Fantasy Creeps

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 “Fantasy Creeps”:

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

"Fantasy Creeps" by Guided By Voices is played in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard (Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to Eb, string 5 down to Ab, string 4 down to Db, string 3 down to Gb, string 2 down to Bb, string 1 down to Eb. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 1 semitone down. Guided By Voices uses this same tuning on 11 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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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.

Guided By Voices’s Guitar Tunings

Guided By Voices plays 12 of 12 songs in our catalog in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard. Most-used tunings:

Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb12 songs

Gear for Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Strings and tools that make playing "Fantasy Creeps" 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.

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

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“Fantasy Creeps” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Fantasy Creeps" by Guided By Voices in?

"Fantasy Creeps" 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 "Fantasy Creeps"?

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).

What string gauge should I use for Half-Step Down / Eb Standard?

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

Which other Guided By Voices songs use this tuning?

"Club Molluska", "Crutch Came Slinking", "Delayed Reaction Brats", "Don't Stop Now", "Dusty Bushworms", "Order for the New Slave Trade" and 5 more — all in Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, so you can play them without retuning.