Hollywood

Required String Notes:C - G - C - F - A - D

How to Tune from Standard to Drop C Tuning

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

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 5	A2	G2	Tune down a whole step
String 4	D3	C3	Tune down a whole step
String 3	G3	F3	Tune down a whole step
String 2	B3	A3	Tune down a whole step
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

"Hollywood" by Nickelback is played in Drop C Tuning (C - G - C - F - A - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to G, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. Nickelback uses this same tuning on 13 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Drop C Tuning

Already tuned to C - G - C - F - A - D? These tunings are just one small change away.

Drop D Tuning130 songs

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

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DOnly string 6 differs: D instead of C.

Drop Db / Drop C#82 songs

Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Drop B Tuning39 songs

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

Nickelback’s Guitar Tunings

Nickelback plays 14 of 39 songs in our catalog in Drop C Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Drop C TuningC - G - C - F - A - D14 songs
Drop D TuningD - A - D - G - B - E13 songs
Drop B TuningB - F# - B - E - G# - C#4 songs
Custom Tuning (BADGBE)BADGBE3 songs
Drop Db / Drop C#Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb2 songs

Gear for Drop C Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Hollywood" in Drop C Tuning 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.

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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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“Hollywood” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Hollywood" by Nickelback in?

"Hollywood" is played in Drop C Tuning: C - G - C - F - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Hollywood"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4).

What string gauge should I use for Drop C Tuning?

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

Which other Nickelback songs use this tuning?

"Because Of You", "Do This Anymore", "Fight For All The Wrong Reasons", "Figured You Out", "Flat On The Floor", "Follow You Home" and 7 more — all in C - G - C - F - A - D, so you can play them without retuning.