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Guitar tuning
Drop C
Drop D moved a whole step down: the whole guitar in D standard, with the sixth string dropped to C.
Electric · 6 in line
Acoustic · 3 + 3
6th
C2
65.4 Hz
5th
G2
98.0 Hz
4th
C3
130.8 Hz
3rd
F3
174.6 Hz
2nd
A3
220.0 Hz
1st
D4
293.7 Hz
Note names won’t tune your guitar.
Knowing the strings should read C G C F A D is the easy half. Landing each frequency — and knowing whether you are nine cents flat or three — is the half that needs an ear or an instrument.
1
Open Dial and play a string
It listens as soon as you play. Nothing to press.
2
Turn each peg until the needle centres
Five strings drop a whole step; the sixth drops two, to 65.4 Hz.
3
Check the remaining strings
Changing tension on one string shifts the neck slightly. The rest usually need a nudge.
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Standard tuning free
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Alternate tunings, one-time unlock
What Drop C is for
The workhorse of modern metal and hardcore. The one-finger power chord lands a fourth below standard, with enough slack that a heavier string set is worth fitting to keep the low C tight.
A few chords to try
C5
Open
G5
7th fret
C
Open