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How to Tune a Bass Guitar (Standard E–A–D–G)

· 2 min read

A 4-string bass is tuned E–A–D–G — the same notes as the four thickest strings of a guitar, one octave lower. Those low notes are also the reason some tuners struggle with bass, so it helps to know what you're aiming for.

The notes

String Note Frequency
4th (thickest) E1 41.20 Hz
3rd A1 55.00 Hz
2nd D2 73.42 Hz
1st (thinnest) G2 98.00 Hz

A 5-string bass adds a low B0 (30.87 Hz) below the E string: B–E–A–D–G.

Frequencies assume the reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz.

Tune with a tuner

  1. Pluck the open 4th string with medium force and let it ring. Very hard attacks make the pitch go sharp for a moment.
  2. Turn the peg until the tuner shows E1 in the center. Approach the note from below.
  3. Repeat for A1, D2 and G2.
  4. Check all four again.

If a tuner jumps around on the low E, pluck a little softer, mute the other strings, or check the 12th-fret harmonic: it's an octave higher (E2), which many tuners read more steadily.

The 5th-fret method (by ear)

Once the E string is in tune:

  • Press the E string at the 5th fret → it plays A. Match the open A string.
  • Press the A string at the 5th fret → D. Match the open D string.
  • Press the D string at the 5th fret → G. Match the open G string.

The harmonic method

Harmonics ring clearly and make beating easy to hear:

  • 5th-fret harmonic on the E string = 7th-fret harmonic on the A string.
  • 5th-fret harmonic on the A string = 7th-fret harmonic on the D string.
  • 5th-fret harmonic on the D string = 7th-fret harmonic on the G string.

Touch the string lightly directly above the fret wire, pluck, and listen to both notes together. When the slow "wah-wah" pulsing stops, the strings are in tune with each other.

Tips

  • Tune with the bass in playing position — a strap and the neck angle can change the pitch slightly.
  • Heavy strings take a moment to settle after you turn the peg. Pluck again before you decide.
  • If open strings are in tune but fretted notes sound off higher up the neck, the intonation (saddle position) needs adjusting.

Doing it faster with AI Guitar Tuner

AI Guitar Tuner for iPhone recognizes a 4-string bass from three plucked open strings and switches to E1 A1 D2 G2 automatically. Pitch is estimated by CREPE, a neural network that runs on the iPhone, and the tuner follows whichever open string you pluck. Audio is processed on the iPhone and never uploaded.