Some Kind of Monster (James Only)

byMetallica

Required String Notes:CCGCFAD

Tune to Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD)

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

Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD)

±0

Target: 65.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

C65

G98

C131

F175

A220

D294

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD)

Start in standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 7 of 7 strings to play “Some Kind of Monster (James Only)”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 7	B1	C2	Tune up a half step
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: .010–.056 (7-string). A dedicated 7-string set keeps the low B tight enough to stay in tune.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String (.010–.056) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Some Kind of Monster (James Only)" by Metallica is played in Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD) (CCGCFAD). Starting from standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 7 of 7 strings: string 7 up to C, 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. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD).

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Metallica’s Guitar Tunings

Metallica plays 1 of 23 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD). Most-used tunings:

Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E9 songs
D Standard / Whole-Step DownD - G - C - F - A - D2 songs
Drop D TuningD - A - D - G - B - E2 songs
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb2 songs
Open D Minor / CrossnoteD - A - D - F - A - D1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD)

Strings and tools that make playing "Some Kind of Monster (James Only)" in Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD) easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String (.010–.056)

Recommended gauge .010–.056 (7-string). A dedicated 7-string set keeps the low B tight enough to stay in tune.

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

View winder

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“Some Kind of Monster (James Only)” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Some Kind of Monster (James Only)" by Metallica in?

"Some Kind of Monster (James Only)" is played in Custom Tuning (CCGCFAD): CCGCFAD, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Some Kind of Monster (James Only)"?

Start from standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E). String 7: tune up a half step (B1 → C2). 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).