This Spiteful Snake

byMeshuggah

Required String Notes:DADGCFAD

Tune to Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD)

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

Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD)

±0

Target: 73.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

D73

A110

D147

G196

C262

F349

A440

D587

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD)

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

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 8	F#1	D2	Tune up 8 semitones
String 7	B1	A2	Tune up 10 semitones
String 6	E2	D3	Tune up 10 semitones
String 5	A2	G3	Tune up 10 semitones
String 4	D3	C4	Tune up 10 semitones
String 3	G3	F4	Tune up 10 semitones
String 2	B3	A4	Tune up 10 semitones
String 1	E4	D5	Tune up 10 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

"This Spiteful Snake" by Meshuggah is played in Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD) (DADGCFAD). 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. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD).

Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD)

Already tuned to DADGCFAD? These tunings are just one small change away.

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

D#A#D#G#C#F#A#D#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Custom Tuning (DGDGCFAD)1 song

DGDGCFADOnly string 7 differs: G instead of A.

Meshuggah’s Guitar Tunings

Meshuggah plays 1 of 33 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD). Most-used tunings:

Gear for Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD)

Strings and tools that make playing "This Spiteful Snake" in Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD) 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.

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

View winder

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

“This Spiteful Snake” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "This Spiteful Snake" by Meshuggah in?

"This Spiteful Snake" is played in Custom Tuning (DADGCFAD): DADGCFAD, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "This Spiteful Snake"?

Start from standard tuning (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E). String 8: tune up 8 semitones (F#1 → D2). String 7: tune up 10 semitones (B1 → A2). String 6: tune up 10 semitones (E2 → D3). String 5: tune up 10 semitones (A2 → G3). String 4: tune up 10 semitones (D3 → C4). String 3: tune up 10 semitones (G3 → F4). String 2: tune up 10 semitones (B3 → A4). String 1: tune up 10 semitones (E4 → D5).