A Horse With No Name

byAmerica

Required String Notes:DEDGBD

Tune to Custom Tuning (DEDGBD)

Play each string and match the pitch using your microphone. Targets are set to this song’s exact tuning (DEDGBD).

Custom Tuning (DEDGBD)

±0

Target: 73.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

D73

E82

D147

G196

B247

D294

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (DEDGBD)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “A Horse With No Name”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	D2	Tune down a whole step
String 5	A2	E2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 4	D3	D3	Leave as is
String 3	G3	G3	Leave as is
String 2	B3	B3	Leave as is
String 1	E4	D4	Tune down a whole step

Recommended string gauge: .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"A Horse With No Name" by America is played in Custom Tuning (DEDGBD) (DEDGBD). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 5 down to E, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 5 semitones down. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (DEDGBD).

Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (DEDGBD)

Already tuned to DEDGBD? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open G Tuning59 songs

D - G - D - G - B - DOnly string 5 differs: G instead of E.

Double Drop D Tuning14 songs

D - A - D - G - B - DOnly string 5 differs: A instead of E.

America’s Guitar Tunings

America plays 1 of 2 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (DEDGBD). Most-used tunings:

Custom Tuning (DEDGBD)DEDGBD1 song
Custom Tuning (EBDGBD)EBDGBD1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (DEDGBD)

Strings and tools that make playing "A Horse With No Name" in Custom Tuning (DEDGBD) easier.

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054)

Recommended gauge .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.

View strings

D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“A Horse With No Name” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "A Horse With No Name" by America in?

"A Horse With No Name" is played in Custom Tuning (DEDGBD): DEDGBD, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "A Horse With No Name"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 5: tune down 5 semitones (A2 → E2). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.