How do you tune your basses (AT GIGS) with low E/B?

[Ric5]

I am not a big fan of headstock tuners but I see EVERYONE using them. Maybe I haven't tried the right one but they never seem to track my B string amongst house music and other musicians checking levels. I have one of the old black Korg tuners about the size of a tape cassette. I think pedals are the best but I don't really use effects and I bike to gigs so I'm obsessed with how much weight I carry. I'm curious to see how the talkbass community tunes at gigs.

use the harmonic at the 12th fret

 

[bkbirge]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300. Reliable and accurate (handles the low B just fine). Fits in your case/gig bag.
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+1, best tuner ever created in my opinion, absolutely essential piece of gear. When you are done tuning your low B you can tune the 12 string guitar, the violin section and your harpsichord also.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Other: Peterson Stroboflip, or Korg DTR-1.

 

[ctmullins]

... on stage where vibrations are going to mess with your Snark...

I don’t understand this. Headstock tuners work off of string vibrations traveling through the structure of the instrument. No problem. But what kind of stages are you guys playing on where the ambient noise is drowning out the string vibrations???

Or are you trying to tune during a song perhaps? I really don’t see the point in that. Use a tuner before each set, then use your ears.

 

[lz4005]

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.

That's the key. You have to figure out the spot that works for each bass. Particularly on the lowest notes. Or use harmonics.

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.

My guitar player has never gotten that. All mine are small and go on the back. When he has to borrow one he gets confused because the letters are backwards when he hangs it off the front.

Then again, he's also a lot skinnier than me, so it's easier for him to look at the front of the guitar than the back.

Use a headstock tuner, guys. Drunken barhoppers do not care about your rig or your accessories.

But it might not match their shoes or pick guard!

Seriously, though, it's a no-brainer. If you use a pedal board, use a pedal tuner. They work better. If you don't use a board, like me 99% of the time, headstock tuners work fine.

If you're more worried about how you look than how you sound you should re-evaluate your priorities.

 

[Wisebass]

I'm obsessed with how much weight I carry

Hi eJake

I don' t care about weight. I like to have stuff that is solid like a tank!

Korg DT 10 because

it works!

Wise(b)ass

 

[guy n. cognito]

Use a headstock tuner, guys. Drunken barhoppers do not care about your rig or your accessories.

I care. That’s enough.

 

[Vomicamonster]

Or are you trying to tune during a song perhaps?

It happens

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

TC Polytune, on my pedalboard. Mutes everything while I tune, does just fine for low B open or harmonics.

 

[keith1r]

I personally prefer the Korg Pitchblack but this is fine for a mini pedal tuner if you don’t want to carry much weight

 

[The Rage]

one of the old black Korg tuners about the size of a tape cassette

Same. I use that or the integrated tuner inside other multifx

 

[sowilson]

A Korg DTR-1 is in my rack and it still works great (5 String Warwick). Having said that, the TC polytunes are awesome. I keep a Polytune clip in my Accoutic Guitar case, another in my Octave Mandolin case, a unitune clip in my tenor banjo case, and a Polytune floor pedal on each of my pedal boards (guitar or bass). My violin gets a D'Addario NS Micro Violin tuner, and my kids (trombone and bass clarinet) use Korg TM-50's with a custom mount for their Manhasset stands. Once I get my practice space set up I'll probably get a TMR-50 to keep on the stand but the TC Polytune (unitune) are great for gigging

 

[Felken]

Guys, tune using the 12th fret harmonics. Much easier for the tuner to track.

 

[smogg]

A tuner pedal won't add much weight to your commute. Rig it onto a lanyard. Stuff it into a gig bag. Velcro it to the top of your amp. Get a side car. Strap it to a ball cap. Wear it as a wristwatch. Put a pretty basket on your bike. Buy two and wear them as earmuffs. Throw it into your guitarist's bag-o-crap. Make the drummer carry it, then fire said drummer. Buy some cargo pants. Replace a bike pedal with a tuner pedal. Put little wheels on it and pull it as a li'l trailer. Stow it where the water bottle goes. ANYTHING but a headstock tuner.

OMG ROFLMAO
This; this, & more this!

 

[Dr. Love]

Normally a pedal tuner and 12th fret harmonic if the tuner is struggling to pick up open notes.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

I hate headstock tuners - especially when gui****s leave them clipped on all the time. Super fugly and dorky...

I'm hurtin now....

 

[fishdreams]

The Cleartune app on my phone (it's very good, classical musicians use it all the time) if i can get away with it, in terms of environmental noise. If i need to be quick for a noisy gig, I sneak on a snark, tune with 12th fret harmonics for reference, and then off it goes (yeah you don't want to be seen wearing them). Then tune to whomever i am playing with-whatever the house piano says, I'll adjust to it.

 

[Drang22]

I don't know what you guys are talking about. My bass was tuned at the factory....

 

[tekhedd]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300. Reliable and accurate (handles the low B just fine). Fits in your case/gig bag.

View attachment 3091748

I can attest that it also handles a low A without flinching. Recommended.

I also end up tuning by ear when the guitar is in tune with itself but not the tuner. So I guess pedal + carrots.

 

[Element Zero]

Peterson Strobe Tuner