How to Tune Bass Guitar

A standard four-string bass is tuned E, A, D, G from the thickest string to the thinnest string. A common five-string bass adds a low B below the E string, giving B, E, A, D, G.

Bass notes are lower and can take longer to stabilize than guitar notes. Give the tuner a clear, sustained note and wait a moment before making a large adjustment.

Low frequencies are harder for small microphones to capture cleanly. Tune in a quiet room, play one string at a time, and let the note ring steadily.

If your bass is plugged into an amp, keep the volume moderate. Too much speaker distortion can make microphone tuning less stable.

Bass strings can make other strings vibrate sympathetically. Rest your unused fingers or palm on the strings you are not tuning.

Pluck with normal playing force. A huge attack can start the pitch sharp, while an extremely soft note may not give the tuner enough information.

After tuning open strings, play the 12th fret harmonic and fretted 12th fret on each string. If the fretted note is consistently sharp or flat while the open string is correct, the bass may need intonation adjustment.

Fresh strings and a proper setup make bass tuning easier because the note speaks clearly and returns to pitch consistently.