Half-Step Down / Eb StandardPsychedelic RockIntermediateNo Capo

All Along the Watchtower

Required String Notes:Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb

How to Tune from Standard to Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “All Along the Watchtower”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	Eb2	Tune down a half step
String 5	A2	Ab2	Tune down a half step
String 4	D3	Db3	Tune down a half step
String 3	G3	Gb3	Tune down a half step
String 2	B3	Bb3	Tune down a half step
String 1	E4	Eb4	Tune down a half step

Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

Hendrix's definitive reworking of Bob Dylan's song is played a half step down in Eb standard. Standard barre-chord shapes for the Cm–Bb–Ab progression sound a semitone lower, giving the track its slinky, slightly darker tone.

Key Chord Voicings:

Cm barre (x-3-5-5-4-3)Bb barre (x-1-3-3-3-1)Ab barre (4-6-6-5-4-4)

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Tunings Close to Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Already tuned to Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb? These tunings are just one small change away.

Standard E241 songs

E - A - D - G - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Drop Db / Drop C#82 songs

Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbOnly string 6 differs: C# instead of D#.

C# Standard Tuning52 songs

C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.

Jimi Hendrix’s Guitar Tunings

Jimi Hendrix plays 4 of 7 songs in our catalog in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard. Most-used tunings:

Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb4 songs
Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E3 songs

Gear for Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Strings and tools that make playing "All Along the Watchtower" in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)

Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

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

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“All Along the Watchtower” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix in?

"All Along the Watchtower" is played in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard: Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "All Along the Watchtower"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a half step (E2 → Eb2). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → Ab2). String 4: tune down a half step (D3 → Db3). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → Gb3). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → Bb3). String 1: tune down a half step (E4 → Eb4).