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Tuning the B-string?

maddog

maddog

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2004
Messages
4,463
Location
Albuquerque
This seems a bit silly but after several hours, I have become too frustrated. I'm trying to setup my Bongo 5. Neither my Sabine tuner nor Garage-Band seems to register the low B. Is there a trick to setting the intonation and tuning the B-string or do I need to get a better tuner? And if the answer is a better tuner, what is recommended? (I've seen the Petersons but I'm hoping somebody can recommend something cheaper)

Any help would be appreciated. :o

Tom
 
I've tried the Sabine with limited success. It just doesn't want to register that low B, so I tune it by hitting an octave on the 12th fret of the B.

Then check intonation (as well as can be on the Sabine) by fretting in different positions up and down the B string.

When that gets old, I use my Korg, which works just fine on the low B.
 
bovinehost said:
I've tried the Sabine with limited success. It just doesn't want to register that low B, so I tune it by hitting an octave on the 12th fret of the B.

Then check intonation (as well as can be on the Sabine) by fretting in different positions up and down the B string.

When that gets old, I use my Korg, which works just fine on the low B.
Click to expand...


At work we use Peterson VSII and they don't want to hear the low B. I fret the string at th 5th (E) and then set the inonation at the 12th with both fretted, and harmonics.
 
Thanks Jack et. al.,

Always feels good to get validation that I am beating my head against a brick wall for a reason. I'll keep at it until I can get to my LMS and pick up a better tuner (or the wall finally crumbles).

Tom
 
smallequestrian said:
Garageband doesn't seem to register the B on my SR5 either.
Click to expand...

I'm a little miffed at Apple for this. I'm running a Presonus Firepod into my PB. I'm getting a strong audio signal on the B-string but the tuner won't pick it up. You would think that a tuning alorithm should be able to work on any signal that can be digitized and back with no problems.

Other than that, I love my Mac :D Way better than what Billy-Boy offers.

Tom
 
yeah, I find it odd that it reproduces the B no problem, but it can't see it when i try to tune. Most of the time I tune before I play with the computer though.
 
After the Sabine wouldn't work, I tried Garageband as a sanity check. But when I got nothing there as well, I started sweating. While I am miffed at the GB tuner response, it was a relief that you posted that you have the same response.

Thanks again,
Tom
 
I'm sure you know how to tune, but I would use the tuner to get the E string tuned and then use my ear to tune the B (5 th fret of the B and open E should ring the same).

MNF
 
+1 with Mike on this one.

Not idea; but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do....
 
Boss TU-2. No problems tuning the B string at all on any of my 5 strings.

I switched from a Korg like Jack's a couple of months ago and I am very pleased with this stomp box tuner. The Peterson comes very highly recommended also, but I just couldn't justify adding another hunsky to get a tuner.

Also, if your intonation is correct on the B, you could chime it on the 12th fret.
 
I am with Larry on the Boss TU-2. B string reads like any other string.


tk
 
maddog said:
This seems a bit silly but after several hours, I have become too frustrated. I'm trying to setup my Bongo 5. Neither my Sabine tuner nor Garage-Band seems to register the low B. Is there a trick to setting the intonation and tuning the B-string or do I need to get a better tuner? And if the answer is a better tuner, what is recommended? (I've seen the Petersons but I'm hoping somebody can recommend something cheaper)

Any help would be appreciated. :o

Tom
Click to expand...
Hi Tom
THE Boss TU2 is great. I love the Boss stomp box tuner--I can't remember the model #
The peterson stomp box ( also a direct box) is great--(burns batteries-get the ac adapter) they all read the low b
YOu can match the 5th and 7th fret harmonic with the e and f# -
also I like to match the low d with the upper octive on the a string. also the g on the 8th fret and the open g or the g on the a string. The octive (harmonic) on the e string and the e fingered a fourth above the b octive on the b string.
If you get all those you are in tune
:) :)
cliff
 
yep, the TU-2 isn't the most "within a cent" accurate but mine has never let me down on my lo-Bs , just be sure to write your name on yours if you get one because chances are when you show up for a gig you'll see a couple more laying around onstage :D
 
maddog said:
This seems a bit silly but after several hours, I have become too frustrated. I'm trying to setup my Bongo 5. Neither my Sabine tuner nor Garage-Band seems to register the low B. Is there a trick to setting the intonation and tuning the B-string or do I need to get a better tuner? And if the answer is a better tuner, what is recommended? (I've seen the Petersons but I'm hoping somebody can recommend something cheaper)

Any help would be appreciated. :o

Tom
Click to expand...

i was in your position too ..

hmm im using Boss TU-80 for now, and it can tune low B fairly easily .. another way to tune it is to press on 12th fret, so it kinda get the 'higher' B .. and you should be off too far from it ..

good luck
 
Psychicpet said:
yep, the TU-2 isn't the most "within a cent" accurate but mine has never let me down on my lo-Bs , just be sure to write your name on yours if you get one because chances are when you show up for a gig you'll see a couple more laying around onstage :D
Click to expand...

so true .. :o
 
maddog said:
This seems a bit silly but after several hours, I have become too frustrated. I'm trying to setup my Bongo 5. Neither my Sabine tuner nor Garage-Band seems to register the low B. Is there a trick to setting the intonation and tuning the B-string or do I need to get a better tuner? And if the answer is a better tuner, what is recommended? (I've seen the Petersons but I'm hoping somebody can recommend something cheaper)

Any help would be appreciated. :o

Tom
Click to expand...

I dont know my cheap like 2 dollar tuner that came with my starter kit bass tuned it fine. May thats just cause SR are better than BONGOS :D . Forget peterson KORG all the way. DTR-1000 should be cheap But if you want something more DTR-2000 it runs about 250 but you can talk them down
 
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