Perpetual Black Second

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

Tune to Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

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

Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

±0

Target: 77.8 Hz

-50WAITING+50

D#78

A#117

D#156

G#208

C#277

F#370

A#466

D#622

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

Start in standard tuning (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 8 of 8 strings to play “Perpetual Black Second”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 8	F#1	D#2	Tune up 9 semitones
String 7	B1	A#2	Tune up 11 semitones
String 6	E2	D#3	Tune up 11 semitones
String 5	A2	G#3	Tune up 11 semitones
String 4	D3	C#4	Tune up 11 semitones
String 3	G3	F#4	Tune up 11 semitones
String 2	B3	A#4	Tune up 11 semitones
String 1	E4	D#5	Tune up 11 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .010–.074 (8-string). An 8-string set with a heavy low string is needed for clean, stable bass notes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 8-String (.010–.074) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Perpetual Black Second" by Meshuggah is played in Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#) (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#). Starting from standard tuning (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 8 of 8 strings: string 8 up to D#, string 7 up to A#, string 6 up to D#, string 5 up to G#, string 4 up to C#, string 3 up to F#, string 2 up to A#, string 1 up to D#. Overall string tension rises, so tune up slowly to avoid breaking strings. Meshuggah uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

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

Custom Tuning (FA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)6 songs

FA#D#G#C#F#A#D#Only string 8 differs: F instead of D#.

Custom Tuning (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)4 songs

EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#Only string 8 differs: E instead of D#.

Custom Tuning (DA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)1 song

DA#D#G#C#F#A#D#Only string 8 differs: D instead of D#.

Custom Tuning (D#G#D#G#C#F#A#D#)1 song

D#G#D#G#C#F#A#D#Only string 7 differs: G# instead of A#.

Meshuggah’s Guitar Tunings

Meshuggah plays 4 of 33 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#). Most-used tunings:

Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard)Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb18 songs
Custom Tuning (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#4 songs
Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#)D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#4 songs
Custom Tuning (FA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)FA#D#G#C#F#A#D#3 songs
Bb Standard TuningBb - Eb - Ab - Db - F - Bb1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

Strings and tools that make playing "Perpetual Black Second" in Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#) easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 8-String (.010–.074)

Recommended gauge .010–.074 (8-string). An 8-string set with a heavy low string is needed for clean, stable bass notes.

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

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“Perpetual Black Second” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Perpetual Black Second" by Meshuggah in?

"Perpetual Black Second" is played in Custom Tuning (D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#): D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Perpetual Black Second"?

Start from standard tuning (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E). String 8: tune up 9 semitones (F#1 → D#2). String 7: tune up 11 semitones (B1 → A#2). String 6: tune up 11 semitones (E2 → D#3). String 5: tune up 11 semitones (A2 → G#3). String 4: tune up 11 semitones (D3 → C#4). String 3: tune up 11 semitones (G3 → F#4). String 2: tune up 11 semitones (B3 → A#4). String 1: tune up 11 semitones (E4 → D#5).