I had to move it around on the headstock when I first got it, find the "sweetspot" so to speak. That's made a huge difference in how it picks up all the strings, especially the low ones.
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How do you tune your basses (AT GIGS) with low E/B?
- Thread starter eJake
- Start date
I use this:
GA Custom - CHROMATIC TUNER | KORG (USA)
Works great, nice display, very responsive and accurate.
GA Custom - CHROMATIC TUNER | KORG (USA)
Works great, nice display, very responsive and accurate.
I've used rack tuners, pedal tuners, portable tuners, and headstock tuners over the years. They all worked fine for me. My Fishbone 6-string generally stays in tune great all night. I check it occasionally anyway. Some tuners have a bit of a problem picking up the low B from time to time, especially on a noisy stage. Best method I've found is to use harmonics and tune by the vibration feel on the neck. I've been doing this for about 30 years, and my best friend refers to it as "that freaky silent tuning thing you do." 
I use the stand-alone Korg tuners too. A few of my amps have tuner out lines which makes it ideal. Otherwise I just unplug from the amp, plug in to tuner, tune, then plug back in to amp to play.
Pedal. Only feasible option. Mutes your signal and far more accurate--especially on stage where vibrations are going to mess with your Snark.
Even if you aren't a pedal guy chances are you need a compressor anyway. Why not one more? Two is better than none.
Even if you aren't a pedal guy chances are you need a compressor anyway. Why not one more? Two is better than none.
If one of my strings sounds flat, I tighten the tuning peg.
If one of my strings sounds sharp, I loosen the tuning peg.
If one of my strings sounds sharp, I loosen the tuning peg.
My bass usually stays in tune the whole show. I tune at the beginning and check it between sets in case adjustment is needed. My tuner is pedal based.
If I do a divebomb down to a D (4 stringer here) at the end of a song I just tune back up by ear real quick. If it gets knocked out of whack by something or someone then I'll mute and tune back up real quick with the pedal.
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I am a big fan of this one too I have had it for many many years, but I normally use my Snark 8 at gigs unless it is outdoors in the sun the Snark isn't any good
TC Polytune pedal for me. Occasionally the B-string can be a bit slow to read, so I’ll use the 12th fret harmonic. I recently tried to switch back to a Boss TU-3 (in a ridiculous and irrational fit of TC-Beringer hate), and I was surprised at how much slower it seemed to respond than the Polytune, especially with the B. Back to the Polytune, I am.
Headstock tuners? I’m far too vain to have one of those hanging off my bass.
Headstock tuners? I’m far too vain to have one of those hanging off my bass.
Headstock tuners are fine. No one notices it, but they will notice if you're out of tune! Clip it on the headstock backwards so its behind the headstock and can't be seen.
If I didn't use a pedal tuner, I'd have to get a mute pedal. What's the point of not having one?
- Dec 21, 2007
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- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Are you plugging your bass into that Korg tuner or using the mic? I have two of those and they are still the best tuners I've got. But I do have to plug in.
At gigs I use the tuner in my Zoom B3N, but before I had that I always used the Korg. My grey one might be a little better than the black one, it's also older.
I’m a pedal guy. So I use a pedal tuner, TCE Polytune Mini. I dislike headstock tuners; I only own one from when I had an acoustic guitar with no electronics and obviously needed to tune. If you’ve got to use a headstock tuner, tune using 12th or 7th fret harmonics; it’ll track better.
Pitchblack pedal when I bring it, Korg AW-LT100B clip on the rest of the time, I take it off as soon as I'm done tuning because I also don't like the look of those little things on a headstock during a set.
My basses hold tune throughout the night but I'll check before each set.
My basses hold tune throughout the night but I'll check before each set.
This.
Fast. Accurate. Easy to read. Customizeable.
Clip-ons are ok for home use. Most leave a lot to be desired in a noisy environment. And IMO they look kinda silly. It just screams “high school jazz band” to me. Which is fine if you’re in one. But not elsewhere AFAIC. However, maybe that’s just me. YMMV.
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Use a headstock tuner, guys. Drunken barhoppers do not care about your rig or your accessories.
