Tuning a bass

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Jones
  • Start date Start date
Michael Jones

Michael Jones

New member
What's the standard, open string tuning, of a 4 string electric bass?
 
Lowest note is E1, then tune in 5ths.

E, A, D, G.
 
Just like the lowest pitched 4 strings of a standard 6 string guitar, but one octave lower.
 
crazydoc said:
Just like the lowest pitched 4 strings of a standard 6 string guitar, but one octave lower.
Click to expand...
"Ahhhhh..... I see", said the blind man, "Its all so clear to me now!"

Thanks.
 
tourettes5139 said:
Just a minor detail, but it's actually fourths. :)
Click to expand...


Well, a fourth up is an octave over a fifth down... ;^)
 
Sorry for hijacking but I guess as the question re tuning has been answered it's kinda OK...............Michael, can you check your custom music emails please mate......

ChrisO
 
You know, if we could turn a thread about tuning a bass into a 100 pager, that would be a REAL achievement :)

Violins and violas are tuned in 5ths (going up) by the way. Drops down to 4ths on a cello 'cos the lady players can't stretch their fingers far enough...
 
If it can be done, I'm sure we have the folks that can do it.
 
There's the Mark Sandman method of two strings on a bass tuned to 3rds or 5ths and played with a slide!!
What a blast to play!! Try it sometime... :rolleyes:
I miss Morphine.
 
if we could turn a thread about tuning a bass into a 100 pager...

And, of course, there's the definition of a minor second interval: it's what you get when 2 fretless bassists play in unison.
 
lpdeluxe said:
And, of course, there's the definition of a minor second interval: it's what you get when 2 fretless bassists play in unison.
Click to expand...

:) reminds me of the advice about how to sing harmony - just keep changing the note until people stop wincing

(are we anywhere near the end of page 1 yet :D)
 
Garry Sharp said:
:)

(are we anywhere near the end of page 1 yet :D)
Click to expand...

not quite....

How are mandolins tuned?

And what the hell is a ukelele and how is that thing tuned? :confused: anyone?
 
Maybe the confusion about tuning in 4ths or 5ths comes from guitar tuning - E, A, D, G, B, E - where the G & B strings are only tuned a 4th apart. Although I've never played in a band, I'll sometimes drop my E1 down to D, and play a bit of "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2," but since I've yet to perfect going from D back to E in 1 smooth tweak, I usually don't anymore. Besides, who but another bassist is gonna notice that I'm playing an open E note, for "Another Brick...," instead of dropping to D? ;)

Matt
 
Unsprung said:
Maybe the confusion about tuning in 4ths or 5ths comes from guitar tuning - E, A, D, G, B, E - where the G & B strings are only tuned a 4th apart. Although I've never played in a band, I'll sometimes drop my E1 down to D, and play a bit of "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2," but since I've yet to perfect going from D back to E in 1 smooth tweak, I usually don't anymore. Besides, who but another bassist is gonna notice that I'm playing an open E note, for "Another Brick...," instead of dropping to D? ;)

Matt
Click to expand...
That's why I play a 5-string! ;)
 
The 5-string is tuned, low to high:

B
E
A
D
G

A six string adds a C, so it's tuned:

B
E
A
D
G
C
 
Anyone ever play an 8-string? It's like playing a 12-string guitar. Wicked tone....
 
Garry Sharp said:
You know, if we could turn a thread about tuning a bass into a 100 pager, that would be a REAL achievement :)
Click to expand...
Hey did somebody just mention a 100 page thread?

*everybody gasps in horror as that raging dumbass Purge pops his stupid head up*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top