to it.

[coolf1r3]

What's the difference between d1 and d2? On the Chromatic setting, the standard E is also displayed as d2, yet I can tune the E string down to a lower d2. What does this mean?

[Matthijs]

I'm not sure what you mean by: the standard E is also displayed as D2. In the chromatic setting a E should read as an E (probably E2).

The note name normally tells you the note and in which octave it belongs. So d2 is the D note in the second lowest octave of the piano. I would not pay to much attention to the number. Depending on the overtones or the strength of the fundamental a tuner can "interpret" your note as a beïng in different octaves, its the "D" part that matters.

[SGD Lutherie]

Or, tune the E down until it stops beating when played along with the D string. Tuners are handy, but you should train your ear to be able to tune without one.

[coolf1r3]

SGD, I don't know why I didn't think of that before.

Thanks to both of you for your help!