Bass tuning
Standard 4-string (E-A-D-G)
Standard four-string bass tuning is E-A-D-G, the same notes as the four low strings of a guitar but an octave lower. Every string is a perfect fourth apart.
馃幐 Open the tuner in this tuningThe tuner opens already preconfigured; you only need to allow microphone access.
Strings and frequencies
| String | Note | Hz |
|---|---|---|
| String 1 | G2 | 98.00 Hz |
| String 2 | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| String 3 | A1 | 55.00 Hz |
| String 4 | E1 | 41.20 Hz |
How it sounds
It is the default tuning for the vast majority of electric bass music. Its all-fourths layout makes scales and arpeggios fall under the hand very regularly.
Styles and genres
Rock
Pop
Funk
Jazz
Blues
Soul
Recommended string gauges
A 0.045-0.105 set is standard for a long-scale bass and gives balanced tension. For a looser feel there are 0.040-0.095 sets, and for more attack, 0.050-0.110.
Tuning tip
Tune with the bass in playing position, not flat on a table: neck tension changes with the angle, and a tuning done horizontally can go flat when you lift it up.
Related tunings
- Drop D: only the fourth string drops to D, for one-finger power chords
- Half-step down: the same standard tuning, half a step lower, to match guitars in Eb
- D standard: lowers every string a whole tone for a heavier, darker low end
- Drop C: a whole tone down with the low string on C, for heavy metal riffs
Updated