How do you tune an electric bass? E, A, D and G
E, A, D and G: the four lowest strings of the guitar, an octave lower. Here's how to tune your bass with a tuner, by ear and with harmonics, and how to check the intonation.
A four-string electric bass is tuned, from thickest to thinnest, to E, A, D and G (E1, A1, D2 and G2): the same notes as the guitar's four lowest strings, an octave lower. The quickest method is to use a tuner and bring each string up to pitch from below. Without a tuner, you can tune the strings to each other using fret 5 or harmonics, starting from a single reference note.
There's another adjustment many bass players overlook: intonation. If your bass is in tune on open strings but out of tune at higher frets, the problem is at the bridge rather than the tuning machines.
In short
- Standard four-string bass tuning: E (E1), A (A1), D (D2) and G (G2), a fourth apart.
- Always tune up to the note: if you go too far, lower the pitch a little and come back up.
- Fret 5 on each string gives you the note of the next open string; harmonics at frets 5 and 7 help you check.
- If your phone's tuner struggles to read low E, play the harmonic at fret 12: it's the same note, an octave higher.
- If the harmonic at fret 12 doesn't match the fretted note there, you need to adjust intonation at the bridge.
Bass string notes
| String | Note | Symbol | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th (thickest) | E | E1 | 41.20 Hz |
| 3rd | A | A1 | 55 Hz |
| 2nd | D | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | G | G2 | 98 Hz |
Each string is a perfect fourth above the one before it. A five-string bass usually adds a low B (B0, about 30.87 Hz) below E, and has its own 5-string bass tuner; a six-string also adds a high C (C3) above G. The double bass uses the same four notes as the electric bass and has its own double bass tuner.
How to tune a bass with a tuner
| Type | How it detects the note | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Clip-on | Through vibration, clipped to the headstock | Rehearsals and noisy places |
| Pedal or cable-connected tuner | Through the bass's electrical signal | Live performance; background noise doesn't affect it |
| Microphone-based (phone or web) | Through sound from the instrument or amplifier | Practicing at home without buying anything |
| Built into the amplifier or multi-effects unit | Through the signal, like a pedal tuner | If you already have one, you don't need another |
- If you're using a connected tuner, turn the bass's volume all the way up; on an active bass, check that the battery has charge.
- Pluck the open string with your finger at medium volume and let it ring. Read the note a moment after the attack: the pitch is slightly sharp just as you pluck.
- If the note is flat, turn the tuning machine to tighten the string. If it's sharp, loosen it below the target pitch and tune back up: this takes up slack in the gears so the string doesn't drop in pitch a few minutes later.
- Tune E, A, D and G, then check them again.
At home, you can use our microphone-based online bass tuner. Many phone and laptop microphones struggle with very low notes; if the needle jumps around on E, play the harmonic at fret 12 (explained below): the tuner recognizes it as E an octave higher and gives a steadier reading. Moving the microphone closer to the amplifier's speaker also helps.
Tuning by ear: fret 5 and harmonics
You need just one reliable reference, such as E from a piano, another instrument or a tuner. From there, tune each string against the previous one.
Using fret 5
- Fret the E string at fret 5: it sounds an A.
- Play the open A string and adjust it until both notes match.
- Repeat with fret 5 on the A string against open D, and fret 5 on D against open G.
Using harmonics at frets 5 and 7
To play a harmonic, lightly touch the string with your fingertip directly above the fret wire without pressing down; pluck near the bridge and immediately lift your left-hand finger. The harmonic keeps ringing as you turn the tuning machine, making it easier to hear beats: a pulsing “wah-wah-wah” that slows as you get closer and disappears when the notes match.
| Harmonic at fret 5 on… | Harmonic at fret 7 on… | Sounding note |
|---|---|---|
| E | A | E (E3) |
| A | D | A (A3) |
| D | G | D (D4) |
One technical detail: harmonics produce pure intervals, and a pure fourth is slightly narrower than the tuner's fourth. The difference adds up from string to string, reaching about 6 cents on G. It's small, but audible in chords or when playing with a keyboard. Use harmonics to get close quickly, then confirm with fret 5 or a tuner.
Intonation: when higher frets are out of tune
Setting intonation means adjusting each string's length between the nut and bridge saddle. If it's not set correctly, the open strings sound in tune but notes go out of tune as you move up the neck. Here's how to check:
- Use strings in good condition: worn strings never intonate well. If they need replacing, how to care for an electric bass explains how.
- Get into your usual playing position, seated or standing with a strap, and tune all the strings.
- Play a string's harmonic at fret 12 and check the tuner. Then fret that string at fret 12 without pressing too hard, and compare.
- Gradually adjust that string's saddle using its bridge screw, retune and repeat the comparison.
| Fretted note at fret 12 | What it means | What to do with the saddle |
|---|---|---|
| Higher than the harmonic | The vibrating length is too short | Move it away from the neck |
| Lower than the harmonic | The vibrating length is too long | Move it toward the neck |
| Same | Intonation is correct | Nothing; move to the next string |
If the screw is stiff, loosen the string slightly before turning it. If the saddle reaches the end of its travel without fixing the difference, or you've never done this before, take the bass to a luthier: the issue may involve neck relief, string height or the bridge.
Common alternative tunings
| Tuning | Notes, low to high | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | E, A, D, G | Almost everything: pop, salsa, rock, jazz, Colombian music |
| Drop D (lowered D tuning) | D, A, D, G | Rock, metal or songs that go down to low D |
| Half step down | E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭ | Bands whose guitars use this tuning, or to suit the singer's voice |
| Five-string bass | B, E, A, D, G | Any style that calls for notes below E |
To switch to Drop D, lower the E string a whole step and compare its harmonic at fret 12 with the open D string: they should match. Remember that changing tuning changes neck tension; if you do it often, the strings take longer to settle.
Why your bass goes out of tune
- New strings: they stretch over the first few days. After fitting them, gently stretch them along the neck and retune several times.
- Climate changes: moving from Bogotá's cold weather to a hot region, or leaving your bass by a sunny window, changes tuning and sometimes neck relief.
- Pressing too hard: excessive pressure raises the pitch, especially if the strings sit high above the fingerboard. If everything sounds sharp at the first few frets, check your hand before the bass.
- Bumps to the headstock: a bass that slips off a wall or stand usually ends up out of tune, sometimes with a loose tuning machine.
Tuning at the start of every session, and again after playing for a while, is a habit your teacher checks from your first electric bass lesson. If you also play guitar, the process is very similar to tuning a guitar, with one advantage: all bass strings are a fourth apart, so there's no B-string exception.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bass tuned the same way as a guitar?
The four bass strings have the same notes as the guitar's four lowest strings (E, A, D, G), but sound an octave lower. A guitar tuner will therefore work too, as long as it detects low frequencies well.
How often should you tune a bass?
Every time you play, and again if you move to a different place or play for a long time. With new strings, check several times during the same session.
Why does my bass sound in tune on open strings but out of tune higher up the neck?
The most common causes are worn strings, incorrect intonation or pressing too hard when fretting. Start with new strings and the fret 12 comparison; if the difference remains, have a luthier check it.
What happens if I tune a string above its intended note?
It takes more tension than it's designed for: it may break and also puts strain on the neck. If you overshoot, lower the pitch and slowly bring it back up to the correct note.
Sources
We checked the facts in this article against these sources on October 22, 2026.