Busted Bicycle

byLeo Kottke

Required String Notes:AEAEAC#

Tune to Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)

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

Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)

±0

Target: 55.0 Hz

-50WAITING+50

A55

E82

A110

E165

A220

C#277

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Busted Bicycle”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	A1	Tune down 7 semitones
String 5	A2	E2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 4	D3	A2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 3	G3	E3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 2	B3	A3	Tune down a whole step
String 1	E4	C#4	Tune down 3 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Busted Bicycle" by Leo Kottke is played in Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#) (AEAEAC#). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to A, string 5 down to E, string 4 down to A, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to C#. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 7 semitones down. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#).

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)

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

Open B Tuning19 songs

B - F# - B - F# - B - D#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)4 songs

A#FA#FA#DSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Custom Tuning (AEAEAE)2 songs

AEAEAEOnly string 1 differs: E instead of C#.

Leo Kottke’s Guitar Tunings

Leo Kottke plays 1 of 3 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#). Most-used tunings:

Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)AEAEAC#1 song
Drop Bb / Drop A#Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C1 song
Open D TuningD - A - D - F# - A - D1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)

Strings and tools that make playing "Busted Bicycle" in Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#) easier.

Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072)

Recommended gauge .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.

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.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

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

View winder

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“Busted Bicycle” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Busted Bicycle" by Leo Kottke in?

"Busted Bicycle" is played in Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#): AEAEAC#, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Busted Bicycle"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 7 semitones (E2 → A1). String 5: tune down 5 semitones (A2 → E2). String 4: tune down 5 semitones (D3 → A2). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down 3 semitones (E4 → C#4).