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 “Guns N Roses”:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2Eb2Tune down a half step
String 5A2Ab2Tune down a half step
String 4D3Db3Tune down a half step
String 3G3Gb3Tune down a half step
String 2B3Bb3Tune down a half step
String 1E4Eb4Tune 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

"Guns N Roses" by Guns N Roses 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. Guns N Roses uses this same tuning on 2 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.

Guns N Roses’s Guitar Tunings

Guns N Roses plays 2 of 2 songs in our catalog in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard. Most-used tunings:

  • Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb2 songs

Gear for Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Strings and tools that make playing "Guns N Roses" 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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“Guns N Roses” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Guns N Roses" by Guns N Roses in?

"Guns N Roses" 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 "Guns N Roses"?

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 Guns N Roses songs use this tuning?

"Sweet Child O' Mine", "civil war" — all in Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, so you can play them without retuning.

More Songs by Guns N Roses

Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Guns N Roses:

View all 4 songs
Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)Advanced
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Open C TuningIntermediate
C - G - C - G - C - ENo Capo

Other Songs in Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Once tuned to Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, try playing these tracks next:

Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo