illinoisy

bySports.

Required String Notes:EG#BF#BD#

Tune to Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)

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

Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)

±0

Target: 82.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

E82

G#104

B123

F#185

B247

D#311

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “illinoisy”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	E2	Leave as is
String 5	A2	G#2	Tune down a half step
String 4	D3	B2	Tune down 3 semitones
String 3	G3	F#3	Tune down a half step
String 2	B3	B3	Leave as is
String 1	E4	D#4	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

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

Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)

Already tuned to EG#BF#BD#? These tunings are just one small change away.

Never Meant / Midwest Emo34 songs

F - A - C - G - C - ESame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Custom Tuning (EG#BF#A#D#)1 song

EG#BF#A#D#Only string 2 differs: A# instead of B.

Custom Tuning (DF#AEAC#)1 song

DF#AEAC#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.

Custom Tuning (EG#C#F#BD#)1 song

EG#C#F#BD#Only string 4 differs: C# instead of B.

Sports.’s Guitar Tunings

Sports. plays 5 of 5 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#). Most-used tunings:

Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)EG#BF#BD#5 songs

Gear for Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)

Strings and tools that make playing "illinoisy" in Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#) 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.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“illinoisy” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "illinoisy" by Sports. in?

"illinoisy" is played in Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#): EG#BF#BD#, from the lowest to the highest string.

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

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → G#2). String 4: tune down 3 semitones (D3 → B2). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → F#3). String 1: tune down a half step (E4 → D#4). Leave the other strings as they are.

What string gauge should I use for Custom Tuning (EG#BF#BD#)?

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

Which other Sports. songs use this tuning?

"I Love to Be Chill", "Mo Vaughn (He Was a Baseball-Man)", "Rick's Lick's (A Harsh Tale)", "Words That Rhyme With Different Etc." — all in EG#BF#BD#, so you can play them without retuning.