Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar Setup Guide

Guitar Tuning is the process of manipulating the tuning pegs of a guitar so that each string rings at the proper note, or pitch.

There are three principal ways of tuning a guitar:

• Electronic tuning
• Reference tuning and
• Relative tuning

These processes are the same regardless of whether the guitar is electric or acoustic, or whether it has nylon or steel strings.

There are many different notes that a guitar can tune to.

Blues players and fingerstylists are famous for using altered tunings. However there is a standard guitar tuning and this is where all students of the instrument should start. This tuning is, low to high, E, A, D, G, B and E. The high E is, on a piano, the E directly above middle C. The tuning works downward from there.

This method uses an electronic tuner to locate the correct pitches. Electronic tuners are available at any music store for $20-$35. You generally get what you pay for with these things and, unfortunately, the more expensive tuners tend to be much more accurate and thus, easier to use. Purchase the best model of tuner that you can reasonably afford - it will pay off in the long run.

While each model of tuner varies slightly in its operation, the general principles apply for all models. Refer to your tuner's operation manual for instructions pertaining specifically to your model. Almost all electronic tuners have two distinct modes: automatic and manual.

Auto mode is for more advanced users and assumes that your strings are reasonably close to being in tune. For the sake of this discussion we will cover only the manual mode. Generally, in this mode, you select the string you wish to tune by hitting up and down buttons on your tuner. Make sure that the guitar is very close to the tuner or, in the case of an electronic tuner, is physically connected to the guitar with a ¼" instrument cable.

Play the string repeatedly and see if the tuner is indicating flat or sharp for the note you selected. While still playing the note, adjust the tuning peg of the string with your free hand until the tuner indicates that the string is in tune. Generally this is indicated by a green light coming on.

Reference Tuning is tuning the guitar's strings to another source such as a pitch pipe, piano, or another guitar. The reference pitch is first played and then the corresponding pitch (generally an open string) is played on the guitar. The tuning pegs are then turned either to the left or the right, moving the pitch of the string up or down until the pitch of he reference instrument and the pitch of the guitar are exactly the same. This is probably the most difficult method and it's best to have someone who knows how show you a couple of times until you get the hang of it.

Relative Tuning is the process of tuning the guitar to itself. Notes and chords will sound correct as long as the guitar is playing solo, but the pitch of the entire guitar may be too high or too low when compared to another instrument. Play the low E string at the fifth fret, then play the A string open. These two pitches should be exactly the same. Move the tuning key for the A string either flat or sharp as necessary until the two strings both ring at the same pitch.

Repeat this process for the width of the guitar with the exception of the second, or B, string. To tune this string you must play on the third, or G, string at the fourth fret. Return to the fifth fret to tune the high E string.

1. Remove the old strings by popping out the pin on the bridge and unwinding it from the head.
2. Thread the ball end of a new string through the bridge and anchor it with the pin. It is important that the ball end of the string sits firmly against the bridge plate. (If you have a pinless bridge and the strings simply pass thru the back side of this bridge, put a "hook like" bend on the tip of the string before threading it thru the hole, this way it feeds up and over the saddle.)
3. After attaching the string to the bridge, stretch it up the neck and bring it down the center of the peghead, then thread it thru the tuning shafts hole.
4. Leave a bit of string length to wind around the tuner, and bend the string to help hold it in place on the peg, then turn the tuning peg to tighten it. While you turn, hold the pin firmly to keep the string from popping out. Turn it at least one rotation, but make sure you don't turn it too tight.
5. Stretch the new string with your fingers, then turn the tuning peg a bit to retighten it.
6. Use wire cutters to clip off the excess string, leaving about 1 or 2 inches.
7. Tune the new string to a guitar tuner.

Guitar Action refers to the way an instrument is adjusted and how well it plays. Action adjustments are made to improve the feel of the instrument, decrease pressure on your fingertips, avoid buzzing and generally just get the best sound out of your guitar. High action makes for painful playing and awful intonation. Most guitars are set up at the factory with higher action because it is easier to drop the action than it is to raise it. Raising the action usually means replacement of the nut and the saddle, while cutting them both lower is pretty easy.

You can adjust your guitar action by:

• Correcting the action at the nut
• Correcting the action at the saddle
• Correcting the action at the neck

Your playing style will dictate how your action is set best. Most factories choose 3/32" for most flat top acoustic guitars while just over 2/32 at the treble E string might feel better for most beginning players. Tough strummers or bluegrass players sometimes enjoy an action set to as much as to 1/8". Bear in mind, it all depends on the instruments ability and your style.

Learn How To Set Up Your Guitar, Restring It Properly, And How To Adjust The Action And The Neck With This 3 DVD Guitar Setup Guide