-22-
H8180/H8181 Bass Guitar Kit
Tuning
Tuning is an important guitar concept. If the guitar
is not in tune, the resulting sound is unpleasant.
These instructions explain how to tune by ear.
You can also tune by using an electronic tuner
such as the Grizzly H3097 Chromatic Tuner
shown on
Page 23
.
To tune the guitar:
1.
Play a Low E pitch on a piano, a tuning fork,
or an electronic computer file.
2.
Play an open (non-fretted) 4th string and
adjust the tuner to match the Low E.
Note:
Always tune up. If the string is tuned
high, loosen the string to lower the pitch,
then tune the string up to the correct note.
3.
Tune the 3rd string by playing the 4th string
while it is being pressed (fretted) at the 5th
fret, and then play the open 3rd string. Adjust
the 3rd string tuner until the notes match.
4.
Tune the 2nd string by playing the 3rd string
while it is being pressed (fretted) at the 5th
fret, and then play the open 2nd string. Adjust
the 2nd string tuner until the notes match.
5.
Perform the same tuning step on the 1st and
2nd string.
Setting Intonation
Tools Needed
Qty
Phillips Head Screwdriver ...................................1
Setting the intonation adjusts the length of the
string to correct for flatness/sharpness on each
string. This is a simple process that takes a lot of
trial and error.
To set the intonation:
1.
Lightly touch and then release the 1st string
directly above the twelfth fret as you pluck
the string to play a harmonic note.
2.
Now pluck the string while holding it fretted at
the twelfth fret. If this note is sharper than the
note played in
Step 1
, move the saddle away
from the neck by turning the saddle adjust-
ment screw (
Figure 38
) clockwise. If this
note is flat in comparison, move the saddle
toward the neck.
Figure 38.
Saddle adjustment screws.
Note:
This can also be done with an elec-
tronic tuner by tuning the harmonic note to
be exactly in tune and then adjusting the
saddle until the note played in
Step 2
is also
in tune.
3.
Repeat
Steps 1–2
until the string is in
tune. Repeat the process for the rest of the
strings.
Figure 37.
Example of standard tuning.
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Adjustment
Screws
Saddle
