4 String Bass

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Sweetened Tunings

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Tuning 4 String Bass, 5 String Bass, 6 String Bass, 7 String Bass & 8 String Bass
Peterson tuners are highly accurate, precise and simple to use, you can tune and/or intonate your bass to perfection even if you’ve never used a tuner of any type before. Peterson counts the majority of the world’s top bassists, past and present, among its users such as Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler, Victor Wooten, Duck Dunn, Billy Sheehan, Tony Levin, John Patitucci and Steve Bailey so you’ll be in very good company!

The electric bass guitar is commonly tuned to EADG, but there are other tunings. Some bands use very low pitched standard tunings, some use open or alternate tunings. Many seasoned professional bassists “tweak” their tuning to improve their sound; we call this “Sweetened Tuning”.

If you are not familiar with this kind of tuning jargon, relax, because there is one tuner that does it all for you. Because of Peterson tuners unique “Sweetened Tuning” feature, each tuner has a host of tempered presets which you simply choose - the tuner then guides you automatically – just like using an ordinary tuner – but sweeter.

Its easy! Using your Peterson strobe tuner, your bass will sound much better than when tuned using an ordinary tuner.

  1. Begin with the first string, it’s located nearest the ground when holding the bass in normal playing position.
  2. Pluck to sound the 1st string and observe the tuner display, check that the note “G” is displayed. With your left hand, adjust the tuning peg to stop the strobe pattern image from moving contuously in any one direction, continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
  3. Repeat the above for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings until all strings are tuned.
Intonation at the 12th fret
  1. Having tuned the strings correctly, pluck the 1st string while fretting it at the 12th fret.
  2. If the fretted tone shows sharp on your tuner, the saddle needs to be moved a slight distance further away from the end of the neck, if it shows flat, it needs to be moved a slight distance closer to the end of the neck.
  3. Repeat this procedure with the 2nd , 3rd & 4th string. Open and fretted tones need to be in tune in each case.
Intonation at the 5th & 17th fret
  1. Tune a string at the 5th fret.
  2. Check the string at the 17th. If sharp, move the saddle back, thus lengthening the string. If flat, shorten the string by moving the saddle forward. Remember to fret the string using the pressure that you would normally apply while playing.
  3. Keep repeating this process until each string is in tune as much as possible at both the 5th and 17th frets.
Unlike other tuners which offer no alternative to generic Equal Temperament, Peterson Tuners contain many choices of “Sweetness“, in other words, several degrees of harmony or consonance in a tuning preset. The Sweetener feature is exclusive to Peterson Tuners and there is one for almost any musical instrument.
In the case of the Bass Sweetener (the preset is called BAS), these additional “tweaks” allow the instrument to cut through as only an expertly tuned instrument can. Some call it “voicing” or optimizing the quality of tone produced by the instrument. Using a Sweetener is simple – your Peterson tuner does the work for you.

BAS4
Peterson Sweetened Tuning for 4-string bass guitar.
BAS5
Peterson Sweetened Tuning for 5-string bass guitar.
BSn
Guided Tuning for Bass
bAS
Designed for use with basses tuned to standard EADG and BEADG.
MTb
Buzz Feiten Tuning System for Michael Tobias Design (MTD) 4 & 5 String Bass
MTb
Buzz Feiten Tuning System for Michael Tobias Design (MTD) 4 & 5 String Bass
MT7
Buzz Feiten Tuning System for Michael Tobias Design (MTD) 7 String Bass
MT6
Buzz Feiten Tuning System for Michael Tobias Design (MTD) 6 string Bass
TB1
Thidell Formula 1 for True Temperament Bass
BVI
Fender Bass VI Tuning
bAS
Designed for use with basses tuned to standard EADG and BEADG.
BSn
Guided Tuning for Bass
 Strobe™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

Strobe™ (Android)

$9.99

Strobe™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Use your mobile phone's internal microphone to quickly and easily tune with 1/10th cent accuracy.
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 The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboClip HDC

$79.99

The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. This versatile tuner comes complete with a bright high-definition screen, over 50 Sweetened™ tunings, alternate temperaments for a vast array of string and wind instruments, and soft rubber-lined jaws to protect your instrument's finish while offering a firm grip for maximum signal tracking.
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 For over 75 years, Peterson has been trusted by some of the biggest names on stage and in the studio as the standard in tuning precision. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp Mini

$119.00

For over 75 years, Peterson has been trusted by some of the biggest names on stage and in the studio as the standard in tuning precision. The StroboStomp Mini™ delivers the unmatched 0.1 cent tuning accuracy of all authentic Peterson Strobe Tuners in a mini pedal tuner format. Featuring a high-definition LCD strobe display with variable LED color backlight, your instruments will never sound more in tune. A pop-less true bypass mode and a buffered output mode place you in command of your precious tone without compromise. With over 130 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board, you'll be able to dial in your sound and tune like the pros!
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 Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp LE

$169.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
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 The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo!

The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboPLUS HDC

$179.99

The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo! The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0.1 cent tuning accuracy will tune any instrument with the utmost precision. Featuring a high-definition, multi-color display with variable color LED backlight, the StroboPLUS HDC display can be seen easily across the stage, bench, studio or classroom. Over 200 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board accommodate a variety of instruments, temperaments, and musical genres. The highly configurable metronome features precise 0.1 BPM adjustability in eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes or half notes, a tempo range of 10-280 BPM, over 100 subdivisions, accent patterns, and polyrhythms. The StroboPLUS HDC can also be used to play thousands of bars of tempo maps, programmable from the Peterson Connect Web App. A single tempo map can play an entire score of meter changes, accent patterns, subdivisions, bar colors, silent bars and gradually curved tempo changes like accelerandos and ritardandos. The StroboPLUS HDC is the perfect tuning, ear training and rhythm tool all in one package!
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 Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp HD

$149.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
MORE

0

0

 The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboClip HD

$59.99

The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. This versatile tuner comes complete with a bright high-definition screen, over 50 Sweetened™ tunings, alternate temperaments for a vast array of string and wind instruments, and soft rubber-lined jaws to protect your instrument's finish while offering a firm grip for maximum signal tracking.
MORE

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 The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market!  Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboPLUS HD

$149.99

The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market! Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. Gone are the days of having to carry extra batteries and tripping over power cables during a performance! This tuner is rechargeable via computer bus or outlet power, and its large, circular screen is easily viewed in both the darkest and brightest environmental conditions. Features such as Auto Off, easy menu navigation, tripod mounting capability, over 90 of our Sweetened Tunings, tone generation ability via built in speaker, and a headphone output jack round out the package. Finally, future-proof updating and parameter editing is made possible by the tuner’s unobtrusive side-mounted USB jack. And for those feeling exceptionally adventurous, this tuner can be upgraded to also feature our super flexible Body Beat metronome option, along with both audible AND tactile mode operation. Hear the beat or feel it…the power is in your hands. This tuner is fit for the most discerning of players and technicians for sure!
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 iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

iStroboSoft™ (iOS)

$9.99

iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Plug in your electrics or use the built-in mic for acoustic instruments to quickly and easily tune with 1/10th cent accuracy.
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 The Peterson StroboSoft2 Tuning Suite gives you the power to route your audio through your DAW on an insert point or to strap it across your buss and tune with unrivaled accuracy. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboSoft 2.0

$49.99 - $99.99

The Peterson StroboSoft2 Tuning Suite gives you the power to route your audio through your DAW on an insert point or to strap it across your buss and tune with unrivaled accuracy. Getting your instrument into your computer is as simple as plugging in up to two sound cards at once (stereo input), and selecting a sampling rate up to 96kHz. If the output level of your instrument still isn’t high enough, we have you covered. You can boost signals up to 24dB and achieve an ideal tuning lock. Sharp and flat tuning indicators make “at a glance” tuning a breeze. Gone are the days of needing to use an external compressor to tap-tune backboards, braces, and tone bars. Our “Average” function does away with any measured outliers. The “Standard” downloadable version of this software offers basic chromatic tuning, Cent/Hertz/MIDI note number output, noise filtering, and selectable concert A reference. Our “Deluxe” version offers 38 Sweetened Tunings, themed skins to personalize the tuner to fit the best look for your style, the ability to import/export Sweeteners and temperament to share with friends, and oscilloscope/spectrum analyzer utilities!
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1. Make sure to keep strings in good condition, wipe them down with a cloth after playing and replace them with new strings when they become old or worn. If you break a string while playing or tuning, it often means the strings are at the end of their useful life. Old strings will never hold a tuning. Replace all strings at the same time.

2. Tune UP - not down – when tuning to the pitch of a note on your bass.

3. Check intonation frequently, especially when changing strings and especially prior to recording.

Electric bass guitars made by Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker, Alembic, Music Man, Danelectro and Guild in the second half of the 20th century are particularly cherished. The 1961 Hofner 500/1 played by Paul McCartney, Jaco Pastorius’ 1962 Fender Jazz “Bass of Doom”, Lemmy Kilmister’s Rickenbacker 4001, John Entwistle’s Buzzard Bass, James Jamerson’s 1962 Fender Precision, Sting’s 1957 Fender Precision, Stanley Clarke’s 1973 Series One Alembic, Jack Bruce’s Gibson EB3, Flea’s Music Man Stingray and Les Claypool’s Carl Thompson Rainbow are some of the most iconic.

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Strobe™ (Android)
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StroboStomp Mini
StroboStomp LE
StroboPLUS HDC
StroboStomp HD
StroboClip HD
Body Beat Pulse Solo
StroboPLUS HD
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AutoStrobe 490-ST
AutoStrobe 590
AutoStrobe 490