Strings go sharp when basses are left unplayed for a while

[Zooberwerx]

Yes this. I've done this on stage for years to get the strings up to playing temperature. If I tune before handling the bass, I tune a little bit sharp and then the bass drops into tune once actually played.

This works well with the Peterson tuners as you can fine-tune to a "slow crawl" on the LED screen.

Riis

 

[nutdog]

expands when heated, and contracts when cooled. Come on guys.

Shrinkage!?!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Is this a serious thread? Metal expands when heated, and contracts when cooled. Come on guys.

LOL

Some of our fellow bassists slept through physics 101, methinks.

 

[Gort]

It's common practice around here to let an instrument acclimate to the room before trying to tune it.

When we load-in the instruments are the first things in and have plenty of time to acclimate.

 

[Rumblin' Man]

Have a sense of humor.

I do, but it's a bit more sophisticated.

 

[squat251]

cough cough OP sounds like a former guitarist....

 

[Stick_Player]

Since I only have to tune every month or so.

I bought my basses in tune.

 

[CharlieDog]

I bought my basses in tune.

Psh, I figured everyone did. Sucks for these guys, having to tune instruments.

Chumps.

 

[mech]

Played two night time outdoor gigs this weekend. Starting temp about 60 F, ending temp about in the high 30s. Had to re-tune (down a few cents) every 15 minutes. Guitar players were tweaking as often as they could. Good thing there were two guitar players so they could alternate and thankfully they both had systems that allowed for silent tuning.

mech

 

[blockinlay]

I attribute it to temp and humidity changes. Just tune up. Not a big deal

 

[lowtide]

Is this a serious thread? Metal expands when heated, and contracts when cooled. Come on guys.

This thread should have ended here . . .

 

[canadian_man_44]

This thread should have ended here . . .

Yup.

I just play mine for a few minutes during sound check before even turning the tuner on as mine does the same thing....due to the previous mentioned contracting of cooled metal. Most of the time I don't need to touch the tuners after that as it puts it right back in tune.

 

[TGLbass]

I do not perceive it to be a problem. Since I only have to tune every month or so.

What? I only tune once a year when I change my strings and I play live every day at a different place, outside, in Maine..