Online Bass Tuner
Calibrated for low-frequency acoustic and electric bass fundamentals. Accurate pitch tracking for E1, Low B0, and Drop D.
Standard target notes and reference frequencies for each string. Select a string to lock pitch detection.
How to Tune a Bass Guitar (4-String and 5-String)
Tuning a bass guitar is essential for holding down the groove in any band. Because bass strings vibrate at very low frequencies (down to 30.87 Hz on a 5-string bass), small speakers and phone microphones sometimes struggle to hear the lowest notes. Here is the practical guide to tuning your bass cleanly.
1. Step-by-Step Tuning Instructions
- Plug in or sit close to your microphone: If using an electric bass through your computer, turn your bass guitar volume knob all the way up and roll down the tone knob slightly to give the tuner a cleaner fundamental note.
- Pluck the string firmly with your thumb or index finger: Pluck near the neck pickup rather than right next to the bridge. Plucking near the neck gives a rounder, clearer pitch that the tuner can detect easily.
- Watch the meter: If the needle is to the left, tighten the tuning machine head slowly. If it is to the right, loosen it below the note and tune up into the green center.
Cell phones and laptop microphones are designed for human speech and often filter out frequencies below 80 Hz. If your microphone jumps around on the Low E (41 Hz) or Low B (30 Hz), lightly touch your finger right on top of the 12th fret wire without pressing down, and pluck the string. This rings out a clear, bell-like harmonic that is an octave higher (82 Hz), which your phone can detect instantly!
2. Standard 4-String and 5-String Bass Notes & Frequencies
Standard 4-string bass is tuned in fourths: E - A - D - G. A 5-string bass adds a thick low B string below the E: B - E - A - D - G.
| String # | Note Name | Standard Frequency | Wavelength in Air | Standard Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th String (5-string bass only) | B0 (Sub-Bass) | 30.87 Hz | 11.1 meters (36.4 ft) | .130 in |
| 4th String (Thickest on 4-string) | E1 | 41.20 Hz | 8.3 meters (27.3 ft) | .105 in |
| 3rd String | A1 | 55.00 Hz | 6.2 meters (20.5 ft) | .085 in |
| 2nd String | D2 | 73.42 Hz | 4.7 meters (15.3 ft) | .065 in |
| 1st String (Thinnest) | G2 | 98.00 Hz | 3.5 meters (11.5 ft) | .045 in |
3. Checking and Adjusting 12th-Fret Intonation
Because bass strings are very thick, pressing them down to the frets can stretch them slightly sharp if the bridge saddles are not set properly. Here is how to test your intonation:
- Tune your open string until the tuner is in the green center.
- Press down the string at the 12th fret and pluck it.
- If the 12th fret note is sharp, use a screwdriver to move the bridge saddle slightly backwards (away from the neck).
- If the 12th fret note is flat, move the saddle forward (toward the neck). Retune and test again until both the open string and 12th fret are perfectly in tune.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deep bass notes produce strong overtones that can confuse small device microphones. Pluck firmly using the meat of your thumb, and rest your other fingers across idle strings so they do not ring sympathetically.
Turn your bass volume all the way up and leave the tone control wide open (or slightly boost your midrange). This gives the microphone crisp attack and harmonic clarity instead of a muffled rumble.
If a peg slips loose, tighten the small screw on the face of the tuning button with a screwdriver until it feels snug. Always tune down below the note first, then tighten up into pitch so string tension holds the gears firm.