The Hurt That Finds You First

Required String Notes:EA#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 (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#).

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

±0

Target: 82.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

E82

A#117

D#156

G#208

C#277

F#370

A#466

D#622

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (EA#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 “The Hurt That Finds You First”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 8	F#1	E2	Tune up 10 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

"The Hurt That Finds You First" by Meshuggah is played in Custom Tuning (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#) (EA#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 E, 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 (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

Already tuned to EA#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 E.

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

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

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 E.

Meshuggah’s Guitar Tunings

Meshuggah plays 4 of 33 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (EA#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 (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#)

Strings and tools that make playing "The Hurt That Finds You First" in Custom Tuning (EA#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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“The Hurt That Finds You First” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "The Hurt That Finds You First" by Meshuggah in?

"The Hurt That Finds You First" is played in Custom Tuning (EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#): EA#D#G#C#F#A#D#, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "The Hurt That Finds You First"?

Start from standard tuning (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E). String 8: tune up 10 semitones (F#1 → E2). 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).