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Guitar tuning · 8 string
8-String Drop E Tuning
Eight-string standard with the lowest string dropped to E — one octave below a standard low E.
The strings
Low to high, the way you would say it out loud.
E8th
B7th
E6th
A5th
D4th
G3rd
B2nd
E1st
Getting there from standard
The six standard strings stay exactly as they are; the extra strings are tuned below them.
- 1st string — leave it at E
- 2nd string — leave it at B
- 3rd string — leave it at G
- 4th string — leave it at D
- 5th string — leave it at A
- 6th string — leave it at E
- 7th string — added, tuned to B
- 8th string — added, tuned to E
Why players use it
Dropping the 8th string from F♯ to E gives the same one-finger power chord shape as Drop D, an octave and a half below where a six-string starts. It also puts the lowest string exactly two octaves below the 6th string of a standard guitar.
What it buys you
Drop-tuning shapes at the absolute bottom of the instrument.
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