Spasm

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

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

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

±0

Target: 58.3 Hz

-50WAITING+50

A#58

D#78

G#104

C#139

F#185

A#233

D#311

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (A#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 “Spasm”:

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

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

"Spasm" by Meshuggah is played in Custom Tuning (A#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#) (A#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 A#, string 7 down to A#, string 6 down to D#, 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 (A#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#).

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Meshuggah’s Guitar Tunings

Meshuggah plays 1 of 33 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (A#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#). Most-used tunings:

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

Strings and tools that make playing "Spasm" in Custom Tuning (A#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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“Spasm” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Spasm" by Meshuggah in?

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

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

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