The Standard Tuning for a 5-String Bass

A 5-string bass is tuned from lowest to highest string as B, E, A, D, G. The four lowest strings match a standard 4-string bass (E, A, D, G), and the fifth string adds a low B below that. This gives you five more semitones of range on the low end without changing how you play the first four strings.

The low B string is the thickest and sits closest to your body when you hold the bass. It vibrates slower than the others, so it takes longer to settle into pitch — wait a few seconds after turning the tuning peg before checking the pitch again. If you are switching from a 4-string, the muscle memory for your first four strings transfers directly; only the new B string requires adjustment.

Key Takeaways

  • A 5-string bass tunes to B, E, A, D, G from lowest to highest, with the low B string requiring the most patience because it settles into pitch slowly.
  • An electronic tuner is the fastest and most accurate method, and clip-on tuners designed for bass cost between $15 and $40.
  • Tune up to pitch rather than down whenever possible, because strings hold pitch more steadily after being brought up to tension.
  • The low B string is thicker and looser than the others, so small tuning peg turns create larger pitch changes — adjust in smaller increments than you would for the other strings.

Using an Electronic Tuner

An electronic tuner is the most reliable method. Clip-on tuners mount on the headstock and read vibrations directly from the wood, so they work even in noisy rooms. Plug-in tuners connect to the bass's output jack and read the signal. Both work well; clip-on tuners are more portable and cost less.

Turn on the tuner and pluck the low B string. The tuner displays the note name and whether you are sharp (too high) or flat (too low). Turn the B string's tuning peg toward you to raise the pitch, or away from you to lower it. Make small adjustments — the B string is thick and responds slowly. Once the tuner shows B in the center, move to the E string and repeat for each string in order.

Tune up to pitch rather than down. If you overshoot and go sharp, back off and come up to the note again. Strings hold pitch better after being brought up under tension than after being loosened. This matters most on the low B, which is under the least tension of the five strings.

Tuning by Ear Using Harmonics

If you do not have a tuner, you can tune by matching harmonics between strings. A harmonic is a bell-like tone you create by lightly touching a string at the 12th fret (the fret halfway up the neck) and plucking without pressing down. The note rings out clearly and is easier to match by ear than a regular plucked note.

Start with the E string, which you already know from a 4-string bass or from a reference pitch. Play the harmonic on the E string at the 12th fret. Now play the harmonic on the B string at the 12th fret and adjust the B string's tuning peg until the two harmonics sound identical. The B string is now tuned correctly relative to E.

Move to the A string. Play the harmonic on the E string at the 7th fret and the harmonic on the A string at the 12th fret. These should match. Then tune A to D using the same method: E string at the 7th fret, D string at the 12th fret. Finally, tune D to G the same way. This method works because harmonics are stable and ring long enough to hear small differences in pitch.

The 5th Fret Method for Quick Tuning

You can also tune by pressing down (not just touching) at the 5th fret of one string and matching it to the open string below it. Press the B string at the 5th fret — this note should match the open E string. Adjust the B string until they sound the same. Then press E at the 5th fret and match it to the open A string. Repeat for A to D and D to G.

This method is faster than harmonics but less accurate by ear because the notes do not ring as long. It works best if you have some experience matching pitches. The advantage is that you need only one reference pitch to start — if you know what an E sounds like, you can tune the entire bass from there.

Getting a Reference Pitch

If you have no tuner and no reference, you need a starting point. A piano, keyboard, or another instrument in the room gives you the E note. Many smartphones have free tuner apps that can play reference pitches. A tuning fork for the E note (around $5 to $10) is small and portable. Some bassists keep a reference pitch app on their phone for emergencies.

Once you have the E string in tune, you can tune the rest of the bass using any of the methods above. The low B string is the hardest to tune by ear because it vibrates slowly and is harder to hear clearly, so if you are tuning by ear, spend extra time on that string and check it twice.

Checking Your Tuning Stability

After tuning, play each string open and listen for the pitch to drift. New strings and fresh tuning pegs can shift slightly in the first few minutes. If the pitch wanders, wait a minute and retune. Older tuning pegs with worn gears may not hold pitch well — if a string consistently goes flat within minutes, the tuning peg may need replacement.

The low B string drifts more often than the others because it is under less tension and the tuning peg has more mechanical advantage. If the B string keeps going flat, check that the string is seated properly in the bridge and nut. A string that is not fully seated will slip and lose pitch.

Tuning Pegs and Hardware Issues

If you cannot get a string to hold pitch no matter how many times you tune it, the problem is usually the tuning peg, the bridge, or the nut. A tuning peg with a cracked gear or worn threads will not hold tension. A bridge saddle that is not seated properly or a nut slot that is too loose will let the string slip.

You can test this by tuning the string and then gently pulling on the string below the bridge. If the pitch drops, the bridge saddle is loose. If you tune and the pitch when ready drifts without you touching anything, the tuning peg is worn. Both are fixable — the bridge saddle may just need to be reset, and a worn tuning peg can be replaced for $20 to $60 depending on the bass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I tune the low B string differently than the other strings?

The B string is thicker and under less tension, so it responds more slowly to tuning peg adjustments. Make smaller turns and wait longer between adjustments. It also drifts more easily, so check it twice and give it a few seconds to settle after you stop turning the peg.

What if I do not have a tuner?

Use harmonics at the 12th fret to match strings to each other, or press at the 5th fret and match to the open string below. You need one reference pitch to start — a piano, tuning app, or tuning fork. Once the E string is correct, you can tune the rest from there.

Why does my low B string keep going flat?

New strings and fresh tuning pegs shift slightly in the first few minutes. If the B string drifts after that, check that the string is fully seated in the bridge and nut. If it still drifts, the tuning peg may be worn or the bridge saddle may be loose — both are common on 5-string basses because the B string is under unusual tension.

Can I tune a 5-string bass to a different tuning?

Yes. Some players tune the low B to A or C for different sounds. The standard B, E, A, D, G tuning is the most common because it extends the range downward without changing the fingering for the other four strings. Any other tuning works the same way — use a tuner or reference pitch and match each string to the note you want.

How often should I tune my bass?

Tune before every practice or performance. Temperature and humidity changes affect string tension, so a bass that was in tune an hour ago may have drifted. The low B string especially can shift if the room temperature changes. A quick check with a tuner takes 30 seconds and prevents playing out of tune.