User Manual

6
ULTRABASS BASS GUITAR PACK
Relative tuning method
The relative tuning method is the most independent, and is one you can use any time and anywhere. The only thing you need is a
reference note (e.g. from another instrument or a tuning fork). As long as one string is tuned correctly, all the other strings can be
tuned in relation to it. In the following example, the fourth string (E) is the starting point.
1. Tune the open 4
th
string (E) with the aid of a reference note (e.g. tuning fork).
2. Hold the 4
th
string down at the 5
th
fret. This produces the note to which the open 3
rd
string (A) has to be tuned. Now play the fretted
4
th
string and the open 3
rd
string and adjust the 3
rd
until the two notes are the same.
3. Now use the same method to tune the remaining strings. The reference note is always the string with the higher number than the
neighboring string to be tuned.
Weve summarized this for you as follows:
4. string, 5
th
fret = open 3
rd
string
3. string, 5
th
fret = open 2
nd
string
2. string, 5
th
fret = open 1
st
string
Simply keep to the following diagram.
Keyboard instruments
You can also tune your bass using a piano or a keyboard. The only thing you need to know is which keys on the keyboard
correspond to the bass strings. To find out, look at the following illustration:
To tune your bass proceed as follows:
1. Sit down comfortably with your bass.
2. Make sure the keyboard is within arms length.
3. Play the E on the keyboard and adjust the pitch of the E string (topmost string) to it by turning the corresponding machine head.
4. Repeat this procedure for the A, D and G strings in conjunction with the corresponding notes on the keyboard.
If you find it difficult to tune all four strings using the keyboard, use this procedure only for one string and tune the others using the
relative tuning method.