If, like me, you have a standard western fretboard it will scaled in 12 equal portions. Each scale is either double or half the adjacent one. Each note is a 1/12 higher or lower of the the adjacent note. The notes are found by the respective formula (2^^1/12) and (0.5^^1/12).

A notable problem with this is that the notes at the frets do not exactly equate to harmonics of other notes. For example: If A is set to 440Hz then 330 and 660 would equate to lower and higher harmonics by half. But the closet that can be played without bending the strings, which can't be done with open strings, is E at 329.63 and 659.26.

The two common methods are to use a pitch pipe or electronic equivalent or the 5,5,5,4,5 fret routine in a six string setting:

As a simple way of spreading out the errors inherent is the equal temperament scale, I tune as follows:

With six strings

1. I tune both E's and then the second fret of the D string (E) to the two E's
2. Then I tune the G string to the G on the two E's
3. Then the A to the A on the G string and finally
4. The D on the B string to the open D string.

The only difference with a 12 string, to keep the tension down I tune low, about a ^1/12 and tune the lightest G string first. One the two G's are done I then do the E's and then as the 6 string order.

Next page for more on the issues with harmonics and the western scale

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