My strings are wrong.

[TommyH]

Alright, I have a problem!

Umm, my new 4-string guitar when correctly tuned, it's E-D-D-G, I'm 100% I'm doing everything right, I did check on my piano, and bass, umm, I even broke my new string trying to get to the right place, bad idea really.

The strings are all correct, and are taken straight from the box. So unless someone screwed with it while in workshop, then I don't know.

It's an Morgan left handed one by the way.

Thank you!

 

[lunarpollen]

4 string guitar? Is it a tenor guitar? Can you explain your problem more clearly?

 

[TommyH]

4-string electrical bass guitar.

It's as if the A is an D, both sound identically when tuned. (Both the middle strings are D's.)

I compared the bass with my piano, sorry for the bad explanation, I'm not familiar with bass guitars.

 

[lunarpollen]

You aren't supposed to tune both midde strings to D. From thickest/lowest pitch to thinnest/highest pitch, it should go E - A - D - G. If you try tuning the string that is supposed to be A all the way up to D, it is likely to break from being stretched too tightly.

 

[J.D.]

Uh, it sounds almost like you have no clue what you're doing... It can't be in tune when A is D... Why wouldn't you just tune it right? It's honestly not that hard...

 

[TommyH]

It sits naturally when tuned to the D,(talking about the one which should've been A,) The A is so low down that it's too loose when I tune it that way.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

need to tune E-A-D-G...

 

[lunarpollen]

You should definitely bring your bass to someone who can help you get it tuned and show you how to do it. Like another bass player, or a guitar shop. Where did you purchase your instrument from?

 

[LaughingGroove]

Um what???

What are the gauges of the strings that you are using?

Nevermind, just saw that it is a new bass...

Yeah what lunarpollen said, take it to someone that can show you how to tune your bass, or watch youtube.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

It sits naturally when tuned to the D,(talking about the one which should've been A,) The A is so low down that it's too loose when I tune it that way.

Hmmm, that IS a problem...I've never heard of that - are the two middle strings the exact same gauge? Cause they shouldn't be - I'd just try replacing the "A" string..

 

[fretlessman71]

Did you get a set of strings where you got two D strings by MISTAKE, and they left out the A string?...

 

[TommyH]

I'm not a complete dufus....

I'll give you guys a nice summary. I hope somebody understands.

I've understood that if the string is too loose, it hits the fret and makes an uncomfortable sound.

When I tune my A to A, it gets too loose. When I tune my A to D, it sits comfortably, like when it's supposed to be an A.

The three other strings are tuned correctly and all makes the sound they're supposed to make.

I broke my first string, and replaced it with an A-string, but it still makes the wrong sound.

 

[Gordon of Eden]

It sits naturally when tuned to the D,(talking about the one which should've been A,) The A is so low down that it's too loose when I tune it that way.

I can't even imagine what you are doing.
Try taking it to a music store and let someone take a look in person.
Please let us know the results, I'm curious.

 

[Dfinch]

On your first attempt, you broke your A string?

You replaced it with another "A string"?

What gauge is the replacement string?

I just want to make sure we understand what happened.

 

[TommyH]

I bought the bass from a quite trustable retail in Norway (Where I live.) I guess I'll take it back to them, get it changed somehow. It's probably a manufacturing mistake, but I can't really understand what's wrong with it, because it looks alright. Does the saddle have anything to do with the pitch? (That's what I've been suspecting all the time.)

Sorry about the confusion in the posts, that's what happen when lotsa people post at the same time.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Yeah - sounds to me like your A string is a D string - just go get a new set of strings, should be fine.

 

[TommyH]

On your first attempt, you broke your A string?

You replaced it with another "A string"?

What gauge is the replacement string?

I just want to make sure we understand what happened.

All of the strings are regular normal bass strings, nothing customized, I'm not sure what kind of strings they are because they're not mine. (the replacement one).

The bass I bought is meant for beginners, and I got in from an beginner package so..

 

[TommyH]

Yeah - sounds to me like your A string is a D string - just go get a new set of strings, should be fine.

The A string I use made an A on the other bass, while on this bass it's making an D. I think it's the bass that's the problem.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[atheos]

Take it to the shop and ask them to show you how it's done. Sounds like you tuned the original A too high, broke it and replaced it with a lighter gauge A string or a D string which sounds more likely if it feels correct when tuned in D. Anyway if the new string doesn't feel or sound right when tuned to A there's obviously something wrong, eh?

If you don't really know what's the real problem I suggest getting some professional help before you do damage to your instrument. You don't want to damage the bass. I'm sure the shop will happily get you started in tuning and adjusting the setup.

 

[fretlessman71]

Is it just loose, or is it just rattling on the frets? Sometimes a note tuned to the right pitch can rattle if the saddles are TOO LOW.

Moving the saddles back and forth really don't change the pitch; they help set the intonation (not the same thing, and something you usually don't need to mess with). But the HEIGHT of a saddle will make it feel tight or loose sometimes.