Tuning your axe

[son_of_magni]

We've had some good technical discussions in the past, so I thought this might be interesting.
 
There are many 'systems' people use to tune their bass or guitar.  How do you do it?
 
For instance you can use the harmonics over the 5th and 7th frets - quick and dirty but not accurate.  Compare the 7th fret to the next lower string (octaves).  Compare the 5th fret to the next higher stting.  Play open strings and learn to hear when 4ths are in tune.  Or use a tuner?
 
Let the guitar player tune it for you???

[spose]

Peterson VSII

[David Houck]

Rack tuner; fifth fret harmonics.

[bob]

Peterson V-SAM.
 
Bought a VS-II, exchanged it because the -SAM supports alternate temperments relative to your assigned A-440 reference (won't go into that unless someone asks). Playing fretless, I use the Pythagorean, but if I had a fretted I'd try their 'proprietary' BAS temperment.
 
The VS-II is fine, really, and you can program a relative PYTH into it if you want, though I had some noise problems with the inline mode.
 
Prior to this thing, I never found a tuner that was as good as my ears with harmonics. I usually started with an A-440 tone generator, tuned with the 5th/7th harmonics, also checked the 12th/7th, and I always felt that if those both sounded right, I was good to go.
 
But this tuner is better than I am. I've had it less than a year, and can't believe I lived without it so long. It's fast, and just astoundingly accurate.

[bigredbass]

I   A L W A Y S   use a tuner.  As should everyone at the gig, session, etc.
 
I'm a tuning fanatic, I wouldn't give you 2 cents for a  bass that won't stay in tune.  I always looked at it from the standpoint that since technique and tone were constantly moving targets, I certainly had no patience left to chase tuning during a gig.
 
I only chime harmonics, tuning-wise, for a quick check between tunes.  On my five-string, I fell into this quick, across the neck routine:
 
      Chime the G and D string at the 7th fret, then play the note at the fifth fret on the A string:  This will form a basic D chord (d-a-d).
Repeat this shape one string over, you get the idea.  I spell out these three chords on my five (or 2 on a 4 string, 4 on a 6, etc.) just to check.
 
I'm sure there are those here who know LOTS more harmonic chords than I do that would serve as well.
 
Typically, I aim to have basses that I can actually take back to the gig tomorrow night that are still in tune from today, and usually I'm pretty close.  I ONLY synchronize my harmonics when the new strings are installed.  I NEVER leave the bass in the car to get too hot or too cold.  I am really picky about winding them on the posts properly.  I make sure the nut and bridge slots are free.  I keep the tension adjusters in the keys firm, but not over tight.
And fortunately, neck thrus eliminate the bolt joint, thereby eliminating one big out of tune potential.
 
I'm past my bass-banging days, but I don't baby them.  And they stay in tune.
 
NEVER let you guitar player tune it !  
 
J o e y

[palembic]

Korg DT-1 pro (rack).
 
Since the fine tuning of a bass is for me part of the setting up of the bass (you know: bridge height, bow in the neck, nut height etc etc etc ...) on gigs I only use the harmonics above the 12th fret, sometimes I also finger loose strings and fretted stings on 5th.
 
PTBO

[kmh364]

Bob,
 
Couple of quick questions:  
 
a) For those of us that DONT play fretless (I'm a mess on 4-string FRETTED bass and 6-string guitar, so forget it, LOL!), is the V-SAM worth buying over the VS-II?  
 
b) Are the tone generator and metronome functions any good? I could use both for my guitar lessons (i.e., timing and pitch/ear training).
 
I'm seriously interested in a Peterson strobe, so any help you can give would be appreciated.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[gare]

I'm also a bit of a tuning fanatic. I use a Korg rack tuner,a Sabine 1000,which is on standby in instrument case,and an old Peterson stobe tuner(which never leaves the house). The Peterson being the most accurate,it's also great for setup etc. I'll also do quick checks with the harmonics at the 5th,7th,and 12th.  
Gary

[son_of_magni]

I've never used a tuner that was as accurate as I can tune by ear.  But I've probably never used a high quality one.  About 20 years ago I was at the Baldwin electric piano factory and saw a strobe tuner.  I don't remember the brand but it was really impressive.  Spinning disks and neon bulbs.  The Peterson looks promising, especially the Strobe Center 5000II.  I guess I'll put it on my christmas list.

[poor_nigel]

Being an old guy, I use old fashion strobe tuners.  I started using Conn strobes back in the early 70's, but switched to Petersons @ 76 or 77, as they were much smaller, just as accurate, and came in a lidded, tolex covered wooden box.  Much better for road work.
 
I currently use a Peterson 490R installed in my rack.  The back panel input is always hooked to my Navigator's turner output.  When I want to use it, I just switch it on using the front panel switch.  When others use it, I hit the mute switch on my Navigator and they plug into the front panel input and turn it on.  This way all band members use the same tuner, which I think is important.
 
Quick trick to using strobes on lower string is to first do a 12th harmonic to get it to more quickly hit speed for the note, and then you can pluck the open string and continue, or stay with the harmonic.  These old fashioned strobes can take time to detect and respin to the proper revs for a new note played.  B?s and E?s are the worst.
 
This seller has mediocre prices for the newer electronic Petersons, but very good discounts on the larger strobes.  He also has a couple of interesting links for general information on tuning.  Note:  Strobes are great for setting intonation of bridges and even for tuning drums.  Don?t ya just hate it when the drummer is out of tune?!
 
http://www.custombasses.8m.com/peterson/tuners.html

[paulcissa]

Peterson VSII - Everyone in the band tuned to the same device.  Makes a world of difference.
 
TUNE IT OR DIE!

[palembic]

Well,
 
I tried on the gig this weekend to use the 12th and 5th harmonic routine and the open string.
What if the 5th and the 12th differ for just 1 mark on the Korg DT1??? If I remember well: the B  string had the intention to go a little lower on the 5th harmonic when the 12th was tops in the middle/green light!
 
BTW: I'am gonna introduce that everybody-tunes-on-1-tuner routine.
 
Paul TBO

[xlrogue6]

The 12th fret harmonic is the only one that is actually in tune(assuming your instrument is correctly intonated, of course) if you are using standard tempered tuning.

[dean_m]

I use a Boss TU-2 Chromatic tuner in my floorboard.  I usually just tune to the open strings and then check the harmonics after.  I like the Boss because you can use it as a mute switch too, to change basses and such.
Whenever I'm playing with an acoustic piano though, I ALWAYS tune to the piano and forgo the tuner.  I learned my lesson a long time ago that not all pianos are tuned exactly to A 440.
 
Peace,
Dino
 

[palembic]

He ...ho ...you-hou ...
guys ...GUYS ...
 
here-oh!!!!!
 
Brother Dino is back from being far away and playing other basses than Alembic on a Greek island sitting reversed on an antique wine-sunburst Harley.
 
Auugh ...I have to stop drinking this wine!
 
Brother Paul the fake one ...
let me be the first to welcome you back in our garden of the wild lowsounding breed.
 
Augh ...
 
Okay ...I'll have another glass!!
 
Paul the bad one
 
 
 
BTW: the Boss TU-2 is on my music stand in the living room (together with printed copies of  odd meter excercices downloaded from a friends website which I never seem to cope with ...they are just lying there ...***sigh***)