Search 120,491 Tips
How are basses tuned?
Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about FAQs and other Guitar topics.
Basses are tuned in perfect fourths, E A D G from low to high.
How are basses tuned?
Four-string electric and upright basses are tuned in perfect fourths, E A D G from low oo high. Five-string basses commonly add a low B, but some add a high C instead of the low B. Six-string basses usually have both the high C and the low B. Seven-string basses add an F# to the six-string layout. Eight-string basses are like 12-string guitars. There's an extra string added to each of the four standard strings, with the second set tuned an octave higher. 12-string-basses add two "octave" strings instead of one, making 4 sets of three strings.
