Tuning guides
Pick a tuning. We'll show you the gauge math, tension targets, and the strings that hold up there.
- B standard tuning: gauges, tension, and strings for 7-string and down-tuned 6-string
What guitar strings to use for B standard tuning. Gauge math, tension targets, and recommendations for 7-string and detuned 6-string guitars.
doomstoner - C# standard tuning: string gauges, the Tony Iommi light-string secret, and the best strings
C# standard (C#-F#-B-E-G#-C#) tunes all six strings down a step and a half. The gauges that keep it tight, plus why Tony Iommi did the opposite with light strings for Sabbath's doom tone.
- D standard tuning: gauges, tension, and the strings that hold up a whole step down
What guitar strings to use for D standard tuning (D-G-C-F-A-D). Gauge math for tuning every string down a whole step, why a stock .010–.046 set goes floppy, and picks by scale length and genre.
bluesrockclassic rock+5 - DADGAD tuning: how to tune it, the modal sound, and the best strings
DADGAD tuning (D-A-D-G-A-D) explained: how to tune down from standard, the modal Dsus4 sound, Davey Graham and Jimmy Page history, and the best gauges.
indieshoegazefolk+4 - Drop A tuning: gauges, tension, and strings for the djent and modern metal default
What guitar strings to use for Drop A on 7-string and 6-string. Gauge math, tension targets, and recommendations for modern djent and prog-metal.
prog metaldjentdoom - Drop B tuning: string gauges, tension, and the best strings for the low metal tuning
Drop B tuning (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#) drops a guitar two and a half steps with the low string a power-chord B. The gauges that keep it tight, the tension math, and the best heavy strings.
metalprog metaldjent+1 - Drop C tuning: the gauges, tension, and strings that actually feel right
What guitar strings to use for Drop C tuning. Gauge math, tension targets, and recommendations by genre and scale length.
metalprog metaldjent+2 - Drop D tuning: gauges, tension, and strings for the most-used alternate tuning
What guitar strings to use for Drop D tuning. Tension math for the dropped 6th string, when to keep your .010–.046 set, when to step up, and recommendations by genre.
bluesrockclassic rock+20 - Drop E tuning: gauges, tension, and strings for 8-string Drop E
What guitar strings to use for Drop E on 8-string. Gauge math, tension targets, and recommendations for djent, prog-metal, and heavy extended-range composition.
djentprog metalmetal - E standard tuning: the default gauges, tension, and best strings
What strings for E standard tuning (E A D G B E). Why .010 to .046 is the reference set, the tension behind it, when to go lighter or heavier, and the best picks by genre.
bluesrockclassic rock+26 - Eb standard tuning: gauges, tension, and the best strings for half-step-down
What strings to use for Eb standard (E flat) tuning. The tension math for tuning down a half step, when to keep your .010–.046 set, when to step up to .011–.048, and picks by player and genre.
rockclassic rockhard rock+5 - F# standard tuning: gauges, tension, and strings for 8-string guitar
What guitar strings to use for F# standard on 8-string. Gauge math, tension targets, and recommendations for prog-metal, djent, and Animals-as-Leaders-adjacent composition.
djentprog metal - Open D tuning: gauges, the slide setup, and the best strings
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D): how to tune it, which strings move, why it is the classic slide and Delta-blues sound, and the best gauges for a clean, ringing slide.
bluesindiefolk+3 - Open E tuning: gauges, the slide setup, and the best strings
Open E tuning (E-B-E-G#-B-E): how to tune it, which strings go up, why it is a cornerstone slide tuning, and the gauges that handle the extra tension without stressing the neck.
bluesblues rockrock - Open G tuning: gauges, the Keith Richards five-string setup, and the best strings
Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D): how to tune it, what strings to use, the Keith Richards five-string wound-G trick, and why it is the Rolling Stones and slide-blues sound.
bluesclassic rockindie+7