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CGDGBE Tuning Guitar Tuner

CGDGBE Tuning
±0
C
Target: 65.4 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
C65
G98
D147
G196
B247
E330

How to Tune to CGDGBE Tuning

A hybrid tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E) that keeps the top three strings standard while lowering the bottom three toward an open G-flavored bass. Richard Thompson uses it for his tour-de-force fingerstyle showpiece "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," letting him hold standard chord shapes up top while a droning C and G anchor the low end.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 2 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2C2Tune down 4 semitones
String 5A2G2Tune down a whole step
String 4D3D3Leave as is
String 3G3G3Leave as is
String 2B3B3Leave as is
String 1E4E4Leave as is
Printable CGDGBE Tuning chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" is regularly cited as one of the greatest guitar songs ever written. The relentless fingerpicked pattern — bass, melody and chords played simultaneously — is made possible by this tuning, which frees the low strings to ring as open drones while the melody moves on top.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:Light-to-medium acoustic gauges (.012-.053). The low E drops a fourth to C, so a heavier 6th string keeps it tight; the A drops to G and the D stays. The top three strings are standard, so no extra tension concerns up high.

Gear for CGDGBE Tuning

Tools that make tuning to C - G - D - G - B - E easier.

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

View winder

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CGDGBE TuningIntermediate
C - G - D - G - B - ENo Capo
Song Details
CGDGBE TuningIntermediate
C - G - D - G - B - ENo Capo
Song Details
CGDGBE TuningIntermediate
C - G - D - G - B - ENo Capo
Song Details
CGDGBE TuningIntermediate
C - G - D - G - B - ENo Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What tuning is 1952 Vincent Black Lightning in?
Richard Thompson plays it in CGDGBE: the low E is dropped to C, the A to G, the D stays D, and the G, B, E remain standard. This gives a low C-G drone under otherwise familiar chord shapes.
How do I tune to CGDGBE?
From standard EADGBE: drop the low E two whole steps to C, drop the A a whole step to G, leave D, G, B, and high E exactly as they are. Only the bottom two strings change. Match them with the tuner above.
Why keep the top strings standard?
Keeping G-B-E standard lets you use ordinary chord and melody fingerings on the top strings while the retuned bass strings ring as open C and G drones. It is a favorite trick for fingerstyle players who want a big open sound without relearning the whole fretboard.
What are the frequencies for CGDGBE?
C2 = 65.41 Hz, G2 = 98.00 Hz, D3 = 146.83 Hz, G3 = 196.00 Hz, B3 = 246.94 Hz, E4 = 329.63 Hz.