23 Recorded Songs•9 Unique Tunings
Metallica Guitar Tunings
Metallica has used standard and alternate guitar tunings across their recorded discography. Below you will find 23 songs with exact string notes and tuning configurations.
Metallica Songs & Guitar Tunings
Showing 23 of 23 matching songs
Sad But TrueHeavy Metal
D Standard / Whole-Step Down
D - G - C - F - A - DAll Nightmare LongAlternative / Rock
Drop D Tuning
D - A - D - G - B - EDevils DanceAlternative / Rock
Open D Minor / Crossnote
D - A - D - F - A - DEnter SandmanAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - EFade To BlackAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - EFrancitcAlternative / Rock
C# Standard Tuning
C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#FuelAlternative / Rock
Half-Step Down / Eb Standard
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbHero Of The DayAlternative / Rock
Half-Step Down / Eb Standard
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbHit The LightsAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - EInvisible KidAlternative / Rock
Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#D#)
G#D#G#C#FA#D#Invisible Kid (Kirk's Guitar)Alternative / Rock
Custom Tuning (D#G#D#F#A#D#)
D#G#D#F#A#D#Master of PuppetsAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - ENo RemorseAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - Enothing else matterAlternative / Rock
Nothing Else MattersAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - ESeek and DestroyAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - ESome Kind of Monster (James Only)Alternative / Rock
St angerAlternative / Rock
Drop C Tuning
C - G - C - F - A - DThe Unnamed FeelingAlternative / Rock
Drop Bb / Drop A#
Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - CThe Thing That Should Not BeAlternative / Rock
Drop D Tuning
D - A - D - G - B - EThe UnforgivenAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - EWelcome Home SanitariumAlternative / Rock
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - EWhiskey in a JarAlternative / Rock
D Standard / Whole-Step Down
D - G - C - F - A - DMetallica's Most Used Tunings
9 songsTuning Profile
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - E
4 songsTuning Profile
Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#D#)
G#D#G#C#FA#D#
2 songsTuning Profile
D Standard / Whole-Step Down
D - G - C - F - A - D
2 songsTuning Profile
Drop D Tuning
D - A - D - G - B - E
2 songsTuning Profile
Half-Step Down / Eb Standard
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb
1 songTuning Profile
Open D Minor / Crossnote
D - A - D - F - A - D
String Pitch Guide: Standard E
Primary tuning reference used for 9 songs in Metallica's catalog.
String #Pitch NoteVisual Gauge
6E
5A
4D
3G
2B
1E
Metallica Guitar Tuning Overview
Metallica utilizes a dynamic selection of guitar tunings to achieve distinct voice leading, open resonance, and chord voicings across their music. While standard tuning forms the foundation for many tracks, alternate tunings—such as drop tunings and open tunings—play a pivotal role in shaping their signature guitar sound.
Using our interactive tuner above, you can inspect each string note required for Metallica songs, tune your guitar using microphone pitch detection, and explore chord voicings for each song.
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