Tuning the bass by ear...

[David Lakin]

When I started playing bass there were no electronic tuners, so you had to learn by ear. Like someone said earlier it takes practice. Listen for the wave patterns. Fret the D string at the 5th fret (a G chord) then hit the open G string. If the wave pattern you hear is slow the D string is flat. If the wave pattern is fast the string is sharp. If you can’t hear the oscillating wave pattern the string is in tune. Fret the A string at the 5th fret and repeat the process.

 

[ccfalkner]

I think someone once made some money by being able to tune a guitar but not being able to tuna fish.

I was wondering when this point was going to come up.

 

[Doug4321]

Back in the Stone Age, I learned to hold a tuning fork between my teeth: perfect 440# A in stereo. Tune to that. Use harmonics to help hear the lower tones. Put your ear on the upper bout, you’ll hear and feel the warble coming up to tune.

Yeah I still have my E tuning fork.

E is the note.

 

[Knavery]

Have you tried moving it around? I've found there's a sweet spot on the headstock where it works best.

Yeah I tried, but I think I lost it since I'd moved. I just went to GC and picked up a Polytune clip by TC Electronics. I heard they're pretty nice. It was a bit spendy, but I'm hoping it's worth it.

 

[saabfender]

Blankandson said: ↑
I think someone once made some money by being able to tune a guitar but not being able to tuna fish.

I was wondering when this point was going to come up.

Piano, not guitar. I was unaware of any TV commercials to promote a rock album yet here it is.

 

[ccfalkner]

Blankandson said: ↑
I think someone once made some money by being able to tune a guitar but not being able to tuna fish.

Piano, not guitar. I was unaware of any TV commercials to promote a rock album yet here it is.

Yah, but I was going to give it to him anyway. I didn't want to risk bringing the fish up.

 

[wolfman1]

Get a good A, tune the rest by harmonics then play a little bit of this song to fix your G.