How often do you tune?

[Zooberwerx]

I could go all evening with a single tuning but I do check it between sets.

Riis

 

[rtslinger]

Check tuning just before I play, then only if I hit a machine head or something my basses rarely go out while playing them.

 

[Slevage]

Whenever the instrument sounds out of tune.

 

[Nev375]

I tune every Sunday at 9:45AM and every Wednesday at 7:30PM.

 

[GBassNorth]

The need actually varies by bass but out of habit I tune up every time I strap my bass on - needed or not. It's a good habit to get into since you never know if some nut fiddled with it between sets while it was in the stand. Some of my basses can go for weeks and still be in tune but regardless I always back off a half turn on the keys and tune up to pitch.

 

[Rickett Customs]

If i'm recording, I tune before a take. If I'm at a gig, I tune up before each set, not that my basses don't stay in tune, just a good habit.

 

[Dave W]

If I'm practicing at home by myself, I'll tune before I start. I'll tune again if I notice something out of tune, but that's not normal. Pretty much the same thing when I'm practicing with my bands. I'll tune up before we start and I'm usually good to go for the duration.

Live gigs, I'll tune up before each set. Sometimes I'll check in the middle to make sure I'm still good.

Recording, I'll tune before each take. By "take" I mean song. I don't usually tune if I'm doing multiple punch ins one right after another because I keep screwing up.

 

[paste]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/how-often-does-your-bass-go-out-tune-815836/

might help.

 

[mellowinman]

If you are not obsessive about tuning, I will really annoy you. I don't ever want to hear you tune, but I want you to always be in tune. And if I'M out of tune? It's as bad as if I farted in church, or upon meeting the woman of my dreams. I am MORTIFIED.

I absolutely HATE to be out of tune, or for anyone in my band to be out of tune. It is unprofessional, and wrong. Therefore, I recommend tuning with a digital pedal/stompbox tuner at the beginning of the show, and if you have time, at the beginning of each set, and especially if you did an alternate tuning at any time.

Also, if your ear even so much as SUSPECTS something sounds "funny."

And for God's sake, if you just don't have time for some reason, TELL me, and I WILL TUNE YOUR INSTRUMENT FOR YOU.

I really do care that much.

 

[mellowinman]

I would like to add that my Fender Jazz AND my Ovation 12 String acoustic both do a fantastic job of holding a tuning. The only issue is on hot summer days, when the bar cranks up its air conditioning more just before the crowd gets in. That whole up and down humitidy/temperature thing makes it very difficult on the 12 string; not as much so on the bass.

 

[Phalex]

I tune before and after the first set. Before is pretty obvious, but as stuff warms up and expands as I play it'll knock things a little flat.

 

[5StringBlues]

Lots of temp and humidity changes where I live.

I always tune before a gig and on all set breaks.

 

[pedroims]

every day before practice, also before and checking during rehearsal and gig.

 

[Clearwave]

Once every 6 months, whether it needs it or not.

 

[lowfreq33]

Usually I check my tuning several times a night, and nearly every time it just confirms I'm not the one out of tune.

Actual tuning, once before each set.

 

[gnjpowell]

Every time I pick up a bass, take one out of the case and if here is time between songs, etc. Why not be 100% sure? Only takes a few seconds.

 

[topo morto]

Every time my intonation on fretless is so bad that I've convinced myself it can't be me...

 

[kedo]

studio - before every take

live - i check every 3 songs or so

 

[the yeti]

at home: whenever it sounds out. almost never.

on a gig: when i 1st take it out of the case, before and after each set, double check whenever the guitarist is tuning, any time immediately after the singer bumps my headstock. i know some will take exception to that last one. doesn't really bother me unless it really knocks it out of tune... when i was much younger i would routinely do cymbal crashes w/my bass.

most gigs it's hardly ever out after the 1st tuning, but i keep checking 'cos it's a good practice.

 

[Russell L]

Eh, at the gig, tune before playing and check it usually before each set, but it usually doesn't need anything else. At home I tune once in awhile if I feel I need it. I must say that since I started using a gig bag I need to tune more often after taking the bass out of the bag.