How often do you tune your bass during gigs

[Ewo]

Before each set. Usually doesn't need much attention, but I'm compulsive that way.

 

[The Ryantist]

I mostly play at church and check between sets, but it usually will stay in tune for the whole weekend. (EBMM with SIT strings FTW)

 

[Deep Release]

Depends on how old the strings are... newer strings will get checked before each set, while older ones can be done just once before the gig.

 

[FretNoMore]

I tune before each set, and check the tuning several times during the set while the singer talks to the audience. Usually I find there is no need for tuning, except occessionally after some songs where I dig in more than usual and do some string bending.

It's really a mostly meaningless exercise as one or more guitar will be slightly out of tune anyway. I don't know why I bother.

 

[kikstand454]

Both of my gig basses are incredibly stable. I tune each when bass world is set up, then I check which ever one is going on first right before showtime. If we're playing 4 hours, ill check them both at the second break. ...
Rarely do I ever need to touch them after the initial tuning.

 

[tedious1]

Yeah, generally I tune once at the beginning of the set, then let my ears tell me if I need to check. Even with my cheap-o Blue Rock jazz it holds tuning through a complete set. But with the Blue Rock, I will generally check with the tuner during the set. When one pays $99 for a new bass, one tends to be a little paranoid waiting for the other shoe to drop, hence the extra check. On the plus side, it's never actually been needed.

 

[friendlybass]

I tune at the beginning of the show and leave my pedal tuner running out of the tuner out either on my volume pedal or my amp. I glance at it from time to time

 

[spaz21387]

I tune before the show and im set

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

after the first 3 songs, and before the last 3 songs. Unless I hear something out of whack.

 

[Session1969]

I set my bass in the gig environment a couple hours before, so it can acclimate. Then, I tune before soundcheck and again 10-15 before go time. I check tuning before each set, thereafter.

 

[electracoyote]

I tend to tune up between every song. Is this normal or is there something wrong with my bass?

Normal is so subjective.

IME, it's a bit frequent. I tune at the start of each set and the bass stays tuned at least that long, usually longer.

It depends what kind of music you're playing and your dynamics. But a bass that went out of tune after each song would get on my nerves and make me suspect a correctable issue.

 

[Slevage]

I tend to tune up between every song. Is this normal or is there something wrong with my bass?

Is it out of tune when you retune? Temperature changes will effect tuning, but once settled in---- you should be good for the gig---
but check tuning between sets----NOT each song.

 

[Patrick Spence-Lewis]

Yep, I do too.

Nice band BTW!

 

[cnltb]

before each gig is usually enough.

 

[gjbassist]

Before the first set and maybe once more during a break later in the evening.

 

[joebar]

unless I knock a tuner on something, they don't really shift.

 

[zombie1965]

Once before sound check for me. Rarely any need after that, unless I knock the head of my bass on the mic stand or something stupid. Brand new strings might get checked a couple of times before and after sound check and between sets if I'm not confidant I have stretched them in properly. Obviously if i think I'm off ill do it mid song haha

 

[klokker]

How do you tune your bass before every song? I'd never have time. I check the tuning before each set, and that's usually not necessary. I suppose it depends on your tuner, if it's really sensitive then you would probably have to tune a little bit in between each song but the changes are so small as to be insignificant. Then again I've had crap tuners (a cheap Fender comes to mind) where you could hear a change in pitch well before it registered sharp or flat.

 

[zombie1965]

we have written a piece of music to tune to. As long as you have a band member in tune, he plays the phrase through 6 times (its in Cmaj) and first time through when he gets to E he holds the E for a 2 bars allowing you time to tune up to it, next its A then D and so forth, works quite well to hide a mid set tune up. the tune does sound a bit like a nursery rhyme though, and even the singer and drummer have parts, so people are unaware of whats going on

 

[wideload]

Just have your bass tech hand you a new, tuned bass between each song. Jeez, do I have to teach the noobs everything???